Shield 9 vs Compact 9: Speed & Accuracy

agksimon · Feb 21, 2016

I shoot IDPA, using an M&P 9 Pro with Apex sear and barrel installed. Today, I wanted to compare my stock M&P9 Compact, to my M&P9 Shield, for speed and accuracy. I used American Eagle 147 grain FMJ, which shoots to POA at 7 yards on out, in both guns. Shooting offhand, slow fire, at 7 yards, the Compact will shoot into nickel to quarter sized groups. The Shield will shoot into golf ball sized groups.

I set up 4 paper plates and tried speed shooting fast into them and was surprised at how much more accurate the Compact was, compared to the Shield. I had almost all center hits with the Compact, with all shots on paper. With the Shield, I actually had about a third of my shots miss completely and very few in the center. Keep in mind, I was shooting at least two shots or faster, a second with both guns. The Compact was so much more accurate, I may start carrying that, instead of the Shield.

gman51 · Feb 21, 2016

I just watched a comparison review of the two guns. I imagine the Compact extra few ounces and tad longer barrel will make recoil more manageable though not a huge difference. What is your view on that? LOL I guess your shooting results answers that question.

motorcyclejoe · Feb 21, 2016

I'm not surprised at all. I even shoot my 9c better than the 9FS. IMHO the Shield just does not have the ergos to be very accurate. That's why many shooters end up taping the grip. The Shield is nice to carry but leaves much to be desired performance wise. I guess most people assume they'd be using their Shield at very close range in a defensive situation. I have found the XDS to be a much better shooting single stack. You won't she much talk about grip tape for the XDS. It is just better balanced and has just a little more material on the grip, kind of like what you get when you tape the Shield grip.

OKFC05 · Feb 21, 2016

I shot an IDPA BUG classifier yesterday with a Shield, and also shot a revolver classifier with my 4" Model 66.
Based on my results, I'd guess you are losing your grip on the Shield in your speed shooting, and the gun is moving in your hand between shots. I noticed in practice that it is difficult to keep a tight grip on the Shield, and spent a couple of days practicing with it to keep my grip locked and stop the gun from shifting in speed drills.

When I shot the 2 classifiers yesterday:
Stage 1: Revolver 18 points down, Shield 12 points down.
My old familiar revolver was 5 seconds faster than the shield.

Stage 2 (my favorite, up to 10yds, moving and shooting):
Revolver 14 points down, Shield 10 points down.
Shield 2 seconds faster.

Stage 3 at 20 yrd clearly favored the long barrel and better sights on the revolver.

Sergntmac · Feb 21, 2016

I watched similar videos on both guns myself (tons of them on YouTube) and graduated to side by side real world testing before purchase. I have to agree that the 9c is a better shooting gun all around.

If concealment is the chief and lone consideration, the Shield will a better choice, however, any target out more than 7 yards has a fighting chance to get away unharmed.

But I have plans to visit the range on a regular basis, and I may return to teaching on a private basis, so I selected the 9c. Two of them in fact, one with safeties, one without. Like donuts, I'll enjoy more holes.

Y'all be safe.

agksimon · Feb 21, 2016

motorcyclejoe said:
I'm not surprised at all. I even shoot my 9c better than the 9FS. IMHO the Shield just does not have the ergos to be very accurate. That's why many shooters end up taping the grip. The Shield is nice to carry but leaves much to be desired performance wise. I guess most people assume they'd be using their Shield at very close range in a defensive situation. I have found the XDS to be a much better shooting single stack. You won't she much talk about grip tape for the XDS. It is just better balanced and has just a little more material on the grip, kind of like what you get when you tape the Shield grip.

I have a Pachmyer grip on the Shield, specifically made for it, but the Compact still shoots so much more accurately. My grip on the Shield is very good, it just does not give nearly as good a group as the Compact. I've owned both guns for a few years, but never tried a side by side before.

motorcyclejoe · Feb 21, 2016

agksimon said:
I have a Pachmyer grip on the Shield, specifically made for it, but the Compact still shoots so much more accurately. My grip on the Shield is very good, it just does not give nearly as good a group as the Compact. I've owned both guns for a few years, but never tried a side by side before.

Seems like everyone has tape or some type of grip cover on their Shield. Doesn't that prove the point - S&W didn't do a very good job on the grip? I don't understand why S&W just doesn't admit the Shield grip is not good for shooting. Yes it is good for concealment, but what good is a gun that doesn't shoot well? Actually, the little bit of extra material that would make the Shield a good shooter (e.g. tape) would not affect concealment anyway. I just don't understand the popularity of the Shield? Maybe it should ship with grip tape or one of the grip covers?

epj · Feb 21, 2016

Which magazine are you using? That flush fit mag has never been inserted in my Shield. I doubt it ever will be. No it doesn't conceal as well with the extended mag. I don't care. I can hang onto the gun.

agksimon · Feb 21, 2016

epj said:
Which magazine are you using? That flush fit mag has never been inserted in my Shield. I doubt it ever will be. No it doesn't conceal as well with the extended mag. I don't care. I can hang onto the gun.

I only use the 8 round extended mags I have.

CGhelofxr · Feb 21, 2016

When I started looking for a compact EDC the field was narrowed to XDS 9 and 45, Shield 9 or 40 and the M&P 9c or 40c. for the XDS I didn't like the grip safety and the Shield felt to narrow in the grip. The Compact was most comfortable. With that, in comparison I like the way the SD feels over the M&P, just my opinion.

