Anyone With S&W M&P 40 SHIELD Experience

[462]

Due to a recent shift in the local political winds, this California resident will soon be taking his first step toward acquiring a concealed carry license.

Suffice it to say that the state’s notorious anti-gun laws leave but a small assortment of sub-compact pistols from which to choose, and my preferences as to manufacturer, caliber, and cost further narrows the field. For the time being, at least, I’m leaning toward the Smith & Wesson M&P 40 SHIELD, because the .45 ACP version is not California compliant. I have zero experience with the .40 S&W cartridge, and will be using a full-size .45 ACP 1911 clone for initial qualifying, and buying a sub-compact, and qualifying with it, at some later date.

If anyone has personal experience with the M&P 40 SHIELD, I’d like to hear about it.

Thanks in advance.

Michael

 

[Hawk]

Been carrying a Glock Model 27 for twenty years.
Great cartridge, easy to load for.
I heartily recommend the .40.

 

[462]

Thanks, Hawk.

Spent much time considering the Glock 27, but the S&W's grip is more to my liking.

 

[2011redrider]

I've carried one since 2014. It's light and single stack so it's slim to conceal too. Also use a tongue grip sleeve which gives it a more comfortable grip for me when carrying the short mag, keep the extended mag in my pocket. 40 is easy to reload and brass is cheap, just have to watch for glock buldged brass. The SW MP 40 also leave the cases with a bit of a buldged. I run them all thru a Redding G-rx push thru die.
https://www.hogueinc.com/grips/handall/beavertail/m-p-shield

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

No exp. with the 40. The Shield frame was just too small. Very shoot able just on the small size FOR ME.

 

[Hawk]

I hear ya on the grip.
The Glock points natural for me. Different angle on the smiths. I could learn to shoot the Smith, but the Glock is a natural for me and I like not having to mess with and safety.
I do carry the Glocks with a trigger block in place.

 

[2011redrider]

I hear ya on the grip.
The Glock points natural for me. Different angle on the smiths. I could learn to shoot the Smith, but the Glock is a natural for me and I like not having to mess with and safety.
I do carry the Glocks with a trigger block in place.

A trigger bock?
Shield is my gun for summertime and I .carry a glock 23 w 13 rnd mags in cooler weather.

 

[RBHarter]

I've done some with the 40 but in an XD .
For it I had a max load of Unique under an LBT 403-175 RNFP .
I tried the 401-175 SWC Lee and had identical results .
Both had to be straight WW and quenched or they tumbled .
Both delivered 4" at 25 yd Weaver stance .
980 fps from the 3" barrel .

 

[462]

Thanks for the Hogue link, 2011redrider.

My quest for a comfortable fitting sub-compact reminds me of what would happen to Goldilocks, if she walked into a gun store. The Glock grip is slightly too fat (Papa Bear), while that of the S&W is a bit too skinny (Momma Bear), but the Hogue over-grip could very well give the SHIELD a Baby Bear grip, like my 1911 clone.

 

[Hawk]

I use a Saf-T-Block trigger block. On the road right now. Will send a photo when I get home this evening.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Not in the 40, but I have the 45 Shield. Like it a lot. Kids have the Shield in 9 and they both like it. Couple others as well. I don't care for the wrist snap of the 40. My shield has been very reliable.

 

[Rick H]

I have been carrying a Shield 40 for a few years now. Compact, good sights, fits my hands well. The magazines are a &*^%$ to load. Invest in an "UpLula" they should be included with each gun. I use the extended magazine...7+1. The short magazine is easier to conceal but only gives me a three finger purchase.
Mine is accurate, shoots to point of aim with 180gr. factory ammo and functions well with my reloads using Lee 175gr. TC ammo. I got minor leading with 45-45-10 lube but none with Powder Coating.
Some consider it "snappy" with full house ammo, I find it more comfortable than a 4" Smith Model 66 with full house magnum loads.
Mine has been dead reliable. The trigger takes some getting used to but is not as bad as Glock IMO. It points naturally carries easy and has digested everything I put through it without a whimper. (I like the 40 with 170-180gr. pills have not shot the lightweight stuff through mine) I like mine. If I had it to do over I would have waited for the safetyless model. (I am left handed) I don't use it. It has not inadvertently gone on, but it does concern me.
Try one, see what you think.
I carried a Glock at work for too long, I am not a fan. The S&W points more naturally, and is thinner than a Glock.

 

[462]

Oscarflytyer,
If not for the state's political whackiness, the 45 SHIELD would, without a doubt, have been my first choice.

Rick H,
Being used to the 1911's safety, I don't foresee the SHIELD's being problematic. For practice, I have already decided on the Lee mould, so it's good to know that it works.

 

[Hawk]

Here's the trigger block device I use.

 

[2011redrider]

Here's the trigger block device I use.View attachment 6452

Can't say I would want one in a self defense shooting. Enough things to worry about, and you may go direct to trigger and not have it fire cause it's blocked. You would have to do a whole lot of training with it. But, to each their own, personally see no need for it. Instructions say it's for non conventional carry in a belly bag of upholstered in a pocket.

 

[Hawk]

Not really, when you put your finger on the trigger, the block just pops out. It's just held in by a little nylon set screw that's really easy to overcome. as soon as you try to put your finger on the trigger you engage the block and it pops out.
No way to engage the trigger without knock the block out.

 

[Grizzled Tom]

I have a Shield 40 that I originally bought to keep in my truck. It is super reliable and accurate, but after the first 50-60 rounds, the snappiness of the 40 becomes very noticeable By the end of 100 rounds, my hands feel like I have been operating a finishing sander for over an hour, and they don’t stop trembling for twenty plus minutes. I would truthfully rather run 100 rounds through my Ruger 5” SRH .454 or my Ruger 4” SBH .480, but the Shield still serves a purpose. I also have the Shield 45, and I can shoot it all day long. There are times when I have considered trading the Shield 40 for a Shield 9, but so far, I haven’t been able to follow through. I have the Model with the thumb safety, and I find that I can operate it easily with the side of my thumb.

 

[462]

Well, after all that I ordered a Glock 27!

The more I handled the Shield and the Glock, the more comfortable the Glock became.

 

[fiver]

I'm glad you put some time and thought into it.
both guns have a good reputation and their owners are satisfied with their choices.

 

[Hawk]

The Glocks just point a lot better for me. When my arm comes up, the Smith & Wesson's or just not on target. Worked on this for quite a while and never could get it right. All my carry guns are now Glocks.