CM40 or S&W Shield 40

nmkahrshooter · #1 04-22-2012, 11:37 AM

Ok guys thinking of 40 cal and have narrowed down to these two pistols. Have owned Kahr before and like them, especially CW9, have never owned Smith & Wesson. Did have CM9 but had a lot of problems so got rid of it. Is CM40 reliable or do i need to try S&W. Just trying to figure which one would be a better buy. This will be a CCW pistol. Thanks for your input.

BroncoAZ · #2 04-22-2012, 12:16 PM

I have handled the Shield 9mm, .40 should be the same for my observations. The Shield is longer than the CM9, closer to the CW9. Their two different magazines allow for a CM grip or CW grip length. The good: the trigger is glock like and can be shot off the reset, weight is about 6 lb with a distinct break and reset click. The little wider magazine is not a true single stack, by staggering the rounds a bit they fit one more in the 9mm. The not so good: the upper part of the grip that sits against the web of your hand is narrow and I think would be unpleasant to shoot. I prefer the wider back of the Kahr to spread the recoil over a larger part of my hand.

Personally I think a 9mm with the right ammo is a better choice in a gun this size for CCW. The extra blast and recoil from the .40 makes second shot placement more difficult, practice ammo more expensive, and the ballistic differences are really insignificant with modern defense ammo. I like .40 in something a little larger like my Glock 23. I can't speak to the CM9 you had issues with, but my PM9 and CW9 have been excellent, enough so that I just plunked down for a T9 for the wife.

TucsonMTB · #3 04-22-2012, 12:20 PM

You might want to wait until the S&W Shield has their "fotay" version available for sale and few people buy them. The 9mm Shield is available and seems to be making people happy. The same gun chambered in .40 S&W may be a different story because of the greater recoil.

Did I understand correctly that you had good luck with a CW9, which has a larger grip than the CM9 that did not work well for you? If so, the grip size is likely to be even more of an issue with a CM40.

Don't misunderstand me. I have two PM40's. My wife and I are both quite happy shooting them, but some people are more recoil sensitive or like to hold their pistols with more relaxed grips. That's not as practical with the shorter gripped CM40 or PM40, and may contribute to shooting malfunctions.

Best of luck with your choice.

gb6491 · #4 04-22-2012, 12:34 PM

The CM will be smaller than the Shield. I can't speak as to the reliability of the CM40 as I don't own one. The Shield is about the same size as the "P" and "CW" series Kahrs (well first hand, I know the Shield 9mm is about the same size as a CW9).
From my own experience with a 9mm Shield (350 rounds fired) and a CW9 (close to 2000 rounds fired):
Both are well made.
Both are reliable.
Both are adequately accurate, though I'd give an edge to the CW.
IMO, the CW has a better trigger. My Shield's trigger was heavy and broke abruptly with lots of over-travel. I did find that it's reset was shorter.
The Shield's grip is "pinky under" for me with the flush fitting magazine (like baby Glocks and CM/MK/PM series Kahrs). It also seems overly long front to back. The extended magazine gives the Shield room for a full three fingers, but then it's longer/taller than the grip on the CW9. The trigger guard on the Shield is "busy" where you finger goes under it: some sharp edges, rough texture and a channel between two different surfaces. Again IMO, the CW9 has a better grip and it's certainly more comfortable.
I found the CW9 easier to control and shoot accurately at speed.
Sans sights/shooting instinctively: both point well with a speed edge to the Shield.

I prefer the CW9, but think others will be well served by the Shield.
Regards,
Greg

bonjorno2 · #5 04-22-2012, 01:48 PM

for a pocket gun get the kahr, for a iwb gun get a kahr... but for a gun with a safety try the shield.

nmkahrshooter · #6 04-22-2012, 03:43 PM

Thanks for the input. Maybe I need to look at bigger gun as in the CW40. Have not fired 40 Cal in a long time. Is it that snappy to shoot? To answer another question I had problems with CM9 reliability but never have had a problem with CW9.

BroncoAZ · #7 04-22-2012, 03:57 PM

.40 is more snappy to shoot than 9mm, but not so much that it is uncomfortable generally. Personally I don't think the bad guy is going to get back up and laugh at me after being shot with a 9mm compared to a .40. Either of these rounds loses a bit of its performance when used with a 3" barrel. You do lose one more round (generally) with the .40 vs the 9mm.

nmkahrshooter · #8 04-22-2012, 05:31 PM

Maybe should go back to CW45. Only reason I sold it was to get a XD45 Tactical. XD is too big to CCW and never had a problem with CW45. Just liked the idea of a smaller gun but CW45 is not that hard to conceal. Thanks for the input everybody, will have to visit LGS tomorrow and drive him crazy! Can't wait to mention I want another CW45! Guess I will have to hear I told you so a hundred times!

O'Dell · #9 04-23-2012, 02:56 PM

Let me be the first; I TOLD YOU SO, or I would have if given the chance. My CW45 is my favorite carry gun, and I only resort to the PM9 when I can't cover the CW.

nmkahrshooter · #10 04-25-2012, 05:59 AM

Yep he laughed told me i told you so then rang up the CW45 with a smile on his face!! Sure is nice to deal with friends!