For concealed carry only. Will not be used for home defense (12g for that).

I am small framed and I am leaning toward selling my M&Pc and getting a Shield. I happen to find one fairly local and I think I'm going to go ahead and buy it up. I may just have to decode after I buy it.

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M&P Shield 9

I did carry the Shield 40 for a while and although comfortable I was uncomfortable with the small difference in size verses firepower and accuracy.

The Shields trigger actually hurts to fire it too much it seems to slap my trigger finger after pulling it. I now use it only as a back up and am back to my 40 compact which I handle very well and while it is a little more uncomfortable to carry it is with me everyday!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

My problem is that I don't carry my compact that much because its uncomfortable. The shield is only 3 shots less and that's still more than revolvers, which people always recommend for concealed carry.

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M&P Shield 9

The Shield is not a target pistol, it is not a hunting pistol, it is a self defense and deterrent pistol. Civilian self defense is within 5-20 feet. We trained 2 to the body 1 to the head so you have 6 shots to get the job done if you ever get into 2 perp. situation. In 45+ years I never had to draw my weapon. The Shield is a dream to carry in a Crossbreed or similar holster.

Well said.

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M&P Shield 9

+1 on the M&Pc

The grass is always greener. The shield is not that much smaller, and you give up ammo. I don't know about you but in a situation like that I want as many chances to hit BG as I can get, with a full size mag+xgrip as backup in case he has a bunch of friends.

Love it!
I have (just got) a .40c and I have not found a perfect carry method for me yet. IWB. But I am going to keep trying.
I upgraded from a 439 which was very flat for a full size pistol.
I like the lager caliber in the .40c and the extra rounds.
You all remember the 439 has a 8 shot mag.

If you wanted to pocket carry then I would go with the shield but it seems like this isn't what you want to do. I would go with the compact since it does have more fire power and is a bit more easier to handle.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

The Shield is NOT a pocket pistol.

IMHO, if you have a decent holster, like a Crossbreed, Theis, or similar, the difference between carrying the two won't matter a whole lot, but the Shield will hide a little better.

baccusboy:

I feel like a broken record. I don't mean to disrespect you but If I had a shell for every time I got on this forum to explain that my Shield is a POCKET gun I would own a case of shells.

I will say it for the one-millionth time.

The stock rear Shield sight catches on most average size pockets (34 x 32 pleated slacks in my case) when you do a quick draw.

If you stick with the flush magazine and change out the stock sights for XS Big Dot the rear XS sight which is a lower profile sight with rounded edges and beveled forward design will not catch even with quick pocket draws.

I wear 34 x 32 pleated slacks from Sam's Club and the front pocket is very average in size and for 10 hours per day I POCKET conceal my Shield 9mm and no one in my office has a clue. (I am very mobile at work and the Shield in my pocket is just fine)

I practice drawing my Shield from my Desanti model E1 and in 1 1/2 seconds I can pocket draw, sweep safety, acquire target, and dry fire.

The Shield trumps the compact for concealment because thinness is critical for pocket concealment and the M&PC9 is 1/4 inch thicker which will stand out in average pant pockets and scream gun. I know I have tried pocket concealing the Glock 26 which is just as thick as the M&PC9 and it screams gun from my pocket.

If a person plans to IWB you can get away with a double stack like the M&P compact, however, I am not interested in wearing a second layer of clothing to cover the holster especially in 100 degree weather.

The Shield provides more concealment options over the compact, has a better trigger and is 100% reliable and that is why I own the Shield.

Russ

Amen Russ, pocket carry all the way. After owning a Kahr PM40, CM9, K9 and a Diamondback 9(junk by the way), I definitely lean towards all guns pocketable. The Shield works for me. IWB I would still favor the Shield. Night stand or house gun, the Compact or full size would be preferable.

Is that a Shield in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?

Glad it works for you. I am also a fan of the XS sights... will get some some day.

Very funny

Russ

The Shield may not qualify as a pocket pistol for you, but it seems to fill that role for a number of people. I like my M&P40c also, but it has different carry characteristics than the Shield.

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Dave Frost

A bit off the main subject, but where are the Shields available?
I live in Arkansas, and have been on several waiting lists, and the story I keep getting is; " none are coming in". Is this true throughout the USA??

The only one I found in the whole state was at Wilkins Brothers in Russellville. I drove 2 hours to get it.

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M&P Shield 9

"There are reasons the FBI, 'most' police departments, etc., issue the GLOCK pistol - simplicity and RELIABILITY!"

Don't forget that Glock will almost give their guns to LEA's in order to have the bragging rights. Glocks are good guns but a lot of them are in LE due to financial considerations.

With all the trouble with the Shield....go with the compact.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

There you go again. Seems you're not paying attention!!

MP22:

The only trouble I see with the Shield 9mm is finding one to buy.

Russ

Same here friend, none to be had easy in CT

I own the M&P Shield 9 mm. I also have an M&P 22 for target shooting, and an M&P 45 for home defense as well as an M&P 15 Sport. I carry the Shield every day. I work for the Courts in NH as a Court Security Officer, and got the Shield to use as my every day, all day long CCW. It is perfect for the application. We wear a sport coat daily and the Shield is very unobtrusive to wear in the Courtroom, as well as comfortable in the Disantis pancake holster. It is very light and feels good on the hip. I carry two 8 round mags and one in the pipe. I can't imagine any situation that it might not perform perfectly given this application. I do like the 8 round mag for the fit for my hand, actually better that the 9 or 40 compact. I have had zero problems with any of the M&P's. I think each has it's own application and purpose in what ever we do. I think the M&P line is actually well designed and there is an M&P for every task, that we as Law Enforcement in our daily duties, or just gun owners and enthusiasts in life could encounter.

