Although I have been a shooter for the past sixty years, I've only recently joined the ranks of concealed carry. Easier said than done! Yes, I carry - but I'm having problems. I have a very bony pelvis that interferes. I already have explored shoulder holsters - and I may always have one available - but I really must find a decent concealment belt holster.

That said, I am wondering - All other things being equal [this is a theoretical hypothesis], does the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 compact conceal better than the M&P full size? Obviously, it must to some degree, but - really, how MUCH better? I'll trade this full size for a compact if it makes that much difference.

I'm asking people who actually have been familiar with both.

What's your take?

Florida Shooter:

Welcome to the fraternity.... I've been carrying for about 42 years....

The Full Size gun's grip frame is quite a bit longer than the Compact. The longer barrel really only applies to "off body" carry for most people - purse, fanny pack, etc. It's going to get in the way a little, in some cases, but shouldn't be a problem.

IMHO, the FS is really a "uniform duty" gun - big, solid, etc., whereas the Compacts are more geared towards concealment.

You can (and I have) carry either one, but it helps to be a little bigger ....

I use a DeSantis top-break rig with an open bottom - both the FS and the Compact fit it.



Sorry that this is a ****** picture, but you should be able to make something out of it. The gun is a full sized 1911, not an M&P ( ), but the size difference between it and an Officer's sized 1911, which is my usual daily carry, is roughly the same as the two M&P's. (I have the same holster for the M&P's - it is a different model, though....)

I find the two full sized guns a little too long for comfort when sitting, and that extra grip frame tends to print a little more, but I'm big enough (about 6'1", 310#) that you really have to be looking for it.

If all you really want is concealment, and aren't much interested in target work, for example, the Compact is probably a better choice.

However, if you carry the Compact, it's a nice idea to carry the larger full-size version's magazine as a spare. It's about a half-inch longer, but otherwise the same size, and doesn't seem to add anything to concealment issues. I carry my 40C around the house that way - standard short magazine in the gun, and the full sized in a carrier.

(Seems silly, but the M&P is sufficiently lighter that carrying it around the house in grubby jeans, etc., is just more comfortable. I also don't need the barrel-hoop belt that the 1911 requires. For "outside", a Wilderness Trainer - in the picture - is a necessity with the 1911. Any good heavy belt probably would do the job for you with the M&P, though.)

And, don't adjust your monitor - that 1911 really is blue....

Regards,

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Stu.

There are a few things that help with concealment. First is a good belt and second is a good holster. I carry a M&P 9/40c in a RGrizzle Georgia Snap holster. Absolutely love the GS holsters. I am allowed to carry at work but once in a while I have to remove it to enter some of the place that I get to. Usually I carry the M&P but I also have GS holsters for my Sig P6, P229, G27, and S&W Shorty Forty. Crossbreed is also a very good choice if wanting to carry IWB. If you have a good platform for carry then next is the weapon itself. With the shorter barrel and the shorter grip, the M&P c models are very nice to CCW. With a good holster, the compact versions hide very well. I actually shoot the compact models better than the fullsize versions. If extra capacity is needed, you can always add fullsize mags with x-grip adaptors.

I can't speak to the compact. But I have a 5" MP Pro 9mm that I carry in a very good OWB leather holster and gun belt. I am 6'5", 300 lbs. I carry it at the 8 oclock position (am a southpaw) and it is easy to conceal under a loose shirt. I can sit comfortably, and drive while wearing it without any issues.

+1 on the RGrizzle Leather. He makes superb holsters, mag carriers, and belts. Bill

I have carried the full size .45 and .45C compact in a Cross Breed IWB.

I'm 6'3 300.

The compact prints less. To me anyway the weight wasn't that much difference but it was a factor. Barrel length did make a little difference.

The shorter grip did seem like it hugged my body better and printed less.

I was very surprised at the accuracy of the compact still am I kept it. 20 yards this little sucker will stay in the black.

I have somewhere around 1,000 rds of mixed ammo through it reloads and factory not even one malfunction.

The take down really upsets me. Geez from start to finish including cleaning less than 5 minutes.

Dan

I have several M&Ps and love the way they feel. Probably my favorite automatic ever. I do carry the compact more. Both sizes feel good in a crossbreed super tuck.



