I have had an M&P 9mm range and carry kit on backorder for quite a while now. I keep reading about how great the Shield is. I can only afford one handgun for quite a while so I want to pick the best for the long hall. I know these two guns are nothing alike and impossible to compare. I don't really plan on carrying but just in case I just signed up for a gun permit (Indiana). My main purpose of this gun is target shooting and home defense. That being said should I cancel my order and get a shield or just keep waiting full size? I think the wait is making me think too much but I wanted others opinions.

I have experience with the Shield but not the full size M&P. If I had to choose between the Shield and my full size 9MM - it would be the full size. The Shield is a very nice concealed carry weapon but I enjoy the benefits of the full size for target shooting and home defense. More confidence, likely more accurate, higher capacity etc. Just my opinion. Good luck.

If you can only have one, get the full size range and carry kit. It can still be concealed, and it is more versatile than the Shield, which is really just a carry gun more suitable for close in self-defense only. The full size will do that and also be better for home defense and range use.

If you're truly intending on home defense and target shooting, I'd go with the full size. A full size CAN be carried concealed. Not very comfortably for very long in my opinion, but there are those who do.

I'm a big fan of the Shield. I carry every day and my Shield .40 has become my main carry choice. It also is usually close at hand while I'm at home as well. Either still carried concealed or in the vacinity of wherever I'm sitting.

Again, if you think you're mainly going to be using it for target and home defense, the full size is a good option.

I bought my first handgun (4" 681) with similar intentions. Within a few weeks I bought my first carry gun. I still love the 681. In fact it's my favorite of all my handguns, but I also could not live without a good concealed carry gun.

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- The Federalist #46 -

For what you described as what you plan on using the pistol for I would go fullsize.

I have both (2 Shields actually) and like the others said, if only for HD right now go with the FS and its 17+1

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M&P 2.0 9mm-Shield9-Shield45

I'd pick. Are you going to carry or will it be used for HD/range use? I bought a M&P .40 FS for my first handgun with the intentions of using it for HD/range use. 2 months later I signed up for a CCL course "just in case." and now 2 months after that I've got a M&P Shield for carrying, and I've got a IWB holster on order and should be getting my CCL application back in the next few weeks.

If you want something in between... Look at the M&P 9c. Double-stack like the M&P 9 FS and a little bit bigger than shield but not near as big as the FS. I would've gone that route if I knew I was gonna have both. I was looking at the 9c when I was looking for my Shield but decided that since I had the FS I'd get the smallest M&P. I'm small-framed (6'1" 160lbs) but I could carry my M&P .40 FS with the right holster and clothes. I figure the M&P .40 FS will conceal fine in the winter and the Shield will be nice for the summer.

Seems like an extreme difference btwn Shield & FS. Why not M&P Compact? Just say'n...

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Shield40&9C w/ApexDCAEK/TFO's

If you are getting one gun, get the one that is the most versatile.

The 40c.

You can carry the 40c easily, it's not much bigger than the Shield.

You can use full size mags for more capacity and a larger grip for home defense and range use.

You can use factory 9mm and .357 barrels (about $65 each) and it's like having six guns in one.

My second choice would be a 9c.

Here is a compact M&P with an X-Grip extension and a full size magazine:

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Neither, i prefer my Kimber 1911's.

But I will say my Shield is more comfortable to carry versus my Kimber UC.

Go with the f/s 9mm! Its a great gun!!

If only one for many things, then I might choose a service caliber in the more "compact" size, like the M&P9c or similar sized arms from other companies, like the XDm compacts, or something like a G26/G27 and on and on. Depends what is available and which has a price and amenities you can live with. This size format is a good trade off of capacity and ease of concealment.

This format can serve for home defense or be more fun at the range by using a larger magazine from their full sized siblings. The "compacts" are a little easier carried than a full size due to their reduced grip height with the smaller size magazines.

While width, weight and the like are all considerations, the grip height is what I find to be the most limited item for my personal carry criteria. I prefer to stay at the less than 5" inch grip height and if it's 4.5" or below , that's even better for me.

I find the compact size arms carry fine with a good holster. I prefer my IWB holsters to have dual clips along with a good gun belt being very important. This style of holster is great for their ability to spread the weight over the belt and also gives excellent all day stability and comfort.

Once you have the right gun, then the hunt to find the holy grail of holsters (for you) will commence shortly.