Hi there,
I am in the process of obtaining my ccw permit and am trying to make a decision on what to buy. I have narrowed it down to the M&P line, but i dont know where to go from there.

I absolutly love the shield, but dont want to be on a waiting list for 3 months trying to get one.

Since it would be my first pistol do i full size, compact, or sub compact. I know i will be CCing it mostly when i feel comfortable with shooting it.

I also dont see much of a difference between 9mm and 40s&w.

From what i have read so far you guys sure know alot.

Please help the FNG!!!

Take your choice, I bought 9mm Compact has my first, comfortable ammo is cheaper then 40cal.
Top is the pro, then the Compact and last the Shield.

I've been CCW 40+ years and suggest buying something small and light enough that will not get left behind b/c of weight and size. I'm a revolver guy but if I were in your place the Shield would be my choice, even if you have to wait. Next might be the 9C, but that cannot be pocket carried (the Shield is on the cusp of being too big too) if that is important.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Since it's your first pistol, I would recommend either the full size or compact 9mm. Why not the Shield? Because becoming proficient with a pistol takes time and practice, and trying to learn the fundamentals of pistol shooting with a single stack, pocket sized gun with a short sight radius is like trying to win the Baja 1000 in a 1976 Chevy Chevette with a flat tire.

I can conceal a full size, so I do, but that doesn't mean everyone can. If you can swing it financially, I would opt for a full size and a compact. Good luck in your decision making.

The shield etc are nice guns, but one point I think is missing, the smaller the gun, the harder it is to shoot well. Old Cop is right, from a size standpoint and ease of carry, the shield is better.

However, if you search the forum, you can find multiple "my shield is shooting poorly" posts and in almost all of the cases, it turns out as predicted, it's not the gun, it's the shooter. Small guns accentuate every flaw in shooting style, especially trigger pull.

My advice is buy the full sized 9mm, learn to shoot it well, master the trigger and then buy yourself a second gun, the shield or a nice short barreled revolver for CCW. It's not a bad thing to have a high capacity home defense gun, which the shield is poorly suited for and down the road, a specialized CCW gun. JMO.

You hit send first Armed Babysitter and beat me to the thought..nice job lol.

I bought my son a 9c for his 21st birthday four years ago. It's a darn good carry gun, dependable and accurate.

Dont skim on the holster and belt, they make a world of difference when it comes to comfort. At first you will not really be comfortable anyway since youre not used to the weight and feel but a proper gun belt and a holster with good retention and weight spread will make a world of difference.

I used to use a rinky dink avg walmart quality belt and holster, after all a belt is a belt and a holster is a holster, and because of that i only carried small light 9mm. After i finally broke down and bought a gun specific belt and a real holster and realized how dumb i was all these years, i sold all my small guns and now my daily carry and my smallest lightest gun is a Glock 19. I have no problem carrying full size guns all day.

LOL, I did the same thing this year for my son's 21st . I carry the Shield, and agree it took a lot of practice to get accurate with it.

The question I would ask is you do you plan on carrying? The Shield os great for a IWB holster. The M&P9c can be used in either a IWB holster or OWB holster. Neither is ideal for pocket carry. They are both great guns and you can't go wrong either way in 9mm.

Kudos to you for wanting to become armed and NOT dangerous. Your question is a good one. I believe the M&P platform is a good choice for the new shooter.

In the poll, I went with the full size 9mm. My reasoning is two-fold:

First, the 9mm is easier to shoot and better to learn with. It is also a very good round, is fun to shoot and less expensive to shoot. All good things.

Second, small guns are hard to shoot. Often, much harder to shoot than larger ones. Seasoned shooters can have a hard time being accurate with smaller guns. New shooters often get frustrated when they cannot shoot accurately. New shooters with small guns have a tough row to hoe, ask me how I know! Been there, done that.

The full-size M&P9 makes a fantastic first pistol in my humble opinion. It can be carried, but that should be a secondary concern.

You guys are awsome. Keep the advice coming, its helping ease my decision. Still haven't made one though.

