Should I Get an M&P Shield .40?

[Rastoff]

I've been a Glock guy for years. I always thought the Glock 23 had a lot of muzzle flip.

I originally bought a Glock 27 because a friend had one and the price was right. Once I got out and shot it a little, I liked it so much I bought a Glock 22.

What's really weird is I shot the 27 better than the 22. I figured I'd do better with a larger gun, but that is not the case. Go figure.

I wonder if I'd shoot a 40c better than my 40 Full Size? Sounds like another trip to the gun store is in order.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I would not get a .40 Shield. Good 9mm* is doing as well on the street as good .40 ammo these days and the 9mm is not as hard on the gun and gives easier shooting, faster follow-up shots and higher magazine capacity.

*Good 9mm, for purposes of this answer, means Winchester RA9B or RA9T.

 

[Storm40]

Good 9mm for a lot of people is +P or +P+. At that point, why not use .40 S&W? At least practice with .40 S&W ammo is consistent with .40 S&W carry ammo.

 

[Roger S&W]

Any comparison of a Shield and a Ruger LC9 is a bit flawed. The Ruger weighs a WHOLE lot less than the Shield.

True but that wasn't the purpose of me linking the video. Hopefully, you've realized by now the purpose was to assess the recoil of the Shield .40

 

[Roger S&W]

I originally bought a Glock 27 because a friend had one and the price was right. Once I got out and shot it a little, I liked it so much I bought a Glock 22.

What's really weird is I shot the 27 better than the 22. I figured I'd do better with a larger gun, but that is not the case. Go figure.

I wonder if I'd shoot a 40c better than my 40 Full Size? Sounds like another trip to the gun store is in order.

I know what you mean. Seems like I shoot the little Glock 26 better than the larger ones. Funny, there's something special and unique about those Baby Glocks. I didn't handle the G27 well though. G26 is a dream.

 

[epj]

True but that wasn't the purpose of me linking the video. Hopefully, you've realized by now the purpose was to assess the recoil of the Shield .40

My whole point is that the .40 Shield is no ***** cat. When I first got my Shield 9, I did a side by side comparison with a Kel-Tec PF9. The Ruger is essentially a clone of the KT. While the KT9 was flawless and pretty accurate on first shots, the Shield was head and shoulders above on follow up. The KT/Ruger is almost identical in size to the Shield, but weight is vastly different.

If one were to compare the .40 and 9mm Shields, you'd see a similar pattern. Lots less recoil from the 9. Nothing wrong with the .40. The 9 is just easier to shoot quickly and accurately for a lot of folks. Physics is physics as they say.

 

[turbo38gn]

I started out life with the MP40fs, next up was carrying the M&P40c... I loved it, I too am one that likes to carry the biggest caliber I can.... I learned to shoot the c accurately very quickly and didn't put it down until the Shield.. now most days I strap the Shield 40 on and never look back... I purchased both the 9 and the 40, shoot them both comfortably.. no regrets here.

 

[Roger S&W]

Many would contend that the additional fractions of a second needed for accurate .40 follow up shot is negated somewhat by it's initial hard hitting first shot. The "knock down" or "stopping power". I think .40 will have a more significant impact due to it's superior energy and mass. This is critically important as it's presumed the bad guy (s) is armed as well.

 

[Smitty357]

The first shot is the most important shot. If u cant hit the target, u may as well roll over and give up.

9mm or .40 either one should do the job with proper shot placement. However when it comes to the .40 and 9mm argument I just tell everyone how well i like my S&W 500.

 

[johnnymg]

I know what you mean. Seems like I shoot the little Glock 26 better than the larger ones. Funny, there's something special and unique about those Baby Glocks. I didn't handle the G27 well though. G26 is a dream.

Not to get too off topic here but I found the G27 to be a pretty "ugly shooter". i.e. I thinks its fat stubby grip makes quick follow up shots a little less quick than I would like. JMO ~~~

I'm a multiple 40 cal owner but if I was buying a Shield I'd likely chose the 9mm for the extra capacity and better handling.

cheers
JohnG

 

[Rastoff]

...additional fractions of a second needed for accurate .40 follow up shot...

