Does anyone carry their full size regularly? I would think winter months wouldn't be too bad but summer would be difficult. I could be wrong but I wanted to ask. I have a full size but I wanted to know if I should just get a compact or shield before I spend the money on a holster for the fs.

i'm not quite at the stage to grab my first holster (have both an MP full size and compact in 9), but i have been told by instructors that a holster for a fs would also work with the compact; not the other way around due to barrel length. That may be my 1st plan, to pick up a fs holster and see how it works with both models. Though i'm leaning towards owb so that may affect things as well.

Hopefully some of the regulars who have these various M&P's may have some add'l insight.

The biggest hurtle MANY people have when trying to IWB a Full Size pistol, is comfort. Many times this is because the 'regular' (non-Carry) pants they wear fit too snug to include the width of a FS pistol and holster and they're either too vein, or too cheap to buy a new pants one size larger, to accommodate IWB carry. I believe this is a main reason for people resorting to Subcompacts for IWB carry.
(I don't know what these people would do, had Subcompacts never been invented. )

The main difference between the FS and the C is the length of the pistol grip, which is the only part that will stick up above the waistline, so a C should conceal easier than a FS...
BUT... With the proper cant to the grip along with wearing looser fitting shirts (remember that dark colors conceal better than white/light colors and Prints/patterns [think camouflage distorting lines] conceal better than solid colors), you should be able to conceal your FS w/o problem.

Google "Dressing to Conceal" to find some good tips.

With the cheap leather sandwich my FS MP9 came with, I can carry IWB as long as my belt is one hole looser. Though the long barrel and grip do cause some discomfort when sitting or driving. Walking or standing, I have forgotten it was there.

Is under the arm an option for you.... shoulder strap. ...its just 1 more movement to master but could be done a be comfortable. .. either way you would still have to lift your shirt for access. . Maybe not as much for iwb.. all method have safty concerns. ..

first and foremost get a good belt! I carry a full size M&P.357 everyday IWB. I was carrying in a simple Blade-Tech Kydex holster for a while and am now trying out the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck II and it works great. I have carried a full size Glock 20 and a Full size 10mm 1911 for God knows how long with no problem even in the Florida heat. I have no problem concealing them under a T-Shirt

What position do you keep yours?

I carry my MP9 fs IWB during the summer using a Lobogunleather holster. Check out Ray's site and see what he has. You can do a search and find out what us members think about the quality of his work. My holster is comfortable and I usually forget it's there.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

I tip my cap to anyone who can carry a full sized pistol inside their waistband and be comfortable. I certainly cannot discuss it except to say I've tried it and it didn't work for me. Maybe I'm too short (presently I'm also too fat but that's an extra issue) but those long barrels poking me were unpleasant and I gave up the effort a long time ago.

I was in the same boat as you. I carried full size then got a compact. Yes most if not all FS holsters will fit the compact also, mine did and thats how I carried the compact until i a dedicated holster for the compact.

Pacecars nailed it. Get a good, stiff belt made for carrying a gun and not some cheap flaccid one from the department store. Worth every penny. I carry a Glock 22 daily IWB in a Galco Summer Comfort with a one size larger polo shirt as a cover garment with no real issues.

Thanks everyone. I already have a gun belt from https://www.daltechforce.com/ so at least I have that taken care of. So I may just buy an alien gear IWB holster and give it a go. If I had the funds I would just buy a compact. Today they went on sale for $399 at PSA.

Let us know how it fits...

I wish I could carry my full size in the warmer months but with my build there's no way I could conceal it in summer clothes. I bought a Shield for just that reason.

Anytime I can wear a light zippered sweatshirt or jacket through winter jackets it's on my hip.

If u already have a full size then I'd get a shield for summer! They carry beautifully...great gun

I have been carrying a Glock 19 daily for years. It's somewhere in between the FS M&P and the C. Summer, winter, doesn't matter. Proper holster, belt and placement and it should be good to go. I don't believe in changing guns just cause of the weather. Certain social gatherings maybe, but not weather

I carry at about 4 o'clock

I carry a FS 40 most every day. I have a 40C and a 40 Shield but it just seems that i always end up with the FS on. It is easy to conceal with just a t-shirt on. I carry it in a Stealthgear ONXY IWB.

It's the threads you wear, not the gun. I carry the M&P fS in a Crossbreed Super Tuck all the time, never an issue. I just make sure the garment is large enough to hang loosely enough. I don't tuck it but that works well too. I could send you one of my shirts but then you could carry a couple of extra guys around with you! I did also get the shield for summer, but still carry the Full Size when my environment dictates a larger capacity weapon. As a side bar, I pastor a small church and haven't carried in the service yet, although I have considered the effect it may have on the collection.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

I carried the full size 9 IWB with a crossbreed supertuck for two years and the only time it would uncomfortable is when I sat down to eat or drive. During the summer months I was definitely more paranoid of it showing and Florida was way to hot to another layer. So my remedy for that was to buy the 9c and use the same holster. Now I usually carry the compact during spring and summer and switch to the full size during fall and winter. One more thing, wearing a belt that's made for conceal carry helped out tremendously!

Great idea getting the compact and using the same holster. I got the shield and it cost me another Super Tuck. And AMEN on an the proper belt. This is a long term investment, don't skimp. Thanks for the good points.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

Full Size M&P 45 in a Crossbreed Supertuck. I don't carry every day, gone 8 months of the year. While I'm home in Florida, it's always on me. Only problem is long distance driving. 500 miles to work sucks. At least all the states are good with my permit. T-Shirts 90% of the time.
3 O'clock, slight kant to pull the grip forward, hang the phone on the watch pocket to break up the line.

