What are you carrying? Sub-Compact, Compact, or Full Size

[kstud]

Curious as to what the S&W ladies and gentlemen carry and why?

My current inventory includes: Shield 9, Taurus PT111 G2, and a M&P Full Size Crimson Trace.

I've been carrying my M&P Full Size AIWB and it's perfectly comfortable comparable to any double stack I've tried (compact, Glocks, Springfield, etc…). Only drawback is the longer barrel of the Full Size which makes it uncomfortable when sitting but I've found some a trick to counter this by pulling up my pants a little when sitting.

Obviously, there are advantages and disadvantages to carrying a sub-compact (shield), compact (PT111 G2), and full size (M&P9).

My personal experiences:

Shield:
- Slim, light, comfortable, and easily concealable
- Recoil and muzzle flip is difficult to control without practice.
- Low round count.
- Fantastic manual safety. Literally no chance of accidental engagement/disengagement.

Taurus PT111 G2:
- Same profile as the shield except width.
- Double stack (12+1)
- Better recoil than Shield
- Shorter barrel/slide than FS when carrying.
- Good compromise between SC and Full Size.

M&P9 Full Size
- Softest shooter among the 3 with literally no recoil or muzzle flip allowing quick follow up shots.
- Nice beaver tail and full size grip.
- Capacity (17+1), lesser need of mag change. I've put about 500+ rounds through the M&P9 with a single mag and am confident in the primary mag not to fail during a SD.
- Very fun range gun. I've switched to 3" splatter targets when shooting with the M&P9 CT laser because it's so easy to group (7, 10, 15, and 25 yards).
- Big, heavy, and uncomfortable to carry compare to the SC and compact. More difficult to conceal.
- Large and intimidating, not many will mistake a Big Black Full Size with a laser dot on target as a peashooter.


I haven't touched my other pistols since acquiring the Full Size…it's just so fun to shoot and train with. Trigger is amazing, accuracy is phenomenal with the CT Laser, and the comfort of carrying 17+1 with the rounds to deal with a wider variety of situations is very soothing.

 

[timn8er]

I carry a 40 Shield, which will be replaced by a 45 Shield when it gets here...

 

[fr3db3ar]

I carry a m&p full size iwb, I agree that it can pinch. I carry a cz 75b owb.

Sent from somewhere in the time space continuum

 

[Magload]

Bodyguard in a pocket holster in the summer and a 9mm Shield IWB when it gets cooler. Might even carry my S. A. 1911 R O.

 

[MetalMan]

I own 5 handguns that I carry in my EDC rotation....

For Winter carry -
1. Kimber Custom Classic in Bianchi shoulder holster or Custom Stingray OWB holster (made by my brother-in-law)
2. Kimber Ultra Carry in custom Ken Campbell small-of-back holster

For Other Seasons -
1. Model 36 in Mika Pocket Holster
2. Model 60-15 in Milt Sparks VMII IWB
3. Model 66-4 in custom "Snubbyfan" holster or Galco Combat Master (both OWB)

 

[sheepdawg]

I carry a 9mm. Shield and a Colt Cobra.

 

[Bonephish]

I rotate, depending on mood...

New .45 Shield
M&P 9C
Sig P938
Various pocket and mouse guns.

 

[garddogg56]

BG 380 for me and a LCP Gen II for my wifevery happy with both

 

[kmanick]

I alternate depending on the weather and what I can wear
between a shield 9 and a Springfield Armory XDM 3.8 .45

 

[colt_saa]

Curious as to what the S&W ladies and gentlemen carry and why?

That is not an easy question to answer.

The collection that I have to choose from is more robust than the average firearms enthusiast

What I carry depends on what I am doing that day, where I am doing it and the manner in which I am dressed. I always carry the heaviest/largest firearm(s) that the situation allows.

I have either a J-frame or a Boberg(recent addition) with me almost every day for the last 35 years. These are mostly pocket or angle carried

With the current onslaught of Radical Islamic Terrorism I now usually have a larger size firearm on my hip as well. Most commonly is a M&P357 or my 3566 Compact. Once I finish the converion, I will transition to an M&P chamberd in 356TSW

When I am unable to carry a fullsize pistol one is always waiting back in the Vehicle I am driving that day. Along with spare ammunition

Then there are special occasions where a BBQ Gun is called for......Weddings, Funerals, Graduations, Inaugurations, BBQs, etc. For those days I have both special firearms and holsters.

 

[cb4017]

I carry a Shield 9mm. It's small enough that I can pocket carry, it has decent sights and enough caliber and capacity to get the job done.

 

[Old cop]

Last two years it's been a no laser M&P .380 replaced last week by the Ruger LCP. For over 40 years before that it was one J frame model or another. UPDATE 2018: The LCP developed problems w/the mag popping out while being carried in a pocket holster so I pulled my 340PD out of the safe and have been pocket carrying that for about the last month. Before making the switch I took the little J frame to the range and put another 100 rounds through to reacquaint myself w/the revolver platform.

 

[radar1972]

M&P 9c or BG380, depending on situation and/or attire.

 

[coachray]

I carry a Shield 9mm most often, and on occasion a BG380

 

[Ranger514]

Around town and while traveling, my usual is a 9mm subcompact, a Sig P290RS.

 

[michael380]

BG 380 in pocket holster year round. Work, church, shopping, functions, 24/7. No one knows it is there regardless of dress, occasion and seasons. The only time it is not with me is when I take my daily shower but still close by.

 

[ScottN]

M&P 9c for cooler weather when I wear something like jeans, tshirt and a hoodie. Ruger LCR 357 for lightweight IWB carry or pocket carry with larger pockets. Glock 42 for smaller pocket carry. That's how I roll...I mean carry.

 

[gunny4053]

Depends on the day. Today it's my Shield .45, slim, accurate, easy to carry. Some other day it may be my Kimber Pro Carry II, yet another may be the model 49. Whatever makes me feel good that day.

 

[Smoke]

At work M&P40
Not at work M&P9
At home M&P9C

 

[Dvan34]

SW MP Shield .40 caliber. IWB, Alien Gear Tuck holster, cross draw. Alien Gear doesn't mention it for cross draw but it does fine. I have XS Combat sights, and LaserMax installed. I have used the for CCW about 3 years. Sometimes up to 12 hours a day, and driving in 110 degrees. Very comfortable. Distributes the pistol's weight very well.