9C or 9FS

[Smith Wesson]

Why has this become such a hard decision for me.. i am currently savings for my next gun.. it was supposed to be a 9c.. .. but while ive been saving ive seen so many post on full size 9 thats it makes me wonder. Is there any reasons that i should be considering the 9fs over the 9c..could there be something im not factoring into the equation. .... i currently have the 9shield .. ive handled both 9fs and 9c and feel both i could conceal about the same. Imma huge guy... i like going to the range about 1a month. Im pretty much a homebody type....... personally i would rather have the 9c only based on the fact that it looks cooler... can anyone tell me why i should make the 9fs my next weapon ove the 9c.. sell it to me ....

 

[Fox4506]

I have a 40FS and a 40c and I barely even shoot the FS anymore...mainly because I carry the 40c and I feel I should practice with that more.

Also, I believe that if you can shoot a smaller pistol with a shorter barrel that you can also shoot a bigger pistol with a longer barrel. I think practicing with smaller handguns makes me a better shot. It's much easier to shoot a full size better than a compact...in general. I could be wrong though...

Fox

 

[Kanewpadle]

You could get the compact, add an Xgrip adapter and use full size magazines. You get a full size grip with a little bit shorter sight radius.

 

[smitty_bs]

I had the same problem. I've had a Shield for a while and was planning on getting the Compact. But then I handled a FS and really liked it. The Shield and Compact are very close in size except for the width. So I went with the FS and never looked back. It has the newer audible reset trigger which is nice too. The gun has functioned flawlessly and is accurate - I have no regrets.

 

[Tanners Owner]

While no one can make this decision for you, recommend you ask yourself what purpose ( and future purpose) you are getting the gun for. Simply stated if you intend on carrying, I'd recommend the 9c, if for range, home use, the FS would likely serve your needs better.

I got a FS 9 for competition a while ago and recently a 9c for carry. Never really intended to carry the FS, as I had other options.

Regardless - think you can't go wrong w/ either. Both great guns.

A nice problem to have

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

I'd have to take the 9C over the 9F if I had to pick.
9C can take the FS magazines, easier to conceal, and can still mount lights and lasers if desired.

 

[Smith Wesson]

Have you found yourself able to carry the fs concealed..?
And if you wanted could you use the fs for competition why or why not?

 

[Bkreutz]

Have you found yourself able to carry the fs concealed..?
And if you wanted could you use the fs for competition why or why not?

I carry the 9c, however if I already had a Shield, I would get a full size. I have 3 full size M&P's, all of which I use for competition. I could CC the 4.25" 9mm but both the 5" guns are pretty much competition only (I could CC them if I wore a MuMu) The first 2 pictures are of my comp only guns and the last 2 are CC possible. If I lived in a part of the country that gets hot weather, I would probably own a Shield, but the shorts and t-shirt days are not plentiful around here .

 

[Ranger17]

my first "non-.22" was a 9c, mainly as it was such a good deal i could not pass it up. Wanted something like it for a training tool and maybe some defensive needs (have a permit but do not yet carry). I enjoy shooting the C but as my range time is also my hobby i tended to run it with the full size mags and adapter.
So started thinking of just adding a full size, recently did when the 3 free mag promo hit. For me, the FS is just a tad more accurate at my range's distances (-10 yds) over the C and feels a little better in my hand. Really love how it shoots and feels.

Guess if i had a Shield first (and it worked well for carry), i would have skipped over a C and went to a FS for a second option, just my .02 of course.

 

[hokiefyd]

I second (or third) the recommendation to ask yourself what the gun will be used for. If you're going to carry it, buy the C (and sell/trade the Shield). As noted prior, as far as size goes, the C is just a wider Shield. I personally don't see much of a point in owning both a C and a Shield.

In that vein, I bought a Shield last summer and, lately, wanted something from the larger M&P line also. I looked at both Cs and FSs, but didn't pay much mind to the Cs, and bought an FS a few months ago. (In my mind, the perfect carry piece from Smith, if you want more capacity than the Shield, is the SD9VE.)

If you do buy an M&P, C or FS, don't waste any time: the 3 free magazines rebate offer is good on purchases made through 31 May (Sunday).

