Should I Get an M&P Shield .40?

[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


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[oldIrish]

Warm weather carry is the 40 Shield. Cold weather, 40FS with the Shield in a coat pocket. Like its' been stated, practice with whatever
you're going to rely on. If the control, and accuracy are an issue, get
some help. Having it is better than not, having confidence in it, priceless.

 

[system]

I shoot the .40 shield fine I also have the .9 barrel for it only mistake I made was buying a .9 mag for it the .9 feed fine out of the .40 mags

 

[Rastoff]

I shoot the .40 shield fine I also have the .9 barrel for it only mistake I made was buying a .9 mag for it the .9 feed fine out of the .40 mags

Interesting. 9mm rounds do not work in my .40 mags. They won't stay in and pop out easily.

 

[Plinker99]

I've shot both. The 40 has more snap to it. I bought the 40 because that's what I could find at the time.

Have you considered dropping a 40 barrel and magazines into your 9mm?

 

[turbo38gn]

Can't do it. The 40 barrel does not fit in the 9mm slide.

I've shot both. The 40 has more snap to it. I bought the 40 because that's what I could find at the time.

Have you considered dropping a 40 barrel and magazines into your 9mm?

 

[Smitty357]

I shoot the .40 shield fine I also have the .9 barrel for it only mistake I made was buying a .9 mag for it the .9 feed fine out of the .40 mags

I wouldnt call that a mistake. I've had mine fail to feed the last round several times when shooting the 9mm from the 40 mag. I discovered this long ago and advised everyone to use a 9mm mag for less worries. But of course it works either way.

I actually have more 9mm mags than i do 40 mags. But of course i shoot it as a 9mm much more than i do as a .40. I shoot it as a 40 through a few mags each range session. Just to keep up with how the .40 feels in a SD situation.

 

[Plinker99]

Can't do it. The 40 barrel does not fit in the 9mm slide.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Smitty357]

Thanks for the info.

Actually in reference to the Shield. The 40 barrel will fit in the 9mm slide if u shave the 2 little "tangs" down just a hair bit to make it fit properly.

Several members have done this and its worked flawless for them for quite some time now. Search the threads on the .40 to 9mm conversion. U will see some in debt conversation a few of us had. As well u find the conversation on the 9mm to .40 conversion.......But it will work both ways. Which ever way u prefer to go. The .40 to 9mm is just easier because the 9mm barrel will drop right in the .40 slide without shaving the "tangs" off the 9mm barrel.

 

[turbo38gn]

How does the 40 barrel work in a 40 slide after it's been filed down to fit the 9mm....

Actually in reference to the Shield. The 40 barrel will fit in the 9mm slide if u shave the 2 little "tangs" down just a hair bit to make it fit properly.

Several members have done this and its worked flawless for them for quite some time now. Search the threads on the .40 to 9mm conversion. U will see some in debt conversation a few of us had. As well u find the conversation on the 9mm to .40 conversion.......But it will work both ways. Which ever way u prefer to go. The .40 to 9mm is just easier because the 9mm barrel will drop right in the .40 slide without shaving the "tangs" off the 9mm barrel.

 

[Smitty357]

How does the 40 barrel work in a 40 slide after it's been filed down to fit the 9mm....

The same way a 9mm barrel works in a .40 slide to start with. Basically if u did it that way, and i dont know why u would. But u would end up with the "tangs" on a .40 barrel that are now about the same size at the ones on a 9mm barrel.

So in the end, even the .40 barrel will go right back into a .40 slide had u ever need it for that reason.

 

[sstewart]

How are you going to get a 40 barrel to do this, when there are none.

 

[Smitty357]

How are you going to get a 40 barrel to do this, when there are none.

Now days, thats the million dollar question. Which is the reason I bought a few of the 9mm barrels back when we could put our hands on them. I remember telling everyone that those barrels would soon be harder to find than the Shield was at the time.

I just didnt think S&W would stop selling them out right to the public. I figured they'd be hard to find. But never once thought it would end up like this.

 

[yurimaster]

I have had the 40 shield for 6 months now and put about 400 rounds with no ftf, fte or any issues whatsoever. My shield trigger was not affected by the recall. But it takes time getting used to of the trigger and slight more recoil. This is my first sub compact in any cal I ever own so I cant compare it with other 9.