With the world getting crazier by the day ive been considering getting an M&P compact to carry instead of the Shield.

You made the switch. Did you carry differently? Any other observations?

The size and weight is so similar you will not even notice the difference.

I sure hear ya about the world getting crazier by the minute! However, most of the self defense scenarios I can work up in my mind, that end well for me, can be handled with my Shield.

The compacts hold more ammunition to be sure. Four extra rounds for the 40, which I suppose could be two more bad guys double tapped, for a total of five, vs the Shield that can only double tap three bad guys. Both leaving one in the chamber for a follow-up. But you get that at the expense of a quarter inch in thickness (the most critical dimension IMO for concealment) and 2.9 oz weight for the gun plus the weight of four extra rounds that you lug around from now until the day comes that you get to find out if you can fight off more than three attackers that keep coming.

I don't know what you've got in mind exactly, but I think if I we're going to go bigger than my Shield, I'd probably go up to the 45c. But I don't currently feel the need. However, I realize this is all sort of subjective and I doubt there are right or wrong answers. If the bigger gun gives you that ol' warm and fuzzy feeling, get it!

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

I should just be better about carrying an extra mag instead.

I carried a 40c for quite awhile till I finally scored a Shield 40. The difference in the way the two pistols carry was very apparent when I took my Shield to the LGS to have Truglo TFX's installed; I was back to carrying the 40c & I sure missed that Shield! Just the slight differences in weight & dimensions made a ton of difference in carry comfort. I think your plan to carry another magazine more than makes up for the extra rounds that the larger pistol would have.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

I have both a 9mm Shield and a 45 Compact.

The 45C is my "fat shield".

Both are carried in the same spot (not at the same time ) and both are carried in DeSantis Intruder holsters.

To me, not that noticeable a difference - if you're thinking about the 9c/40c probably won't notice the difference at all...

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M&P's and K Frames Pleeze!

wish i would have waited before buying my shield.. because now after doing research i see it would have been better off getting the 9c... the 9c could take a full sized mag vs carrying an extra mag with the shield.. not much of a size difference in the 2... .. this video is what sealed the deal for me... if this is going to be you first gun buy, go with the compact.. you might still end up buying both,, the compact has the ability of filling all your need , it can take the 17rnd mag for shtf, going to war or it can take the 10mag or 12mag for shield like concealment.... personally i dont even keep my shield 8mag full i keep it at 5+1 (for me i feel it runs better that way) and if i had the 10 or 12 mag 9c, i would prolly carry it 8+1 (in 10mag) or 10+1 (in 12mag) ......still waaaay more then the shield at very close to the same size..

My first S&W autoloader was the M&P 40c. Great pistol, accurate, reliable and fun to shoot. But...some days I spend 8+ hours driving and I started having back pain caused by the pistol. I carried it in a IWB at the 3-3:30 position. When the Shield 40 NTS model came out I bought one and bought the same holster for it...and what do you know...No more back pain! What little size difference between the two was enough to cause me problems.

To make up for the loss of magazine capacity I bought a Snagmag magazine carrier. I carry it in my left front pocket and don't even know it's there.

If I could only own one, I would likely get the compact. With that said, I own a compact in 9 and 40, and a Shield in 9. For those that say you won't notice the difference, that hasn't been my experience, I very much notice the difference. Because of this difference, I carry the shield 99% of the time. I can add or subtract 8 round mags, as I feel the need, but the pistol always carrys the same.

I only carry OWB so aside from the slight weight difference I doubt id notice the difference much at all.

You are right, there probably wouldn't be much of a difference. Now that we have that info, I think it's a no brainer, compact all the way.

I carry a 40C & about 1/4 of the time my full size M&P40. Many times I carry the 40C with a full size mag inserted equipped with an X Grip. I always have a spare full size mag on my hip. I was tossing around the idea of getting a Shield as my next firearm but since have decided that it will be a 45C. Ideally I'd be able to afford both but don't hold your breath, LOL.

I can conceal the full size & compact successfully & the weight (that I really don't feel much anymore) is reassuring. OWB in the cooler months with sweatshirts & IWB with T shirts in the warm months.

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Former USN, Retired US Army

In regards to your "world getting crazy" statement, it should also be noted that my 9c is also with me nearly 90% of the time, in my man bag/diaper bag, with a couple extra mags, so I've got "reinforcements" should things get real nasty. Perhaps that's why I'm so comfortable "only" carrying the Shield.

In regards to your "world getting crazy" I'm carrying now days a full size MP .40 from an HK .45c from a few days ago.

