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Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


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Old 08-01-2014, 06:55 PM
Well Armed Well Armed is offline
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Why did you buy the M&P shield over the compact when their weight and dimensions are negligible, but you get so much more with the 9c? IYHO, was the 0.06 inch length, 2.7oz weight, and 0.2 frame width difference enough to push you into buying the Shield?
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:03 PM
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Yes, it was.
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:07 PM
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I bought the Shield for several reasons-

I will say the "Size" was a major factor- I have always liked Smith and Wesson and I own a S&W M&P 15-22 rifle w/ about $1000 extra put into it, and it's been great. I have always known and respected M&P Pistols but as a Glock guy I would probably have looked to a Glock for a new polymer, striker-fired pistol if I was in the market.

However, it became clear to me as a newer CCW-license holder I needed a smaller, lighter, dedicated Every Day Carry pistol for my primary EDC/CCW gun. The Shield came into play after my initial search and soon after, all the parameters just continued to point to the Shield.

My most-happy attribute that I can describe is the metaphysically-wrinkle-free total package of this cosmic gun: It is perfectly sized and shaped and endowed. It is just large enough (w/ the 7+1 and 8+1) to make sure that when I have it , I feel "sufficiently" and properly armed, (which I would not feel with anything smaller, like a NAA mini-revolver for example or even a pocket .380- even my favorite small gun like a Walther PPK) - so it's Just big enough to make me happy, with just enough ammo of just big enough caliber, but not too big at all. While it may not aptly be described as a true Pocket Pistol, it is certainly a SubCompact and perfect for deep concealment and even Pocket Carry (I bought an $11 Blackhawk pocket holster @ Walmart yesterday, which is fine for my occasional pocket carry outages. )


To me it just kept showing me to be just what I wanted and exactly what I needed. It had sufficient size, sufficient capacity, and a sufficient caliber, while not being a micron too big or too much or too easily seen while carrying about my small, easily-printed body.

I am extremely happy I went with it and I would heartily recommend it, even to my Father (if he needed to replace his absolutely-favorite Kahr K40 .40 S&W) which is as large a compliment I can deliver.

Last edited by ScrapmasterFlex; 08-01-2014 at 07:12 PM. Reason: I hit enter too quickly and posted half a message.
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:11 PM
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Pocket carry
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:26 PM
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Smallest possible grip width, thanks to arthritis damage to my thumb. Had to sell my double stacks.
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:33 PM
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The weight and dimensions being negligible are your opinion. I don't agree they are negligible. If they were negligible, why would people have bought it in the first place? Getting "so much more with the Compact" is also your opinion. It seems as if you already have a firm opinion of the Compact being better than the Shield, and that is OK, after all, it is your opinion, so I'm not sure what it is you want to know? The differences between the Shield and the "C" are pretty clear to me, so it really come down to personal preference, what feels good to the buyer, and what the buyer wants to pay.

The Shield is a great alternative and a reliable weapon for people that want something to carry that is manageable but effective. It's affordable and I think it's fun to shoot.
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:47 PM
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I got one for only one reason.
My wife can not DA/SA any of my "J" frame revolvers or "K" frame well.
The Kal-Tec PT3 is a .380, for CC she has shot it OK.
But for night stand or table next to her chair I wanted someing with a little more punch for her.
She is disabled and loss alot of her strength in her hands.

Two cracked Vertebra,(L3,L4) hip replacement, breast cancer, osteoporosis, over active thyroid......
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Old 08-01-2014, 08:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
Why did you buy the M&P shield over the compact when their weight and dimensions are negligible, but you get so much more with the 9c? IYHO, was the 0.06 inch length, 2.7oz weight, and 0.2 frame width difference enough to push you into buying the Shield?
On paper, it's .2".. IWB, it might as well be 2".. There's just no comparison to the shield and the compact when carrying IWB..
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Old 08-01-2014, 08:29 PM
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Why pick the Shield? A striker-fire style pocket carry replacement for a PF-9. Can't pocket carry a 'C'.
Plus... back in '12, the factory triggers of the 'C' sucked.

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Old 08-01-2014, 08:30 PM
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^^^ What Mike said ^^^ I've got both, 9c came first, still like it fine. That said, despite what it says on paper, when carrying the two those numbers make a big difference especially in warm weather.

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Old 08-01-2014, 08:35 PM
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The dimensions are actually a huge difference when it comes to appendix carry.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lycan View Post
The weight and dimensions being negligible are your opinion. I don't agree they are negligible. If they were negligible, why would people have bought it in the first place? Getting "so much more with the Compact" is also your opinion. It seems as if you already have a firm opinion of the Compact being better than the Shield, and that is OK, after all, it is your opinion, so I'm not sure what it is you want to know? The differences between the Shield and the "C" are pretty clear to me, so it really come down to personal preference, what feels good to the buyer, and what the buyer wants to pay.

