Soon to be New Owner of Shield 40

[db_zero]

Just bought a Shield 40 and waiting out the 10 days. I saw some of the older threads regarding mishaps with Shield 40's with interest and wonder what came from all of that.

It looks like the mishaps (blowing up) was from the beginning of 2014. I don't use reloads, but do shoot a lot of different ammo out of my guns.

I own a MP22 as well as a number of other guns (Ruger, Kahr, Springfield Arms). My other 40 is a Glock 22. I picked up the Shield 40 because I've been looking for a compact 40 and the price was right and i have a good impression of S&W as Ive owned a 686 and Model 59 in the past.

I plan on shooting Winchester White box, Rangers, Federal, Golden Sabers. I'll also shoot other self defense rounds as I like to test them out.

I shoot my guns hard and fast and there are often people very close by sometimes in enclosed spaces.

I'm not overly concerned about the 4 or 5 mishaps I've seen posted and I did speak to others who have Shields in 9mm and they love their Shields and they don't seem concerned about the mishaps with the 40.

I'm sure there are thousands if not tens of thousands of Shield 40 in use and S&W knows about the mishaps and hasn't recalled the gun, but I'd still like to know if there is any more info or if I missed anything.

I'm really excited to get my new Shield and put it through its paces.

 

[timn8er]

Welcome to the Forum & to Shield 40 ownership. I've enjoyed both for a while now. I haven't had a single problem with my 40, except for it being a bear to get the slide to lock back. Since I've got a lot more rounds through it now it isn't a problem anymore.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I went with the shield 9 but only because I wanted a different caliber, not because of reported .40 issues.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[db_zero]

Thanks...

Overall the feedback I've received about the Shield has been very positive. I've seen pictures of Kahrs that blew up, yet I have a Kahr P9 I've shot +P and +P+ through as well as a thousand or so regular rounds through and I trust it 100%.

I also run +P rounds through my LC9. Not a steady diet, but enough to feel confident the ammo will function in it.

I've also shot Buffalo Bore 1700fps and 1400fps through my 2 inch SP101.

I know Buffalo Bore makes some hot +P stuff in 40 cal that runs 1300fps, but I don't really see the need to use that in a compact 40. The SP101 is really overbuilt and I feel quite confident shooting the really hot stuff out of that.

Too bad you can't get the 9mm barrels anymore. If I like the 40, I may just go ahead and get a 9mm Shield

 

[mustangman]

Welcome and congrats on the new Shield .40. I've carrying mine since Jan., and have put about 600 rounds of assorted FMJ & JHP, 165 & 180gr. through it without a single failure. I am extremely happy with mine, and expect you will be as well. Have fun and be safe.

 

[SidearmSam]

db, there is a whole lotta malarkey out there on just about any sidearm. It's like debating Chevy versus Ford. The .40 Shield is a fantastic little pocket cannon. If you want more of my not so humble opinions and advice on this one, catch me at Sidearm Sam's.

 

[ditto1958]

Ten days!? Good grief. Good thing you're not going to need to defend yourself during the next week and a half. Wait- what?

Hey, welcome, and congrats!

 

[robkarrob]

I've had my Shield 40 since May 2012. I only use CorBon SD ammo, which specs out at the top of SAMMI specifications for pressure. I don't count my ammunition fired, but I likely have shot in excess of 200 rounds of this powerful ammunition without issue. At $1.30 a round, I don't shoot excessive amounts of it, but normally shoot standard practice ammo and also 9mm practice ammo, as I have a 9mm Shield barrel which is an easy barrel swap into the 40 slide. Right now you can no longer get the 9mm barrels. I mention this as many new Shield 40 owners hear about the barrel swap and want one. I just fired 10 rounds of the CorBon 40 a few days ago. I have never had a single issue shooting this ammunition. Specs out to +P pressures, but there is no +P in 40S&W. I use the CorBon 135gr JHP that specs at 1325 fps and 526 foot pounds of energy. You can compare that to most other brands of SD ammo, and you will find the CorBon is much more powerful than nearly all other commercial manufactured ammunition.

So don't worry about the very few "KaBooms" you may have read about, and most can be traced back to ammunition issues. If there was an issue with the Shield 40, S&W would be forced to issue a recall, and that has not happened. Since I have both calibers, I can say that the 40 does have slightly more felt recoil and snap, than the 9mm, and it should as the 40 is the more powerful caliber. However even with the CorBon, the recoil and snap is easily manageable and just slightly more than 9mm in +P. That is my opinion, but others may be more sensitive to recoil.

I am sure you will enjoy your Shield 40, and will be happy with your choice.

Bob

 

[db_zero]

Ten days!? Good grief. Good thing you're not going to need to defend yourself during the next week and a half. Wait- what?

Hey, welcome, and congrats!

Yes 10 days. Until I move to a more gun friendly state I'll have to live with the idiotic anti gun laws in California. The sad thing is when you leave the coastal liberal areas with the population and votes and head inland there are tons of pro gun people who despise the laws being rammed down out throats. There is deep resentment about what's going on.

Fortunately I have a Glock, Springfield Arms, Kahr and few Rugers, as well as a 870 and a few other guns to protect myself, until my new Shield is in my hands

The 10 day waiting period was recently shot down by the courts-they said it was completely unnecessary to make someone who already waited 10 days and passed all background checks to wait another 10 days for a new gun purchase. As expected the anti-gun folks have appealed it.

Hopefully it will go to the Supreme Court and get killed for good.