After being disapointed that the Shield was a little too tall for pocket carry, i think I have figured out what the probable next steps will be......

I would expect after many many Shields are sold, after S&W squeezes EVERY last profit dollar out of the series, there will be a "compact" version offered with a round shorter magazine

The folks that love the shield will immediately line up and buy the compact version of it. (yeah.... Me too)

It would be the only pocketable pistol with an short trigger and reset under $500.

It will sell in great quantities

I love my M&P 45C.... I would like a pocket pistol in 9mm that has a similar trigger pull.

Maybe next year
Or.... My crystal ball might be cloudy.......

I hope so, I'd like to see it be about an inch shorter in the butt.
Its pretty cool as is though.

What are the odds someone will do a grip reduction and offer a smaller mag?
Bowie Tactical will cut down a full size M&P to make it accept compact mags so you get more concealability with a longer barrel sight radius. I give it 6-12 months before Wolff/Apex/etc come out with a compact mag.

It's best to blame my misspelled words on autocorrect.

Dean:
You just need some baggier pants with deeper pockets.

Lol.....

I have a kahr CM9, that is the perfect size..... I just dont like the looooooonnnnnngggg trigger.......

When i shoot the Kahr, then the M&P, my accurracy blows on the M&P.....

I would rather have a small M&P to fit the pocket

Mine fits fine in the pocket of my shorts in a Blackhawk size 3 pocket holster. I haven't tried in in my Levis or slacks. It also fits in my M&P9c Crossbreed SuperTuck and Galco Stinger OWB.

Fits and draws quickly are different in most cases?

Have you tried to draw it?

Don't think it will ever happen. I question if it is possible to make a striker fired pistol as small as a BG.380 in a 9mm and be safe. I doubt it. Personally, I would never buy a 9mm the same size as a BG.380 for several reasons.

Grip reductions are done with the circumference, not the length.
Here is a full size M&P that was done..



Really .. why bother shortening the grip when you can just buy a compact? The compact does not have that much less recoil as the full to bother. It's just not worth the expense either.

I have had it out shooting only two times...just got it last Tuesday, and yes I have gone though a few drills drawing from the pocket. I have also spent about an hour practicing dry fire in the house using Snap Caps. I have gotten almost as fast with it as with my 642 in a pocket holster. I am using the 7 round magazine, the 8 round I carry on my belt.

I carried my M&P 9C in the right front pocket of my shorts all day today. No problem. I expect the Shield will fit nicely.

Maybe you do need baggy shorts. But not around your ankles baggy.

I'm sure the engineers at S&W took the design to the limit for CCW. While I have a PM9 and really like it,. I dont' think the "Shield" needs to be any smaller than the 7 shot mag. While I carry a 340PD every day in my pocket. I don't think that pocket carry is prefered. Only my overweight condition endears me to that at the moment!

I have used two sizes of "pocket" carry gun for several years. Depending on the pants, pocket size dictates what I can carry.

With blue jeans, the front pocket is small enough that I am limited to a Seecamp 32 in a Del Fatti pocket holster, or an LCP in a Nemesis.

With Dockers or similar, the front pocket is plenty large enough for an LC9 in a Nemesis. Of course, about a week ago, the LC9 went into the "for sale or trade" category and the Shield with the 7 round mag replaced it. The Shield uses the same Nemesis which DeSantis lists for the PPS, by the way.

So... for me it depends on the pocket, but the Shield is a very practical pocket carry gun. If I move to a belt holster under a jacket or shirt tail, it's time to put on an M&P compact.

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Bill
NRA Lifer

The Shield is a good pocket carry gun. I've posted pictures before of the shield as it compares to the size of my J-frame.




There is only one pair of jeans that the shield can't fit (nor can any gun) and that is my official skinny boy jeans

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Excellent comparison pics

Forgive me and i will take the beatings as they come. BUT i could never really grasp "pocket Carry" they only true pocket carry weapon i have is the KelTec 380 (awesome weapon). And i very rarley carry that. I have a Ruger LC9 and will prob buy the Shield when it becomes available in my State.
IMO when you pocket carry you leave yourself at a great disadvantage, in the even you need to draw your weapon. Seated in a car, getting into a physical confrontation carrying grocery bags etc etc. again just my opinion, I also understand the the climate dictates what and how people carry. The weather here (boston) does get hot in the summer time but i am sure nothing like the south. I have NO problem concealing my Full size M&P 45, Glock 19,Kimber Pro carry II, or any other of my larger weapons. Currently i carry the LC9 in a Mitch Rosen Pancake holster under a Tshirt, I can do the same with my larger weapons as well. I wear a tank top under my Tshirt to prevent the weapon from rubbing against my body and from sweating. Also 5.11 makes some great casual conceal shirts with snaps that look like buttons, wider fit in the waist area with velcro closure actually considered a dress shirt.
again just my opinion
thanks
1SG
Out

