Other than barrel length, what are the differences in the two models?

the whole gun is a bit smaller yeah?

The compact has a shorter grip frame, and standard magazines use a spacer, like the jumbo mags in a standard M&P..... I love my compact M&P 45.....

Shorter barrel, shorter grip, 8 round capacity instead of 10. I have the compact, and love it. It's not a true compact, like the M&P 9c, more of a Commander size, but it fits my hand perfectly.

My .40 Compact holds 10 rounds all day long. Aside from the slightly shorter barrel and the shorter grip that you can get all your bony fingers around. they pretty much shoot the same. At least to me they do.

My dad has the full-size 45, I have the 45c. I like the 45c better because it feels like a fat Shield. The 45c will fit any holster made for the full-size M&P in 9mm or .40. More holster choices. I carry my 45 caliber "fat shield" in a DeSantis Cozy Partner and it disappears under an untucked Polo shirt - my FS 9 does the same disappearing act in the same holster. You can use the FS 45 mags in the 45c with an X-grip adapter.

I choose the 45c.

My .40 does, too, but he asked about the .45.

I have the FS .45 and I would not get the compact. This gun was meant to be FS. YMMV

Tell that to Colt's...oh wait...you can't...

The compact version of the "FS" 1911 came out over 80 years ago.

Oh and you're right yes...MM will V...

Look at it this way... I use my 45c as a comfortable EDC, and when I'm at home I throw a TLR3 light on it and a 10 round mag with the XGrip mod and it becomes my home defense weapon. Now how cool is that?!

I have both, the C model is more versatile. What I do is a mate the FS slide with the C model frame for an appendix carry. I love the longer sight radius.

You guys need to hush! You're making me want one. :O How does the recoil of a 45 and 45c compare to a 1911?

My EDC is a Shield 40, and my safe queen is a Kimber 1911. My Kimber is my most pleasant shooter.

The closest thing I've shot to one of these is a G30, but that was some time ago. I shot a XDs .45 about a year ago. I imagine a M&P45 (c or not a c) is no comparison to that Shield-sized pistol.

I could never warm up to them. The grip and frame were not so small to justify loosing 2 rounds.

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Thanks for the input. I have a Glock 21 Gen4 and was thinking of going to a M&P 45 or Duty use. I have a M&P Shield 9mm for off duty and like the feel.

The FS45 is my pic of the liter. I use a 14 round mag w/10-8 extended base plate for a backup mag and night stand duty. I do prefer the longer site radius of the FS and the extra barrel length doesn't matter with IWB carry. The compact 45 is the M&P model that most closely mirrors the size of a Glock 19, which many declare is "the most perfect size carry gun ever made". The midsize is the most interesting model and its swapped parts origin is unique across the entire M&P line. Some characterize it as being "neither fish nor fowl", but I have to say, it does balance and just plain feels the best of all the M&P 45s. It also has the greatest aesthetic appeal for me.

You would have to buy two guns to do it, but the ability to put a FS slide on a compact frame makes for a pretty slick carry gun and leaves you with a midsize from the leftover parts, which you could choose to sell if you only wanted one gun. The custom cobbled result is much like a Glock 20/21 with its frame chopped to take the smaller 29/30 mags. Beyond size, the compact model also has its beavertail bobbed from the factory, which is a mod that can likewise be performed on a FS frame.

Papa Bear, Momma Bear and Baby Bear size comparison:





This is the FS slide mated to a compact frame:

The bore axis sits lower on the M&Ps, so felt recoils is different than a 1911 and better imho.

Having a FS and two Cs, I admit to carrying the Cs more but it is hard to say anything negative about the FS. All of them are very accurate and easy to shoot. My FS is so accurate, it's boring.

If I were a uniform officer, the FS would be my choice for belt carry. Mine is an LE version with both mag and thumb safety. It has a burwell trigger job. My Cs are both Apexed. One duty carry and one competition. All of them wear tritium sights.

btw: none of my M&Ps are as thin and concealable as my Sig Ultra for a compact 45. Two different animals altogether so it really isn't fair to compare 1911s to M&Ps.