M&P shield in 45acp or 9mm

[TrickyDick]

I know this may sound redundant, since there's a similar thread. However, I have zero interest in .40 s&w simply for logistical/ reloading reasons.

As of now, I carry a Springfield XDs subcompact in 9mm. I bought it for my wife to carry, but I didn't care to carry my full size 1911 anymore, so kinda jacked it from her since she didn't really carry at all.

Now I'd like her to carry More often, if not all the time.

I've been browsing in the market for a new CCW, and have settled on the shield.

My only hiccup is the caliber.

I like the larger .45acp for it's mass and power. Plus, it's only 1 less round than the 9mm. My only concern would be the snappiness from such a short barrel.

The 9mm is a bit smaller and has that extra round, and is cheaper to shoot, and probably wouldn't be so snappy.

So, I would like to hear some first hand experience with each caliber for that model. I appreciate people's opinions, but if you have never shot either, I'd appreciate if you could spare me from speculation and criticism for not picking another model or caliber. Thank you.

 

[sakata8242]

Personally I found the Shield 45 to be a surprisingly soft shooting 45. Less perceived recoil than my SIG P220 or Colt M45A1 government size 1911. No kidding. Excellent accuracy and easy to shoot in my hands.

I wouldn't bother with the 9mm. The size difference is negligible. True, the .45 will weigh a little more loaded, and will be a little more expensive to feed. But having basically the same capacity as a full size 1911 in such a small package is enticing. Plus, the Shield 45 is just plain fun to shoot.

Below is a short review I posted on a different forum.

Took a brand new Shield 45 out today and I must say I'm so far thoroughly impressed. Yeah, I'm late to the party, so I suppose this write up is for people who are still on the fence as I was about picking one up.

I had never really gotten on board with the subcompact single stack 9mm fad, but when S&W released the Shield in 45 Auto, it got my interest. Even then, I already had a lot invested in other platforms, and just couldn't justify adding another one. But with recent steep retailer discounts and the rebate from S&W, I thought "What the hell", and figured that for under $300 OTD, if I hated the thing I could turn it for minimal loss. Turns out I'm probably going to keep it.

First shots out of the gun at ~7 yards went dead center in the 0 zone on a standard IDPA target, and it kept punching out the center out to ~17 yards which is the maximum distance I had today on the range.

One of the reasons I never had much interest the M&P series was the awful trigger I remember on an M&P 9c I handled several years ago, and I'm of the thought that I shouldn't feel the need to drop another $100 on a trigger kit for a brand new gun that should have come with a decent trigger from the factory. This Shield 45 trigger has a crisper break than my Glocks, with an equally audible and tactile reset as its Austrian counterparts. I don't have a trigger scale but subjectively it feels much lighter than the advertised 6.5#.

I had heard that the Shield tames the 45 Auto recoil well. Still, I was expecting the thing to jump around violently with each shot and leave my hand stinging, but this is a pistol suitable for an all day training class with a several hundred round count. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there is less perceived recoil and muzzle flip from this little gun compared to my SIG P220 or Colt M45A1; I suspect part of this is due to less reciprocating mass and a shorter slide. The aggressive grip texturing also helps. The gun is not at all punishing to shoot, and I had so much fun shooting it I ended up going through all 200 rounds of 45 Auto I brought with me without a second thought.

The pistol had a couple bobbles, which were user induced. First, my thumb will occasionally ride the slide stop due to my grip. No big deal. Second, I had a few stoppages where the next round in the magazine would get hung up on the bottom of the feed ramp. This only happened twice when I was shooting one handed, so it may have been due to limp wristing. Nevertheless, a light tap to the base of the magazine got things going again and the slide slammed home, taking the cartridge with it.

Overall I'm more than happy with the pistol. Time will tell with regards to durability and long term reliability, but at the current pricing of these pistols, it's money well spent if you're even slightly interested in a little single stack 45 Auto that shoots like a full size gun.

 

[the duck of death]

I have a Shield 45 & a 40. They are both easy to shoot recoil is easy to manage. I like the 40 due to its smaller size. Between the 2 you mentioned go w/ the 9mm.