Just got an Overwatch Treadstone for my fs mp9....it's wonderful

I'm currently sitting on my couch with it at 4:00 position....aside from the sweat guard touching my skin, I can't really tell it's there. I also tried it at 2:00 and 10:00 and it's still quite comfy.....10:00 probably the best for standing/walking.

Overall, I'm very satisfied

I carry a RMR'd FS M&P 9 AIWB in a Keepers holster that has the foam wedge at the bottom inside to help tilt it back and be more comfortable down low. I carry a spare mag and a knife up front also. I'm 5' 11" and 183 lbs. This is with an untucked covering garment.

I carry my Shield in Thunderwear when I have to wear a tucked shirt (suit) or a light shirt. I have carried the Shield AIWB in a different Keepers holster, and it disappears even with just a heavy T-shirt covering. I agree, a good gun belt to carry the weight makes a difference.

The largest gun I've ever been able to carry is a glock 19. Right now I rotate between the g19 in a Harwell protuck holster or my m&p 9c in a comptac Minotaur (fwiw I like the harwell better).

Never have been able to conceal a m&p9 FS or g17, I carry those OWB for matches.

I just bought a IWB holester the other day. It fits perfectly on me. The unknowing, untrained eye will never know. I think it depends on the persons body build.

I carry a full-size .45 IWB with a holster nearly identical to the SuperTuck. I wear jeans nearly all the time, so I don't normally have a problem.

I am bandying around the idea of picking up a Shield 9mm just for the smaller holster area and lighter weight. My wife has a Shield, and I like it as much as she does. I like having the larger cartridge and the two extra rounds with my full-size, so I haven't completed decided what I want to do.

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Illegitimus Non Carborundum

Honestly there is almost zero difference between fullsize and compact as afar as carry. With carry about the only thing that matters is width of gun. I carry both fullsize and compact. A good belt goes along way along with being in ok shape. If you have a gut hanging over your belt any gun will create problems. I commonly carry fullsize guns in the summer with cargo shorts and tshirt. People aren't looking at you as much as most people think. With modern smart phones people assume it's just a phone.

I'm far to thin to carry a FS gun without it printing badly.

Dang I wish I had that problem. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

5' 9" 175lbs with a 32" waist limits your options.

I graduated high school in 65 and was 5' 10" and weighted 95 pounds wet. I now weight 236 and have a hard time fitting a Shield in my waist band. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

I am going to carry my M&P 357 Sig in a Nate Squared Pro. It's very comfortable and I am retired so I can wear my shirt tail out and I don't mind pants a size too big.

I can't afford new pants I got a lot of gun stuff yet to buy. Loosing weight is tough also. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Before gaining like 20 pounds in the last year or so I was 160lbs and 6'1 with a 32" waiste. Still concealed a G19 or 17 just fine. It's all about the holster and belt. Get a holster with an adjustable cant that way you can tilt it forward more and keep the grip from sticking out. As for pants, I bought a size or two larger depending on the maker of the jeans. Some were 33, some 34

I carried a Glock 23 off and on for some years. That is pretty much in the middle between a full size M&P 40 and a Compact. I say off and on because I had a hard time finding a comfortable way to carry it or conceal it. But I carry my Shield most every day both comfortably and pretty well concealed.

I know plenty of people carry bigger guns, and we all need to do what we feel is best personally, but there is a lot to be said for a more compact carry gun like the Shield. If I knew I was going to be in a gun fight and there was nothing I could do about it, I'd have an AR. But not being in law enforcement, I just won't go any place I know (or even seriously suspect) I will be forced to use a gun. I carry for the unforeseen, and for most of those scenarios I can dream up, a Shield will serve nicely. Why burden yourself?

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

Skinny or fat, it does not matter that much , its more about the right holster in the right set up on it and how you dress.

I have 5-10 160lb son-in-law that can conceal a ruger p97 and I'm 5-9 and 230 and carried a commander size kahr tp40 for 7 years or a m&p core 4.25" and a p320 sig now .

Bet I don't carry like most do and sitting or driving is fine .

M&P CORE - in a comp-tac neutral . - triptothezoojuly2014andgun094_zps47c76d7e.jpg Photo by hardluk1 | Photobucket

Sig p320 same holster new kydex body - new hostler 5-26 001_zpspy74c2uy.jpg Photo by hardluk1 | Photobucket

My older kahr tp40 , same holster , cw9 body - 100_0412_zps35febc3f.jpg Photo by hardluk1 | Photobucket

I have both the M&P 40 full size & the 40C & carry both IWB in the same holster. I haven't noticed much difference in comfort. My pistol is normally at the 4:00 o'clock position with a cant that I adjust for comfort & which is easy to grab the gun & draw it. I have to admit that I carry the compact more often than the FS in the warmer months & in the cold months I normally carry both of them OWB also in the same holsters. Sometimes the compact has a full size 15 round mag in it but it doesn't conceal quite as good depending on the shirt I'm wearing.

I had to buy several pairs of pants one size larger. Otherwise I had to leave the top button open. My belts are infinitely adjustable with no belt holes to worry about except my dress belts.

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Former USN, Retired US Army

I go between my 9 compact and 40 fullsize in a comptac mtac . I can't say enough good things about this holster, paired with a good stiff belt and it's really a joy to carry.

I am 5'7" and 138 lbs. I carry a 40 Pro crossdraw without a holster everyday. Loose shirts are all it takes for me to get rid of any print. It does get uncomfortable sitting in my Camaro at times though!