Shield or Compact??

DZH

DZH

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I am looking to buy a new CCW. I was thinking about the 40c. I am seeing a lot of posts on the shield on here.
I like the fact that I can convert the 40c to 9mm if I want and put a full size mag in the C.

What are y'all's input on the two?

Thanks



Zack
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I have a 40c and a 9 shield. Have a desantis mini scabbard for both and with the shield being thinner and shorter it doesn't print as much. I'm in the process of getting a IWB holster so can tell you much on that. If it was down to have one gun to carry and go to the range with I would choose the compact. Still a great shooting gun but small enough to hide and the shield being a smaller gun is more prone to drive you nut at the range :))
 
I haven't held or shot a Sheild but I have a 9c that I truly love. I have medium size hands and the compact with the largest grip panel installed feels perfect to me. The 9c conceals nicely under an unbuttoned outer shirt when using my BladeTech Nano IWB. I'm too fat to be able to conceal the rig under a T-shirt though.
 
40c can covert to 357 sig with a barrel swap and 9mm with a barrel and mag swap.

I say if you don't have a gun dedicated to range or conceal carry... get the 40c. If your primary goal is conceal carry get the Shield.
 
For myself It's the compact in in .45 or 9mm.. Only because I don't like .40cal tends to be to snappy for me in a small or compact gun.. IMO the .45 and 9mm are about the same with the .45 being less snappy. Just a slower more of a push kind of recoil. Great for follow up shots..George
 
I'd go with the compact. The Shield is a bit on the thick and heavier side. So i guess the compact would be much better for CC. :D

Or get urself a Kimber and u will never look for another CC.
 
I have both a 40 Shield & a 40c. For carry I prefer the Shield as it is thinner than the 40c & lighter too. It doesn't print as much as the 40c. I can pocket carry either in a Desantis pocket holster. That being said, I prefer the 40c at the range. Its just a lot more comfortable & easier to grip. If I had to sell one it would be the Shield.:cool:
 
A .40 in a compact feels great, not too much recoil. My neighbor (Big strong guy and state patrol) carries a full size .40 and a compact .40. When he got his Shield .40, he couldn't believe how much more it kicked. He got used to it but it does kick more than a compact.

The shield is definitely smaller and lighter.
The compact carries more rounds and also has a tac-rail for a light if you want.
 
I have the 40c with a crossbreed supertuck holster that I carry daily. No regrets. I'm also left handed, so the stupid thumb safety on the Shield helped with that decision.
 
I own a .40 Shield and used to own an M&P40c and a G27. Both have been sold after about a year of taking up space in my safe. Since I own plenty of full sized handguns, as well as J-frames and a BG380, I don't have the need for an in between sized gun.

The Shield is just the right side for prolonged carry. The 40c and the G27 were just a bit too chunky and not very comfortable after 8 hours of carry. With the Shield, I can go all do with no problems.

For serious concealed carry, I'd go with the Shield. It's amazingly comfortable to carry, comfortable in the hand, and easy to shoot.

The .40 Shield has also been converted to 9mm with factory barrels.

Shield:
Width - .95"
Height - 4.6"
Length - 6.1"
Weight - 19 oz

40c:
Width - 1.2"
Height - 4.3"
Length - 6.7"
Weight - 21.9 oz

It may not sounds like big differences, but trust me, you can FEEL the difference.
 
Yep like my wife.. She has tiny tinny hands She's 5" both were to big for her.. She ended up with a Ruger LC9.. For her that make a good carry gun all day long.. Handle what you think you want and then a few other models.. I'm one that likes the compact.. But that said I was going from a S&W gen3 6906 nice chunky gun.. a Compact seemed small to me but then again I have large hands.. George
 
USAF385 said:
I own a .40 Shield and used to own an M&P40c and a G27. Both have been sold after about a year of taking up space in my safe. Since I own plenty of full sized handguns, as well as J-frames and a BG380, I don't have the need for an in between sized gun.

The Shield is just the right side for prolonged carry. The 40c and the G27 were just a bit too chunky and not very comfortable after 8 hours of carry. With the Shield, I can go all do with no problems.

For serious concealed carry, I'd go with the Shield. It's amazingly comfortable to carry, comfortable in the hand, and easy to shoot.

The .40 Shield has also been converted to 9mm with factory barrels.

Shield:
Width - .95"
Height - 4.6"
Length - 6.1"
Weight - 19 oz

40c:
Width - 1.2"
Height - 4.3"
Length - 6.7"
Weight - 21.9 oz

It may not sounds like big differences, but trust me, you can FEEL the difference.
Click to expand...

In my opinion the thickness is the most important of all the measurements and that 1/4 inch is huge in your pocket.

Russ
 
charger73se said:
I have the 40c with a crossbreed supertuck holster that I carry daily. No regrets. I'm also left handed, so the stupid thumb safety on the Shield helped with that decision.
Click to expand...
Compact wins vs Shield... however, I like the not stupid thumb safety on my 9c. Yet, I'm not left-handed.
 
Smitty357 said:
Agreed, and many of us have "tried" to explain this over numerous posts. But for some reason people still dont seem to get it.
Click to expand...
I had a .40S&W Shield. IMO, definitely too big for pocket carry, low capacity, & misc a few other disappointing factors. Answer, sold it. Love my 9c. With an FBI cant 9c conceals easily IWB/OWB. To each his/her own. I think the compact is far more versatile. Get it? ;)

BTW, I had a Walther PPS... very similar in size to the Shield. I didn't like the PPS, either. So, I sold it but love my PPQ w/PMR.
 
I have a 9 Shield and a 9c. Depending on how you plan to carry the thinnest of the Shield is a bonus but in my opinion, that's the only one. I personally think both are too large to carry in your front pocket. IWB the Shield may have a slight edge. You have to ask yourself the age-ole question....does size matter?

For me the 9c is more accurate, holds more, is more comfortable to shoot, racks easier, seems to have a bit less felt recoil, has interchangeable back straps, doesn't have an external safety and has a (small) rail.

My wife prefers the thin grip of the Shield but does't like how hard it is to rack and come fully back to battery. She likes the safety but is often "confused" by the extra step.

As stated above, if one "had to go" it would not doubt be the Shield. The M&P compacts are the real deal. Well thought out, well made, easy to use and clean and dependable as all get out. I'd go with your first inkling and get the 40c.

Good luck!
 
The tide is definitely turning regarding the love affair with the Shield. It's been out for two years now and I read a lot more sensible reviews of it these days.

The compact is a great gun.


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