Before I even start. This is not a caliber war. Both these calibers have proven themselves as excellent self-defense rounds and they come in all different types of handguns. If you could choose between a six round 357 Magnum or a 7 round 9 mm which would you choose and why?
The reason I'm asking is I have a 1983 Ruger Speed Six and a 2016 S&W Shield 9 mm that I rotate in my CCW lineup. Both guns are superb in all aspects. I will say carrying the Ruger all day, it is a definitely noticeable in the weight department. I carry a speed strip for a reload when packing the 357. And an extra 7 round mag for the Shield.
I don't feel under gunned with either. What are your opinions on the one you'd choose to carry, or would you rotate em .
If my answer has to be framed as a choice between these two specific weapons, well, the entire category of “compact nines” have always been annoying for me to shoot very many rounds per session, and, then, became painful* for me to shoot, a number of years ago. If that were not a limitation, the Shield, itself, is a poor fit in my hands, not ending up in a consistent position each time I grip the weapon. A Speed Six, on the other hand, is a superb fit, in my hands, and, I can choose a load that will not aggravate my arthritic right thumb, hand, and wrist, to train right-handed, and use a warmer load to train left-handed. (My left hand remains healthier, thankfully, for now.)
I actually WANTED to like the Shield, so, this is not a matter of being prejudiced.
Choose what works, for you, based upon your personal parameters, not my personal parameters.
Regarding “rotation,” I only carry handguns that point consistently in my hands, without having to consciously think about anything during the draw and presentation. This means that they have to fit me, which is not the same thing as “feeling good” in my hands. “Feeling good” can be a lie. Live fire training is required, in order to be sure.
Again, “feeling good” can be a lie.
The following paragraphs can be skipped, being my personal background and reasons for my conclusions:
If a Speed Six is a bit large, I carry an S&W K-snub, a Ruger SP101, or, on rare occasions, a J-snub. I tend to carry a 3” GP100 more often than I carry a Speed Six. These all point the same, and point consistently in my hands. In actual practice, our three Speed Sixes are “house guns,” more than carry guns. (There are multiple responsible, trained adults in the house.)
Not that I am revolving-pistol-only. starting with the Gen3, Glocks became an OK fit, which improved with the Gen3 Short Frame, in the case of large frames, and Gen4 in both frame sizes. Then, there is my old, original favorite, the full-sized 1911. They all point the same, in my hands. Grip angle? Shmip angle; when I grip then correctly, they all fit, and point the same. Of course, countless live and “sim” rounds, fired through Glocks, during LE training and some private training on my own dime, hard-wired Glock shooting into my brain and nervous system.
Regarding the number of available rounds available, in the weapon, the seventh round in a Shield is not going to sway me, unless all else is equal. In my personal case, the Shield is already DQ’ed, before we get to round count. Your experience may vary.
Notably, I do not trend revolver due to being “old-fashioned.” When I started handgunning, in late 1982 or early 1983, at age 21, with a 1911, I thought revolvers were quaint anachronisms. At age 22, however, when I was hired by a PD, I had to learn how to use revolving pistols, and if I wanted to survive, it behooved me to LEARN long-stroke DA shooting at a high level, because that is what I was mandated to carry, 24/7/365, during my rookie period. Revolving pistols grew on me. 40+ years later, the problem with autos is that I do not always trust my right hand to do exactly what my brain is telling it to do. Arthritis is not my only problem; “numb thumb” can have the same effect on auto-pistol reliability as a “limp wrist.” (In my case, my right thumb, ring finger, and little finger can all conspire to not fully cooperate. My right thumb can be forced to cooperate, well enough, if locked-down, revolver-shooting-style.)
Notably, a full-sized Glock G17 has never actually malfunctioned, while in my right hand. Large service pistols can be quite forgiving. It does take some effort, however, to dress around a G17.
*If the heel of a pistol’s grip does not reach far enough to make firm contact with the “heel bone” part of my right hand, the weapon will be painful to shoot with ammo of the 9mm/.38 Special power level. My hands are not wide, but they are long, so, the Shield and the Glock 19 are examples of weapons too small to meet this requirement. The factory SP101 grip actually is JUST long enough to reach the heel of my hand.
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