M&P 9 Shield vs Ruger SR9c

I shot both the Shield 40cal and the SR40 today. The triggers on the SR9c and the SR40c were upgraded a couple of years ago. The triggers of today are far superior to what they were. I don't have an Apex in my shield, but the trigger on my SR40c smokes the Shield. I like them both and won't part with either.They both conceal carry well.

I was wrong on the introduction of the Rugers. It was a year and a half ago. Also the trigger on the LC9 is a different animal. It is a long and awkward pull. The trigger releases to far back in the trigger guard. This is a safety feature of course, but it cannot be compared to any of the M&PS. More like a Kahr, but not as smooth.

Found a Shield 40 at the LGS today and handled it. Wow did it feel nice in my hands. Compared it to an LC9 and I didnt care for the LC9 as far as how it felt. I know this is a better comparison than comparing the Shield to a SR9c. From what I see, the Shield is big enough for what I want. Only problem was they wanted $599 for it...no way.

My wife just picked up a LC9 in the limited edition fully engraved 1 of 1500..This will be her CCW. The engraving is so nice and so well done she fell in love with the gun as soon as she seen it.. Real engraving not laser engraved.. Now she needed something really small as she is a tiny girl with even tinier hands..OK The trigger in the LC9 is a little heavy and long but not bad..It is so smooth out out of the box too.With it's It's pull so smooth your better off not trying to stage it at all so it's smooth and very clean not a hint of anything I would dislike and I'm fussy.. Break is also clean and quick like a glass rod and I don't say that often.. I have a few full size M&P's .22 and .45 and numerous other gun but none of then fit her well.. I was not about to say no when she wanted it.. Darn good looking gun too.. I like the LC9.. I'm a 1911 guy myself.. Though the M&P's have grown on me a lot.. Hope this helps somehow..I like the lc9 it's a well built gun. trigger, safty and slide release are made out of steel too.. Very well done and heavy chaise too. All trigger and transfer bars are behind or on the out side of the chaise in this way they stay clean to keep functionally up IMO! We have not shot this gun yet just got it the other day.. George

I have both, LC9 and Shield 40 with 9mm barrel. I like both,but if forced to choose, go with the Shield. LC9 is more pocket carry size. Shield trigger better and convertible with 40 to 9mm. Fortunately now we are not forced to only 1 gun. Unless Obama has his way. Live FREE. Enjoy our rights.

I had an LC9. Notice the word "had." Never liked the trigger on the gun and honestly, the sights sucked. just never really got comfortable with the gun and sold it.

I had played with a Shield over the holidays but never had the opportunity to shoot it. The fit and finish was so much better than the LC9. After finally being able to shoot mine last weekend, the trigger on the Shield was so much smoother right out of the box.

Just added some TruGlo's today so it just got better! The old eyes just aren't what they used to be.

SR9c versus M&P shield

This thread is comparing apples to oranges, a compact double stack versus a subcompact single stack. Both are great guns. If I had to use the gun to defend myself, I would greatly prefer the SR9C with it's sweet trigger and 10 round capacity, and slightly longer barrel. In lighter clothing, the Shield would be the most concealable.
Ignore the comments from those who have not owned an SR9c, it is a very nice gun for IWB holster carry but too heavy for pocket carry. The Shield is also a little big and heavy for pocket carry and would be best carried in a IWB holster.
Both guns have manual safeties that you can use or ignore, key is to be consistent and either use it 100% or use it 0%.

kisportolt said:

Didn't want to be the only one to mention cosmetics, but I completely agree! The extended mag with the shorter barrel of the compact makes the SR9c look odd, the grip/barrel length ratio seems off. To me at least..others may think differently.

Click to expand...

To me, I love all extended mags.. they are my reloads / spare mags. They are for go, not for show, or for look.

One of the reason I keep my Blocks .. I have some G17 mags that I can feed them into my G26 and G19 ... not to mention the ***** 33 rounders that I can plug that into... LOL,.. but it is just for range fun ... and when SHTF.. LOL

Anyhoo... I only carry my ccw in their standard mag.

dhsurg said:

This thread is comparing apples to oranges, a compact double stack versus a subcompact single stack. Both are great guns. If I had to use the gun to defend myself, I would greatly prefer the SR9C with it's sweet trigger and 10 round capacity, and slightly longer barrel. In lighter clothing, the Shield would be the most concealable.
Ignore the comments from those who have not owned an SR9c, it is a very nice gun for IWB holster carry but too heavy for pocket carry. The Shield is also a little big and heavy for pocket carry and would be best carried in a IWB holster.
Both guns have manual safeties that you can use or ignore, key is to be consistent and either use it 100% or use it 0%.

