M&P 9 Full Size for CC/Home Defense?

I have both the M&P40 & the 40C. I use both as a home defense weapon. I carry my full size about 25% of the time mostly in the winter months. It's on my night stand about 90% of the time when I'm in bed.

I think a 9 compact would be all you'd need for both home defense & concealed carry. You can get a magazine for a full size, equip it with an X-Grip (optional) & load it in your compact for more ammo capacity. I have three dedicated for the 40C. I carry concealed with a FS mag in my 40C about 1/4 of the time as I change mags at least weekly.
 
Smoke said:
JMO but I own and carry an M&P 9 and I (obviously) think it's a good choice
When I'm at home the 9 full size goes on the night stand and my 9C Goes in my pocket.

As for the safety (again JMO) a self-defense handgun shouldn't have any extrenenous controls on it just a magazine release a slide lock and a trigger
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You must be a BIG GUY to pocket carry a 9C.
 
The extended mag in the Shield allows for all fingers to wrap around the grip typically. You can also get a different base plate for the standard mags that doesn't really add a lot in terms of length but provides a place for the pinky (forget the brand). I hate when I can't get all my fingers on the grip but I have no problems with the extended mags or standard mags with replacement base plate on my Shield.
 
TeleGuy53 said:
The M&P 9C and Glock 19 are too small and don't feel right in my hand...The HK VP9, Walther's and Sig P320 don't appeal to me...
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That being the case, I would definitely look at a full size M&P for carry and nightstand duty.

Some of the discussion above focuses on the fact that smaller pistols are easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry. Both true, no doubt.

And a gun that's so big that you won't carry it is no asset at all. But as Clint Smith once said in response to a question about why he carried a five inch, steel Government Model .45 ACP pistol, "A pistol is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable."

Which pistol will most of us shoot better under almost every circumstance at lawful self defense distances? G17 or G26? Full size M&P 9mm or a Shield? Lightweight Officer's Model ACP, or a Government Model .45? For the majority of us, the longer sight radius, larger grip frame, and heavier weight of the full size examples will enable us to shoot better with them. And isn't giving yourself the highest possible chance of stopping a [clearly unavoidable] lethal threat with fast, accurate fire the objective of concealed carry?

With a well-designed holster, most anyone can effectively conceal a full size pistol without Eskimo-like cover garments. IWB or AIWB, of course, are best for this, but an untucked and unbuttoned Columbia fishing shirt or Tommy Bahama silk or cotton shirt over a tucked-in T-shirt will conceal even an OWB holster, spare mags, and a flashlight on the belt.

I live in Florida and carry a full size pistol every day in a Matt Del Fatti IWB holster quite comfortably along with two spare magazines on the opposite side, sometimes under nothing more than a dark T-shirt.

That pistol isn't my VTAC M&P 9mm - but I'd be just fine with it if it were.

Finally, if none of the production Glocks or M&Ps seem quite right for you, Ben Simonson of Boresight Solutions is the best in the business at re-contouring and re-texturing frames for those pistols. Full disclosure - I have no vested interest in Ben's business, I'm just a satisfied customer with three of his pistols. Welcome to Boresight Solutions | Miami

Like you, I have large hands - but his modified G19 fits my hand almost as well as a 1911, so I shoot it well. The only downside to it (pinching the heel of my firing hand on a fast mag change/reload) is something I've eliminated by carrying spare G17 mags, with the added benefit of two more rounds.

Good luck in your quest.
 
I looked at the M&P 9c and the Glock 19 for a good "all purpose gun" and ended up with a SD9VE. Felt better in my hand than either of the other two. Slightly smaller than the M&P FS9 but I can get my whole hand on the grip. Definitely a defensive firearm and relatively low cost. You cant go wrong with either the M&P or the SD line.
 
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I'll just chime in to reiterate that you should try actually carrying a full size pistol, loaded if possible. And the longer you can carry it, the better. Yes, there are a good number of people that carry a full size pistol concealed every day, but there are a lot more that own full size pistols and concealment holsters but leave them home most days.

If I wanted a single carry/home defense it would be the Shield because I will actually carry it.

Good luck with your decision!
 