If I have to pick just one M&P would be the 9C. It could be concealable well, it could be used at range because is accurate, it could be a good HD with the extended mag. Ammo is cheaper but deadly too. My vote is for the M&P 9C

I'd highly recommend the FS 9 (or FS 9L). Good sight radius over the "c" Longer barrel will also shoot better. FS has a better full grip feeling (control) over the stuby "c" too. It's a great "first time" handgun to start out on.

As a noob, I know what you are going through now. I bought a FS 9 first (glad I did) and then the Shield. I put about 600 rds through the FS (along with some good handgun training classes) to get started on proper technique. When I finally got the Shield (about 2 weeks ago) and took it to shoot...it was not great...not horrible but not good enough. And that was after some descent noob shooting with the FS. So back in the bag goes the Shield back to the FS to really hone my skills. Maybe in a couple of months I'll bring the Shield back out to run some ammo through it and not forget the feel (b/c man o man is it fun to shoot). The shield will at the end of the day be my carry gun. Have fun getting the right gun for you, bro!

__________________
M&P FS 9mm
M&P Shield 9mm

Welcome to the forum. Go with the M&P 9 full....jmo.

__________________
Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

I'd say get the M&P 9 full size. Get some training, lotsa practice and once you become proficient with it then you can get a smaller more concealable gun. I agree with the others in that 9mm ammo is cheaper and practice is more affordable. Also, a smaller gun is more difficult to shot accurately and can get frustrating. Don't forget a quality concealment holster and belt.
Dry fire practice and laser trainers both help with trigger control.

I will suggest the M&P 9c. It's not that much smaller than the full size M&P. It shoots just as good and the smaller size does help to CCW.

I personally went with the 40c and got the 9c barrel so I can practice, practice , practice. I am very happy with the 40c. I feel no need for a full size M&P or the shield.

Where did you get the barrel conversion?

The Shield would be my last choice.It gives up way too much to the Full size 9 or even the 9c.My 1st choice would be the Full size 9.In the right holster very easy to carry concealed.Better sight radius,more ammo capacity,more available acc.The FS 9 and 9c have a light rail the shield does not.With todays ammo the 9mm is just as effective as the 40 and practice ammo is much cheaper.

Amount of rounds I can fit doesn't matter. I live in new York and ot os limited to 10+1 on any pistol

Well if you ever feel like leaving New York and their gun laws, we'd welcome you here in the United States!

Learn to shoot first with a full size then get a smaller gun for CCW. Guns are like tools - the right tool for the right job.

Don't feel bad about developing experience first before branching out. Everyone, even the top shooters in the world, started in the same spot; at ground zero. With the right attitude, training and practice, you will do great and be better satisfied with whatever choices you eventually make - even if they are different than other shooters. Everyone finds their own niche.

Why limit yourself to a small gun for ccw?I much prefer a full size for ccw.Buy a good holster belt combo and you can conceal a full size just fine.

There isn't really a significant size difference between the full size and compact versions of the M&P. Therefore, the full size piece will have higher capacity (OK, not relevant to you), and longer sight radius and all around be easier to handle. Should you ever need it, you will wish you had something like a 12 gauge shotgun.

So far as concealment, one dresses around the weapon and with good selection of holster, belt and clothing, one can hide almost anything. There are some limitations depending upon your body shape, but really, the full size M&P simply isn't that big.

I'll join the 9mm crowd, it's ecomonical and generally available. Simply put, if you put the bullets in a vital area, diameter, velocity and design of the bullet don't matter. Likewise, if you don't put the bullets in a vital area, the diameter, velocity and design of the bullet don't matter.

I was in your situation a few months ago. I got my permit, but honestly wasn't sure if I would carry. And there was no way to figure that out BEFORE I learned a lot more about "pistols and me".

But I *did* know I would want at least a house gun, and something that would help me learn to shoot. I settled on the M&P9 FS, and shot it a lot.

After shooting the FS and molesting lots of other guns, I decided that I would *never* carry anything other than a pocket gun often enough to make it worthwhile. So I bought a Ruger LCP. Great fit in a pocket, VERY difficult to shoot well. And not really fun to practice with either.

