S&W Shield -- 9 mm or 40 cal?

[ilbob]

I bought a 9x19 Shield. It is more than adequate for me.

Me too.

Personally I would try to shoot both first. If you have larger hands The Shield is a little tough to shoot at first. It just takes some getting used to. I would expect the 40 version to be a little tougher to shoot well then the 9mm version but I have not shot the 40 version so I don't know that for an absolute fact.

My primary criteria was I already have several other nines but I don't have any 40s and I really didn't want another caliber.

 

[Hanzo581]

You're already a 9mm guy. So what's real question here?

Well, I mean, maybe he has some extra money he feels like wasting shooting .40

 

[cfullgraf]

Me too.

Personally I would try to shoot both first. If you have larger hands The Shield is a little tough to shoot at first. It just takes some getting used to. I would expect the 40 version to be a little tougher to shoot well then the 9mm version but I have not shot the 40 version so I don't know that for an absolute fact.

My primary criteria was I already have several other nines but I don't have any 40s and I really didn't want another caliber.

I put Talon Grips on my Shield and it has made an improvement in gripping the pistol, at least for me.

 

[Ks5shooter]

If you reload bullet selection is your friend. I reload and went with the Shield 9mm and tailor bullet and FPS to my needs. Heavier 40 cal bullets will add weight to your gun, and if its too heavy to carry I feel you will not take it as often.

 

[lee n. field]

One of the few S&W semi autos that an ordinary person can buy here in California is a Shield.

Plus they are on sale, available everywhere and come with rebates.

I'm mainly a revolver person, but I'm thinking this might be a good time to get a semi-auto as a carry option.

Question is, 9mm or 40?

9mm.

Much of the "Internet gun social media herd mind" currently hates on .40. I am not of that opinion. But, it needs to be shot through a big enough gun. The Shield probably isn't big enough.

(Says the guy carrying an XDS in .45.)

As always, IMHO & YMMV, advice worth what you paid for it.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I have Shields in both 9 and 40 and prefer the 9. My Shield in 45 arrived today (thank you for the rebate S & W) can't wait to shoot the new toy.

 

[Prijador]

As much as I love 40 S&W, for this particular gun I would get the 9.
The difference between capacity is enough for me, even without the added considerations of a small, light package that is the shield. (I carry a full-size in 40, and I think 15 rounds in the mag is more than enough; getting an extra round or two that 9mm would allow is simply irrelevant.)

 

[ROCK6]

I own both the .40 and the 9mm. The 9mm version is a great CCW range gun and I feel it's on the larger spectrum for the single stack 9mm concealable handguns. The .40S&W Shield is not bad to shoot, but I still do more range drills with the 9mm (cost of ammo). Sure, the .40 is snappier than the 9mm, but not necessarily that much more. The only significant load is the 200grain Hard-cast I carry for backpacking...it's much more noticeable from a 115grain 9mm. It's nice to have options. My original plan was to carry the .40 and do most of my training and drills with the 9mm. I would agree, most shooters would get more mileage out of the 9mm Shield, but I see more versatility with the .40.

ROCK6

 

[Red Cent]

http://www.hornady.com/store/9mm-Luger-147-gr-XTP/


https://www.hornady.com/store/40-SW-180-gr-XTP/

 

[DT Guy]

Since my Shield is the gun most likely in my car with me as I commute, and thus more likely to be involved in defensive shooting with vehicles involved, I chose the .40. The recoil is stiff, but one thing the .40 generally does consistently better than 9MM is penetrate window glass and other vehicle-related obstacles.


Larry

 

[TrickyDick]

Purely for logistical reasons, I'd say 9mm.

I, however bought the .45 version. But that's my personal preference. If I hadn't chosen the 45, it would've been the 9. My cousin Owns the .40, and he likes it. It's really a matter of personal preference and cost.