For concealed carry only. Will not be used for home defense (12g for that).

I am small framed and I am leaning toward selling my M&Pc and getting a Shield. I happen to find one fairly local and I think I'm going to go ahead and buy it up. I may just have to decode after I buy it.

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M&P Shield 9

I did carry the Shield 40 for a while and although comfortable I was uncomfortable with the small difference in size verses firepower and accuracy.

The Shields trigger actually hurts to fire it too much it seems to slap my trigger finger after pulling it. I now use it only as a back up and am back to my 40 compact which I handle very well and while it is a little more uncomfortable to carry it is with me everyday!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

My problem is that I don't carry my compact that much because its uncomfortable. The shield is only 3 shots less and that's still more than revolvers, which people always recommend for concealed carry.

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M&P Shield 9

The Shield is not a target pistol, it is not a hunting pistol, it is a self defense and deterrent pistol. Civilian self defense is within 5-20 feet. We trained 2 to the body 1 to the head so you have 6 shots to get the job done if you ever get into 2 perp. situation. In 45+ years I never had to draw my weapon. The Shield is a dream to carry in a Crossbreed or similar holster.

Well said.

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M&P Shield 9

+1 on the M&Pc

The grass is always greener. The shield is not that much smaller, and you give up ammo. I don't know about you but in a situation like that I want as many chances to hit BG as I can get, with a full size mag+xgrip as backup in case he has a bunch of friends.

If you wanted to pocket carry then I would go with the shield but it seems like this isn't what you want to do. I would go with the compact since it does have more fire power and is a bit more easier to handle.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

With all the trouble with the Shield....go with the compact.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

"With all the trouble"??? Beside some of the Shield40s having the mag drop issue, what other trouble has there been?

If it's only for easy carry, go with the shield. The mag drop has been solved.
I wouldn't sell the C though until after getting the Shield and deciding you like the shield enough to actually carry it. You'd hate to wish you hadn't gotten rid of the C.

If you feel 7 or 8 rounds isn't enough, get comfy with the 'C'.

(BTW: There will never be a 'Once and for all'.

M&P9c is actually shorter than the Shield. Better choice for concealed carry IMHO.

I bought a Glock 26 Gen 4 that I carry. Bought a 9 mm Shield last April. Carried the Shield but prefer the Glock. Shot a 9 c and like it. May be weird but I like a thicker gun. Thinking of trading my Shield for a 9 C. I shot the 9c better than the Shield.

9c in a Crown Holster.

Welcome to Crown Holsters!

I they still have the Shield in the morning, I think I'm going to buy it regardless. If I don't like it, I'm sure ill be able to sell it.

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M&P Shield 9

Shield is a fine piece, but the M&Pc 40 I own is what is on me 99% of the time. If I could only have one it would be the M&P compact, finest all around pistol ever made. Even on my nightstand as a back up to the mossy & M4, I pick the compact over my 2 full size M&Ps, but YMMV.

There you go again. Seems you're not paying attention!!

Don't own a shield, but love my compact. Traded off my Glock 26 for it, and never looked back.

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M&P9/9C/Shieldx2/Sportx2/15-22

Bought the 40c (LE Version) mid August. 1,000 rounds through it already and flawless performance. An excellent weapon and my preferred carry pistol.

I voted compact simply because all these shield threads have completely taken over the board. Really needs its on area.

I've got a 40C that's my "daily carry" around the house. A rotation of a pair of small 1911's "outside"....

I'm trying to swap my 9C for a Shield 40, just for the "pocketable" aspects, but may still cancel that deal if my dealer can't get one in a reasonable amount of time.

I see nothing wrong with the Shield v.s. the 40C or 9C except the 40C is fairly comfortable to shoot, the Shield 40 will be less so.

Just IMHO, of course....

It's best to shoot both and see what suits you.

Regards,

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Stu.

I own a 9c and keep it for HD with the long magazine and the grip adapter. It's just too wide for CC unless I use something like a Galco Miami Classic, which in the heat has it's own troubles.
Geoff
Who has a Kahr 9094N in that slot.

I have decided to keep my 40c and just learn to carry it. After all the reviews and youtube videos I have watched, I have concluded that the size difference isn't enough to matter and there is practically no weight difference. I am going to get a versacarry today and see if that helps my carry problem.

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M&P Shield 9

MP22:

The only trouble I see with the Shield 9mm is finding one to buy.