MP1SG,
Right on!
Depending upon YOUR chosen firearm for Carry, YOU must make corrections to your wardrobe.
Some people just want to wish for a full size 1911 that carries well with flip flops and them wearing their SPEED-O. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way, that is unless you weigh 650lbs.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

I am with you on that *pocket carry* with your primary. IMO .. better/safer to have a good holster, and leave the pocket carry
for your BUG (something like the BG.380) The Shield was not designed to be for pocket carry, but S&W knew that some would do that anyways .. hence they designed the safety as low profile as possible. The Shield makes a great IWB pistol option for those who wanted a comfortable IWB gun.

If i am running to the store, i dont want to take the time to clip on the Crossbreed.

The CM9 fits in 100 % of all my pants pockets.

It draws fast if i am standing up.

If i am sitting down, all i need to do is turn a bit to the side, and it draws easily. If the pistol were any taller, it would seem to catch more.


The shield COULD be a great pocket carry ith one less bullet.

No big design changes, just shorten the handle, and make a magazine with one fewer bullet.

It would be easy, and....... IMHO, it would fit the growing demand for pocket carry of a 9 mm.

I think its already on the drawing board.


The kahr people are making 1000's of CM9s to keep up with the demand.

That loooonng trigger pull is a safety for pocket carry. The Kahr is hammer fired, not striker fired like the Shield is. You want a SAFE pocket carry from S&W, buy the BG.380, and that is hammer fired too.
You shorten the grip on the Shield you will add to the recoil. How safe will that be with a striker fire that can rapid fire? No thanks.

Sorry you don't like your gun....I think the Shield is just fine...it carries as easily as my S&W 624 and has more rounds, even better because it is narrower than a revolver. I only carry the Shield in my pocket about 40% of the time, otherwise it is in my Crossbreed. I have a holster mounted in my truck for my M&P9c and the Shield fits perfectly as well.

Being that the gun is selling so fast and that many guns shops have sold all their stock, I am sure you will have no trouble finding a buyer for your gun.

I'm pretty sure Kahr's are striker fired.

My bad .. you are correct.

The Kahr is not hammer fired

The kahr recoil is VERY tame with the CM9

What are you talking about?

I dont have a shield

I will probably still get one, i just think that they will probably offer one that will pocket carry in the future

IMO .. and it's just my opinion for what it's worth (or not) I just don't see that happening. Too much of the Shield *goodness* would be lost by making it smaller .. like more recoil, smaller round capacity. When you get your hands on one .. you will understand better what I am trying to convey (ps .. my trigger weight is @ 4lbs .. not the stock 6.5) From what I gather Kahr makes a great slim 9 with a smooth trigger (it's just loonng) The only gun I pocket carry is a small .22WMR NAA holster grip in sweat pants around the house.

The two trigger pulls are definitely different. The trigger pull on the CM9 is similar to a double action only revolver, minus the noticeable cylinder flick you can feel w/ the revolver. For that size firearm w/o any external safety, having a long trigger pull helps prevent accidental discharges. Compared to most DAO snubs, or the BG380, the Kahr is noticeably smoother and lighter. I own both a 642 and BG380, I know for a fact that I can shoot the CM9 much better than either. My guess is that if S&W offers a "mini" Shield, the trigger pull will be heavier, similar to the BG380.

Pocket carry for me is as much a function of weight as size. the Shield weighs in at 19 oz. Add 2 oz for 7rounds of 9mm and you are at 21oz which is pretty heavy in a pocket. Thats only about 3 oz lighter than a PPK. My 337 weighs in at 13.3 oz loaded. Hate to say this-cause I really like the little gun-but I really can't justify it over a J frame.

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Forum consigliere

The gun is fine , quit trying to over think it.

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STUBBORN AS A MISSOURI MULE...

I agree with you. I think weight is the most important feature of pocket carry. Hard to beat a PF9 (12oz) or airweight j frame without going to mouse guns.

Seems the shield is competing with the M&P compact's. If I got a shield I would probably sell my 9c. The full size and shield would have you covered. The compacts would be better for the one gun person. I expect we'll see a lot of used M&P compacts going up for sale.

Not selling my compact.