Loading 9mm for S&W shield

BTW, I have the early generation Shield and yes, the trigger jerked/moved the front sight quite a bit when new out of the box.

But after several hundred dry fire cycles, the front sight jerking/moving decreased quite a bit and after several hundred rounds shot, the trigger smoothed out and now front sight stays steady for fast and accurate double taps at will at defensive distances of 5-7 yards and is a favored gun among many shooters I have trained.

So keep dry firing until the front sight doesn't move.

LiveLife said:

Unfortunately it is not on the roster - https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/certified-handguns/search?make=150970

Click to expand...

That sucks. Royally.

Thanks for that link.

So dry fire while watching TV every night until you go shooting next and you may be amazed at the accuracy.

Life is good.

Waterboy3313 said:

I'm very new to reloading and I have been using a 124 gr RN plated bullet with titegroup.

Click to expand...

Waterboy3313 said:

As far as titegroup goes I have had very good look with it in .45 acp as well as Berry's plated 230 gr plated RN bullets.

Click to expand...

Yes, you get a million charges per pound with TG, so it's attractive to new reloaders. Yes, it's great for 45acp. Yes, it works for 9mm so you don't have to have two kinds of powder. But Titegroup is not an ideal powder for 9mm. It leaves a lot to be desired in 9mm, unless you are trying for the lightest load that will still function. IME, if you use a medium burn rate powder in 9mm - ie - something where the 124gr charge weight is 5.x gr, you will get a better pressure curve (smoother cycling), more consistent velocities, and better accuracy.
Additionally, jacketed bullets will attain more accuracy over plated also.

Waterboy3313 said:

The 38 dies showed up in the mail yesterday. I thought to myself I can buy one type of powder and load for my 3 pistols. Honestly I like the idea in theory.

Click to expand...

I think I have mentioned earlier about the 3 powders I am using; HP-38, AA#2 and Ramshot Silhouette. I have achieved great results with these powders in 380, 9mm and 45acp and finally received a 38Spl that I will be loading for. And that is being shot thru 6 different guns. Of the group the HP-38 is probably the most versatile.

I prefer a medium burn speed powder for 9mm.
Lots of people like Titegroup, but I never really cared for it.
Lots of flavors out there and sometimes a gun will just prefer one over the other.
At the faster side of the spectrum Sport Pistol has worked well for me but my current favorite for 9mm is WSF.
I have had good results with CFE-P as well. N330 works well but is harder to find and more $ than others.
All of these meter as good as Titegroup or better.
Sure you use a little more powder when you use a slower powder than with Titegoup but in the grand scheme of things powder is cheap IMO.



I would really suggest giving RMR 124gr MPRs or their 124gr "Matchwinners" a try.
RMR offers THR members a 5% discount with a code (PM me if you need it).
Fast free shipping, great bullets, great company to do business with


Pictures won't tell you for sure how something meters but for example

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=37 Meters well say the same as Titegroup

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=14 Meters GREAT! (but a fast powder like Titegroup)

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=122 Big flakes, does not meter as well

http://www.ilrc.ucf.edu/powders/sample_detail.php?powder_id=141 meters well, CFE-Pistol (CFE-P) looks about the same. Both meter about the same as Titegroup IMO.

in general smaller pieces meter better than larger pieces.

Don't be afraid to try something else, these powders that Dudedog has listed are all premier powders for 9mm, If you go with a little slower burn rate you will find your Shield may be more pleasant for you to shoot and that in it's self will make it easier for you to concentrate on the target.
But I expect the trigger on your Shield is your biggest problem. I doubt it's your reloads.