With proper training this becomes moot. Your follow up shot can be just as fast with a .40S&W as it can with a 9mm.

I would be willing to take anyone here to test this. We could start with the 9mm as the bench mark by using a timer. Then do a little training. Then shoot with the .40S&W. Within a day I'm sure I could get most people to shooting two controlled shots, on target, within a hand span of each other, with the .40S&W, as fast as the 9mm +/- .1 seconds (that's as much resolution as my timer has). In fact, if we start with the 9mm as a bench mark before there is any training, I'll bet you come out faster with the .40S&W.

The point here is, pick the caliber you're most confident with. Speed will come with training and practice. In my opinion, whether or not the .40 has more power is irrelevant. You must get good hits first.

 

[aaorb104]

I own a service model Springfield XD 40 which I carried for awhile, I then purchused an M&P 40c with a 3.5 barrel. The difference in fireing the two is like night and day. My XD is a 4.5 inch barrel with a double spring and has the expected recoil associated with a weapon of that caliber and size. My M&P with a shorter barrel and only a single spring has remarkably less recoil and I am able to take up a proper sight picture much quicker and my grouping is much tighter. And, it is more comfortable to carry. I am more than pleased with it.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

I originally bought a Glock 27 because a friend had one and the price was right. Once I got out and shot it a little, I liked it so much I bought a Glock 22.

What's really weird is I shot the 27 better than the 22. I figured I'd do better with a larger gun, but that is not the case. Go figure.

I wonder if I'd shoot a 40c better than my 40 Full Size? Sounds like another trip to the gun store is in order.

You're not the only one.

I had issues with my G22 with accuracy for a while. Left, right, up down, couldnt put em on target.

Swapped out to a P229 for duty. I can double tap at 10 yards side by with that short barreled heavy piece of german masterwork :-D

I also shoot my 1984 Beretta SB compact better than my brand new 92f.

Also shoot my Kahr CW-40 better than my Full sized P45

Also the Compact RIA than I do my GI model.


wait......maybe were onto something here ......

 

[Der Biermeister]

Just about everything in life is a compromise.

Having a Shield 40 instead of a 9 means I am one round short no matter which mag I use. But, even with the smaller mag, I have 7 rounds to get me through a SD situation. If I need more than that, then -- in a manner of speaking -- I have probably really stepped in deep do-do.

 

[emory]

I find the .40 Shield to be quite manageable, even with the short magazine, though it is not a target pistol. I do not own a 9mm Shield for comparison.

 

[Smitty357]

I find the .40 Shield to be quite manageable, even with the short magazine, though it is not a target pistol. I do not own a 9mm Shield for comparison.

New Orleans.......Welcome there fellow neighbor.

 

[Roger S&W]

In my research, I've found when the Shield first came out last year, there have been several Shield .40s where the magazine would fly out while shooting. The mag catches were defective and not keeping the magazine engaged under recoil. It had nothing to do with shooters accidentally hitting mag release button while shooting.
Has this problem since been resolved by S&W?

 

[shakyshoot]

In my research, I've found when the Shield first came out last year, there have been several Shield .40s where the magazine would fly out while shooting. The mag catches were defective and not keeping the magazine engaged under recoil. It had nothing to do with shooters accidentally hitting mag release button while shooting.
Has this problem since been resolved by S&W?

As I understand it the mag drop issue was solved over a year ago. They made an adjustment to the mags, not the gun. It involved punching some dimples into the mags.

 

[ACR1010]

to be honest with u i would go with a .40 ... more power in the round. coming from a person that loves the .40 round the recoil isnt bad at all. yes it is more bang but its very easy to control. im new to the s&w world. the flip on my .40 shield is pretty sweet. its not harsh at all. even my 4'9" mom likes the recoil of the m&p. trigger is a different story lol i would get the .40.

 

[BobbyBJr]

I've got both the 40 and the 9 and carry the 40. The recoil is a little more snappy, but very manageable, especially for such a small handgun. Try to shoot both and decide for yourself. After all, the best carry gun is the one you are the most confident in and comfortable with.

Bobby


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