Guys, I am on a roll now. But I currently own an MP Compact 9mm and love it. But it is a bit chunky but I can still carry without printing. The fact is has a 12 round magazine makes is superior to any revolver. The only downside other than chunky is it is uncomfortable. But looking at the Shield, it is only 3oz lighter so not much difference in weight but the fact it only has a 7 round magazine, it seems a snub nose .38+p revolver would be more concealable and a better option. I don't think 7 rounds would be enough to offer a better advantage than a revolver. If you all were me, would you go out and by the Shield or keep your Compacy 9mm and use that instead? Plan on keeping that regardless.

Looks like you're concerned w/ capacity and thus will have to sacrifice some comfort. Me, I carry the Shield..it's just too slim and light! Remember, it's all about shot placement.

Have you evaluated different holsters? That may help.

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9/40FS, 9c, 9 Shield, MP22

Find one to try (rent, borrow, etc) and compare them side-by-side. If you like how it feels to shoot and can live with having fewer rounds, go for it.
Also... Since you're considering a revolver... How well do you do with a true DAO revolver trigger?

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The Shield is only 3 ounces lighter! That is not a huge difference. I have tried paddle holsters, they are fine as long as you don't sit down. The belly band with pistol right under arm pit seems to work but the weight still makes it now so great. I have a Smith and Wesson Wyatt Earp Deep Cover J frame revolver which is very comfortable. Too bad I can't say the same with the 9 compact.

You should have an 8 round mag that came with it too. I carry a FS 9.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

If capacity is your concern, 7 is still more than 5. If you are attacked and must defend yourself, the fight is going to be over in seconds, you won't be in a long drawn-out gunfight. The first shot or two is what counts.

I pocket carry a Shield or a 642 depending on the day. The J Frame is a little more comfortable but the Shield carries 3 additional rounds. You said the Shield has a 7 round mag but don't forget the one in the pipe.
That's better than a 50% increase in fire power.

7 rds are better then none. I have a shield 40 that I just purchased. I also a 40c. I like that its thinner and I can conceal easier wearing just a tshirt and short's. If my compact didn't print I wouldn't have bought the shield. So I decided to buy something that I could carry 365 if need be. Still have the 40c when it gets colder and I layer up.

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Welcome to the never ending search for your carry gun nirvana. No matter what you do, the grass will always appear greener on the other side of the fence.

Get a single stack in addition to your compact double stack and you will be able to better meet more of your carry situations that are bound to come up.

Does it need to be a Shield, maybe yes, maybe no. If you write down your list of carry criteria you can better research and see what else may better fit all the needs you list.

For instance do you want quicker reloads? Semis are likely faster to reload than revolvers without a lot of practice.

How do you want to carry it? There are many different ways to carry and some ways are better for certain pieces than other pieces. For instance IWB and AIWB can accommodate a much wider variety of carry pieces, but deep carry methods like a smartcarry holster, seem to prefer smaller pieces, perhaps smaller than a Shield, but it depends on your build and tolerance level.

Concerned with weight? Maybe something like a Kahr cm9 or an airweight j-frame would be lighter than a Shield.

These are some examples of criteria to consider. You might make less gun purchases in the future if you take the time to understand what your real needs are. Although the greener grass syndrome will always be calling.

I've been carrying my Shield IWB with the N8 squared Pro holster, and can hardly tell I have it. The N8 is by far the most comfortable holster I have ever used.

Flatter, a little lighter, smaller(a touch, not much). Just easier to pack on your hip all day. Try a buddy's, if possible You will be amazed at how much easier a Shield is to carry. Yes, you may have to reload sooner, but the chance of getting into a protracted firefight is very slim. Carry 2 spare mags. They are easy to carry because they are flat, too. Been there, done that. The Shield goes on when the uniform comes off. Much easier on me. at least IMHO, of course. YMMV.
Best of luck.

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LEO, Instr, Armorer, Gov's 20

If you are carrying IWB, the thicker gun may require larger pant size and a larger belt for proper carry and comfort. That "just a little bit" thinner profile of the Shield or LC9 does translate to comfort.

Same for me. There's not much difference in size between the Compact & the Shield, but its enough to make a BIG difference in ease of carry. The Shield is so easy to carry;I pocket carry mine with no problem. OP: If capacity is such a concern to you, carry an extra magazine. I sometimes do in a small nylon knife pouch that goes on my belt.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

I have a 40C and Shield 40 and I carry the Shield 99% of the time. The extra thickness of the compact is very noticeable especially when pocket carrying like I do.

Keep your money and the Compact 9mm.