I can carry my FS9 in the small of my back most comfortably and most concealed. With a good heavy belt it's very comfortable. For night stand use it holds a gun light on the rail, unlike my Shield9. I do like the Shield for pocket carry in a DeSantis Superfly in my Wrangler cargo pants over the FS9 on the belt. Safety is up to you but I like one for reholstering and carry with it off.
 
Pointman_FL said:
That being the case, I would definitely look at a full size M&P for carry and nightstand duty.

Some of the discussion above focuses on the fact that smaller pistols are easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry. Both true, no doubt.

And a gun that's so big that you won't carry it is no asset at all. But as Clint Smith once said in response to a question about why he carried a five inch, steel Government Model .45 ACP pistol, "A pistol is supposed to be comforting, not comfortable."

Which pistol will most of us shoot better under almost every circumstance at lawful self-defense distances? And isn't giving yourself the highest possible chance of stopping a [clearly unavoidable] lethal threat with fast, accurate fire the objective of concealed carry?

With a well-designed holster, most anyone can effectively conceal a full size pistol without Eskimo-like cover garments.

Good luck in your quest.
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Excellent points, Pointman. Thanks!
 
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PirateJim said:
I'll just chime in to reiterate that you should try actually carrying a full size pistol, loaded if possible. And the longer you can carry it, the better. Yes, there are a good number of people that carry a full size pistol concealed every day, but there are a lot more that own full size pistols and concealment holsters but leave them home most days.

If I wanted a single carry/home defense it would be the Shield because I will actually carry it.

Good luck with your decision!
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I hear ya, PirateJim. My nephew's EDC is a Glock 17 in a IWB holster. I held a Glock 17 and an M&P9 FS side-to-side, and while they shared an equal height, the Glock was almost an inch longer.

The Shield is a nice package, and if the grip actually included the extra length of the extended magazine, then I might consider it; however, I don't like my fingers on the magazine because it increases the odds of bad things happening during a mag swap.
 
I reckon you should be much taller or larger of frame than I am but, then again, someone my size will pipe in and say that s/he gets it done and I'll just be confused about it. :confused:

The key to concealing a large handgun, IMHO, is being tall enough and thin enough to comfortably carry the gun IWB. Once you can resolve that you're good to go. I am far too short, never mind pudged out, to attempt to IWB a full sized pistol. Compact pistols are a whole nuthuh smoke - I can do those.

I'm 6'1" and 219 pounds, average build, but I would prefer to carry OWB, not IWB.


And then, for the OP I must note, there are certain compact pistols that still have sufficient size to enable you to wrap all of your gingers around the stocks. Which is why I'd recommend such for your purpose.[

The Walther PPQ M2 and Sig Sauer P320 Carry or Compact are smaller than the M&P9 FS, BUT they are all heavier inweight AND price! :(
 
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I went with what felt the best in my hands for my decision on what to EDC. The M&P 9 sits in my hands and feels natural doing it. My hand can shift around on the grip and still feels good.. Its definitely concealable, although it may take some work depending on your body type and choice of clothing. Tried the compacts and subcompacts, but none of them felt as good or solid in my hands as a FS, even ones with extended mags. Its obviously a little on the heavy side when fully loaded, but with the help of a good belt and some practice, its no problem. I also bought one with a safety, basically because every weapon I shot growing up had one, so it just seems natural. I don't like how far the safety protrudes though, and its easy to disengage inadvertently when racking the slide. I practice my draw, rack, flipping the safety, and pulling the trigger daily.
 
Cbollo said:
I went with what felt the best in my hands for my decision on what to EDC. The M&P 9 sits in my hands and feels natural doing it. My hand can shift around on the grip and still feels good..
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Ditto.


Cbollo said:
Tried the compacts and subcompacts, but none of them felt as good or solid in my hands as a FS, even ones with extended mags. Its obviously a little on the heavy side when fully loaded, but with the help of a good belt and some practice, its no problem.
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I am having the same experience. Plus, I don't like using grip extensions on mags.
 
FWIW I carry my FS in a Galco "forward molded concealable belt holster" and it works well. I'll post the model number when I get home
 
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