The Shield is a great alternative and a reliable weapon for people that want something to carry that is manageable but effective. It's affordable and I think it's fun to shoot.
It's a fact, not opinion, that you get more. You get changeable grips, ambidextrous mag release, a rail, and higher capacity, and everything is damn near the same size and weight.

M&P Compact vs M&P Shield - Buying choices/decisions - YouTube

After watching this video, i just do not see much of a difference unless the width of the grip is an issue to you or you appendix carry...

Last edited by Well Armed; 08-01-2014 at 09:26 PM.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:39 PM
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For IWB, the Shield is much easier to carry for me. You obviously prefer the Compact. Both are excellent options. We are lucky nowadays to have so many choices.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:46 PM
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There really is a big difference in width that is apparent when you have both pistols in hand, as opposed to watching videos. .2" difference in width is very significant in real life.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:48 PM
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The Compact is an excellent weapon but when I wear it all day I always know it's there. The Shield is just that much smaller where I forget sometimes I'm wearing it. On paper the dimensions are negligible. In reality, the differences are much bigger.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:54 PM
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Quote:
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For IWB, the Shield is much easier to carry for me. You obviously prefer the Compact. Both are excellent options. We are lucky nowadays to have so many choices.
I own a Shield, and never held or seen the Compact in person. I was simply asking why did people who never owned either gun choose the Shield when, intents and purposes, there doesn't seem to be that much of a difference between the two.

The PF9, LC9, CM9, DB9, are like pocket sized CCW in 9mm where as the Shield very bottom borderline of being a compact in size and weight.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shakyshoot View Post
There really is a big difference in width that is apparent when you have both pistols in hand, as opposed to watching videos. .2" difference in width is very significant in real life.
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The Compact is an excellent weapon but when I wear it all day I always know it's there. The Shield is just that much smaller where I forget sometimes I'm wearing it. On paper the dimensions are negligible. In reality, the differences are much bigger.
Fair enough... I have not personally held both side by side, nor have I carried both. After watching that video, and reading comments from the author of the video and others who own both, the consensus was that their wasn't really a noticeable difference. This is how and why my thread originated.
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Old 08-01-2014, 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
Fair enough... I have not personally held both side by side, nor have I carried both. After watching that video, and reading comments from the author of the video and others who own both, the consensus was that their wasn't really a noticeable difference. This is how and why my thread originated.

I think for many, the variables include how they carry/conceal, how they feel in the hand and higher vs lower capacity. Both are excellent shooters imo. I could be very happy with either/both, but for summer IWB carry, the Shield is the option I prefer between the two pistols.

There is definitely no right or wrong and the choice can be difficult between these two models. It's all what options are most important to you.

Last edited by Atonal; 08-01-2014 at 10:27 PM. Reason: clarification
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Old 08-01-2014, 10:56 PM
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I started with a 9c and ended up with the Shield. I still have (and still like) the 9c.

Why did I want a Shield?
I like the way it fits my hand, and I can feel a huge difference between the two while carrying. The Shield (for me) carries nicer than the 9c. There isn't a ton of size difference between the two, but it's definitely not "negligible".


Also, for some reason, I shoot the Shield better.
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:12 PM
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I was looking at both weapons not too long ago. I picked the Shield for one simple reason that I could not, regardless of how hard I tried to, over look. Price. They are "similar" enough in everything, for my purposes, but capacity. I wasn't willing to pay the extra money for the extra capacity.

In the end, I'm glad I got the Shield. All the follow up research I've done indicates that since it's my EDC, I would have been disappointed with the 9c.
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:14 PM
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I have a 40C & a 40 Shield. I didn't think there would be that much difference myself...until I carried both. The Compact is not hard to carry but the Shield is a lot easier. You might not think that the small difference in size would matter, but it does.
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
It's a fact, not opinion, that you get more. You get changeable grips, ambidextrous mag release, a rail, and higher capacity, and everything is damn near the same size and weight.

M&P Compact vs M&P Shield - Buying choices/decisions - YouTube

After watching this video, i just do not see much of a difference unless the width of the grip is an issue to you or you appendix carry...
Your missing the point. People that bought the Shield instead of the Compact didn't care about the stuff you listed in the first place or they wouldn't have bought Shield, they would have bought a Compact. There are after-market options for the Shield grips, plus, there are also lasers and lights available for the Shield, as well as sights, trigger kits, etc... As far as bullet capacity, well, the Compact is supposed to have a higher bullet capacity...it's a double stack -vs- the Shield single stack. That's not a negative or a positive, both guns were purposely made that way. Once again, one of the main reasons why people that buy the Shield, choose it.