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USN Submarine Service '66-'71

I have a Shield 40 that I carry OWB, and the thinness and shorter barrel length make it easier for me to conceal. I carry + 1, and 2 xtra mags for a 21 round total. In my opinion comparing the difference in size with numbers on a page, doesn't tell the whole story. In hand with loaded mags, and shooting if possible are the best way to get a true reading. If you can do that, the decision should be easy, one way or the other. If you can't, just get the Shield, you'll be pleased.

Here is the question: If you just keep your compact, will you carry it everyday? If the answer is yes, there you have it and the extra ammo as well.

If the answer is no, look at the Shield or something else. I carry the Shield everyday I go out. I do not worry about printing, weight, bulk or even the 7 round mag.

I have a Shield 9MM, I say rent one to see how it feels for you...

Is X better than Y.

Bad question.

Why is X different to Y and which one will suit me?

If one was better than the other, S&W would only make one of them.

thanks everybody for chiming in and it has been a huge help. I think I do got the "Grass is greener" syndrome...lol....but the shield also has a better trigger as Smith and Wesson admitted and after asking them why they don't make it for the MP compact, they said they are kicking it around but afraid if they do, then they will have every owner wanting to send their existing one in as a recall. They made that trigger that way because of Law enforcement officers wanted it that way. anyway I do think and agree most gun fights are over in a few shots so maybe I will pick up a shield.

My compact is older and I purchased it used. However the trigger on my compact is definitely nicer then my shield. Id recommend shooting the shield first and holding it to see if it would be something ud like to carry

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Yer right about that. I will rent the shield first to see how that shoots before buying

If you're like me you'll have to buy the Shield after shooting it. I was hooked after only the 5 shots I was allowed at a Smith and Wesson range demo event. I got 5 shots with a FS M&P 9 and 5 with the Shield. I had to buy the Shield even though I had no intention of buying another 9mm. I rented a 40 Shield and 9mm Shield after that, and bought the 9mm.

Others may have said it but the more you shoot the compact, the better that trigger will feel. I shot a well broken in FS and it was great. I do, however, have the apex dcaek in my compact and love it so I would highly recommend that to you... Good luck, can't go wrong with an m&p

OP - I'm sort of just the opposite of what you're thinking - I think?

I carry a Smith Model 36 38 spl snub - 5 rounds and I am very comfortable with that - for me 5 rounds is enough - it's about shot placement. Prior to that, I carried a Ruger LCR - still 5 shot.

Mind you . . . I carry on the belt and cover with a shirt tail or jacket - both in AZ and in MI. I'm not comfortable carrying in the waist band, etc.

I also have a Ruger SR9 - I don't know how it compares to the M & P Compact but it's a double stack high capacity mag. At the time I purchased it, I also looked at the SR9c - to me, both would carry about the same even though the SR9 was a little larger. About the only time I carry that is when we are going to be in the boonies in AZ as we are only 40 miles north of the border and a lot of **** can happen down there. That's the reason I wanted something with capacity.

Now, even though I love my Model 36 snub, I'm planning on getting a Shield to carry on a rotating basis with the 36. I like 9mm - reload it - and the Shield size just seems to sort of fit in with the J frame but "flatter" than the 36 with a cylinder. For my purposes, I'm also very comfortable with 7 rounds (and I always carry a spare mag or a spare speed loader). I like the features of the Shield and what I'm hearing about it.

What it boils down to is what you are comfortable with and how you carry. If you have a revolver in mind (or several) - I'd try to lay them all side by side with a Shield as well as your Compact and compare feel, size and think about how you carry. Then make your decision.

Personally, I'm pretty much a "revolver guy" (I'm old, what can I say?) but I have also realized that I like my SR9 and would like to have something "smaller" in a semi to carry as well. I have looked at a lot of different brands and models - and for me, I keep coming back to the Shield.

Good luck in your quest and you'll find what fits your needs best.

Also about 40 mi. north of the border so we're obviously in the same area.

I, too have a revolver that I like, namely the Model 60 in S/S and going through the same choice as I sit and await the CCW for which I sent the completed paperwork in a week ago. It'll be interesting to see what we come up with.

If you want a simple and cheap trigger upgrade for your compact install a m&p pro trigger group. These can be fairly easy to come by if you ask around at any idpa or similar shooting competition. If you go to a match bring a holster and three mags and shoot the match, they are a blast.

The pro trigger group in a compact eliminates most if not all of the grittiness. The pull weight is still near 4.5-5.5 pounds which is perfect for a carry gun in my opinion. Unfortunately there will still be abit of creep and over travel before and after the break but that's why so many idpa guys dump the pro trigger groups in the first place. After doing this mod I can't believe I never heard on here or else where of other doing it. I had the pro trigger group lying around so it was free for me. Just a thought.

