who owens both, & what rolls do they play.

I started out with a Shield but I was never really comfortable with the capacity. So when I found out that the 9C was essentially the same footprint as a Shield with 50% greater capacity I decided to go with the C.

A 9C is small enough to carry in your pocket while you're at home but with enough capacity to at least give you some ability to respond to a home invasion.

I also like the fact that in my case since I have a 9 full size I only have to buy the full size magazines and they will fit both guns.

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Retired Career Security Guard

I bought my M&P 40c to carry, but it seemed a bit heavy, so a year ago, I bought a Shield 9 to carry. The Shield had reliability problems related to a batch of defective RSAs that were produced at the time, and it took me three months to get it sorted out. So I went back to carrying my perfectly reliable 40c. I got used to the weight, and I still carry it today. There's nothing wrong with the Shield. It is is now perfectly reliable, and is nearly as accurate as the 40c out to 15 yards. I took both to the range today and the Shield matched the 40c shot-for-shot. However, ten .40s trump eight 9s in my book, so the 40c gets carried and the Shield stays in reserve. However, I wouldn't hesitate to carry my Shield if I felt it was best to do so, so I practice with it regularly.

My advice: Rent them both at your local range, fire at least 100 rounds each before you decide. You can't really go wrong with either one.

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What, me worry?

you gave up the shield for the compact? .. do they carry about the same? I got the sd9ve and shield and its night and day...have to say though I really do like the shield..coming from a g26, how would a compact stack up to a g26?

I have a 9c and the shield, definitely the shield carry and conceal better.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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M&P 9, Shield9.

Own both a 9c and a Shield in 9mm. Carry the 9c during cool/cold weather seasons or when I'm in a higher threat environment. Excellent one gun solution for most concealed carry and home defense with the full size mag & extension. The 9c is one of those sweet spot pistols that does a many things right. Most are quite accurate, fit a variety of hands and felt recoil is very manageable.

The Shield is a sweet carry, noticeably more comfortable for me and for most people I suspect. Add a Magguts kit to the 8 rd mag and you've got 9+1 in a nice slim pistol that handles & shoots like a dream. Simply a superb concealment pistol.

My 9c is giving way to an M&P 45 compact that I've fallen in love with. I'm making the change primarily to ammo stores and hand loading regimens. No flies on the 9c at all, the 45c just fits my reality a little better.

Yes, I prefer to pocket carry the 40c. It may be due to a personal quirk of mine -- I've always carried a bunch of junk in my pockets, so I'm used to the weight. In Texas "printing" is not an issue, but even the 40c doesn't print very much with a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster in typical casual pants. Add an untucked casual shirt, and no one will notice. The Shield obviously carries even better. It's slimmer and lighter and is nearly invisible in the Nemesis holster. Thus, it comes down to a matter of personal preference. As to the g26, I can't comment, as I have little experience with Glocks, and I've never even held a g26.

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What, me worry?

I had a 9c, was my first "non .22" gun. Ran 1600 trouble free rounds thru it so it was a good gun, just not something I really enjoyed shooting (unless i used a full size mag). Tried a Shield and really liked it, and that ended up replacing my compact. Its not a size issue persay for me as i love shooting my full size MP; just that the Shield feels right in my hand, much like the full size does. The compact, was just something that was in the middle, just ok for grip and comfort. And if I dont enjoy shooting something, i'm not going to haul it to the range and use it/train with it.

just my .02

I already had a 9c when the Shield came out and decided that there wasn't enough difference to change. I prefer the additional mag capacity of the compact.

I'm 6'4" and weigh 210 lbs. When someone looks at me, all they see is an old gray hair using an aluminum came. If I'm unlucky enough that someday some predator decides I look like food, they will not be fed.

I have the Shield and a 40c. The Shield for me is much more comfortable to carry due to the thinner width and less weight. I'm fine carrying the compact too but the Shield just works a little better for me.

Of the two, the compact takes a little more to conceal. An untucked button up shirt works fine. The Shield is easily hidden under a t shirt. I think body type plays a big role in this.

I have both. The shield carries better and that's what gets used most. The 9C is my bedroom gun and wintertime or threat level choice. And the 9C shoots better than any pistol I've ever owned.

I have both, and carry the 9c probably 70% of the time. It is very concealable, until it's not, then I have the Shield. I shoot both very well, but I prefer the grip and feel of the 9c.

I just took the 9C and the G26 out and compared them for you. The G26 is approx. 1/4" to 1/2" shorter in length than the 9C, same height. I use my 9c for a bed side gun. The reason is I bought it with the safety on it. The safety on the 9C is just like a 1911, the Shields is a lot smaller safety. I carry my G26 in the pocket all the time. I Love both guns, but I carry my G26 even over my G43.
Good Luck.

