Shield 9 or .40?

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TomJ

TomJ

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I'm looking for a replacement for my XDS .45, as I'm having too many feeding issues with it. Multiple attempts have been made to repair it, but the issues continue and I can't trust it as a carry piece. I've narrowed my options to the Shield .40 or 9. I'd prefer the .40 and was wondering if anyone knew of any quality or reliability differences between the 2 calibers.
 
I have a 9 and love it. Hardly feel any recoil at all. Never shot a Shield 40, but, it might be a little snappy in that small package. Maybe not.........
 
I have both. Carry the .40, practice with the 9mm. At 50+ rounds a week it doesn't take too long for the savings in practice ammo costs to pay for the 9mm version and I save wear and tear on my CCW.
 
If you have shot both and prefer the 40, get the 40. No quality, reliability, or performance differences that I know about - other than getting another round in 9mm. Not enough ballistic difference to matter to me, so the nine won. My wife liked it enough that she has one, too, also a nine. Recovery time for the second shot is noticeably shorter with the nine, but if you have shot both and prefer the 40, get the 40.
 
S&W Shield 9mm....

I'm thinking of buying a NIB M&P Shield 9x19mm no thumb safety.
I considered the .40S&W but the 9mm has a few +s.
It cycles/feeds well, a + for the small size/short barrel.
It recoils less & less blast/flash than the .40S&W in most loads.
It holds more rounds(1 or 2) than the .40S&W in the magazines. That's not a deal breaker but it's a good point.
A 9x19mm might be slightly better to shoot while wounded/hurt or if needed, one-handed.
9mm JHPs & defense loads aren't hard to find & milspec rounds aren't super expensive. The .40 is not bad either in most areas of the USA but Id prefer the 9x19mm.

To my knowledge, no after market sources produce a .357sig Shield barrel.
Id heard S&W used to sell 9mm barrels for the Shield .40S&W but they cut the product. :uhoh:

Overall, a 9mm Shield would be great for any armed citizen/CCW license holder/sworn LE officer.
 
Thanks for all the information. I'm not sure what's going on with the .40 exploding and obviously can't know whether it's the gun, ammo, or something else. With the benefits of the 9 everyone listed, the issue with the .40, however uncommon, plus the fact that one of our LGS' has the 9 on sale this month for a great price, I'm going to go with the 9.
 
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RustyShackelford said:
I'm thinking of buying a NIB M&P Shield 9x19mm no thumb safety.
I considered the .40S&W but the 9mm has a few +s.
It cycles/feeds well, a + for the small size/short barrel.
It recoils less & less blast/flash than the .40S&W in most loads.
It holds more rounds(1 or 2) than the .40S&W in the magazines. That's not a deal breaker but it's a good point.
A 9x19mm might be slightly better to shoot while wounded/hurt or if needed, one-handed.
9mm JHPs & defense loads aren't hard to find & milspec rounds aren't super expensive. The .40 is not bad either in most areas of the USA but Id prefer the 9x19mm.

To my knowledge, no after market sources produce a .357sig Shield barrel.
Id heard S&W used to sell 9mm barrels for the Shield .40S&W but they cut the product. :uhoh:

Overall, a 9mm Shield would be great for any armed citizen/CCW license holder/sworn LE officer.
Click to expand...
Putting a standard 9mm Shield barrel may work as a lot of people buy the standard factory 9mm M&P which simply drops in to the M&P 40.
 
I'd go 9mm and here's why. I've shot the 9mm version and it's pleasant to shoot for its size. Ammo for 9mm as you know is cheaper and that is a big plus if you are going to shoot it. the 40 version had issues. ..not sure if still a problem or not? Lastly as you also know modern 9mm ammo is not weak and holds its own to the 40 for the most part. Plus you get an extra round...apples to apples.

The only reason I can see to go 40 is just cause you want too. That may be enough for you? Nothing wrong with that either. Other than that the advantages of the 40 are just rounding errors. Too each their own though.
 
i have both and havent had any issues with either. i mostly run defensive HP ammo through them or my reloads never an issue. i usually carry the 40 as i like that round better.
 
I have the 9, preferred it over the .40, just my preference. I also have a .45, a Glock 30S, which I have taken to carrying more lately. No feed issues thus far, and I actually shoot it better than my Glock 17 9mm!

Russellc
 
Consider the extra round, and that you will likely be able to hit more quickly with the 9 due to lighter recoil.
 
Sonny Crockett!....

Sonny Crockett could! :D
www.imfdb.org

Seriously, I doubt a 10mm full power could work in a M&P Shield size pistol.
Some gunners like the Glock 29 compact, ;) .
Rocker & reserve deputy; Ted Nugent packs 10mm sidearms. I've seen TV interviews & videos where he shows how he EDC's Glock 20 & 29 pistols concealed.
 
I'm on the fence as well. I've got an itch for a new light CCW. I'm thinking it'll be 9mm or .40 as I see pros and cons of both and like both rounds a lot. I'm considering the LC9s, Nano, or one of the Shields.

I guess it'll just be whatever one I stumble upon first;)
 
Shields.....

Like many industries, the US shooting sports/guns is no different.
If many vendors or accessory firms are building items for one brand more than another it's a good sign that's the model to purchase. ;)
The M&P Shield series has many holsters, custom features, gear, accessories, etc.
I'm partial to the new Safariland 7TS www.safariland.com holsters which I think are available in M&P Shield sizes.
If I get a Shield, I will buy a www.stickyholsters.com pocket holster too. ;)

Rusty
 
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Glock 29 is a compact 10mm and they shoot just fine, now 10mm in a sub compact.... :)
 
I've had the .40 Shield for some time, and (after an Apex sear was dropped in), it's been totally reliable, easy to shoot and more than accurate enough.

That said, it's the ONLY gun I've ever shot that numbs my hand within 50 rounds. Something about the recoil combined with the grip shape does something to the nerve in my shooting hand.

It's not a heavy recoiling gun, per se; I've got mini-.45's that recoil more, and my old CA .44 Bulldog put this to shame. It's more the shape of the rear of the grip, combined with the recoil impulse of the .40, that seems to do it.

Were I to buy it again, I would certainly get the 9MM.

Larry
 
Given a choice I would opt for the 9mm. over the .40 version. I have owned a number of .40 caliber pistols over the years and none of them have really impressed me all that much in terms of functionality or accuracy, especially in a compact pistol like the Shield.
 
I have both and find the .40 to be a twisty little beast. It is very unforgiving of grip issues.

The 9mm is much more pleasant to shoot and a bit easier to shoot well.
 
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