P938 or Shield and money is not a factor....Whats your choice in a pocket 9mm??

[TheMystro]

Let's pretend money is not an object here and pick the best 9mm pocket pistol between the P938 or Shield......
I have to make a decision soon for a deep carry pocket 9mm.

[D Rock]

Members of my range have them, so I've had a chance to handle both.

I've got an M&P 9c, so I was used to the S&W feel and my wife carries a Sig P238, so I'm used to the feel of that trigger and frame too.

One thing that puts many people that have been shooting polymer pistols off is carrying a single action pistol cocked with one in the chamber and the safety on. That doesn't bother me so I would pick the Sig P938. I just liked the grip/frame better.

Dave

[6actual]

I've always been comfortable with the 1911 platform and its manual of arms so the P938 for me. I also like the hammer fired option over striker fired so again the SiG would win out. That being said, a S&W CS9 would be my choice of a pocket rocket over both of the pistols mentioned YRMV

[TexasG]

P938 is nice, as well as the P238! Shield is nice but I sold it and replaced it with a CS9. I'm just not a polymer pistol fan. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above.

[IRONVIC52]

My GF carries a Ruger LC-9 and it's a great little deep carry, slim 9mm with 7+1 capacity. That said, I've tried a lot of small pocket carry guns and always, always, come back to the tried and true J-frame S&W. My latest carry gun is the model 642-2 stoked with .38 Special +P loads.

[Autococker07]

Gotta go with the 938 when price is not on the table, but in a pinch I could "make do" with a Shield 9mm....

[ocinsomniac]

I own a 40 Shield and a Sig 938 which I purchased at about the same time for the same purpose - concealed carry while wearing light weight summer clothes. Originally intended to get the Shield in 9mm, but finally opted for the 40 because it was easier to find and I own two other 9's (MP9FS and MP9c) and figured I have enough 9's.

Both guns are a pleasure to shoot, but I feel like I'm more accurate with the Shield, seems to have a slightly better trigger feel and the recoil is not much worse than a 9mm.

The Sig is more compact than the taller Shield, so it's a better pocket fit than the Shield although I can inconspicuously carry the Shield with a pocket holster.

The Shield has other advantages not related to concealment - it's much easier to break down and clean and the finish seems to holding up better than the Sig which is fading it's black finish on the barrel and seams.

The Sig had several problems when it first came out, but Sig has done a great job addressing those problems to their customer's satisfaction. Any recent make (after 10-11/2012) should be relatively trouble free.

Both the Shield and the 938 don't appear to be fussy about which type of cheap range ammo I feed them.

You can't lose with either gun, either is an excellent choice for a CC weapon, but I prefer the Shield. If your primary concern is size and concealability, then go with the Sig.

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I'm a big S&W fan, but mainly the metal framed 3rd gens. For me this is a no-brained- the SIG. I just don't care much for polymer/striker guns. The one I do like for CCW is the Walther PPS .40. The Shield is somewhat similar, but I prefer the Walther.

Still, with the comparison you asked for, it would be the SIG.

If money is really no object, look for a NIB/LNIB CS40 or a Shorty 40.

[GoodMornin]

CS9 in a pocket holster. I believe there might be 1 or 2 on gunbroker, not sure.
CS9D in a uncle mike pocket holster, size 4
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1369519940.998430.jpg

[K-framer]

My FIRST choice would be an S&W CS9. Barring that, among the "modern" pocket 9mms, my choice would be a SiG Sauer P290rs. (NOT the earlier version, but the RS.) Simple design, no external safeties to get caught on anything, good quality. Expensive, however. But, then again, so is the P938 (or P238, for that matter).

However, I must admit that I do NOT like the modern "pre-cocked" guns.....and I DON'T trust a "cocked and locked" SA, for pocket carry anyway.

[KKECK5]

I own both a Sig p238 . 380 and the S&W Shield .40.... By far the Sig is a much better made all metal gun. It just is...However i can not get comfortable carrying a cocked gun in my pocket pointed at my best friend. So this leads me to carry in condition 3...mag loaded, but nothing in the chamber. Sig hides much better, whether in pants or shorts. The shield prints much more, but you can get by, plus being DA, one in the chamber does not cause me alarm and constant worry. The decision is one that only you can make... Me....right now i go with the Shield...maybe later i go back to the Sig.