Personally my M&P40c fits my hand much better than the Shield. But here's a totally different thought to consider. Is your 9c reliable, & trouble free. If it is, I'd say save your cash, & keep what works for you. I read on this forum & others about Shields that have to go back to S&W to be repaired because they are cranking them out at 100% capacity, which causes quality to be poor. My 40c is about 5 years old, & is reliable. My brothers Shield was made when they first came out before they were so popular, so it has no problems. My advice is keep what you got, because a new Shield is a roll of the dice. GARY

I rented both a 9c and a Shield and shot the Shield first and found it harder to hold due to my long fingers. I went with the 9c and do not have any problem with it. I do not have a CCW permit yet so I have not tried different carry options .

The Shield is MUCH more comfortable to carry over a thicker gun like the M&P 9C. If I'm not mistaken, the 9C is about the same thickness as my G19, which I could never carry comfortably IWB, even with a good hybrid holster. Once I switched over to the thin Shield, I've had no issues. I just use an inexpensive single clip IWB holster at 4:00 and it works great.

I can't do more than guess on the thickness of the 9C as I haven't been able to find anything that states what the width of the gun is, even on the S&W site...

i have a 40c, purchased in january of 2013, that i carried every time that i left the house. i started with an owb holster at about 4:00 an used that until it printed too much in nicer weather. then i purchased a pocket holster for it. i carried in my front right pocket until i bought my wife a shield 9 a little over a month ago. after shooting it, i did a test of sorts. i carried both while running errands one day. i started with my 40c, then since my running around took me right passed my home, i stopped and switched for the shield. there was a world of difference the "only 3 oz" was the most notable, with the thinness a close second. within 2 weeks i had purchased a shield 40 for myself. after shooting both, my wife liked the shield 40 better as her grouping tightened up a lot so i have the 9 and she carries the 40.

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SDMF

I think that one will come down to personal preference. I compared the two side by side and found the compact grip to be uncomfortably short so, I went with the Shield and couldn't be happier. It's slim, easy to conceal and even with the lighter, smaller frame, it doesn't seem to have any more felt recoil than my M&P full size.

I think I read somewhere it is like .95 as far as thickness. The shield is only 3 ounces lighter than 9c but the real difference is thinness.

I do prefer the shield for maximum comfort but only having 7 to 8 rounds and been told you should never put the maximum amount, that basically means 6 and7. At that point, I rather carry a .357 snub and put 38+ps. Comfort nothing beats a J frame. The 9c is not comfortable but it does not print when I put it in a belly band and it is right under my arm pit and the 12 round mag really makes it worthwhile. I know most encounters end in 3 shots but stilll

Are you talking because of spring tension? It's hard to load?

This baffles me a little.

First, the best way to relieve it is to go train with it so the spring gets softened by cycling it... and you get as used to the gun as you should.

Second... buy the UPLULA for loading the magazine. Best twenty whatever dollars you will spend.


If it's because it's hard to load until the springs soften, then load your gun full because you are not under pressure and have time to make sure it's right.

Also, you know... carrying maximum capacity in your carry gun is where you will most likely need it. Not carrying at full capacity makes no sense.

Then drop a round from your second magazine if you are worried about slamming it home under pressure because better you can consistently reload first time than have one less round to use.




Also... most encounters don't end in three shots. That's the average taken from numbers that are hard to compile accurately. If they are accurate, that could be thousands of encounters that end with zero shots and one that ends with three. Conversely, it could be any number of encounters ending with anything up to 30 shots that happen to end in three.

It could also be that most people train to shoot three shots at a time and that's what they do under pressure because they have been told three is the average. A self fulfilling prophesy... but how many people don't stop an attacker with just three shots?

It's also possibly that the most often amount of shots used to stop an attack is in fact zero, because chances are high they are massively under reported because who wants to call the police and tell them they pointed a gun at someone?

The actual answer to how many shots are needed to stop an attacker is:

As many as it takes.

Capacity is an online armchair commando issue. In a real life confrontation you will run out of time before you run out of ammunition. Most likely if you dump an entire magazine in a public place you are going to end up in JAIL. It's going to be close, unexpected and fast. Learn to place your first two shots accurately then MOVE. Take cover and call the POLICE.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

+1 on this; I also have an N8 holster for my 40C and it's exactly as stated, comfortable, barely noticable, and easy to draw from.

The only time I really notice the holster and gun is when I'm driving; sometimes the bulk will put pressure on my hip, mostly due to the seat belt.

Baffles .... ya I agree!! I dont understand why u wouldn't load a magazine fully. Yes mags can be a little tough when new. But USE THEM!!! Especially to their full potential

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The only issue I've had with the 9mm Shield is the 7 round mag. 8+1 is easy with the 8 round mag but the 7 round mag is EXTREMELY hard to seat with the breach closed so, 7+1 is not gonna happen for me until the spring loosens up a bit.