I, too, have a 40C & a 40 Shield. I bought the Compact while waiting for the Shield to be available. The Shield is not that much smaller than the Compact, but it's enough to make a world of difference to me, anyways, in the way it carries. It's a lot easier & just disappears in my pocket. I like both, & I am comfortable with either, but as far as carry goes, I prefer the Shield.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

I can't tell the difference between one and the other carrying. The C is less than 1/2 an inch thicker than the Shield

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Retired Career Security Guard

I'm a huge proponent of interchangeable magazines . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I own both. The Shield9 is in my BOB with a total of six 8 round
mags. My 9c is on my hip with 13 rounds in the gun and a 17
round mag with X-Grip adapter in my left pocket in a homemade
pouch that keeps it oriented base up for quick access.
Dano

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70 yr old TET Survivor: 68-69

I was really torn between the shield and compact, I went with the shield because I already had a sd9ve, got rid of the glocks before chi town lifted the hand gun ban,the compact kinda falls between the shield and sd9, kinda like the middle child, I love the idea of a double stack shield but cant really justify it.

I've got the FS 40, and a 9 shield. Hitting the store this weekend and looking for a compact. Undecided on whether I want a 9 or a 40. Yes, I know, get one of each.

SWMBO is not happy with her LC9 (the recoil aggravates her arthritis) and is strongly considering a 9C. If that happens I'll only ever have to get FS magazines again.

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Retired Career Security Guard

I have both in 9mm. Bought the Shield thinking that my employer was going to authorize it as a BUG - they haven't managed to. I carry the 9c as a BUG instead. The Shield has a slightly shorter barrel so it's shorter overall. It is also noticeable thinner than the 9c. it also a bit lighter. The Shield may be all the CCW pistol many folks really need. I prefer the utility and capacity of the 9c as a primary off duty, and will probably still carry it in retirement in a few years. The Shield will then be my BUG and also fill the role when activity or dress even makes the 9c hard to conceal.

Have both, but rarely carry the Shield. Never found the compacts and even sub-compacts double stack pistols that much more difficult to carry. For me it is overall height that is my biggest consideration and I have landed on <= 4.5" overall height works best for me. Plus I don't mind shooting with a two finger grip and a little wider grip seems to fit my hand better.

I do use heavier belts when I carry and have a belt position and cant that seems to work well for me, be it a leather or kydex taco hoster. That probably contributes most to my positive experience in carrying double stacks. Finding that combination for fit did not come quickly to me though, so expect some experimentation to find what works for yourself.

I have a shield, compact and full size all in 9mm. The shield has been repo'd by my wife and I am seldom allowed to carry it anymore. The compact is a major player in my carry rotation. My 9fs has a red dot and is mostly used at the range, but it's a totally fun gun.

The shield is a great summer carry gun. I don't find the size difference between the shield and 9c to be dramatic and consider the 9c to be a fine carry piece. I like the added round count of the 9c. My wife likes the external safety on the shield. I trust them all explicitly.

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paws for friendship

The roles for these are to put a smile on my face. So far so good. Compact acquired today, 9mm with thumb safety.

[IMG]


The Family

40FS, 9C, Shield 9

So I'm almost right where you are . I have a 9 mm Shield and a FS .40 (storm Lake Conversion barrel so I shoot that as a 9 sometimes too). I was on the range with a buddy today that had a former LE 9C that he bought off of a retired cop. I really liked shooting it, but being in Mass I can only go 10 rounds, so....
shield vs 9c? I don't know if I can justify another 9 for 1 round. I'm thinking of instead waiting for the Shield .45 ?

I second the recommendation to up the rounds capacity with the Magguts double spring kit. I've been shooting with the upgraded magazines with no problems once a week for several months. In the beginning it's a bit difficult to get the last round into the mag but the springs will adjust. I also purchased a Pro Mag ten round magazine but with the old 8-round Smith mag raised to 9 rounds you won't need a Pro Mag since it's only one round short and much larger than the Smith 8-round. Although you could carry the Pro Mag as a backup mag and then the gun will shoot/hold 11 rounds. The Shield 9 is fine and reliable. NYPD just made it an optional off-duty carry along with the Springfield XDS.

I just had the opportunity to shoot a 9C & a PC Shield side by side yesterday. There was absolutely no difference in how I shot them. I'd say take your choice.

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K & N S&W revolvers

I have a Glock 26, Shield and Lc9S Pro in 9 mm, each have it place in my rotation of carry. I don’t carry the G-26 much, to me it is a brick, the shield feels like a full size pistol and carry well IWB holster, if I am going to pocket carry I like the LC9sPro ( the shield is a little too big). I am on the waiting list for the Shield 45 to round out my rotation of carry.

Finally had a chance to get out to the range to put the first rounds through the new compact 9. Ran 8 mags through it, and really like everything about it. Compared to the shield aside from the width difference it feels very close.

I can't say that the Shield or the Compact is better than the other, but I can say that, for me, with my hand size, I prefer the compact in the hand over the FS frame. I don't have a problem with the FS, but the compact just feels a bit better.

Being left handed, the compact is the smarter platform to work with, but I do like shooting the shield, a lot! I installed Talon grips on the shield, and really like the grip.

Another range customer had a 40cal shield, and he let me run a couple mags through it. I like it a lot as well. Yes there was a noticeable difference between 9, and 40, but to me it wasn't that big of a deal. I'd take one in 40 today.

Todays target.

Center white section is mainly the 9C, while the upper is mainly the shield, but the FS40 is in there as well.

I also worked weak hand single hand shooting so that's some of the some dropped and outside shots. Also a few bad trigger pulls as well.



Either platform works, but there's probably situations where one makes better sense than the other. I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I wanted both and could get them both.

My big dilemma now, whether I should trade my FS40, for a compact frame.

I'm also interested in the new 45 Shield.

Went shopping today to look at the 45 Shield, but they were out. I looked, and retouched 40's in Compact, and Shield, and went round and round about what I wanted. It was not an easy decision, but I brought home a 40C no safety.

The shield was 369.00, add in spare mags, and that would have been another 100.00. 2 magguts kits, and that's another 50.00, so figure about 550.00 all in, and less carry capacity even with modded mags. The compact was 489.00, and as I already have 5, 15 round 40 mags I don't need to buy anymore mags at the present time.

For myself the Compact makes better sense in 40, while the Shield in 9 is fine. Won't get to the range till next Monday.

I've got a G26 that I've had for 10 years or so and I just bought a 40c and a 40 Shield a couple of weeks ago. The 26 has always been a reliable carry gun. I prefer OWB carry & the shield is much easier to conceal that the G26. I'm thinking it would be the same for the 40c, since they are similar in size. After shooting the Shield & 40c last weekend, I find that I am more accurate with the 40c and the recoil is more pronounced with the Shield. The Shield will most likely be more of a summertime carry and the 40c more for cooler weather. I plan on using the 26 as a car gun.

This is my experience, exactly. 9C on the headboard most of the time. Shield is my almost every day carry. My 9C is also the most consistent shooting defense gun I've ever owned. The Shield isn't too far behind!

The 40C is incredible. You can get the .357 SIG barrel and have true 125g .357 Magnum power.

You can buy a 9mm barrel and shoot cheaper 9mm. Beware a few extraction problems may occur. Best used for practice only as extractor vs brass size may cause FTEs. I have had two in 300 rds.

I did a comparison test at 7 and 15 yards between a Performance Center 9mm ported Shield a standard 9mm Shield and the new .45 Shield. I could not believe the results. Highest scores were with the .45 and the worst with the ported Performance Center 9mm!
I had to add the 45 Shield to the stable.

Better carry gun. The 40c is a house/car w green laser gun.

I own a M&P9 FS, Shield 45, and a M&P 45 Compact and I have to agree with panamax in that my Shield 45 is a rather impressive firearm! It's more accurate than I am for sure and while the trigger is a big improvement over both the FS and Compact versions, its accuracy (at least in my hands) will improve even further with an Apex Tactical trigger job once they get a Shield 45 version released.

As for the specific comparison, the Shield and Compact (in 45 at least) are both amazing pistols and play a variety of roles for me personally. I use both for EDC depending on the situation and my mood/dress.

I realize that my comparison below will be specific to the 45 models, but I believe that it can be extended generally to all of the Shields and Compacts and can confirm its validity at least in my experience having also shot Shields and Compacts in 9/40.

There is definitely some overlap between the two, so here goes.

M&P 45 Compact - The M&P 45c is almost the perfect all-around pistol for me. If you're going to get ONE GUN to rule them all, then this is it... In one word: Versatile.

Concealment/Comfort - 4/5
Performance - 5/5
Capacity - 5/5
Aftermarket - 5/5
Weight - 4/5
TOTAL - 23

1. Concealment/Comfort - It has the added barrel length and grip feel of a full-size, but with a grip height of a Compact that makes it easy to conceal IWB with an untucked shirt and properly-sized pants. Also, the backstraps are interchangeable, which allows you to fine tune the grip feel.

It's slide length/thickness (not grip height) makes it more challenging to conceal comfortably as compared to the Shield. That said, it's by no means difficult or painful...it just requires some adjustment in your approach, which is common theme for all concealment situations.


2. Performance - It is very accurate and reliable and mine will eat anything you feed it with the added benefit of a slightly longer barrel (4" compared to 3.3") and sight radius as compared to the Shield. Not that this is needed, as most people's frame of reference is the LuckyGunner ballistics testing, which was shot from a Kahr CW45 with a 3.6" barrel with great terminal ballistics on most popular rounds, but it helps...

