I have a shield .40. I also have a glock 23, which is a 2x4 compared to it. I am thinking hard about trading my glock for a M&P 9c. I went to the LGS and looked at one, just to get a good close look at it. OH brother!, it feels really good in my hands. Funny thing, on the shield, with the normal mag, I can get a full grip on it. On the 9c i can only get my middle and ring finger on it and it's a chunkier gun. I asked permission to dry fire the 9c just to see what folks are talking about with the trigger, I did find some grittiness on it, but other than that the trigger feels fine to me. I mean, i'm no gun expert by any means. Seemed pretty smooth. Get the shield you won't be unhappy =)