How much difference is there between the two as far as kick goes? My wife shot a buddy's 9mm last week and loved it, but she is insisting I get her one in .40 cal and claims she can handle it...

From what I've heard it's pretty significant. Now, it's probably not so much that she can't handle it, and the Shield isn't a weapon you're going to shoot just a ton, but it's something to think about. Why is she so adamant about it? Today's 9mm loads are pretty stout medicine (and cheaper/more available than .40).

Have you ever talked to a chick before?

LMAO!! I have a PM40 in 40 cal, and it's pretty snappy. I shot the 9mm version also, and it's definitely less recoil. If you run the numbers in a recoil calculator, it can tell you how much more recoil there will be.

I would stick with the 9

I have experimented with many chicks and in the end the 9mm won for several categories

Love mine and it's a 40. Doesn't kick that much at all to me and it's an awesome little gun.

Mike I'll have my G27 with me a the shoot if you want to borrow it. A little wider, but same size overall as the shield.

When I shot my 9 and 40 in the air on New Years the 9 was the clear winner

I've shot both. I simply do not like the .40

I'd rather have a 9mm or a .45ACP

.40 is snappy.

Stick with the 9 or if she truly wants a larger round, get the M&P fullsize in .45

Why would you not get her what she wants? She is perfectly capable of deciding what cartridge she wants.

I also agree that the 40 is snappy. I'd go with the 9 and just run some quality HD loads in it, maybe some +p if your wife wants a little more power.

My wife shoots my .40 shield well. No complaints about the recoil. We simply don't give our wives enough credit about what they can and can't handle. Mine shoots .40s 30-06s and anything else I put in her hands.

Today's advanced ammunition make the 9mm more than needed for personal defense and gives you more magazine capacity. There are many a dead WWII soldier behind the 9mm cartridge, God bless them all.

Let her shoot someone's .40 and decide for herself. It's not bad at all, but a 9 really is easier to shoot. Either is as fine for carry as the ammo you choose.

That probably was you shooting into the air New Years Eve BIL!

Mike, I have both the 9mm and 40 Shields with the Apex triggers installed and you and your bride are welcome to borrow them to see what she wants. The 9 only carries one more in the magazine and I don't notice a major difference between the two. That said, my spousal unit chose the 9 but she just learned to shoot so not the best data point. I am considering selling the 40 to keep consistent with mags and ammo.

I am not used to carrying and still prefer my 380 Bodyguard but it has the built in laser so I win with "cool kid" points.

My wife shoots pistols a lot and can shoot anything from my 22s to the 44 mags. As far as the 9 vs 40, she loves the glock 19 but the glock 23 is not comfortable to her for lots of shooting. The ruger p-94 40 cal is very comfortable to her as well as the HK USP 40 cal. The ruger lc9 hurts her hand.
In other words, she needs to shoot several different makes and models several times before she will know wich one will work for her.

Just what I have seen with the wife and daughter over the years. FWIW.

I prefer the 9. The .40 is managable, but the 9 is more comfortable to shoot.

My wife shoots the shield .40 with no problems... personal preference is all