You'd have to have the .40 barrel machined a bit to fit and you'd need .40 magazines.
I'd just buy a .40 if it was my choice.
Shield upgrades
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You'd have to have the .40 barrel machined a bit to fit and you'd need .40 magazines.
I'd just buy a .40 if it was my choice.
ContinentalOp
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I may be wrong, but I don't think you can convert a 9mm to a .40. In most guns, it won't fit largely because of differences in the breech face and extractor. There may be some magazine incompatibility, too. Not to mention the recoil spring assembly. One meant for a 9mm may not be able to handle .40.
There are barrels to convert a .40 to a 9mm, but it usually doesn't work the other way around. However, I'll admit I'm not very familiar with the Shield, so I could be mistaken.
AppStFan
Member
In reference to conversions, you can go from 40 to 9 but not 9 to 40. If you have a Shield 9 and want to go to 40 you would need a complete 40 slide and barrel. However if you have a Shield 40 you can get a 40 to 9 conversion barrel and use 9mm magazines. If you have a Shield 9 you are basically stuck with 9mm. If you have a Shield 40 with the proper conversion barrel and magazines you can shoot 9 or 40. Lone Wolf Distributors and TR Enabling make conversion barrels for the Shield 40. I hope this helps to clear up the question of conversion barrels.
9mm to .40 conversion?
This thread, post 12...will tell you how to take a 9mm to 40...it has been done.
This thread, post 12...will tell you how to take a 9mm to 40...it has been done.
How much recoil do you get with a .45 that small? That much power in that small of a frame just seems like it would take STRONG hands to control.
I've shot a Glock 23 and didn't care for it but the 19 was nice.
okiegtrider
Member
I agree with this. For me the Shield is a tool, nothing fancy. You can put a lot of doodads on guns, but a much of it is just lipstick on a pig.
I echo everybody who says just shoot it a lot before you do an anything. I have a full size and it's great as is. I also have a 2.0 Shield, I put the Apex on it and love it. But the thing that made the biggest difference for me, was adding a red dot. I'm quicker and much much more accurate. Going to the range is fun again. Of course my eye sight is terrible. I could focus on the front sight, but anything past 5 yards was a blur. Not anymore, now I'm just focusing on target.
ultratec00
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The key to the Shield 45 is match the ammo to the firearm. It's a lightweight polymer/short barreled 45. My Shield 45s love 185 JHPs pushing ~800 fps. Recoil is very manageable and accuracy is also good. All the above with a SS guide rod, which isn't as stiff as the stock two stage guide rod.
As far as the .45 Shield, you know it when it goes off, but the recoil isn't as bad as you'd expect from a small .45. As many others have said in other threads, it's more of a push than a snap. It's certainly more pleasant than the recoil from my .40 Shield.
It's also way more accurate than you'd expect from a small .45. It shoots well with just about any load or weight.
The trigger on the .45 is great just the way it is, better than the one on my PC Shield, and better than the Apex triggers I've put on my two fullsize M&Ps.
All I did to mine is TFO sights, and I Cerakoted it in FDE to match my fullsize 9mm and .45.
It's also way more accurate than you'd expect from a small .45. It shoots well with just about any load or weight.
The trigger on the .45 is great just the way it is, better than the one on my PC Shield, and better than the Apex triggers I've put on my two fullsize M&Ps.
All I did to mine is TFO sights, and I Cerakoted it in FDE to match my fullsize 9mm and .45.
Just curious, what state do you live in where it is legal for a 19 year old to carry a pistol? I believe it is legal to have it in the vehicle, but not so sure about on person in most states is it? Unless LEO or military?
Rosewood
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Bozz10mm
US Veteran
The only thing I did to my 9mm Shield 1.0 was install an Apex sear and Talon grips. My .45 Shield doesn't really need either of those things.
Without much research, I can tell you it's possible for 19 year olds to carry concealed in Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming (with Sheriff recommendation) and Vermont, as well as being legal for 18+ year olds to open carry in a lot of other states.
My 9mm V1 has just a few upgrades. The Talon grip, rubberized version, the Tru Glo sights and looking to add the Apex sear due to the trigger pull. Have gone other directions for a while so the M&P has been sitting until I get some time to finish it. Have a Sig 238 Nitron that I have added the Tru Glo sights to and really like them on both weapons.
I am a .40 fan, always have been. Like the 10mm even better. However, The Shield is too light for the .40 cartridge. It literally tires your hand out after a few rounds at the range. This is the main reason I swapped to the 3913 for my EDC. It is quite pleasant to shoot. I did shoot a buddies Shield 9 and it is nice to shoot especially when compared to the .40. Now, with heavier guns, I still favor the .40.
Rosewood
There are some Youtube videos to make the trigger better that you can do yourself that are reportedly pretty easy to do. I don't want a light trigger on a defensive weapon, the 5-1/2 lb factory pull is OK for me and also for most police officers with their striker fired M&P, Glock, or Springfield. The factory sights are fine but those Ameriglo sights are looking tempting the older my eyes get.
Shooting Padre
US Veteran
Nobody likes factory stuff, the need to immediately change everything, sometimes before even shooting the gun seems paramount. Why don't the guys having this mindset get factory jobs, then the guns would be just like we want them right off the shelf. Reminds me of the guy who had Abe Lincoln's original ax he split rails with. It only had been upgraded over time with three new heads and seven handles. And that's why I like my .22 Victory just the way it came from the factory after I added about 12 upgrades. 
Alabama does with a permit
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