BigDog48 · Feb 21, 2016

motorcyclejoe said:
Seems like everyone has tape or some type of grip cover on their Shield. Doesn't that prove the point - S&W didn't do a very good job on the grip? I don't understand why S&W just doesn't admit the Shield grip is not good for shooting. Yes it is good for concealment, but what good is a gun that doesn't shoot well? Actually, the little bit of extra material that would make the Shield a good shooter (e.g. tape) would not affect concealment anyway. I just don't understand the popularity of the Shield? Maybe it should ship with grip tape or one of the grip covers?

No, I just think it means everyone's hands are different. Mine are big and the Talon grip "tape" makes it fit better for me. If anyone handles a Shield and doesn't like it, I'd tell them not to buy it. I've handled a lot of pistols I didn't like. I buy the ones I like. S&W seems to have convinced more than 1 Million buyers that they like it.

Ranger17 · Feb 21, 2016

I am admittingly still learning and this may be an idiotic question or point. But could the ammo have anything to do w/ the Shield's perceived variation in this comparison? In my highly non-scientific research on the Shield most seem to run 115 or 124 not 147 gn. So wasnt sure if that load itself would result in the difference noticed.
Just thinking out loud.

fdw · Feb 21, 2016

I've wanted to like the Shield and have been tempted many a time to purchase one. I own a 9C and really, really like the way it feels and shoots.

Just can't pull the trigger and purchase the shield. Just doesn't feel as good in my hand....just my opinion of course

motorcyclejoe · Feb 21, 2016

fdw said:
I've wanted to like the Shield and have been tempted many a time to purchase one. I own a 9C and really, really like the way it feels and shoots.
Just can't pull the trigger and purchase the shield. Just doesn't feel as good in my hand....just my opinion of course

Think you made the right decision. I too love my 9c and wish I didn't waste money on the Shield. But I guess now I really know I don't want a Shield. Given your comment, my guess is you'd probably end up in the same place as I if you purchased a Shield.

hoc9sw · Feb 21, 2016

I run Remington UMC 115g JHP or one of several 124g loads. I tried 147g one time. It runs, but is not compatible with my arthritis.

kmanick · Feb 21, 2016

took my shield 9mm and my FS .40 to the range today for the 3rd day in a row.(off for Feb school vacation with my kids). I kind of wish I had just bought a 40C and been done with it. I love my Fs .40 but it's too large for EDC (IMO) and I am not as accurate with my shield 9MM. I'm sure more range time will help(I've got about 400 rounds through it now all 115Gr, I need to try 124Gr) I'm ..."OK" with it , with my .40 I am much more accurate. I have Talon rubber grips on mine (helped a bit)
I think a .40C or a 9C may have been a better all around choice for me as I love the way the .40 C feels in my hand and it's close enough in size to the shield that I think I could conceal it 'good enough"

Smitty357 · Feb 21, 2016

Longer barrel better bullet stabilization. Accuracy doesnt suprise me at all.

NoogMan · Feb 21, 2016

I own and carry both the 9c and the Shield. I carried the Shield for nearly 2 years before breaking down and purchasing a 9c for the added capacity. For the last 2 months, I've been carrying the 9c, and really never thought I'd be able to carry a "chunkier" pistol after having carried the Shield for so long. In all respects, I would say the Shield is the "perfect" carry pistol in terms of COMFORT and CONCEALABILITY.......is it more difficult to shoot accurately?.....it can be, but we're talking a close range self defense scenario. In such a scenario, I'd really say they're about the same. While I have been carrying the 9c almost every day, I still pull out the Shield on days when I really need to hide it due to the clothing I'm wearing, or the activity I'll be doing. Do I worry about my accuracy with either gun at 7 yards?....Not so much, but, I what keeps me carrying the 9c is the extra few rounds of capacity. Will I ever get rid of the Shield?....HELL NO...it'll always be in my EDC rotation.

agksimon · Feb 22, 2016

NoogMan said:
I own and carry both the 9c and the Shield. I carried the Shield for nearly 2 years before breaking down and purchasing a 9c for the added capacity. For the last 2 months, I've been carrying the 9c, and really never thought I'd be able to carry a "chunkier" pistol after having carried the Shield for so long. In all respects, I would say the Shield is the "perfect" carry pistol in terms of COMFORT and CONCEALABILITY.......is it more difficult to shoot accurately?.....it can be, but we're talking a close range self defense scenario. In such a scenario, I'd really say they're about the same. While I have been carrying the 9c almost every day, I still pull out the Shield on days when I really need to hide it due to the clothing I'm wearing, or the activity I'll be doing. Do I worry about my accuracy with either gun at 7 yards?....Not so much, but, I what keeps me carrying the 9c is the extra few rounds of capacity. Will I ever get rid of the Shield?....HELL NO...it'll always be in my EDC rotation.

I am very experienced shooter/instructor and shoot IDPA a couple of times a month. As I mentioned when I started this thread, the Shield and the Compact both shoot great slow fire groups at self-defense ranges, but the Compact is far more accurate in very rapid fire. I have a good grip on both guns and have tried to analyze why the Compact is so much more accurate, but can't come up with a reason.

Motorsporting · Feb 23, 2016

It seems logical that the Compact should shoot better - longer barrel, more weight, and thicker grip/controls. My Shield is the last resort for carry, and I'm confident I can put all 8 rounds center mass at 10 yards in a short amount of time. That's good enough to carry for defensive purposes IMHO.

Shield 9 vs Compact 9: Speed & Accuracy

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads