Thoughts on the M&P 40/9 compact (3.5") for carry

smokindog · Mar 30, 2014

Almost made an impulse buy this AM at Cabelas. That $50 off coupon is working its magic!!!

They have the M&P Compact 40/9 (3.5") in the case for $519.99. Take off the $50 and I thought it was a decent price.

Any opinions on this as an everyday carry? I've got a full size 9 and 40 as well.

timn8er · Mar 30, 2014

The 40c was my carry gun until I got a .40 Shield. I carried it in a Don Hume JIT Slide holster or pocket carried it in a Desantis Pocket holster. it worked fine for me, & if I hadn't bought the Shield I would still be carrying it. One of the cool things about the 40c is that you can, with an X-Grip extension use full size magazines.

smokindog · Mar 30, 2014

Ya, I liked that.

M&P Compact vs M&P Shield - Buying choices/decisions - YouTube

timn8er said:
The 40c was my carry gun until I got a .40 Shield. I carried it in a Don Hume JIT Slide holster or pocket carried it in a Desantis Pocket holster. it worked fine for me, & if I hadn't bought the Shield I would still be carrying it. One of the cool things about the 40c is that you can, with an X-Grip extension use full size magazines.

AnthemBassMan · Mar 30, 2014

There is a local shop near me selling new Shield .40's for $380 plus tax...

L8R,
Matt

Rastoff · Mar 30, 2014

I have no trouble carrying my full size M&P .45 so, the compact would just be easier. With the shorter grip it's easier to conceal.

That price was decent. I would have bought it if I didn't already have one.

Johnmuratore · Mar 30, 2014

Good price. I paid $499 for mine last October.
I EDC with a Galco King Tuk and just an untucked shirt covers very well.
Mine has thumb safety and no mag safety. Which one did you get?

NCW Ray · Mar 30, 2014

Don't know if you qualify or not but Bud's Police Supply has a 40c w/night sights and possibly 3 mags (mine came with 3 a few years ago) for $455 shipped to your FFL.

ginzo · Mar 30, 2014

That is a price I would pay for a .40c I think mine was $475.00 OTD 8/2013

You did good!!!

I don't haggle for every last penny, but I don't want to get raped. Just ordered a 638. SMRP is $469. My limit after research was $460. Came in at $451 OTD with a box of Defensive ammo.

I rotate a FS .40 and a .40c every 3-4 months, and I'm little 5'6".

speedyquad · Mar 30, 2014

i carry my 40c every time i leave the house...in a pocket holster. i just bought my wife a shield yesterday...i may go this route for summer carry...

smokindog · Mar 30, 2014

I'm just one of those poor saps that PAYS the taxes for the Police so I don't qualify for their discount

NCW Ray said:
Don't know if you qualify or not but Bud's Police Supply has a 40c w/night sights and possibly 3 mags (mine came with 3 a few years ago) for $455 shipped to your FFL.

HeavyDuty Ken · Mar 31, 2014

I've been carrying my 40c in an IWB for the last month - it carries a lot easier than I expected.

smokindog · Mar 31, 2014

OK, I hope I don't open up the old caliber debate here!!!

As I mentioned, I already own a FS 9 (pro) and 40 (4 1/4"), same number of magazines and similar "stash" of ammo. Mrs. Smokindog is just as comfortable with either and for the stated carry purpose, my opinion is a wash on the 9 vs 40 debate. The prices are the same, the empty weights and dimensions are close enough to call it a wash there too! I will look to see if they have a Shield BUT I like the interchangeable back straps of the Compact as well as the magazine sharing so very much leaning to the Compact.

I've convinced myself I'm going back today to complete the impulse purchase and either (EDIT - of the Compacts) will fit my inventory!!!

All that said, anyone who has carried both and care to comment on the pros/cons? Looking for opinions backed up by data/reasons please

THANKS!

HeavyDuty Ken · Mar 31, 2014

Between a compact and a Shield? I have both, but the Shield hasn't gotten as much carry because I'm waiting for a new holster that's on order (I've been carrying it in a Sof-Tuk when I do.) The compact isn't bad, but IMO the Shield is much more pleasant to carry IWB.

It's only a few fractions of an inch difference, but it feels like a lot more!

Arndog123 · Mar 31, 2014

I used to pocket carry my 40c but after getting my Shield it rarely gets pulled out of the safe.

smokindog · Mar 31, 2014

Sorry I missed this thread in my previous searches (although it is 18 months old

)!!!!!!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/275270-m-p-shield-vs-m-p-compact-once-all.html

Rastoff · Mar 31, 2014

Often the decision between the Compact and Shield comes down to convenience. The Shield is smaller and therefore, easier to carry and conceal. This is a mistake in my opinion.

The most important factor on which gun to carry should be determined at the range; which gun do you shoot better when doing defensive shooting. This can be difficult to answer if you haven't shot a particular gun, but not impossible. Gun fit is a large factor in being able to shoot well. If the gun is uncomfortable, or the controls are difficult to work, you won't be able to shoot it well.

So, consider that while making your impulse buy.

BigBoreShooter · Mar 31, 2014

I've used a variety of carry guns in recent years including J-frames, Walther PPS 9mm, XDsc 40, and H&K P2000 40 cal.

I picked up a M&P40c a few months ago, and after the first couple of range trips it has become my favorite carry gun. Whether mine is unusual or not, it has an excellent factory trigger. It also handles 40 cal recoil as well as any of my full size pistols. It's hard to imagine a better gun for concealed carry.

smokindog · Mar 31, 2014

Precisely why I'm leaning to the Compact as I have the FS 9 and 40 and with the 3 grips, I can come close to that same feel. I hadn't considered the shield until this discussion broadened. I'm now back in a little limbo in that I found the shield in stock and local for $399 in both the 9 and the 40. Fortunately, one place is between me and the Cabelas with the compacts

EDIT - I just re-read my posts and I see some confusion and tried to clarify, SORRY folks!

Rastoff said:
Often the decision between the Compact and Shield comes down to convenience. The Shield is smaller and therefore, easier to carry and conceal. This is a mistake in my opinion.

The most important factor on which gun to carry should be determined at the range; which gun do you shoot better when doing defensive shooting. This can be difficult to answer if you haven't shot a particular gun, but not impossible. Gun fit is a large factor in being able to shoot well. If the gun is uncomfortable, or the controls are difficult to work, you won't be able to shoot it well.

So, consider that while making your impulse buy.

Sgt 45 · Mar 31, 2014

I carry the 9c daily and it's really comfortable in the G-Code Incog holster. I looked at the Shield but for me it's too small to be a comfortable shooter whereas the 9c is great. I have the CT laser grips on it so it may be large for some but I like it a lot. I do have the FS 9 and I do carry that sometimes, especially at night since I have a surefire x300u mounted and it fits in a Sawyer Concealment appendix holster, but, it's not as comfortable as the 9c. They both shoot very well, have excellent triggers (thanks to ATEi) and carry great. For the OP, I'd go with the 9c.

kip_j · Mar 31, 2014

Carrying the 40C

I've been carrying my 40c for the better part of a year, not every single time I leave the house, but more often than not.

It's interesting; sometimes I notice it riding inside my IWB more than others, but the most noticable times is while driving.

Sometimes, no matter how I shift my weight or shift the holster, I still feel the gun poking into my hip quite uncomfortably. Once I move it around I can live with it without too much angst.

Other times, I can drive along and suddenly realize I'm wearing it and also realize it's not bothering me.

Sounds sort of weird, but it's true.

Thoughts on the M&P 40/9 compact (3.5") for carry

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