The things you listed as "so much more" with the Compact are, in many case, the actual things the motivated people to buy the Shield instaed of the Compact in the first place. And, as you see, there is already a thread full of people here that completely disagree with your assessment of the "negligible" differences. Both guns are nice, and as I stated (and many others), it comes down to preference. If you like Compact, get it...if you like the Shield, get it. Or better yet, if you can afford both...
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lycan View Post
Your missing the point. People that bought the Shield instead of the Compact didn't care about the stuff you listed in the first place or they wouldn't have bought Shield, they would have bought a Compact. There are after-market options for the Shield grips, plus, there are also lasers and lights available for the Shield, as well as sights, trigger kits, etc... As far as bullet capacity, well, the Compact is supposed to have a higher bullet capacity...it's a double stack -vs- the Shield single stack. That's not a negative or a positive, both guns were purposely made that way. Once again, one of the main reasons why people that buy the Shield, choose it.

The things you listed as "so much more" with the Compact are, in many case, the actual things the motivated people to buy the Shield instaed of the Compact in the first place. And, as you see, there is already a thread full of people here that completely disagree with your assessment of the "negligible" differences. Both guns are nice, and as I stated (and many others), it comes down to preference. If you like Compact, get it...if you like the Shield, get it. Or better yet, if you can afford both...
I have to agree on some of your points, and disagree with others. Unless you can not have a mag. that can have more than 10 rounds, I can not see why having a gun with a higher capacity, the ability to change grips, an ambidextrous mag release, and a rail which gives more options to mount a flashlight, lasers, etc, would be a reason way people would choose the Shield over the M&P9. I maybe wrong, but I don't hear to many people complaining about having those options and features.

I do agree that, in most cases, having the features and options that the shield lacks may not have been as important as to Shield buyers, but other than the size difference, I still believe the the M&P9c has more to offer.

As far as "negligible differences" goes, I based that off of many more comments from people on youtube who own and carry both guns, and on the dimensions written on paper. I'll admit that whether it is or isn't is subjective, but it appears from the comments in this thread that in person, the size difference is more apparent.

Last edited by Well Armed; 08-02-2014 at 12:07 AM.
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:59 PM
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I bought my shield because I no longer want to carry my 3913, CS9, or 908S. I predicted 2 years ago the value of all 3 listed above will go up and they have significantly.

I've never been all that fired up for striker fired and prefer metal frames.

I've done some trigger smoothing (without $apex$) and so far I like the compromise.
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Old 08-02-2014, 12:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
Why did you buy the M&P shield over the compact when their weight and dimensions are negligible, but you get so much more with the 9c? IYHO, was the 0.06 inch length, 2.7oz weight, and 0.2 frame width difference enough to push you into buying the Shield?
For me personally, the Shield feels better in my hand, I shoot it just as well as the 9c, it's easier to conceal, feels much better IWB, and was less expensive than the 9C. So yes, it was worth it.
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Old 08-02-2014, 12:20 AM
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For me personally, the Shield feels better in my hand, I shoot it just as well as the 9c, it's easier to conceal, feels much better IWB, and was less expensive than the 9C. So yes, it was worth it.
Nice to know. Price was size was why I went with it, but when I started researching the compact and saw a size difference that seemed to be so small that I doubted I would notice it. I found that I could get one for close to the same price as the shield. I figured that I might as well have just gotten the compact. Seems as if I was wrong.
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Old 08-02-2014, 01:20 AM
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For me, it's not what I see in someone's video as much as what it feels like and how it performs in real life for me. In my current situation, the Shield is just the better option.
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Old 08-02-2014, 01:35 AM
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I got the 9c about 2 months before the shield came out... months later I shot my buddies shield and tried it out iwb compared to my 9c and the difference was very noticeable.

On paper it looks like nothing, but for the intended purpose of IWB with the shield, I'll gladly not have the ambi controls or the rail, for that reduction in width.