 

[wally]

Been down this road with the Shield .40 vs 9 thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/s-w-shield-9-mm-or-40-cal.821686/

I'll give the same advice again here, get both -- the 9mm will pay for itself in practice ammo cost savings and save wear and tear on your carry gun.

I prefer .40S&W in pistols with <4" barrels as I worry the .45ACP will lose enough velocity in such a short barrel to have inadequate penetration, especially if you get some expansion. The 230gr .45 and 180gr .40 has the same sectional density but the .40 will be 100+ fps faster than the .45 in the same barrel length.

 

[TrickyDick]

Been down this road with the Shield .40 vs 9 thread: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/s-w-shield-9-mm-or-40-cal.821686/

I'll give the same advice again here, get both -- the 9mm will pay for itself in practice ammo cost savings and save wear and tear on your carry gun.

I prefer .40S&W in pistols with <4" barrels as I worry the .45ACP will lose enough velocity in such a short barrel to have inadequate penetration, especially if you get some expansion. The 230gr .45 and 180gr .40 has the same sectional density but the .40 will be 100+ fps faster than the .45 in the same barrel length.

Yeah, I addressed this fact.

Except I wanted to hear from those who had first hand experience with either or both. And as I pointed out, I have no interest in a .40 S&W.

 

[zaitcev]

I bought the .45, but purely because all my other guns are in .45. If you already have 9mm in the house, it makes more sense IMHO. Some people make a big deal out of the texturing, but it wasn't very different for me. BTW, if I wanted a 9mm, I'd probably get PPS. But it's purely personal, there's not much difference (except that the Classic has HK-style magazine release).

 

[TrickyDick]

I have both 9mm and .45acp.

 

[Ca survivor]

I have the 9mm and the .45 ACP, when I carry a Shield (small and light requirement for that day) is the .45

 

[Trey Veston]

I had the 9mm PC version. Loved the size, handling, trigger, sights, etc. But, mine had a bad barrel. Had to send it back and it took two months for S&W to drop in a new barrel. Got it back and it still had a flawed barrel, just not as bad. No one made aftermarket barrels for it, so I sold it. Bought the XDS in .40 S&W and love it, but I did prefer the Shield for the reasons I mentioned.

I looked at the Shield 45, but the barrel is too short for the .45 ACP to offer much advantage over the 9mm ballistics-wise and the size is substantially larger than the 9mm.

I'd go for the 9mm version...

 

[ilbob]

I like the larger .45acp for it's mass and power. Plus, it's only 1 less round than the 9mm. My only concern would be the snappiness from such a short barrel.

Best bet would be to shoot one and see if you like it. I have found the 9 mm version to have small enough grips on it that holding it in my medium sized hands is a minor issue, but it is reasonably pleasant to shoot. It does have a bit of a fireball that comes out the barrel when shooting some kinds of ammo though. Likely unburned powder. But regular walmart ammo seems to shoot well in it and no fireball.

I bought a grip sleeve to address this issue but it just came the other day and I have not installed it yet. I doubt anyone can tell you anything that will help you much since this kind of thing is highly variable from person to person.

The 9mm is a bit smaller and has that extra round, and is cheaper to shoot, and probably wouldn't be so snappy.

I think the cheaper to shoot part is not going to matter much. It is not like you are planning to shoot tens of thousands of rounds through this gun.

 

[jaowens76]

I have shot 9 and 40 but not the 45 yet. The shield is just a recoil tamer, I have yet to hear of anyone complain about the recoil of 45 from one. It will most likely be my next purchase. Either way you go you really can not lose.

 

[Mauser lover]

The .45 doesn't kick bad at all. Neither does the 9mm. However, what made the difference for me was that the .45 has a slightly (really, very slight.) longer grip. I can get all my fingers on the standard magazine, while my fifth finger is hanging off of the standard magazine with the 9mm. (Which means that the .45 is less concealable, yada yada...)