I agree! I went from a G26 to a Shield and it is much nicer to carry. I recently went back to the G26 for about a week and couldn't wait to get the Shield back on. I have the MagGuts in both magazines so I'm 8 +1 with a spare 9 round mag....plenty of ammo for a civilian

+1 ^^^

I started with the 40C, then got a Shield and occasionally carry the 40C after getting use to the Shield. Comfort factor is noticeable - not bad enough to stop me from doing it but noticeable. I carry both IWB at about 4 o'clock.

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MP9 40c MP22 15Spt 9Shld 15-22

I mostly carry a double stack 45 or 40. I did get a Shield after they came out with a nms model, and while it is quite capable I mostly belt carry (IWB/OWB) with a cover garment. For me there is not that much difference with this carry mode between them so I choose the small increment in capacity with the double stacks.

I choose a single stack when I feel the need to carry deeper with a Smart Carry holster or if I have to tuck in my shirt with IWB. Smaller and/or thinner works better for me in these two carry modes.

Go ahead and get both if you can. Having more options is a good thing.

I carry a 9c and a 9 Shield. I feel the trade off in size and weight is worth the extra rounds. Both are carried iwb. I almost always have a spare mag on me regardless.

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paws for friendship

I currently carry the M&P 40C but am looking to start carrying on my bicycle. I would more than likely use a belly band type holster. The lighter and thinner Shield is very tempting!

I sold my shield for a 40c. The shield is a great gun but too thin for my hands, I have xl hands. I have a kahr cw45 I carry. It's a little thicker in the grip and fills my hand better. Waiting for buds to ship my 40c. I wanted a M&P compact for a long time and can't wait to give it a try.

I started out with a Shield but I was never really comfortable with the capacity. I don't notice any difference in concealment between the 2 and I like the fact that the grip feels the same as my FS and that the sight radius is almost the same. I also like the fact that I can use the FS magazines in both guns.

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Retired Career Security Guard

You need 3. Shield,Compact and Full size M&P. I have 40 S&W Shield, 9mm Compact for extra rounds and 4" M&P 40 S&W with .357 Sig conversion barrel. Each for different social occasions.

I think your concerns regarding capacity are extremely valid. I would rather carry an airweight snub for it's close-quarter advantages over a subcompact single stack 9, which really doesn't offer me anything over the revolver.
If I'm carrying an auto, I'm only doing so to gain a substantial amount of extra rounds in the gun and want at least a minimum of 10 rounds plus larger magazine compatibility. Some make the argument about speed/ease of reloading vs a revolver and carrying extra mags making up for the lack of capacity in the single stack subcompact compared to a larger auto, but civilian firefights are almost always resolved one way or the other with the rounds that are onboard.

I have a Ruger SR9 that I carry once in a great while but usually my carry has been a J frame Model 36 snub - and that only has 5 shots. I bought a 9mm Shield to switch off to once in a while just for a little more capacity but personally, I never carry a semi-auto without an extra mag - regardless of if it's a single stack or a double stack. I want the ability to quickly switch mags if need be due to a mag malfunction. The same as I never carry my J frame without a speed loader or a drop pouch depending on where and how I'm carrying.

I have no experience with the 9c but if the extra capacity makes you feel more secure - then I see that as a personal choice that one has to weigh the plusses and minuses on . . and probably there are very few minuses.

All of my training . . . and I'm talking now when I was using a semi . . . it was stressed to carry an extra mag and to train doing quick change outs just in case you have a mag that for some reason gives you a malfunction. Just because they work at the range, etc. doesn't mean they will always work and problems can't come up. So whichever way you go . . . give that some consideration as well.

I have a 9c and a Shield 9. For me the 9c carries just about as easily. IMO the things that make the 9c better go beyond capacity. My Shield is carried with a Mag Guts equipped 8 round mag so you are really only talking about 1 round. But the 9c shoots more accurately, is more comfortable in my hand, easily handles +p ammo, and most importantly to me, it's far easier to get a solid firing grip on the draw. I like my Shield and I do carry it (along with an extra mag with whichever gun I'm carrying) but if I'm ever in a life or death situation, I really hope it the 9c I'm carrying, with 147 HST +p and the 17 round mag as my spare.

In my case, I sold my Shield, and bought a compact, then got rid of the compact. It just didn't work for me. Nothing really wrong with the compact, but the Shield is a better fit for me.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

Interesting and timely thread...

I've had a 9mm Shield for a couple of years. I've been shooting at the range a lot more the last few months. The thinness of the Shield grip makes carrying AIWB easier but it sure is harder for me to be as accurate at the range as I am with my other 9mm's. I've come to realize I enjoy and shoot better with my P229, XDm Compact, and VP9. Maybe I'm getting over a smaller carry gun phase, because I've also given up on my TCP.

I started looking around the web a couple of weeks ago on the pros and cons of the Shield vs the Compact for carry.

Good posts on this thread, keep 'em coming.