I talked myself out of the shield for a long time due to the likeness in size to the 9c... but I stopped kidding myself and picked up a shield a couple months ago, and side by side the 9c feels like a brick. With that being said, I'm holding on to the 9c because it still serves a purpose to me, but I am much more frequently carrying the shield.
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Old 08-02-2014, 01:39 AM
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Even though they are close in size and weight, the c IS bigger and heavier. The Shield feels like plenty of serious gun that is better suited (for me) to carry.
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Old 08-02-2014, 01:47 AM
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held them both side-by-side.

capacity vs. not-negligible size difference was the deciding factor.

for CCW, size difference won out.
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Old 08-02-2014, 02:32 AM
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You can talk all day long about how they compare on paper and post all the vids available on You Tube. Till you've carried both, you don't know. I would defer to those, (like me), who have.
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Old 08-02-2014, 02:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
Why did you buy the M&P shield over the compact when their weight and dimensions are negligible, but you get so much more with the 9c? IYHO, was the 0.06 inch length, 2.7oz weight, and 0.2 frame width difference enough to push you into buying the Shield?
I bought a Shield, second I held one, after owning a Beretta Nano, since it's release. My Nano and I were inseparable. I loved everything about it except for the grip and lack of slide lever. It shot great, out of the box and I was very happy with it, for my first striker fired pistol. But the day I held the Shield, I knew what the nano missed. Sold it the very next day and bought the Shield.
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Old 08-02-2014, 02:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
Why did you buy the M&P shield over the compact when their weight and dimensions are negligible, but you get so much more with the 9c? IYHO, was the 0.06 inch length, 2.7oz weight, and 0.2 frame width difference enough to push you into buying the Shield?
I bought a Shield the second I held one, after owning a Beretta Nano since it's release. My Nano and I were inseparable. I loved everything about it except for the grip and it's lack of slide lever. It shot great and I loved the simplified features. But the day I held the Shield, I knew what the nano missed. Sold it the very next day and bought the Shield.
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  #34  
Old 08-02-2014, 05:26 AM
dentkimterry dentkimterry is offline
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I have a 9c and a Shield 40. I wear the Shield IWB and the 9c OWB. Just works best for me.
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Old 08-02-2014, 06:14 AM
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For me, it was not so much the weight as it was the grip length.
The compact has a very short grip length so, the Shield just fits my hand better.

Although the difference in width doesn't seem like all that much on paper, the "printing" factor is.
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  #36  
Old 08-02-2014, 08:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Florida J Frame View Post
Pocket carry
Why a Shield rather than a J-frame?
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Old 08-02-2014, 09:04 AM
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I owned an LC9 and it worked but I sold it. Trigger was long but ok in a self defense gun. Had a Shield but I didn't like the safety. Not having a safety but the fact it was too flush and not as easy to flick on and off the LC9 had a better safety. Have a 642 again and it fits the role it was made for, but I like safety features on a carry gun since that's really the only one that gets carried so it's loaded in the safe. The new striker fired LC9-S looks like it's gonna take a whole lot of business from S&W. Short trigge and great reset. Manual safety and magazine disconnect. What I look for in a gun which is why I like 3rd gen pistols. Smaller the Shield too. I had no problem putting hat LC9 in my pocket. Can't even rack the slide with the safety on and I like that too

So I am sure an LC9-s will be my eventual new carry gun. The shortcomings it had are gone.
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  #38  
Old 08-02-2014, 10:26 AM
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I have not gotten a Shield and so far I have not needed to get one.

Most often carry another brand of double stack 45 and sometimes a MP compact. I don't find either very difficult to carry in fact it's darn right comfortable to carry all day. I am of average size so I figure it has to be either my belt, holster or my personal tolerance (maybe a bit from all three things) has built up to a point where I am able to carry a slightly larger piece as easily as a single stack is for others in any season.

I have a 9mm in another brand that is very similar in size and capacity to the Shield that I got previous to the Shield being released in 2012. At the time I thought that was the ticket to my ccw nirvana, but honestly I hardly ever carry it.

Everyone is different and what works and meets people needs the best may not work as well for another. Thank goodness we have options like the Shield AND the compact AND many others to choose from.

I can only suggest people investigate all available options and see what works best for themselves.
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  #39  
Old 08-02-2014, 10:35 AM
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I had 2 in 9mm. Great shooters but too large to easily pocket carry. My 360 scandium rides much easier. And it's my G19 when I don't pocket carry.
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Old 08-02-2014, 10:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triathloncoach View Post
I had 2 in 9mm. Great shooters but too large to easily pocket carry. My 360 scandium rides much easier. And it's my G19 when I don't pocket carry.

Agreed. The Shield disappears IWB for me, but I couldn't use it for pocket carry. A small revolver or tiny .380 auto would be better in the pocket, imo.
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  #41  
Old 08-02-2014, 11:11 AM
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No problem pocket carrying the Shield. I usually wear Dockers with the pleated front and use a Sticky Holster.
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  #42  
Old 08-02-2014, 12:49 PM
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Great thread. Lots of good information on the Shield. I too have been debating between the Shield and the 9c and like the OP said, on paper there does not seem to be that much difference between the two. I like the looks of the 9c but I like the Shield's ease of carry better so I guess I'll get the Shield 9mm.
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  #43  
Old 08-02-2014, 01:49 PM
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I would never tell anyone they're wrong- so I won't here.

