As part of our continued testing of the S&W Shield, I was able to put a few rounds of PolyCase Inceptor ARX 9mm ammunition through the pistol. This self defense ammo features a lead-free, copper-polymer ARX bullet with “flutes” in the nose. These flutes are designed to transfer both rotational and directional force for rapid energy transfer to the target.
Based on other reviews of this ammo, the ARX round appears to be performing very well in penetration tests. I’ll leave it up to you to seek out those reviews. This test was simply meant to determine how the fluted ARX bullet feeds in the Smith & Wesson Shield. I am happy to report that it fed flawlessly.
The following target shows my results for 20 of the 25 rounds fired from the Shield. The first few rounds fired are those in the bottom left corner. I have found that I tend to shoot low/left with the Shield. The last 5 rounds (target not shown) was a quick mag dump, in which the ammo still fed perfectly.
As I said earlier, I encourage you to seek out penetration tests for PolyCase ARX ammunition. I think you’ll be impressed! Based on those, as well as my experience with it, I would definitely feel comfortable carrying PolyCase ARX ammunition in the S&W Shield.
| Cumulative Range/Function Test Results – Smith & Wesson Shield | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Test # | Ammunition | # Rounds | Results |
| 1 | Winchester 9mm 115gr FMJ | 50 | No Issues |
| 2 | HPR 9mm 115gr TMJ | 50 | No Issues |
| 3 | Sellier & Bellot 9mm 115gr FMJ | 35 | No Issues |
| 4 | Sig V-Crown 9mm 115gr JHP | 40 | No Issues |
| 5 | PolyCase Inceptor 74gr ARX | 25 | No Issues |
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm No Thumb Safety Specs:
- SKU: 10035
- Model: M&P9 Shield™
- Frame Size: Compact
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Striker Fire
- Capacity: 7 and 8 Round Magazines
- Barrel Length: 3.1” (7.9 cm)
- Front Sight: White Dot
- Rear Sight: White 2-Dot
- Trigger Pull: 6.5 lbs +/-
- Overall Length: 6.1” (15.5 cm)
- Frame Width: .95” (2.4 cm)
- Overall Height: 4.6” (11.7 cm)
- Grip: Polymer
- Weight: 19.0 oz. (523.7 g)
- Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
- Slide Material: Stainless Steel
- Frame Material: Polymer
- Finish: Black/Durable Corrosion Resistant
- More Info: Smith & Wesson
PolyCase Inceptor ARX Ammunition:
- 380 Auto
- 56 gr ARX
- 1400 fps / 244 ft. lbs.
- 9mm Luger
- 74 gr ARX
- 1550 fps / 395 ft. lbs.
- 40 S&W
- 107 gr ARX®
- 1350 fps / 414 ft. lbs.
- .45 Auto
- 114 gr ARX®
- 1260 fps / 402 ft. lbs.
- More Info: PolyCase Ammunition