Russ

That's the exact same thing that I did, and what I concluded. When you compare the two and what you give up it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to switch!

I have owned full size M&Ps, Compacts, and now have two Shields (well, my wife has one and I have one.) I have had the full size in .45 and 9mm, and the compact in .45 and 9mm. I have only had the Shield in 9mm.

I have to say that for carry, the Shield is my favorite. I have small hands, and it just fits me perfectly. I really like that it doesn't have a rail. For home defense, I might prefer a M&P in .45, but it is a small margin. I wouldn't mind relying on my Shield for HD as well.

Absolutely love my 9c in a versacarry.

Although the Shield is a bit slimmer, the overall size is pretty much the same. For IWB carry, just loosen your belt a little and carry a few more rounds. Why spend another $400 on a gun that holds less rounds? If you're comfortable with the Shield be my guest, but when it comes down to protecting my family and myself, I choose the C.

Just voted and it was 29 to 29 50/50, Seems like either will do just fine. I have both and voted for the shield as it carries so comfortable at 4:00 for me. I have the 9C set up for HD with a micro 90 light and CT grip laser and X-grip so I have 17+1 shots. For me its the best of both worlds.

I like my 9c. I feel the size and weight difference isnt worth giving up round count. When you can use full size mags in the 9c. I carry mine in a Galco king tuk holster.

Different strokes different folks. Just glad S&W listens to its customers and puts out a little something for everyone. I voted Shield, but my opinion is biased as I only own the Shield and have never even shot the 9c. Personally I want a 9c just for the extra rounds at the range and all, but feel the Shield is as big as I want to go for EDC and anything bigger it might be uncomfortable to carry.

+1

My Shield fills my pocket.

The compact would look ridiculous as a pocket gun and IWB I would go full size.

Russ

I have both but if I had to choose one it would be the 9c. I like both but the 9c just feels better in hand and I find it conceals just as easy.

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Voted for the 9c just works perfect for me

I voted for the shield -- if I want more rounds, I will carry OWB, my Sig 226 combat with my 18 round clips

for carry, though, the shield is easy to conceal

Just remember that in order to gain something you have to give up something and that is mainly control and recoil. A wider heavier gun distributes the recoil over a much wider path and reduces recoil as well as gives you better control. Also note that the new Shields are being bumped up quite a bit do to demand. If this is so in your case i would check around and i would wait till the market settles and then buy one and not overpay for one now just because there the newest and latest craze. You got along this far with your C model, I'm sure it will be OK for a while yet. Besides just think if they did not come out with the Shield!!!

Just some good old Horse sense. In any event Good Luck Panther.

I've had a M&P9c since they were first introduced. I managed to buy a 9mm Shield a week after they were announced.

My Compact is my daily off-duty gun. My Shield is my BUG while at work. The Compact is just too thick for vest carry. But the Shield is a dream for this type of carry.

I have RCS Phantom holsters for both guns. I carry OWB over my kidney at about 4 o'clock or so. In this type of carry, they are about equally concealable, so I carry the compact. (A good belt does make all the difference!)

I shoot the compact slightly better than the Shield. But don't take this as a slam on the Shield. With the Shield, I can clean the 6" pie plate rack at 25 yds, using mandated frangible ammunition, at my agencies facility.

Shooting the 9mm Shield, I quickly forget it's a compact gun designed for a specific task. One quickly starts to compare the Shield to full size platforms. It shoots that well.

OP, we all have different size and shaped bodies. The best thing you could do is to shoot both. Carry both and see which works best for YOU. You already own a Compact. Buy a Shield if you can get one without paying scalper's prices for it. If the Shield doesn't work out for your needs, you would have no problem selling off a Shield right now.

Just sold my 9 Shield to buy a 9c. Like the full size 9 so very well that the Shield felt like a toy and the small grip on the 9c feels perfect, plus got more tries at the BG and better control.

I own a shield all decked out. Apex trigger, tru glo sights, talon rubber grips. Kept changing the trigger and springs to get it just right. Now I'm at about 5.5 lbs. I'm grouping bulls eyes at 10 yards. I have my crossbreed super tuck. This is and will be my edc. I have had every gun known to man as a edc and this by far is the best. Comfortable, concealable, and my 7+1 is more than enough to stop a threat. The m&p compact was a bit too bulky. This shield is the best EDC for me.