I carry at about half way between the leg seam and right rear pocket on jeans. “3:30”. My favorite IWB holster for the M&P’S is a crossbreed. Great combination.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I carry the M&P FS .40 in a Raider by Lvethegun Holsters. Leather OWB and wear a baggy shirt with a long tail. The key is a belt that is made to take the weight of the gun without rolling out. It is supposed to help keep the gun close to your side. If it rolls out it will really print no matter what size weapon you carry.

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Excuse me!

All I can say is a big fat DITTO. This is me, 4 M&P's don't mind carrying any, especially since I picked up myu Crossbreed IWB holster. But I do prefer my 40c now, I like the little lighter weight and little smaller frame..

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Jack C

I have a M&P 40 and 40c. I use a DeSantis speed scabard for both. I perfeer a good quailty pancke style holster. I do not like shoulder holsters and I find IWB holsters uncomfortable. Another very important aspect is a good belt. I think it could be just as important as the holster because without good belt the holster moves around or sags.

I have full size pistols, mid size (compact) and sub compact. I think for carrying to my side or in the small of my back, I can draw my gun and be ready with my M&P 40c quicker than I can with bigger or smaller guns. I am six ft. tall, 220 pounds and can just barely palm hold a basketball, so I guess my hands would be classified as 'large'.

The big guns, by their bulky nature, take a little longer for me to draw. The pocket sized guns take a little longer as well, and then a little more time to make sure my handling of the little gun is 'just right'.

For me, a compact size gun is quicker for me to pull out and draw a bead on whatever my target is. It is more comfortable to carry, staying in place better as well.

The DeSantis was my favorite holster too, I had several ComTac IWB I tried, just never liked them until I picked up the Crossbreed.... now I wear it to bed if I can... forget it's there...

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Jack C

I've Googled that brand - Lvethegun - and didn't find it. Can you point me to their web site?

I can't answer the question of which is better for you (everything is a trade off) but here is a picture of a 9fs and a 9c in the same Crossbreed holster.





VERY comfortable holster. Also a good thick, stiff, belt is a requirement for a fullsize imo.

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NRA Certified Instructor

I've carried an issued M&P9fs since being issued it in the spring of 2006. I bought a M&P9c when they first became available.

Both are good guns. To answer the OP's question, it'd depend a lot on the size of the individual. I'm 5'11" and about 175 lbs. The fs gun's grip prints somewhat more for me than the compact does. As a point of reference, I carried a Glock 19 off duty for about 10 years. The GLock 19 prints and carries between the two size M&P's.

I finally stopped carrying my beloved Glock 19 when I realized that although I shoot it very well, I shoot the M&P9c a bit better. I shoot the M&P fs better than both.

With a good holster and belt, if you can conceal the full size M&P, then I wouldn't bother with the compact personally. The deciding factor is the build of the individual.

I see your in South Florida. Buy the M&P compact.


Too many variables to recommend one over the other. How you dress and your build will determine how easily you can conceal either.

I have carried the compact year round. With 13 rounds in the gun and full size magazine with X-Grip adapter for backup, it's the perfect gun for me.

In cooler weather I use the full size mag and carry another full size in a pocket.

It's undeniable that small pistols conceal better than large. But it can be a matter of degree depending on body type and holster.

An issue is the ability to draw and shoot the pistol from concealment. Small grip is gonna be harder to grab and shoot.

Remat's photos illustrate this very well. There ain't much room to get your fingers around the compact.

-- Chuck

I'll pitch in for the compact. I've got a lot of shooting & carry time in with the M&P's, and have not been able to shoot better with a full sized one. Maybe that's because my compact is just that good? Its pretty good!

You can always make the grips full size with an x-grip and fs mag, and I carry that way plenty. In its shortest configuration it can be pocketed, and I carry that way every once in a while with a cheap DeSantis. Gotta have big pockets!

I carry in South Florida a fair bit, and the M&Pc is my favorite all-around carry gun; though I still prefer a 1911. Just can't let that go.

I chose to carry the 40c. I'm using a Comp-Tac MTAC IWB holster. Very comfortable at about 3:30. A loose shirt is all it takes to conceal. Very little printing.