An Actual GUN question!!! Performance Center Shield

Any .40 pistols I've shot didn't seem pleasant to shoot, for what ever that's worth.

Get what you like, then get the other!

Why are you asking a question about a gun? and an actual one at that? Seems like there is a reason for concern here.
I've reported you to the moderators and administrators.

9mm is your best bet. Extra capacity, lower cost, better controlability it is as effective as the .40 or .45 as a defensive cartridge.

Also this is in the wrong forum. This is the classifieds, needs to be in Handguns forum.

I have guns 9, 40 and 45 (and a few others). They are all good for SD so I think it really comes down to personal preference. I happen to like the Snappy 40 better than the others. To each his own. Good luck.

A question such as this is as debatable as the question “ who’s better, a democrat or a republican ?” It’s based on personal preference.

I will always go the republican .40 caliber route.

I own a Shield 9MM and a Shield .45. Just the regular ones, not Performance Center models.
Neither one is bad for recoil in my experience. The .45 frame is slightly bigger than the 9MM/40 S&W frame.

As far as 9MM vs. 40 S&W, look up some ballistic tables. Both cartridges are virtually identical as far as speed and pressure. The difference between the two is almost negligible, leaving the decision of "which is better" to personal preference alone. The 40 S&W does have a snappier recoil, but if that doesn't bother you, then it's a non-issue.
You mentioned "no round count arguments", but when deciding 9MM vs 40 S&W or 45 Auto, round count is often a deciding factor, especially in a single stack.

As far a 40 S&W vs. 45 Auto, the 45 Auto is a slower, lower pressure round. That translates into less recoil.
That being said, I honestly don't notice much (if any) difference in recoil between either of my Shields.

So, the bottom line is, the single most important factor really is your personal preference.

I’d do the 9mm or .45. The .40 cal seems to be going to the wayside and will likely cause the ammo prices to rise in coming years. My self defense stuff is 9mm. 9mm is much cheaper.

Some pistol configurations transfer felt recoil better than others, hence some .40's may feel better in your hand than some 9's of a different style. I'd go with the .45ACP, just because it is an all around, hands down, better cartridge and adapt to the gun.
robin

Robin said:

Some pistol configurations transfer felt recoil better than others, hence some .40's may feel better in your hand than some 9's of a different style. I'd go with the .45ACP, just because it is an all around, hands down, better cartridge and adapt to the gun.
robin

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In a Shield though? You are giving up a round in capacity in a gun that is yet larger than the 9mm model. For a small subcompact I really think 9mm is the way to go. In NYS I would reserve the 45 ACP to Glock 19 size and up guns.
In a free state I'll take my 15 rounds of 9mm thank you very much sir.

.45 ACP, when only one shot is needed.

"The Liberator"
Robin

OP: if you're at the point where you feel the NEED to capitalize calibers you want to buy which you haven't even been able to hold, let alone shoot- make some more phone calls. Not busting your balls but this is deep into ergonomics.

Agreed you should research ballistics. I used to be ONLY .45ACP, but am now a full on 9mm fan. Weight, round count, and performance meet my needs.

Why don't you want a 9mm?

I’m in the 9mm camp especially going with a single stack .
Did you like the 9 you test fired ? If yes get the 9 , if your nuts hit the toilet water while sitting get the .45 and if your a douche get the .40 .

GoodGuywitha9mm said:

Agreed you should research ballistics. I used to be ONLY .45ACP, but am now a full on 9mm fan. Weight, round count, and performance meet my needs.

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Ditto. Former .45 guy myself. If you really do the research by studying the round for yourself and not listening to people that just talk, you'll see the shortcomings of such a slow moving caliber. There's a reason it isn't the most popular round in law enforcement and military applications. It's slow velocity gives the round a hard time in penetrating hard barriers.

9mm vs .40 is a wash. Both penetrate about the same and both expand about the same within 1/10th of an inch of one another. Depending on the particular load you choose, some 9mm's penetrate deeper and some expand a bit larger. Both caliber's ballistic differences are negligible. You do get less recoil and more capacity with the 9mm though.

I have both 9mm and .45 Shields, and like both calibers. When I carry the 9’s in a dual shoulder holster, I like the fact that I have 10 round mags for them. So, far I haven’t found 10 round mags for the Shield .45.

I do really enjoy shooting a full size 1911, same as I shot in my Navy days.

1) My duty gun is .40. My 2 off duty are 9mm. My "collection" of pistols is ALL 9mm, except for one .40 that I bought from my last agency. There may be a clue in there.

2) If you're particularly interested, google and read Dr Gary K Roberts.

Not to throw the monkey wrench into this caliber, weight and ballistics chat. But you only want a performance center shield 40???

Because I bet right now, being the dealers and shops are feeling .40 caliber is a dying breed. You can get a gen 1 Shield 40 for RIDICULOUSLY cheap. Like 200-250 new if you shop around. So if money isnt an option. You can have both or try the Sprinfiled XDS 3.3 or 4.0 slide in 40.

Just a thought.

Just to stir the pot. .40 can convert to .357 sig


.40 to .357 Sig M&P Shield Conversion Barrel

You can prob get a 40 - 9 barrel also. Will just need 9mm mags. Didn’t look that hard for the shield. Have a m&p compact and full size with all 3 barrels for each. Works great.

I too did the convert on my M&P full size 40 sw to 9mm.

BMF JK said:

I’m in the 9mm camp especially going with a single stack .
Did you like the 9 you test fired ? If yes get the 9 , if your nuts hit the toilet water while sitting get the .45 and if your a douche get the .40 .

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For hipsters the 357 sig is available as well. For eccentric douchey hipsters there is the 5.7.

If I had a PCC or was planning to purchase one, I might consider buying whatever shares ammo with my PCC?

Just a thought...

@thewheels said:

If I had a PCC or was planning to purchase one, I might consider buying whatever shares ammo with my PCC?

Just a thought...

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Agree with this! I'm hoping and waiting for a mag-well for the M&P 9mm to pair with my full-size M&P which I have 12 mags for.

I have seen lots of subcompact, used .40's for sale in gun shops. Gander Mountain had a whole display case full of them when they were in business in Middletown. People get rid of subcompact .40's more than any other caliber.

They are at handful. Lots of guys say, "I can handle them. I'm a man." Sure you can at the range one shot at a time while readjusting your grip after a few shots but I bet if you have to fire a string rapidly, you won't be able to handle them as well as you can a 9mm.