I am a smaller person and have the 40c and Shield 9mm.
I find the Shield very easy and comfortable to CC. The like the 40c for home defense. Like shooting each at the range. Alternate weeks. Clean after each shooting . Really like both and find them a fine compliment for other.

Can't go wrong with either. Biggest consideration would be how you're most likely to carry it. If I'm going IWB, I carry the Compact. If I want to pocket carry (yes, I can pull that off) or am dressing more discreetly, I can go with the Shield.

My CCW will be a Shield. I have had a 9 for some time and just found a 40 but have not put it into "service" until it is well tested but I will most likely keep both. The trigger on the 40 is as good as the trigger on the 9 which has the APEX kit installed. As a retired LEO, I carry for a defensive reason rather than an offensive reason since I dont chase bad guys anymore... but refuse to be a victim. On a final note, no matter which you choose, it does you no good if it becomes too cumbersome to carry and merely rests in a drawer at home. I can defend the house with a much better weapon than any handgun will provide.

I picked up a Shield to carry in the summer under T shirts. It is thin, light and a 9mm (not 380).

That said, it's not a gun that's fun to shoot at the range. It just doesn't fill my hand like my other pistols. However, at 4 yards point shooting 6 rounds go into a 4 1/2 inch circle in 2 seconds. That's perfect for a defensive gun.

Once it runs through 500 rounds without a hitch, it will be a part of my summer wardrobe. It won't displace my Glock 26 or Smith CS9 for the rest of the year.

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Get off my lawn.

Couldn't have said it better myself! ~ Caveat emptor!

Use what you are comfortable using however, paying mind to RICK SR, go find a range and maybe rent a Shield (if you can find one) and blow a few hundred rounds through it then see if you still like it as much as your C. Maybe that will help you close in on things. ~ Remember, tiny frames jump around in small hands more than they do in large ones!

"I am small framed...."

I like many of the S&W offerings, just none for defending my hide. I have a couple Smith revolvers, no semi's. You should compare the M&P to a couple of the GLOCK offerings - G27 (40 - 10 rds) and G39 (45 6/7 rds). Both of these guns are comparable in size to either Smith offering. Not trying to start a flame war; however, ‘imitation is the best form of flattery.’

There are reasons the FBI, 'most' police departments, etc., issue the GLOCK pistol - simplicity and RELIABILITY! Another is, as in your case, they are 'tailorable' to fit nearly any hand.

My 'carry' gun is the G29 w/Speer 180 gr. GDHP's in a crossbreed holster.

I put an apex trigger in my 9mm shield plus a set of tru glo tfo's. Can knock 6 inch steel plates at 10 yards plus my trigger pull is down to 4.25 pounds.

The shield is thinner by a large margin. Carries better iwb. It also fits into a baggy pants pocket with the short mag.

The compact is a little nicer to shoot.

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MP40 442 SHIELD9 SHIELD40 MP22

Love it!
I have (just got) a .40c and I have not found a perfect carry method for me yet. IWB. But I am going to keep trying.
I upgraded from a 439 which was very flat for a full size pistol.
I like the lager caliber in the .40c and the extra rounds.
You all remember the 439 has a 8 shot mag.

Same here friend, none to be had easy in CT

I own the M&P Shield 9 mm. I also have an M&P 22 for target shooting, and an M&P 45 for home defense as well as an M&P 15 Sport. I carry the Shield every day. I work for the Courts in NH as a Court Security Officer, and got the Shield to use as my every day, all day long CCW. It is perfect for the application. We wear a sport coat daily and the Shield is very unobtrusive to wear in the Courtroom, as well as comfortable in the Disantis pancake holster. It is very light and feels good on the hip. I carry two 8 round mags and one in the pipe. I can't imagine any situation that it might not perform perfectly given this application. I do like the 8 round mag for the fit for my hand, actually better that the 9 or 40 compact. I have had zero problems with any of the M&P's. I think each has it's own application and purpose in what ever we do. I think the M&P line is actually well designed and there is an M&P for every task, that we as Law Enforcement in our daily duties, or just gun owners and enthusiasts in life could encounter.

Ditto. I've been looking for weeks and am staring to wonder if they actually exist!

My dealer says his suppliers just laugh at him when he asks for Shields.

The Shield is NOT a pocket pistol.

IMHO, if you have a decent holster, like a Crossbreed, Theis, or similar, the difference between carrying the two won't matter a whole lot, but the Shield will hide a little better.