shield & compact

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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.
 
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.
 
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.


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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.
 
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?

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.
 
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.
 
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 can't tell the difference between one and the other carrying. The C is less than 1/2 an inch thicker than the Shield
 
who owens both, & what rolls do they play.

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

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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