[Badkarma 1]

P938! I'll take the short trigger pull and accuracy of the wee SIG over the Shield any day.
But truth be told nothing beats a Fightin J in your pocket, or a 3913 IWB. Dale

[shawn mccarver]

Shield. I don't use single actions in Condition One in pocket carry, and neither gun merits a belt holster. If I am going to have a belt holster, I am going to get a "real gun."*

*For purposes of this post, "real gun" means a more full size pistol capable holding more rounds, with longer barrel and grip, allowing easier use at long distances.

[OldGoat]

What is a CS9? Not familiar with all the acronyms on the forum. Best Regards, Ed

[D Rock]

OldGoat, it refers to the Chiefs Special 9mm. Nice compact pistol.

You can probably search and get a ton of info, but here's a link with some pictures comparing it to the Shield.
Shield9 vs. CS9 comparison pics

Dave

[OldGoat]

Dave, thanks for your response. At age 73, the OldGoat has some catching up to do. I have a Chief's Special - Model 36 no dash that I have had since early 1960s - just not "up to speed" on new terminology/models, but trying to learn. Best Regards, Ed

[D Rock]

Glad to help.

I read much more than I post. So much info and so many knowledgeable people here makes it a great place to be. Welcome!

Dave

[Protected One]

If money is no object I would go with a Kimber Solo 9mm.

[nachogrande]

you must have big pockets. most of these guns including the shield are just too big imo for pocket carry, unless you live in a colder area than Fl. the j frame snubs are ideal. in 9mm for SIZE & WT in a semi I'd choose the kahr pm9, if you can handle app 4 more oz's, even better in the all steel version. for the Sigs I think the 239 single stack (being thinner) is better than the double stack 238 and ALL the others listed and that one might be small enough for pocket carrying, down here anyway. I have a 239 in 40 cal and even just a tiny bit thicker than the 9mm is too big for my pockets anyway. the last thing you want in your pocket is a pistol that is tight in there when grabbed and hard to get out. jmo. ps, if you could find a mdl 60 chiefs special s/s 9mm REVOLVER, contact me first, that would be an excellent choice, even with a hammer.

[Electraclyde]

Originally Posted by Protected One

If money is no object I would go with a Kimber Solo 9mm.

I second the Solo.
Had a Shield 9mm and did not like it. Have never fired a 938, but do not consider it or the Shield to be a pocket gun. Solo pocket carries as well, if not better than my J-frame.

[TexasG]

Originally Posted by nachogrande

for the Sigs I think the 239 single stack (being thinner) is better than the double stack 238 and ALL the others listed and that one might be small enough for pocket carrying, down here anyway.

Nacho - the Sig P238 is a single stack that is patterned in the 1911 manual of arms. Sig borrowed the colt mustang design. I have one and carry it often.

[TheMystro]

Well I made my decision.......I want to thank all my S&W brothers for their input.... I went with a P938. Size and weight had ALOT to do with my decision. I am a old time 1911 shooter so cock and locked is very comfortable for me. For that matter, even cocked and unlocked wouldnt be any less unsafe than a Glock 36 in your pocket but that's another subject. I want to be able to pocket carry and the P938 is smaller much like a Kahr PM9. In fact a loaded PM9 and P938 weigh almost identical and is 3oz lighter than the Kimber Solo. The same pocket holster fits the PM380 as it does the P938 so that should give a good indication of how small it is. The Shield was just too big for my needs. I also must have night sights and they come standard with the Sig.

I want everyone to know that I asked this question over at the Sig forum and here, both forums were very respectfully of each manufacturer. Owning many various manufacturers, I found it refreshing to see this.

I picked up a new P938 Custom Shop with fiber optic night sights. I have these sights on a P229 Custom Shop and they are outstanding.

[nachogrande]

you are right TEX, I meant the Sig 239 single stacks vs the Sig 228 double stacks. they are making so many diff models now I get easily confused in a senior moment. the dress code here is so different. now retired, dressed up means socks, shoes with laces, a shirt with buttons, a belt about as often as I used to wear a tie, and long pants maybe a handful of times a year. cargo shorts and pocket carry go together like pb & j.

[TheMystro]