Next I bought a S&W 1911, and this 45 ACP instantly became my favorite target weapon. The weight and ergos keep the recoils close enough to not matter, and I am much more accurate with the 1911 than the M&P9. Had I known all this from the gitgo, the 1911 certainly could have been my first "house" gun. 8 45 ACP vs 17 9mm rounds in one mag . . . either one really works.

Long story short . . . Advice #1: I'd start with the M&P9FS and find your own way from there. Your experience may come to match mine . . . or it may not. That weapon will always find *some* use in your hands, and ammo for it should be available as long as any ammo is available

Advice #2: If you aren't already a pistol shooter, do NOT start with a Shield or anything that small or smaller. You (and/or your friends or SO) may not have a lot of fun with a pistol that small as a starter.

They are all good guns. i myself would stick with the nines, but thats me, and who im i? not you

__________________
Aim small miss small

I bought several handguns before I found the one I wanted. I got my concealed carry permit about a year ago. With my build 5'10" 160lb. I could not carry a full size pistol with that long of a grip. The length is not a big deal, its the grip. I have a .380 bodyguard for pocket carry, and a M&P 9mm compact. I really like the compact! That is the one I would suggest. You can buy full size mag for the range if you wanted larger capacity. Just my opinion. Take it for what its worth.

Like Harley I also bought several guns before I decided I needed several more. Each one is my favorite.

The 9c is a proven performer. The 40c can be made into a 9c with a stock $65 9mm barrel. The compacts can use full size mags with an x-grip adapter to fill in the void, or without if you prefer. Nothing else is needed. The .40 mags will work with 9mm rounds. There is so much versatility to the M&P lineup that you can't go wrong.

My advice if this is the first gun and you want to carry it with a 10 round limit in your state, is the 9c. If you want to bump up to a 40c and get the 9mm barrel for practice that would be a great choice too. Third pick advice from me would be the 45c. You go up in practice cost but what a nice gun!

Your second gun could be a 40FS, which you could then get .357 and 9mm barrels for.

Or if you want to forget all this fantastic plastic, go with a 3913 (stainless) or 3914 (blued) single stack 9mm. These bad boys are generally considered the finest concealed carry weapons made since man first tucked a rock in his loin cloth. Lightweight frame with stainless slides and all metal construction with reliability that is phenomenal. These guns are not made any more because S&W bumped their corporate head, but they can be found new-in-box for $500.

The two guys who posted that they use the 9mm barrel conversion....... can you confirm that all you need is a stock replacement barrel? The .40 mags work without issue?

Also a few have mentioned that the stock "rifleing" <-- cant spell affects accuracy after 25 yards and either s&w have a possible design change coming soon or some after market barrels fix this as well.

Personally I am looking at either the M&P 9c or the Wathers PPQ for my first but really like the verisitility of getting the .40 with a barrel conversion if it is really that easy

If you search for 40 9 conversion you will find a lot of posts.

The barrel is stock, drops right in. Those who have paid double for 'conversion' barrels from outside manufacturers have had more problems than those who buy the factory barrel it seems.

The .40 mag will work until the last round when the follower rides too high and locks the action open with one round remaining in the magazine. It is okay for range use though if you don't want to buy new 9mm mags.

^^THIS^^

I have the M&PCompact .357Sig with the .40 and 9mm barrels. The gun is very accurate with all three barrels.

I love the Compact with the full size mag and X-grip, and set up like that, it is not much different than the full sized M&P, but since you can't take advantage of the extra rounds, it really doesn't matter.

I also have no problem shooting with the Compact mags with the pinky extension.

One thing I like about shooting the 9mm in the .357Sig pistol is, I don't have to worry about shooting +P, or +P+, when I choose to.

I say get the Full Size or Compact in .40 or .357, which ever is the best
deal, and add a 9mm barrel for versatility.

I personally like the .357 for SD, and the 9mm for practice and plinking, and it is handy to have the .40 in case the .357 gets hard to come by.

