Which caliber?

.40 if you really want to just have ammo in the same caliber. That way you could grab either pistol and head to the range, and know you've got ammo.

9mm if you want the ammo cost savings.

Honestly owning multiple calibers isn't that bad, it's no big deal to buy ammo for each gun. Instead of grabbing 4 boxes of .40, you grab 2 .40 and 2 9mm, or whatever.

If you do end up competing, I'd think 9mm would be the way to go...the recoil is a little bit better. Not quite as snappy - though I've rarely done side by side shooting between the two calibers.

I can understand your dilemma. I say 9mm. Diversify, man!

I think the recent run on ammo highlights the fact that having guns that fire a variety of calibers makes a lot of sense.

Several calibers are a plus IMHO. But if you have one already in a specific caliber and want to stockpile or reload then one caliber also makes sense. You COULD usually find 9MM anywhere so that would be a good second caliber. With the .40 as of today anyway the ammo is still available at the usual places while the 9MM, 357, 223, and other popular ones are MIA from the shelves. This was why I purchased a couple 40's and reloading dies to go with the glut of .40 brass I seem to find (more .40 than 9MM on the ground) that nobody picks up around here.

Take a good look

I have shot the S&W shield and it was fun and reasonably accurate.

But I suggest that you wait for and look at the Springfield XD 3.3 in 9MM.

I just got the ,45 acp version and I am SURE the 9MM will be even easier to shoot.

btw I am sticking with the .45 over the Shield as I like it metter as it fit MY hand better [ note I did say MY hand ].

9mm. For IDPA or USPSA the full size 9 is the best tool for the game, in SSP and Production, respectively.

If you like the Shield 40 then recoil with a larger pistol shouldn't be an issue.
I prefer bigger bullets for SD.
40

I have 2 pro series 40 cal. One in 4 1\4'' and the 5''. If you get the .40, later down the road you can buy a 9mm barrel and mags for it. Most of the guys I know are shooting both calibers with one gun.
I love the 40 from a reloading aspect.

Buy a reloading set up and then the cost of ammo will be less of a concern.

Buckeyeguy525 said:

Buy a reloading set up and then the cost of ammo will be less of a concern.

Click to expand...

+1 ... I cast, load and shoot all the popular handgun cartridges and I can do it all day long for about .07 per round. Equipment was 100% amortized late in the Reagan administration and I've been saving brass since 1967.

Buy the 40 and a reloading press.

40 is one of the few pistols calibers I have seen on the shelves lately.