Wow! Thanks for the replies. I have been leaning more towards the M&P...my only hesitation was due to the fact I haven't actually shot the compact. How much of a difference is there in recoil or accuracy between the compact and the full size 9? Incidentally, my husband let me shoot the M&P 45 he rented and I liked it a lot better than his S&W 40v which I thought really kicked a lot.