 

[Rintimtin]

If you already have the Shield, I would go with the FS.

 

[Smith Wesson]

For some reason i have the feeling that the 9fs shoots better over the 9c(groups and more on target).. is this fair to say?
Is this why noone uses the 9c in competition

 

[Ranger17]

For some reason i have the feeling that the 9fs shoots better over the 9c(groups and more on target).. is this fair to say?
Is this why noone uses the 9c in competition

for me, there is a slight improvement in accuracy with the FS.
BUT take into account I've only been shooting a couple years total and just a year with my 9c (month with FS), i can do pretty well but still am learning, and my range here only goes to 10 yds... so others' results could easily vary.
I pasted below a recent thread i did on comparing my 2 MP's with a couple result pix, just for an fyi.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/427879-new-fs9-vs-9c.html

 

[wittmeba]

If you already have the Shield, I would go with the FS.

Makes the most sense.

 

[Bkreutz]

For some reason i have the feeling that the 9fs shoots better over the 9c(groups and more on target).. is this fair to say?
Is this why noone uses the 9c in competition

There are a number of people who use the 9c in competition. IDPA has a new compact carry division as well as BUG (back up gun) competitions. But as a general statement, the longer the barrel, the more accurate the gun. (this is one of the reasons rifles are used for long range shots. ) Inside of 10 yards the difference isn't that great, most people can hit the target at 10 yards by throwing the whole pistol at it, never mind firing it.

 

[Linejudgemick]

I have a FS and a compact. For me (not suggesting others should do this) I use the FS in a home defense role and the C for a CCW. If I could only have one, I'd go C with an X-grip to equal the FS capacity. In actuality I normally use a single-stack as my CCW.

 

[ScottN]

There is no guarantee you'll shoot the FS better than the 9c. Theoretically the FS has an advantage with a longer barrel and sight radius, and more weight to reduce felt recoil.

That said, I shoot my 9c better than the Pro 9L I used to own. The FS grip did not feel comfortable no matter what backstrap I used. The grip felt like it slipped a little in my hand. I have a long but very narrow hand. The 9c grip fits me like a glove. I can comfortably fit my pinky on the 9c grip with the flush magazine.

There really isn't a wrong answer. Both options offer quality and enough accuracy for a variety of uses. I'd suggest that you go with the one that feels best and test them out if you can. You really won't know which shoots best in your hands until you run some rounds through em.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I have both the fs 40 & the 9C. The fs was bought used from a police trade in & the compact was bought new. I wouldn't part with either although I find myself carrying the compact more often especially in the warmer months. Many times I carry the compact loaded with a fs mag & X Grip. I have two of those dedicated for use in the 40C.

I haven't noticed any difference in accuracy between the two. The feel of the compact with the full size mag is identical & it's not a whole lot different using the stock mag with pinky extension.

I'd be perfectly happy with either two fs 40s or two 40Cs. I believe in redundancy.

 

[Bowserb]

I have to agree with a few others here. If I had a shield, the next one would have to be the full size--with the 4.25" barrel. I'm not a fan of short grip handguns, so I lean toward those with room for three fingers on the grip. My experience with grip and mag extensions is not good and includes disconcerting rattles, pinches, and more difficult mag changes. Qualifier: My experience does NOT include S&W extensions and extended mags, although I've read of pinching from the extended mag on the compact...someone here can surely qualify or dispute that story.

I've concealed carried full size guns for several years, including a 1911, as well as compacts and subcompacts. I feel like I have a more secure grip on the full size guns, and the added mag capacity doesn't hurt either. With a good holster and good gun belt, the larger gun really isn't a problem, and the 9mm 4.25" full size M&P without a mag, is only 24oz.

Finally, if the shield is you only other handgun, you really need to experience a full size pistol. Here it is: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57954_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[Ranger17]

Qualifier: My experience does NOT include S&W extensions and extended mags, although I've read of pinching from the extended mag on the compact...someone here can surely qualify or dispute that story.

i have roughly 1500 rounds in the past year thru my 9c, a good portion using a full size (17rnd) mag with the x-grip adapter. No issues with pinching from it.