Shield Performance Center 9mm Ammo Issues and Question

[Tuxlives]

Background
My wife's PC Shield doesn't like cheap target ammo I buy in bulk (reloads). My v1 Shield handles it all just fine which is why I keep buying it, but I think the PC must have a heavier spring so we get FTE often.

We've swapped mags and swapped guns and neither have issues with my v1 and both have issues with her PC.

I ran some defense ammo through it (Hornady something or other HP) and it ran fine, but putting the 115gr FMJ cheap ammo back in and it was immediately back to being an issue.


Training to Try

I am going to buy a few boxes of ammo to try and see what feeds through it (thinking Aguila 124gr, Blazer Brass 115gr and maybe some Federal 115gr.) From that test, I'll be able to buy in bulk.


Self Defense Question for Anyone who has a Shield PC
Any issues with HP rounds? Anything I should steer clear?

I bought some Federal 147gr Law Enforcement (by recommendation from local gun store). I've never used 147gr before and the slower velocity has a little worried it won't cycle her PC.

 

[hardluk1]

Untill you try proper brands of new ammo there not much use in expressing your concerns specially with somes one elses "reloads " . Now some companies load remanufactured ammo that is good quality but I always run 50 rounds of +P rated defensive I may carry in a new handgun then you can drop to a lower quality ammo if you feel that need to save some money .

MY wife prefers 147gr hst as they stopped producing the 150gr hst that was better or 147gr ranger t series as her carry ammo , She stated it has less snap than lighter bullets pr +P ammo and is less snappy and more pushy and likes it better . I can't tell the difference in 9mm loads recoil ! You might pay attention to Luckygunner ammo test you might find the ammo specs you prefer , just remember NO typical handgun cartridge is a gar-O-teed one shot man stopper so use the ammo what you handle best . We have no m&p shield or PC version but with a p365xl & kimber ultra 9mm , a hellcat pro comp & m&p 4" compact reliability has not been an issue .


Might be you will find your pistol is fine after shooting a better class of ammo after 50 or 100 rounds your reload fodder well be reliable too, or not !

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

 

[Saudade]

My Shield 1.0 didn't like weak 115gr either when new. Shot a bunch of 124gr and some 147gr during "break-in". It has no issue now with 115gr but I still prefer 124gr.

As for your wife's PC Shield, it may be the same issue. Recoil spring is fresh and the cheap ammo (it is Winchester White Box, or some some companies bulk reloads?) doesn't have enough oomph to cycle properly.

So I'm with Hardluk1. Buy some stouter ammo (Federal, Fiocchi, S&B) and run a few mags worth.

 

[Doug M.]

Yes. Self-defense and duty ammo is likely made to high levels of overall quality and consistency. In my experience/opinion, 9mm ammo needs to be at the upper end of power in order to work consistently. I tend toward getting higher quality ammo; when I buy reman it is usually Black Hills. For carry, I look at Doctor Robert's recommendations, buy 500-1000 or more rounds, and test it thoroughly to ensure function (200-500 round minimum). In most auto pistols, I run a few hundred rounds of ball through it first to start the real-in period. I have a 4" PC Shield and don't recall any malfunctions during break in or with carry ammo.

My best guess is that the reloads you are using are not of adequate quality, and you should get something else for range ammo.

 

[swsig]

My 1.0 Shield 9 is very ammo-picky, even after thousands of rounds. While ammo-pickiness is merely annoying with range ammo, it's unacceptable with self-defense ammo. Accordingly, I spent a lot of time and money determining which brands of SD ammo would work with 100% reliability with my Shield. My criterion was that any ammo I tested would have to go at least 200 rounds without a failure of any kind. I found two brands that met that standard: Hornady Critical Duty 135g +P, and Federal HST 147g. The Critical Duty has had 375 failure-free rounds, and the HST has had 225. So to the OP, I say it's unlikely you'll need to worry about Federal 147g failing to cycle your wife's Shield, but test it first.