Ammunition capacity is simply stacking your odds in as much of your favor as possible.

I'm going to go with learn to make your first shots accurately while moving. I don't understand why anyone would stand there...

That's not armchair commando, that's understanding that standing still while being attacked is the quickest way to hand an attacker success.

There's a little experience talking as well as training.

If you intend to pocket carry and normally wear clothes with large enough pickes to fit the shield and holster, then it seems like a perfect gun for you. I sometimes carry either a bodyguard or a tiny lcp in my pocket and do see the convenience factor. That said I general prefer to carry my m&p 9c iwb. Overall if I were to have only one carry gun I wor choose the 9c

This is a bit off topic but as a newbe carrying, my mindset if robbed is to only use the gun as a very last resort. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I hear is someone is trying to rob you and asks for your wallet, the correct response would be to reach for your wallet but really your gun and come out firing. Yikes! I think most robbers just want your money and if you give them that, they will most likely leave you unharmed. How do you know he just wants money and that's all or wants money and plans on shooting you anyways? Maybe you draw your gun but pause for a split second, giving him time to run or maybe decide to drop his weapon? Again sorry for the dumb question but my mindset is to comply with what the robber wants and only use gun as last resort. PUlling the trigger first is not my first option. Again please pardon this dumb question, it's just something that wasn't covered in class. I tell you again my mindset is to only use gun as last resort.

Here's a pic of the difference in width. I carry OWB, and that is where the thinness of the Shield really works for me.

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Last resort is the right answer... but it's not a binary question.

Last resort is a perfectly good start... after all, what if it's a 10 year old girl waving a envelope opener at you demanding you wallet and cellphone? Are you just going to whip out your gat and start blasting?

No. No you are most certainly, unequivocally... not.

What if you are surrounded by six nasty looking bangers and you have a serious feeling you are going to get physically attacked if you hand over your wallet and cellphone anyway? At what point is last resort?

What if you are petite elderly lady and one pint size 20 something banger wants your purse?

It starts getting a little blurred.

In your class you should have been taught about opportunity, means and intent. You should also have been taught about disparity of force.

The 10 year old has opportunity and intent, but she weighs nothing and her weapon is about useless against a teenage boy and upwards.


Six gang bangers... they don't need weapons to hurt you. They have size and numbers...


A petite little old lady is going to be no match 20 something male with reasonable fitness level.


Layer that with...

If it's one guy and you think the guy is going say, stab you anyway vs. if you you are sure enough handing over whatever they want will end the situation without you getting hurt...

You should also have been taught about reasonable man doctrine.


If the class you took was the state mandated one, be aware that's not training and it's not enough - it's the bare minimum according to the state. It's our responsibility for training and understanding the law.


I would recommend starting with the NRA's Personal Protection Inside The Home and the Outside The Home Courses as solid foundations to self defense and include sections that have to be taught by specific firearms attorneys or Law Enforcement Officers.

There are of course many good instructors and schools out there that do comprehensive training so ask around your area, but the NRA ones are done nationally and are a very good start, so easy to recommend.

Thanks everybody again! Great advice always! Really appreciate the contributions here. Love this site!

I think you got more than you asked for

Will definitely have to share some of my lottery winnings when my numbers finally come through...lollll....but I think for now I will keep my Compact 9c as I just found through experimentation that my belly band holster works great.

I actually carry my FS 9 pretty much all the time. I carry it in a Cross Breed IWB and for me it's very comfortable. I bought a 9mm shield for the wife this past week and have been carrying it in a Blackpoint OWB and this thing is making me consider getting another one! The weight difference in insane. I carry it with the 8 round mag and one in the chamber. 9 rounds of 124 grain Golden Sabers should be plenty for most encounters. I would like to get am IWB holster for the shield but since it's for the wife I'll have to see what she wants to do.

As far as the 3 ounce weight difference between the shield and C, you also have to factor in the weight difference of the rounds. With the lower capacity the shields carry weight will be more than 3 ounces lighter.

You bring up a great point in that less capacity will be lighter. However, what I don't like about the Shield is the butt of the gun is longer than the MP Compact 9 with the 8 round magazine making it hard to not print through T-shirt. The 7 round magazine is just a hair longer but with 7 shots I like the 12 shots I get in the 9c. I guess this is a matter of preference but I think what I will do is skip the Shield and buy another 9c or wait until Glock comes out with a single stack 9mm. I also have a glock 34. I love both my Glock and Smith. I also got a deep wyatt cover 38+p and that is fantastic.

I am left handed so none of the controls on the Shield works for me.

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Mark32812
FS40,9C,Shield 9,22