I have both a 40c and a 9mm Shield. While the Shield is more comfortable to carry, mine, unfortunately, is "atypical". It has had 15 FTEs or FTFs in its first 2300 rounds. That is too unreliable for me to consider using it as a carry weapon. Until it can fire at least 500 consecutive rounds without a misfire, I will not carry it. So far, that hasn't happened, so I carry my 40c. It's really too bad, because when my Shield is working right, which is most of the time, it's a great-shooting gun.

My 40c has had only one misfire in 4400 rounds, so I have great confidence in it. Plus ten 40s are better than eight 9s, in my humble opinion. Despite being a few ounces heavier than the Shield, the 40c is not burdensome to carry. Most of the time, I carry it in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster, but I also carry it in a 5.11 Tactical undershirt holster, or a Galco KingTuk IWB holster. Carrying in all of these is comfortable enough that I'm not sure I really need the Shield. Maybe if it becomes as reliable as the 40c, I can use it as a BUG.

Bottom line: If you're comfortable carrying your Shield, you'll likely become comfortable carrying an M&P compact.

I have both a Compact 9 and a Shield 9. At 7 yards, I can slow fire nickel sized groups with the Compact, but the Shield groups open up to golf ball sized or just over. Both have fiber optic sights and I have used both at IDPA events, just to see what they will do. The 9 Compact is much more accurate and easier to shoot at longer distances. It's also less tiring on the hand after 100 + rounds.
I carry the Shield in a pocket holster, wearing Cabela's 7 pocket hiker pants, with bellows front pockets. Can do it with the Compact too, but a little bulky. It's better worn with the Sticky pocket holster IWB, under my belt.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

I have both the shield and 9c, and the shield is easier to carry. I find my accuracy with both almost identical, and neither are going to be missing at CCW ranges. I don't like to wear extra baggy clothes so its the shield for me. I'm really loving that gun.

April thread, but no matter. It's relevant.

I'm a Shield true believer, but I had a M&P 9c in my hands for the first time at a gun show recently. It's a couple of millimeters thicker and a tad heavier, but that's the only difference I could detect. Just like the Shield, it feels good in the hand. Dealer wanted $470 plus tax for it. I almost bit. I gotta find me one of these.

I tried a shield for a week and went back to my 9c. The shield was actually taller but otherwise about the same footprint as the compact. It was slimmer but that advantage disappeared in a good belt holster. I found I shot SO much better with the 9c due to it's better ergonomics and reduced felt recoil.

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Dave

I live in CA and with our 10rd magazine cap there would be little to gain by moving to a compact. I use the 8rd mag in my 9mm Shield(gives me 9rds on board and a 7rd mag w Pierce pinky extension in my left.front pocket...... and I'm good to go.

Interesting thread. I just picked up a 9mm Shield yesterday. I've been carrying a Ruger SR9c for a few months, but it has a persistent fail-to-reset issue with the trigger. 3 trips to Ruger have improved but not eliminated it. I've completely lost confidence in carrying that as my primary EDC. So, the Shield.

I also looked at the MP9c, but it is too thick to fit unobtrusively in my Smart Carry holster, my EDC system. I have to carry deeply concealed, being "made" would be a big problem. The Shield just disappears in it. Thickness is the single biggest factor for ease of concealment, and the Shield wins hands down. (Oddly enough, it's not much thinner than my SR9c; I really like that pistol but just can't carry one that's unreliable.).

I've only fired 50 rounds with the Shield. With some practice and figuring out how to get a solid hold on the small grip I think it will be fine. My hands are ridiculously big, and holding the Shield well is going to take a while to develop.

At 15 feet or so I was getting under 2 inch groups. At 21 feet, it scattered some more and groups were more like 3-4". It's driven by the grip; I can feel it. But my one hand grip completely engulfs the whole grip. To open space for a proper two hand grip, left hand palm on the weapon, I have to monkey around with the right hand's position. If I could find some sort of aftermarket grip enhancer, I'd love to have another 1/2" or so front to back "depth" on the grip.

The M&P9c was much more familiar, being almost identical to my Ruger SR9c. Slightly better round count too. But the Shield seems like it carries enough rounds especially with a backup mag I will always carry. The Shield is the winner in the Smart Carry system.

I love my Shield but recently switched to the Compact. Love it!
Love having the ability to run full size magazines if needed. The C shoots awesome too. The flat faced Apex trigger is the bomb. I would like to put it in all my M&P's. Been carring the C in a IWB Rawdog.

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Try some Talon Grips, Pachmayr, or Hogue grip sleeves. They don't add too much thickness, but they help keep a firm hold on the slippery little bugger.

I have both the Shield and 9c. I carry the Shield only if I can't conceal something bigger. Not necessarily for the round counts, but the better grip and perceived recoil.