I will say I agree with most of the people here who say, it's a difference that might not be quantifiable but very very perceptible... Maybe the paper difference is negligible but in real life, the Shield just "feels" so much smaller. (and it my opinion better).

I also agree with the people who said, as soon as they held it they knew- I went to the store to look at the Shield but I knew if I found something else that was better/more desirable well then, good for me right? As soon as I was handed the Shield I was like, "Yup... this is it... I always say I'll know it when I find it/see it... well I found it..." and so far so great.

I did in fact forget I had it in my pocket just an hour ago...while outside with the dog... I thought he had found an animal in a brushy area and for a split second I thought, shoot I need to go grab something to defend him or dispatch whatever is about to pop out of that bush- oh wait, I have my Shield in my pocket!!!! Seriously- forgot!
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  #44  
Old 08-02-2014, 02:10 PM
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You all must be some big guys if your pockets are big enough to comfortable carry and retrieve a Shield as well as for get that you have a pound and a half gun on you.
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  #45  
Old 08-02-2014, 02:26 PM
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I'm a regular sized guy, and no, I don't wear clown pants, even though some people I know think that I should. I wear the typical "old guy" uniform; khaki shorts that have a pleated front & a t-shirt that covers the pockets. I can carry my 40 Shield OWB in a Ed Hume JIT slide holster or pocket carry with a DeSantis pocket holster. Pocket carry works fine. Its not perfect, as it would be difficult to draw from a seated position, but otherwise no problems. In a belt holster I would have to lift the t-shirt than draw. With pocket carry, if things look dicey, I can have my hand in position to draw. Its a lot quicker for me, YMMV.
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Old 08-02-2014, 03:22 PM
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The debate between "capacity" vs. "carriability" is easily resolved. If you don't carry your hi-cap then the lighter, smaller, lower capacity gun is the way to go. However, there are, of course, other, very important, variables. Style of dress, characteristics of one's daily activity (job, car, motorcycle, public transportation, etc). Does the person need to be able to remove the gun/holster/mags, etc. because their daily activities keep bringing them to places where they can't legally carry?

Over my 17 years of CC, I started carrying J-frames. In 2007, I switched to a Kahr PM9, but recently, I've become less enamored by the Kahr as my training and experience have increased. As I'm looking for its replacement, I'm considering the Shield, the XDS-9 (I really like the 4.0 version), and the Glock 26. Each have their pros and cons. Neither of these is perfect. If I had my way, I'd have a custom with the length of the 4.0, the capacity of the Glock, the trigger of the XDS, and the "gadget-free" design of the Glock or Shield...

...assuming I could - and would - actually carry such a thing.

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  #47  
Old 08-02-2014, 03:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Well Armed View Post
You all must be some big guys if your pockets are big enough to comfortable carry and retrieve a Shield as well as for get that you have a pound and a half gun on you.
Nope... I'm 5'7", 165Lbs, 34" waste, 30" inseam.
In jeans, I simply go for Wrangler Relaxed Fit 34/30s. The fit is Just loose enough to allow ample room for my Shield and Remora and the Slash of the front pocket is angled just right for quick and easy access.
For dress casual... Wrangler Slacks, or Dockers.
Wrangler Cargo Pants are also very comfortable for pocket Carry.
All available at Wally-World.

What brand/style do you wear that you CAN'T pocket carry?
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  #48  
Old 08-02-2014, 03:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RobzGuns View Post
Nope... I'm 5'7", 165Lbs, 34" waste, 30" inseam.
In jeans, I simply go for Wrangler Relaxed Fit 34/30s. The fit is Just loose enough to allow ample room for my Shield and Remora and the Slash of the front pocket is angled just right for quick and easy access.
For dress casual... Wrangler Slacks, or Dockers.
Wrangler Cargo Pants are also very comfortable for pocket Carry.
All available at Wally-World.
+1 for Wrangler's but I get them at Target.
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  #49  
Old 08-02-2014, 03:55 PM
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...because I couldn't stand the LC9.
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  #50  
Old 08-02-2014, 03:59 PM
Old_Sparky Old_Sparky is offline
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I have both the Shield 9mm, and the 9c. I carry both, but find the Shield hides just a little bit better, and is a little bit lighter. I carry both, depending on my mood at the time.
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