Click to expand...

+1. poeple typically compare SR9c with "compacts" like M&Pc, or G19.. some compare it with G26... in a way it is still valid as Block26 is NEVER a "subcompact" to my eyes ... (not a Block hater.. I do own a 19 and 26 .. but a 2x4 is a 2x4 ... they serve me as well as my Shield)

One feature I don't like on some of the recent Ruger autos is the magazine disconnect feature.

That would be a deal breaker for me in a defensive sidearm.

Edmo

Owned the SR, replaced it with the shield, that speaks volumes on its own.

DR

jonesy814 said:

I own both, but have only had the SR9c for about a month. Both are great pistols, and both have a great trigger. The Shield is definately more concealable, as it is about 3/4 of an inch shorter in barrel length, and quite a bit thinner than the Ruger. I am using the Ruger as my carry gun during the colder months, and will go back to the Shield for shorts and T-shirt weather. The nice thing about the Ruger is that it is not too bad to conceal with the 10rd magazine, and you can convert to a handful of fire power with the 17rd magazine. In this sense it is a dual purpose gun sort of. The Shield has concealability on its side, and is a few ounces lighter. You cant go wrong with either one, it just depends on what attributes you are looking for. Both have decent sights, and similar recoil and accuracy

Click to expand...

I also own both. I usually carry the Shield, especially around town. But when I'm out in the woods hiking, I carry the SR9c. I slightly prefer the Ruger's trigger, I slightly prefer the Shield's sights (larger dots). I am a little more accurate with the SR9c, but I have confidence that I will hit what I am aiming at either of them. Both are great pistols and I would not part with either of them. My Shield did replace my Ruger LC9, which I just could not shoot with accuracy.

Edmo said:

One feature I don't like on some of the recent Ruger autos is the magazine disconnect feature.

That would be a deal breaker for me in a defensive sidearm.

Edmo

Click to expand...

The SR9c mag disconnect is very easy to remove. (If I did it, it has to be simple!)

pyro said:

I have both the Shield 40cal and the SR40c. I don't compare them as they are two different pistols. Th SR40c has a great trigger, with zero take up and a crisp 6lb break. It is my house gun and it is also great for the range with the additional 15 round mag. The Shield needless to say is the better pocket gun, but the SR40c with the 9 round mag, carries very well inside or outside the waistband.

Click to expand...

I also have the 40cal Shield and the SR40c. The trigger on the Ruger SR40c is superior to the Shield and the LCP. Not even close. It also has a light and remains my house gun. Love the Shield for concealed carry but the trigger on the SR40c is close to perfect.

I think one has to pick up both pistols in ones hand. Go to a dealer you are comfortable with and work with each pistol in the shop. Take your time to handle each one look them over Maybe carry them with a holster that the dealer will let you use the way you would plan to carry it. Talk with the dealer too.. You can't really go buy " I sold my SR9c. LC9, or LCP because someone else say they shoot the shield better"! Heck I could shoot my 1911 better then the others because I have more time with it and it has a single action trigger that is light and crisp almost like breaking a glass rod. If Your going to be using your gun for self defense find the one that fits your needs size wise hand wise comfort wise as you will be carrying it more if you get the right one. You will learn to shoot what ever you get if you go to the range and practice.. Really don't matter what kind of trigger it has for S/defense as most encounters will happen in under or well under 25yards with most between about 15 feet to point blank range and your going to carry it only after you can shoot what your aiming at because of all that range time you have with it.. Now if you want something you can take to the range for a rage gun and a carry gun in one that will be hard IMO. Most have way more then one gun like a woman would justify jewelry is a good comparison. We, you would want to have the right gun for the task at hand from a full size gun to a high capacity gun to compact and sub compact gun.. Point is you learn how to shoot it.. George

If anyone is looking I have an sr9c two tone I'm letting go. Pm me or email me at [email protected]