What is a good alternative to the Shield?

jayman9207

jayman9207

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Looks like after the dent to the pocketbook from Xmas has settled a bit we are both going to take a CHL class together. It is only a matter of time before we are lucky enough to find an M&P9 Shield but in the meantime we were hoping for some suggestions for another similar carry gun. I've only looked at a couple smaller guns so far. The only two I have peeked at are the LC9 and the Nano. I like the general size of those. My brother really likes his LCP but I'm not so sure I want a pocket gun. We are leaning towards a thinner gun and would kind of prefer a 9mm but are open. Once again your suggestions and help are greatly appreciated!
 
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If you can find one, I'd go with a CS9. There are a couple in the classifieds, but I forget the details.

I like the look of the Shield and when supply catches up with demand, I might buy one. Still, I think the 3rd generation semis are overall superior firearms. If you can find one of the rare double action only versions, they are slightly more narrow in the slide area. Which makes them just that much more concealable.
 
I looked at the Nano and LC9, and ended up going to the Kahr PM9. I can actually shoot my Kahr more accurately than my M&P9C, and it's much more comfortable to wear and conceal. The Kahr has a l-o-n-g trigger pull that some may not like, but I find it smooth and predictable, excellent for this use. The CM9 (I think that's it) is less expensive than the PM9.
 
I have a Kahr CW9 that I really like. I believe it's slightly smaller than a Shield, too. The CW9 is a little less than a Shield, but only comes with one mag. By the time you buy another mag, prices are very close.
 
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I highly recommend the Smith & Wesson M&P 40C. I have a 9mm Shield (for my Wife) but I carry the M&P 40C. Price is about the same but you get 10 rounds instead of 7 or 8 rounds. 40S&W has more stopping power than the 9mm. Ammo is slightly more expensive than 9mm but your(and mine) life is worth the extra dollars.
 
I have both a Kahr CM9 and CW45. The CW34 and CW9 are comparable in size. I usually CCW the CM9 unless I have a long shirt on because I use OWB holsters. The Kahra are well made and dependable.
 
Don't get fooled by 'Feel' alone. Try to find someone who rents the pistols that will fall into your short list. Many that feel great at the counter have triggers that you might not like, or recoil that's snappier than what you want to put up with in a carry pistol.

The LC9 has a very long DAO revolver style pull and a snappy recoil. Same with many of the single-stacks weighing less than 18oz (just something to ponder). Many quickly dumped their LC9s when they got their Shield. Many Kahr and Nano owners did the same.

I've heard pro & con about the Nano. Seems like people either love it, or hate it. If you can scrounge up about $600, the Sig P938 is a very nice mini 1911 and from recent reports, it looks like Kimber has worked out the problems it had last year with the Solo.

By all means, let your Wife pick out her own pistol. Whatever you choose for her, no matter how good it is, will be WRONG. :)

Since it's going to be a carry pistol, you need to take your time and make sure you'll actually feel good enough with it that you'll actually carry it, rather than leaving it home (for any variety of reasons).
Good luck in your hunt!
 
Depends on how much you want to spend and what type of pistol you want. Of the striker fired single stack 9MM pistols you have the Walther PPS and Kahr PM9 / CM9 among the best. If you prefer hammer fired and / or 1911 style you can look at the Ruger LC9 and Sig Sauer P938 or one of the other Sigs available. Many different types to choose from, all quality pistols. Boils down to personal preference.
 
You can buy a CW9 for $350-375, if you shop hard. I got one for $335 awhile ago, but have not seen one quite that cheap lately.
 
1. Sights: CW has a pinned front sight, PM has a drift adjustable front sight (which is easier to swap for night sights)

2. Rifling: CW has convential cut rifling, PM has "match grade" polygonal rifling (both have Lothar Walther stainless barrels)

3. Slide: CW has fewer maching operations on the exterior and uses more angular edges, PM9 is more rounded

4. Slide stop lever: CW has a MIM lever, PM has machined lever

5. Rollmarking: CW has simple engraving of model and manufacturer, PM has actual rollmark

6. Magazine: CW includes one magazine, PM includes two


CW9
Length: 5.9"
Height: 4.5"
Thickness: 0.90"
Weight: 15.8 ounces w/o magazine (magazine weighs 1.9 ounces)
Barrel: 3.6" stainless steel with conventional rifling, 1:10" RH twist
Sights: drift adjustable white bar-dot combat rear sight, pinned polymer front sight
Capacity: 7+1 (single magazine included)
Ammunition: 9mm +P rated