Tc

If you plan to use the weapon as a CCW especially if pocket will be an option you only have 2 choices. Shield 9 or 40.

You can buy a 40 Shield today but the 9mm will require some patience.

I would wait it out for the Shield 9mm.

Some 40 Shield have had some magazine drop problems. And ammo is.40% more to shoot and one less round.

Russ

The Shield is not a pocket pistol by no means unless you wear size 56 or larger pants.You will not be able to shoot the Shield as well as a full size M&P.Without a lot of practice and then the full size will still win out in ease of shooting.

Catcus:

I have the hardest time with the pocket argument when I have been packing my Shield for 6 months in my 34 x 32 Dockers 10 hours a day and during that work time I am constantly moving around in the office. In fact, I had one of those high tech instruments on my belt to monitor the number of steps I make in a 10 hour period of time and it was more than 6,000 steps.

I realize some body frames may not work but for my 6' 2" and 195 Ibs frame I can easily pocket conceal in Dockers.
(I even pack in Nike sweat pants on the weekends. Just make sure the draw string is tight.)

I did change out the stock sights for Big Dot because the rear sight is not pocket friendly. The design of the Big Dot rear sight is low profile and angled forward with smooth edges making it easier to draw quickly from the pocket.

If you look at my avatar you will see I carry in the Desanti model "E1"

I am not exaggerating; I can draw sweep safety and dry fire in 1 1/2 seconds.

I also own a full size XD 45 and at 7 yards there is very little difference in groupings between the two weapons.

If I move out beyond 12 yards the full size does have an advantage but much beyond 20 yards I am going to put the full size pistol away for a rifle.

Personally, I enjoy shooting the Shield more than my full size XD 45 which has a grip like a 2x4.

Russ

There is nothing wrong with a 9C for a first pistol. That was my wife's first pistol and she's an excellent shot. You may want to get the magazine extension so you can get a pinkie on the grip.

As to it's accuracy beyond 25 yards, I can think of no scenario where I would be shooting at someone instead of running if I were already 75 feet away!

Most of the people in my neck of the woods think dockers are people who are putting their fishing boats up to the dock when they are done fishin.Try putting a shield in the pocket of a pair of blue jeans.I wear size 36x34s and a j frame is about the max I want in my pocket.

9FS would be my first choice for learning to shoot and manipulate a pistol. Second would be 9c and get extensions for a mag or two to get the better grip initially. Later you could use mags w/o extensions for CC. 40 cal has more recoil and costs more so you get less practice on the same budget. The Shield is too small to be a first pistol, IMO, and many people have given good reasons as to why above.

Catcus:

I wear pleated slacks that are 36x32.

I have taken some pictures so everyone will see you can pocket conceal a Shield in dress pants with no problem. I also included a picture sitting down.

I have been concealing my Shield for 6 months in these type of pants and no person in my office has a clue I carry a ccw.

I agree it is difficult to conceal in blue jeans and other form fitting pants but you don't need to wear cargo pants to pocket conceal a Shield. Dress slacks work just fine as evident in the pictures.

Russ

DSC_0003.jpg

DSC_0005.jpg

DSC_0006.jpg

Yes I can see it prints nicely!

Catcus

When sitting down any gun in your pocket will leave an impressuon. The question is does that impression to the average person look like the outline of a gun?

When standing and walking there is no impression.

The true test is for 6 months no one has asked me if I am packing.

Russ

P.S. I think the key to concealment is you act natural and don't talk about guns or concealment etc even around co workers.

Thats why I carry full size pistols for ccw in iwb holsters they don't print.

cactus

IWB for me is a challenge because I wear dress shirts that are tucked in with no jacket.

I have tried working my shirt around an IWB holster but it doesn't work and I can't walk around work with my shirt un tucked and I am not going to wear a suit coat all day.

Glad IWB works for you. Pocket conceal in pleated slacks of my Shield in a Desanti model "E1" holster (made for the Glock 26) for the last 6 months has not been brought to my attention at work even by my closes friends.