Ditto. I've been looking for weeks and am staring to wonder if they actually exist!

My dealer says his suppliers just laugh at him when he asks for Shields.

Really? Again?

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Dave Frost

"With all the trouble"??? Beside some of the Shield40s having the mag drop issue, what other trouble has there been?

If it's only for easy carry, go with the shield. The mag drop has been solved.
I wouldn't sell the C though until after getting the Shield and deciding you like the shield enough to actually carry it. You'd hate to wish you hadn't gotten rid of the C.

If you feel 7 or 8 rounds isn't enough, get comfy with the 'C'.

(BTW: There will never be a 'Once and for all'.

M&P9c is actually shorter than the Shield. Better choice for concealed carry IMHO.

I bought a Glock 26 Gen 4 that I carry. Bought a 9 mm Shield last April. Carried the Shield but prefer the Glock. Shot a 9 c and like it. May be weird but I like a thicker gun. Thinking of trading my Shield for a 9 C. I shot the 9c better than the Shield.

9c in a Crown Holster.

Welcome to Crown Holsters!

I they still have the Shield in the morning, I think I'm going to buy it regardless. If I don't like it, I'm sure ill be able to sell it.

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M&P Shield 9

Exactly what I did. It's a nice gun, just not as nice as my 9c :-)

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Dave

Shield is a fine piece, but the M&Pc 40 I own is what is on me 99% of the time. If I could only have one it would be the M&P compact, finest all around pistol ever made. Even on my nightstand as a back up to the mossy & M4, I pick the compact over my 2 full size M&Ps, but YMMV.

Don't own a shield, but love my compact. Traded off my Glock 26 for it, and never looked back.

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M&P9/9C/Shieldx2/Sportx2/15-22

Bought the 40c (LE Version) mid August. 1,000 rounds through it already and flawless performance. An excellent weapon and my preferred carry pistol.

I voted compact simply because all these shield threads have completely taken over the board. Really needs its on area.

I've got a 40C that's my "daily carry" around the house. A rotation of a pair of small 1911's "outside"....

I'm trying to swap my 9C for a Shield 40, just for the "pocketable" aspects, but may still cancel that deal if my dealer can't get one in a reasonable amount of time.

I see nothing wrong with the Shield v.s. the 40C or 9C except the 40C is fairly comfortable to shoot, the Shield 40 will be less so.

Just IMHO, of course....

It's best to shoot both and see what suits you.

Regards,

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Stu.

I own a 9c and keep it for HD with the long magazine and the grip adapter. It's just too wide for CC unless I use something like a Galco Miami Classic, which in the heat has it's own troubles.
Geoff
Who has a Kahr 9094N in that slot.

I have decided to keep my 40c and just learn to carry it. After all the reviews and youtube videos I have watched, I have concluded that the size difference isn't enough to matter and there is practically no weight difference. I am going to get a versacarry today and see if that helps my carry problem.

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M&P Shield 9

Absolutely love my 9c in a versacarry.

Although the Shield is a bit slimmer, the overall size is pretty much the same. For IWB carry, just loosen your belt a little and carry a few more rounds. Why spend another $400 on a gun that holds less rounds? If you're comfortable with the Shield be my guest, but when it comes down to protecting my family and myself, I choose the C.

That's the exact same thing that I did, and what I concluded. When you compare the two and what you give up it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to switch!

I have owned full size M&Ps, Compacts, and now have two Shields (well, my wife has one and I have one.) I have had the full size in .45 and 9mm, and the compact in .45 and 9mm. I have only had the Shield in 9mm.

I have to say that for carry, the Shield is my favorite. I have small hands, and it just fits me perfectly. I really like that it doesn't have a rail. For home defense, I might prefer a M&P in .45, but it is a small margin. I wouldn't mind relying on my Shield for HD as well.

Just voted and it was 29 to 29 50/50, Seems like either will do just fine. I have both and voted for the shield as it carries so comfortable at 4:00 for me. I have the 9C set up for HD with a micro 90 light and CT grip laser and X-grip so I have 17+1 shots. For me its the best of both worlds.

I like my 9c. I feel the size and weight difference isnt worth giving up round count. When you can use full size mags in the 9c. I carry mine in a Galco king tuk holster.

Different strokes different folks. Just glad S&W listens to its customers and puts out a little something for everyone. I voted Shield, but my opinion is biased as I only own the Shield and have never even shot the 9c. Personally I want a 9c just for the extra rounds at the range and all, but feel the Shield is as big as I want to go for EDC and anything bigger it might be uncomfortable to carry.

+1

My Shield fills my pocket.

The compact would look ridiculous as a pocket gun and IWB I would go full size.

Russ

I have both but if I had to choose one it would be the 9c. I like both but the 9c just feels better in hand and I find it conceals just as easy.

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I just bought the Compact today, so that's the route I'm voting!

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1/* ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

Voted for the 9c just works perfect for me

I voted for the shield -- if I want more rounds, I will carry OWB, my Sig 226 combat with my 18 round clips

for carry, though, the shield is easy to conceal

Just remember that in order to gain something you have to give up something and that is mainly control and recoil. A wider heavier gun distributes the recoil over a much wider path and reduces recoil as well as gives you better control. Also note that the new Shields are being bumped up quite a bit do to demand. If this is so in your case i would check around and i would wait till the market settles and then buy one and not overpay for one now just because there the newest and latest craze. You got along this far with your C model, I'm sure it will be OK for a while yet. Besides just think if they did not come out with the Shield!!!

Just some good old Horse sense. In any event Good Luck Panther.