I have a shield 9mm and 9c to me there is a significant difference in CARRYING the two. Side by side comparison it dosent seem like much, until you actually start packing the shield.
I typically wear my shield in a JP IWB kydex holster and its very comfortable and so so easy to conceal. Magazine capacity doesent really bother me that much any more, I can reload a handgun rather quickly and I always carry a spare mag. My shield (No safety) is laser like accurate and very reliable, Having those two qualities make this gun my number 1 EDC gun. I understand that in in a tense and stressful situation your accuracy suffers some what, But again I feel very comfortable with the accuracy of my shield. Also, I have the magguts inserts which gives me 9 rounds in my 8 round mag without adding an extension and 8 rounds in my 7 round mag without adding an extension. so 10 rounds on tap in my shield is pretty comforting.
out here
1SG

I made the switch from Shield to 9c simply for added capacity. I think the size and weight difference is negligible and I'd rather have extra rounds for who knows what. I realize that some folks might be sensitive to carrying heavy but for me, it makes no difference. Better to have more insurance than to run dry too soon.

I did because I shoot the compact better. Never could shoot the Shield as well but it did carry more concealed.

I'd never make that switch. Shield with an easily carried 2nd or 3rd mag should boost your comfort level... Heck I even have carried an extra mag or two with my Sig P320 40 cal -14 round mags. 😎

I carry a 9mm C everyday (12rds) with an extra magazine, I shoot extremely well with it and attribute that to slightly more length and the fatter grip suites my hand. I've held the Shield, but haven't fired it. It's a nice weapon, just a little small and my 1971 combat experiences made me paranoid about sufficient fire power. I highly recommend the 9c.

I initially bought a Shield, but the springs are too hard for my arthritic hands. I sold the Shield and bought a 9c. I liked the 9c so much that I bought a second one.

I noticed no difference in carrying, but I'm fairly large (6'2" and 185 lb.).

I have not shot a compact, but have been a little disappointed in my 9mm shield. Accuracy is only fair and, after shooting about 1200 rounds in it, I still get "stovepipes", failures to eject occasionally. Even got one at an NRA course. Doesn't give me a lot of confidence as a carry weapon.

I currently own both a 9mm Shield (with external safety) and a 9mm Compact. I have N82 Tactical holsters for each and have used each for concealed carry. Personally I like them both!

S&W is complicating my life right now given that they are releasing a Performance Center model of the 9mm Shield. I have an urge to get one (assuming I can even find one) and then sell my existing Shield to help re-coup my investment.

I have had a 40 shield for a few years and just recently bought a M&P 9c to carry when I go to certain areas...the weight difference isn't really noticeable but it does print a little bit more....I carry IWB for everything...I am a firm believer in different carry for different area

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carpe diem
one day at a time

I have the 9mm Shield and the 45c. Can carry the Shield all day long, no problem, the 45c is a little more tiring. The Shield works great with a IWB On Your Six Designs holster. I just wear an untucked polo shirt over a t-shirt, can't see the Shield. The 45c is a little heavy for the On Your Six holster, so my task is to find a good holster for the 45c. Tried the White Hat, but it squeaks too much and is just too difficult to put on and remove. I would like to find a good, so what comfortable OWB holster for the 45c that will lay flat, plan to carry it in the winter when I wear a jacket. Any suggestions for the 45c?
BTW, Apex duty carry in the Shield, will do the same for the 45c, huge difference!

My first M&P was a 40c with a CT laser. That is my numero uno gun that is used for ATV riding or if I have to go into an area that is known for trouble. My EDC is a 9mm Shield in a Hidden Hybrid Holster. The differences are significant for concealment and weight between the two. If you want to go the other way for EDC, suggest that you buy another magazine for the Shield.

Depending on what I am wearing, I carry a Shield 9 or 40C. That little difference in size does make a difference.

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State of Jefferson
Jim

I carry a .380 Bodyguard in a pocket holster or a 9C (OWB and IWB) depending on what I'm wearing. I've tried a borrowed Shield 9 and there is a slight edge in favor of the Shield compared to the 9C in both comfort/weight and concealability. It's not enough of an edge for me to change from my 9C but if I was starting out I'd go with the Shield 9...from my standpoint an extra mag is a standard not an option on whatever I carry.

Does the 5 rounds in the eight round mag make the pistol function better or is it you personal choice like some put 28 rounds in their 30 rd mags?
If there is a function problem with 8 rounds mags send the pistol back to S&W. I bought two 14 round mags from S&W for my full size M&P .45. I broke a loader trying to get the 14th round in but after the mag broke in and I got the 14th in the first round would not strip off the mag and go into battery. Keep the original tens in it now. Might try 12 in the 14 round mag and see they work 100%. They are nightstand guns so the size and weight don't matter.