3. Capacity - It's capacity options are extensive. It's baseline 8+1 is great for concealment and the pinky rest helps with purchase on the grip for me personally.

It can also take full-sized magazines in 10- and 14-round capacities, which can then be further modified with the various aftermarket base pad extensions to carry even more. This makes it awesome for both home-defense and concealed carry as well as range time fun.

In home defense, putting a 10- or 14-round mag in it gives you more than enough to end the conflict, get you to safety, or get you to a shotgun and in concealment, I can comfortably carry two 10-round mags as reloads, which puts me at 29 rounds in total.

Yes, I understand the likelihood of using this quantity is low, but in the very least, carrying one mag gives me the ability to potentially clear a malfunction and keep shooting for another 10 rounds (or 14 if you so choose). So, with only one spare mag on hand, I'm at 19 or 23 total in concealment.

4. Aftermarket - It can benefit from a majority of the available FS aftermarket mods if you so choose such as trigger kits, lights, etc that are known to fit the FS models in 9, 40, and 45. Also, it will fit in pretty much any holster that a FS M&P 9/40 will fit because it's slide length/width are the same.

5. Weight - Fully loaded, it is a tad heavy and that can tend to weigh on you for EDC depending on how you carry and in what situations. This is a very minor con in my experience, but worth noting. The key for me is balance, which I do not believe is compromised.

Shield 45 - The Shield 45 is almost the perfect concealed carry pistol for me. If you're going for pure concealability and nothing else, then this is it.

Concealment/Comfort - 6/5
Performance - 5/5
Capacity - 3/5
Aftermarket - 4/5
Weight - 5/5
TOTAL - 23

1. Concealment/Comfort - The overall thickness of the Shield makes it literally effortless to IWB conceal in any of the standard clothing situations in which I find myself. It's amazing what difference less than a quarter of an inch of thickness will do for concealment and comfort.

2. Performance - Like the 45c, this thing is just dead reliable...I've put over 1000 rounds of ball and JHP ammo through it across 9 different brands and it's never even shown signs of an issue. It's accuracy is well in excess of what I expected or have ever seen in a sub-compact pistol including the Shield 9 and Shield 40 (my personal experience at least).

3. Capacity - For the Shield 45 specifically, you're limited to 6+1 or 7+1 because you can't use other M&P mags, so your capacity options are limited. I personally carry the Shield 45 with the extended 7+1 mag in my IWB holster and two additional 7-round mags on my belt and forget its all there most of the time, so that still gives me 22 rounds in smaller chunks.

As a comparison back above to the 45c, if I chose to only carry one reload, then I'm at 15 rounds total in concealment. For home defense, its capacity doesn't concern me much, but it is definitely lower than a fully-loaded 45c with FS magazines.

4. Aftermarket - There isn't nearly as much of an aftermarket for the Shield 45 as there is for the Compact...right now at least. Obviously, it's not been out as long as the Shield 9/40's, so I think this is really more of a transient than anything...

5. Weight - The Shield 45 is definitely lighter than the Compact, but not so much so that it makes a huge difference in concealment or comfort. I personally don't put a lot of stock in the weight being a critical parameter for me personally, but everyone is different.

Look at that! They tied 23 to 23 with a 6 out of 5 on the Shield's concealability/comfort rating! LOL Yes, it's subjective...I know.

Sorry for the long-winded post, but I'm hoping it will be helpful to someone. Its about as close to what I would have wanted to read when I was trying to make decisions and never found it in this form, so I just had to pull the trigger (pun intended) and buy them both!

Cheers,
- J

My 9c is my carry gun for the majority of the time. Carry my m&p fullsize very rarely when in really bad parts of town. My shield I only use for late night grocery store runs, as it is so light I can wear it without a belt with basketball shorts. I prefer the 7rd shield mags with the pearce grip extension.

I have a Shield 9 and a 9c that share EDC duties based on my mood on a given day.

I prefer to carry OWB @ 2 O'clock. Either one conceals well. Since I have kydex holsters for each, I was able to tweak the ride height, cant and curvature of each to get the best concealablity.

The only down side to the 9c compared to the Shield is the extra weight. A good belt pretty much mitigates that factor.

I also carry my 45c at times but the slide length doesn't work well with the 2 O'clock carry so I carry it in a pancake holster behind the hip.

since my last post in July I actually do have a 9C and a shield 9 now.
I carry both, but prefer shooting the 9C. I had my gunsmith do the trigger and I love it. It's a bit thicker than my shield, but the Stealthgear 'Mini' carries really well. in the summer I carry my shield 100% of the time (it's so easy) in the spring and fall I carry my 9C. In the winter I carry my XDM 3.8C .45 and my 9C