I recently picked up a shield 9mm no safety for $300, the guy bought it less than a month ago. His wife didn't like it so he put it up for sale. Hasn't even been fired....couldn't pass on the deal. I currently own M&P 40 FS and C.

My question is what role does your shield fill for you. I ask because guns of similar capacity can easily be pocket carried while the shield is just a touch to large at least for me. If I'm going to carry it IWB my thought is I might as well carry my compact not a huge difference in size vs capacity. It just seems like a strange gun as it's almost equal to a compact in size but lacks capacity. With added weight and size it doesn't fall into pocket gun carry category.

My Shield is my daily IWB carry weapon, it's single stack mag makes it thinner and most comfortable to carry. My other M&P a 40 Pro is shoulder or OWB open carry only. The two work great together.

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Mike Wenzel
Oklahoma City

That's kinda my hang up on it is it's not that thin or that light for a "single stack". A 1911 slide is actually thinner than the shield's slide. Maybe I'm just too use to carrying larger guns IWB to go to a 7rd gun IWB carry. It just seems if they could have made it a touch shorter it would carry a lot better in pocket. As it is the grip even with flush mag is longer than the compact. Maybe I'll get brave and chop the grip down.

The Shield was designed for conceal carry. it may be very close to a M&P compact size but where it excels at is its width, or lack of, its much thinner & more concealable then the compacts. I carry my shield 9 practally everyday in a Alien Gear cloak tuck 2.0 IWB holster and I can hardly tell its there.

Daily carry, also a no-safety model, during warmer months. I carry on my belt or jacket pocket. For me it's as easy to conceal as a J frame with equal/superior ballistics, increased capacity and faster reloads.

During cooler weather I carry my full size owb with a covering garment (zip sweatshirt through heavy jackets). Both 9 by the way.

I had a Compact but frankly it wasn't any easier for me to conceal than the full size. A lot depends on our build.

I recently used my Shield in an advanced pistol class and reaffirmed my decision to carry it.

The only changes I made are the Apex duty/carry kit, Talon grip (rubber) and an Ameriglo front night sight with orange ring.

I practice at the range with my shield 9, I passed my CHL shooting proeffiency test with it, I even use it weekly at our local IDPA matches, it is my EDC. Completely bone stock all I've done was slip on a Pachmayr slip on grip.

My Shield is one of my 2 EDC's, wear it every day underneath a dress shirt. Comfortable, and a good shooting gun. I also carry a spare magazine in a SnagMag (weak side) as well as a .38 Special in an ankle holster with a speed strip in my strong side pocket.

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Too many S&W's to mention...

After losing half my trigger finger in an accident, it is one of two pistols that I can still fire using an unmodified grip with my strong hand. My 1911 with a short trigger and thin grips is the other.

Maybe it's because I own smaller 9mms I'm trying to get the shield to do something it wasn't meant for. From a product development standpoint it just seems the shield would be in direct competition with the compact hurting sales for both guns.

Kinda like the original SD that they did away with as it as almost in the same price point as the M&P

I use the Shield 9mm in IWB 90% of time when around two legged critters and a smaller Sig .380 the other 10% when wardrobe dictates. A 3" 686+ with 180gr hard cast in OWB when 4 legged critters are the rule and need to still conceal.

I think it's the round count that is getting to me. I had to defend myself once against several feral dogs while hiking. I blazed through 14rds of 40 pretty fast.

My shield is my cold weather CC gun. During warm months I carry an LCP in my pants pocket or cargo pocket in shorts. Here in Alabama, the LCP gets carried more often.

I agree with you to some degree. It's plain too big for me to pocket carry, period. If I'm in super light clothing, I pocket a Kel-Tec P-32 without feeling it. I sometimes carry my Shield IWB...but I've lately been wearing it OWB under a sport coat. Because of where I work (federal property), I cannot carry during the week, so the only time I carry is on the weekend, so half of my carrying is at church...so it's pretty easy to hide the Shield even OWB.

Regarding the Shield vs. the Compact. I personally think they're both in a bit of an awkward category. I don't see the value of the Compact myself. If I'm going to carry something that wide, I'll just carry a FS (and I do have a FS M&P 9 as well). In the Jason Winnie leather holster I have, the FS hides as well as the C does, though I don't carry it that often.

Regarding round count, I think that's a decision that everyone has to make for themselves. Round count is a decision made based on perceived risk (or threat). If I knew that I was walking into a gun battle, I wouldn't carry a Shield. But I wouldn't carry a C or FS, either. I'd bring my Mossberg 500, or an M&P rifle. All handguns are underpowered, so it all comes down to what we perceive our risk is.

There are two extremes -- going completely unarmed, or walking through Target with a rifle strapped to your back. Somewhere in the middle, or even at either extreme, everybody can find the right balance for them, and that balance will be very different for a great number of people. You may prefer the C over the Shield, and you have valid reasons for doing so. I prefer the Shield over the C, and I have valid reasons for doing so. I think the market is sufficiently large, meaning that there are enough people on both sides, for both models to exist. And we know that's the case because both DO (exist).

What we can all agree on, here, is that Smith makes some darn nice pistols and we enjoy shooting the heck out of them...and that's all that counts!

Got my Shield about 3 months ago, and my CCW/CHP about 1 month ago.

Have been pocket carrying it with a DeSantis pocket holster (today was day 1, Wally-walked!) but have an Alien Gear IWB 3.0 Shield holster on the way. Others' experience with it? (It's a new product version)

I'm male/short/small-framed, so the DeSantis pocket carry works for me for now (Wrangler jeans, front right pocket).

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Gun control: using both hands.

I think the OP has listed enough negative concerns to just sell the Shield for a nice profit and move on...

not every pistol is going to meet every shooters requirements and
You can't just manufacture reasons for ownership...

"If the glove don't fit..."

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M&P 9mm 5" Pro
M&P 9mm Shield

I take mine along while I go jogging. Its light enough that I barely feel it.

Oh, I've done that a few times! But your real point is well taken.

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

For me pocket carry with the Shield has never been a problem. It disappears nicely in an Alabama Holster and my everyday pleated Hagars. I normally carry the Shield IWB with a shirt not tucked in, but when I am not dressed that casual, it does pocket carry nicely.

I also rotate carry a XDs and a LCP, but because of the comfort of the Shield, and it shoots like a much larger gun, it will remain my primary carry gun.

You just need bigger deeper pockets!

I own three Glocks. I have grown comfortable with large capacities.

Then, I went to my closest LGS to purchase a PPS, but walked out with a Shield9. I picked it up and felt so comfortable, then I looked at the price difference...

The Shield has quickly become my EDC. IWB or shoulder, sometimes a Serpa. It is so thin it can go anywhere.

I will carry one of three guns depending on what I am doing.

When out of town on business I carry the EMP 40.

When at home and normal dress I carry my Dan Wesson 45 ACP Guardian

When at home and in need of a tight conceal or riding my road bike I will carry my 9mm Shield (with safety). I use the N82 Tactical tuckable IWB holster for normal dress and a simple bag style holster when riding my road bike. I am very comfortable fighting with the Shield. My Shield is very accurate and has not jammed yet in over two years. Great gun.