I like the .45 Shield

 

[Diliimar]

Get both that's what I did also have taurus millinium G2 and the shield is more accurate

 

[262madmike]

I settled on the S&W M&P sheild in 45acp.Its very conceaable.I put 500 rounds through great accuracy and reliability.I alsotried it in every CCW configuration to Gym shorts to 3-piece suit it is the most conceable big bore gun Ive ever owned.

 

[Armybrat]

Bought a Shield in 9mm for my DIL's birthday - said her Colt 1911 Series 70 .45 was "too heavy".

Dunno if I care too much for the feel of this Shield (it leaves my pinky hangin' with the 7 round mag), as my Kahr CW45 is about the same size, fits my hand better, and is a 6+1 .45ACP.

The CW45 is about 3/8" taller, the same length and maybe .05" thicker. Dunno what dimensions a Shield .45 are. But I'm considering a Kahr CW9 which is smaller and is a 7+1 in the 9mm.

 

[Armybrat]

And I'll add that the CCW45 Kahr weighs in at 19.7 ounces, the Kahr CW9 at 15.8 ounces vs. the 9mm Shield's 19 ounces.

However, the Shield is a steal with the current low prices and $75 rebate. Can't beat that for a good gun in 9mm.

 

[TrickyDick]

After much research, reviews and personal preference, I settled on the .45. Now I'm just waiting for it to arrive at my LGS to pick up.

 

[Hangingrock]

This was done over an extended period of time at different shooting sessions using the same target indexing the MP9 outline on the target as opposed to a precise utilization of the sights.

 

[CDW4ME]

1 less round and the consensus seems to be people don't think the 45 recoils too much.
We've all read how modern bullet technology makes the 9mm perform almost like a 45 ... but some bullets didn't get the memo..
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
Heavy and light weight same make bullet comparison:
9mm 147 HST 15.2'' / .61
45 acp 230 HST 14'' / .85
9mm 115 Gold Dot 16.4'' / .55
45 acp 185 Gold Dot 14.1 / .72
The 9mm bullets penetrate a bit more than the 45's but all penetrated within 12-18''
Obviously 45 bullets benefited from the same expansion enhancement as 9mm and resulted in a 24-29% bigger expanded bullet.

My wife has a Shield 9mm, it ain't my kinda pistol (my primary is either a Glock 30SF, 32, 31, 20SF in ascending order of concealment difficulty)
I've shot the Shield 9mm, think it too slim in the grip (and short on capacity).
I've not shot the Shield 45 but if the grip is a bit bigger and recoil manageable, I'd go 45.

 

[CDW4ME]

This was done over an extended period of time at different shooting sessions using the same target indexing the MP9 outline on the target as opposed to a precise utilization of the sights.

You and I think alike on target ammo selection, I initially shoot more HP / defensive ammo than FMJ.
200 rounds of the HP I want to carry without fail is more valuable info than 200 rounds FMJ, I save the FMJ for proven pistols.
Assuming no malfunctions, you have a good pistol.

 

[paulsj]

If you're experinced enough shooter that can handle recoil take the .45acp.

 

[Hangingrock]

You and I think alike on target ammo selection, I initially shoot more HP / defensive ammo than FMJ.
200 rounds of the HP I want to carry without fail is more valuable info than 200 rounds FMJ, I save the FMJ for proven pistols.
Assuming no malfunctions, you have a good pistol.

That's been my line of thinking plus I run the self-defense ammunition thru all the magazines for the pistol also.

 

[Tacoma]

I've never heard of anybody wishing for a smaller caliber in a fire fight. Get the 45 and enjoy the confidence that comes with it.

 

[Edcnh]

I have the 9mm Shield for my EDC gun. Accurate and in my opinion recoil is not much different than my full size Glock 17.

 

[jradisch]

I have both the Shield 9mm and the .45. I have been carrying the 9 for several years and just recently got the .45, basically because of the rebate. Once I get more rounds thru the .45 and get an IWB holster for it, I will be carrying the .45. I like the way it shoots- it is very accurate and the felt recoil is not bad at all.