I remember the first few days I started pocket concealment 18 months ago. I was packing a Kahr CM9 and it did not feel natural. I remember constantly looking down at my pocket and even touching my weapon from time-to-time.

I don't care if you are packing a Ruger LCP, you are going to get noticed if you act like you are packing. Fast forward 18 months. I know my Shield is in my pocket but I don't act any different and that I believe is important to concealment. Also I don’t talk about guns at work with co-workers. If you act weird and nervous and constantly touch your weapon you are going to draw attention.


Russ

after reading some other threads, talking to a few coworkers, and getting my hands on 1. i think i have decided to go with the 40c. i can buy the 9mm barrel and a few mags and i can shoot til my heart is content. thanks for all the advice. feel free to keep disagreeing about pants.

I handled the M&P 40c at my local gun shop, nice gun. Now the real fun starts. Holsters, belts, trying different ammo in both .40 and 9mm, lotsa shooting and lotsa practice. Training? Lasersights?
Most importantly, ya gotta get the right pants.

Pants are the most important part of the whole outfit.

The 9mm is not my first choice, but like Old Cop, I've been at this for a very long time.... (40+ years, semi-retired rent-a-cop.) My 9C is on consignment at a local dealer's (I want a Shield40), but I have an old M39 for my daughter. She likes the 9mm....

That said, either the M&P9C or 9FS would be a good "learn to shoot" gun, as would the .22 version, although I don't consider any rimfire a reliable carry. Recoil is minimal (particularly with the 9FS), and most new shooters should be able to handle either one. The 9FS makes a good "house gun", too, when the time comes, but IMHO it's not a particularly good carry. That thing is BIG.... (I have a 40FS.) Overall, not a lot different than my old S&W M&P10HB .38 Revolver, although it's quite a bit lighter. The 40FS is a little snappy unless you're used to it (I am), but not a bad choice either as a "house gun"....

IMHO, you'd do about as well with a 9C as with the 9FS as a carry, although as a double-stacker, it's kind of thick. A 9mm Shield might be suitable, but will take some getting used to. I thing you could get either double-stacker under control very quickly. Add the Shield later....

My EDC rotation is a pair of Officer's sized 1911's. A little heavy, but with a good belt, not a problem. Other than the seven round limitation, they are good solid guns that I trust. Lasers and night sights on both, too, but I don't think I'd go the extra money again. I'm not sure there's really any advantage....

'Round the house, it's an M&P40C. Mostly 'cause it's quite light, and doesn't require a special belt like the .45....

I don't get a lot of interest in the weight issue. I'm kinda big, which may have something to do with it, but with a good belt & holster the extra weight just doesn't seem to matter to me.

In the end, you really have to find a way to try these things. Little things can bite you.... My buddy Joe has a beautiful S&W M41 pistol. That's an expensive .22LR target semi. My very petite daughter can shoot her M22A (which is a very cheap copy of the M41 ) all day, but can't shoot the M41. The rear joint of her thumb whacks the M41's thumb safety with about each shot. She prefers the M39 anyway....

Pants.... I was in the local gun pusher's a couple years ago when a kid from a local PD was trying on an ankle holster. While wearing shorts.... I reminded him of the first rule of ankle holsters: "Pants"....

Regards,

__________________
Stu.

"No mas pantalones"

This is my M64 (K frame snubby) in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. Wider and heavier than a Shield. The dress pants are Red Head from Bass Pro. Keep them ironed and they're perfect for the office.

--- 2 inch .38spl revolver {S&W 36 or 37 or equiv}.
Small and RELIABLE.

Blujax

Thanks for the pictures.

I am tired of people on this forum thinking the Shield is not for the pocket. As you demonstrated you can pocket a revolver which is bigger than the Shield and I can't see your weapon from the picture.

Russ

I learned to shoot courtesy of Uncle Sam and continued to develop my skills with a M&P 40. Best handgun I have ever shot but too big to carry. I am smaller than average and picked the Ruger LC9 as a carry weapon. It was an easy transition although the 40 is not in the closet - it's the primary for HD.