As to range ammo, I like Winchester NATO FMJ 124g. It's loaded to +P standards, but isn't labelled as such. It is by far the most accurate 9mm round I've shot, but it doesn't cost more than other rounds. It's been my experience that cheaper, lower velocity, and 115g rounds don't work well in my Shield. But don't just take my word for it, do your own testing and determine which rounds work best in your Shield.

Good Luck!

 

[Beju]

FWIW, I've seen cheap 115 gr like Blazer Brass cause functioning issues in new pistols if they aren't held with very firm grips. This went away when hotter 124 gr was used.

Just to rule something out, is this a ported PC model? Ported guns can be pickier about lighter ammuntion loads, and may require a lighter recoil spring to function with said light loads. Or you just use higher velocity/heavier projectile ammunition.

 

[Tuxlives]

FWIW, I've seen cheap 115 gr like Blazer Brass cause functioning issues in new pistols if they aren't held with very firm grips. This went away when hotter 124 gr was used.

Just to rule something out, is this a ported PC model? Ported guns can be pickier about lighter ammuntion loads, and may require a lighter recoil spring to function with said light loads. Or you just use higher velocity/heavier projectile ammunition.

Yes, hers is the Performance Center

 

[Tuxlives]

Untill you try proper brands of new ammo there not much use in expressing your concerns specially with somes one elses "reloads " . Now some companies load remanufactured ammo that is good quality but I always run 50 rounds of +P rated defensive I may carry in a new handgun then you can drop to a lower quality ammo if you feel that need to save some money .

MY wife prefers 147gr hst as they stopped producing the 150gr hst that was better or 147gr ranger t series as her carry ammo , She stated it has less snap than lighter bullets pr +P ammo and is less snappy and more pushy and likes it better . I can't tell the difference in 9mm loads recoil ! You might pay attention to Luckygunner ammo test you might find the ammo specs you prefer , just remember NO typical handgun cartridge is a gar-O-teed one shot man stopper so use the ammo what you handle best . We have no m&p shield or PC version but with a p365xl & kimber ultra 9mm , a hellcat pro comp & m&p 4" compact reliability has not been an issue .


Might be you will find your pistol is fine after shooting a better class of ammo after 50 or 100 rounds your reload fodder well be reliable too, or not !

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#9mm

I don't want to buy cheap, but I also don't have a f-ton of resources either. Pulling the trigger at .25 per is hard enough let alone .5 or more. That fact it cycles just fine through mine I guess is something (feeling optimistic about the economy, but we shall see.)

As mentioned in my post, I bought (yesterday) 3 boxes from Sportman's

Aguila 124gr, Blazer Brass 115gr and some Federal Champion 115gr.

I will use these brand new rounds as a test. I did see a reply further down saying he had issue with the Performance center while newer due to the spring. Had better luck with 125gr.

Mine's not brand new so hopefully just buying new 'good' ammo for hers will work :-D

 

[Tuxlives]

My Shield 1.0 didn't like weak 115gr either when new. Shot a bunch of 124gr and some 147gr during "break-in". It has no issue now with 115gr but I still prefer 124gr.

As for your wife's PC Shield, it may be the same issue. Recoil spring is fresh and the cheap ammo (it is Winchester White Box, or some some companies bulk reloads?) doesn't have enough oomph to cycle properly.

So I'm with Hardluk1. Buy some stouter ammo (Federal, Fiocchi, S&B) and run a few mags worth.

Yeah, I went through with what I posted. Bought 3 different boxes from Sportsman's yesterday (Aguilla 124, Blazer and Federal Champion both 115) Hopefully one of those will work for some trigger time practice.

 

[sshakrr]

Good luck with the new ammo. My 1st gen shield eats all name brand 115gr that I feed it. I’ve never reloaded or bought reloads. Wasn’t worth it for me. Everyone’s situation is different. Keep us posted.

 

[hardluk1]

Yeah, I went through with what I posted. Bought 3 different boxes from Sportsman's yesterday (Aguilla 124, Blazer and Federal Champion both 115) Hopefully one of those will work for some trigger time practice.

You could buy a single stage press kit and get into reloading ammo too.