PM9
Length: 5.3"
Height: 4.0"
Thickness: 0.90"
Weight: 14 ounces w/o magazine (magazine weighs 1.9 ounces)
Barrel: 3.0" stainless steel with polygonal rifling, 1:10" RH twist
Sights: drift adjustable white bar-dot combat sights, tritium optional
Capacity: 6+1 with flush floorplate, 7+1 with magazine extension (both magazines included)
Ammunition: 9mm +P rated

Related by Shanzlik out of TX on TheFiringline forum.
 
The Ruger LC9 has a long trigger pull, has already been mentioned, and I'm not a fan (I had one.) Ruger makes a compact gun, the SR9c, which is a good pistol and it very inexpensive compared to others in this category.

Kahr guns, IMO, have very good triggers...they may be long, but they feel very smooth and light. You can get a CW9 for a very reasonable price, but the mags are (IMO) expensive...but then, what mags aren't these days?

S&W M&P9c is a very good choice, and is a very good carry gun. You have the advantage of higher capacity, interchangeable back straps, and you can use the full size M&P 9 magazines in the compact, for shooting at the range, etc.

I can't comment on the Beretta Nano, since I've never owned one...but I have had other Berettas, and their CS is poor. The 92FS/M9 is very reliable, however, but it's not in the category you are looking for.

Taurus makes some small carry guns, like the PT709 Slim, but I wouldn't recommend any Taurus products (after having owned a few.)

You could consider a Glock 26, but it is a fairly chunky handgun, compared to the M&P9c or especially the Shield.

Bersa has out a slim 9mm, the BP9CC, which is comparable to the Shield, and reasonably priced. I owned one very briefly, and then traded it...mine had a trigger that was scary light. I mean, it couldn't have been 2 pounds! That's just too light for a gun with no safety. They are noted for having a light trigger, and maybe mine was just an unusual case, since at the time the LGS didn't have any others to compare it with. I would definitely dry fire it in the store, if you consider that model!
 
Since I've had no luck getting my hands on a M&P Shield and I'm starting to get tired of waiting, I'm considering the Bersa BP9cc and the Kahr CW9. I've heard great things about both of these guns, the major difference between the two are the triggers.

The Kahr CW9 has a longer pull but is said to be quite smooth (6-7lbs?), and the Bersa BP9cc has a light trigger (3-4lbs? maybe too light for some peoples carry preference?) with very little take up then an immediate break and minimal reset. The Bersa comes with 2 mags and I've seen it priced from $340 to $380. I've handled both of these guns and they both felt great. Although I haven't shot either one of them so I cannot comment on that, maybe someone else can?

M&P Shield 9mm Specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7 & 8
Action: Striker Fire
Barrel Length: 3.1"
Front Sight: White Dot
Rear Sight: White 2-Dot
Weight: 19.0 oz
Length: 6.1"
Height: 4.6"
Width: .95"

Trigger Pull: 6.5 lbs. +/-

Bersa Specs:
Caliber: 9MM
Capacity: 8+1
Action: Short reset DAO
Barrel Length: 3.3"
Front Sight: White Dot
Rear Sight: White 2-Dot
Weight: 21.5 oz.
Length: 6.35"
Height: 4.8"
Width: .94
 
Depending on how you define carry gun.....You might want to consider a used 3913 or 3953. They are bigger but they are darn nice guns....these were the compact guns of a few years ago before the more plastic ones took over. Utterly dependable.
 
:cool:I had a Shield in 9mm but was made an offer I could not refuse, so it went. I recently shot a friend's SA XD-S and I immediately liked it. Why? It is in .45 ACP, it is very concealable, it is reasonably priced, it is accurate and very manageable. I love mine, have put around 100 rounds of various ammo through it with ZERO failures. Another alternative is the G36, which is less bulky than the G25, accurate, and very reliable. Here is a review of the XD-S. Good Luck in your search and decision.

Gun Review: Springfield Armory XD-S .45 ACP | The Truth About Guns
 
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