I've been looking for this ever since I found out they made them. I don't have it yet but my dealer is holding it for me to get on Saturday.

As a bonus Saturday is my states tax free shopping day.

I think this size is the Goldilocks of sizes. I can't wait.

Enjoy it. I think the Shield Plus is gonna out a hurt on the 3.6 sales. Although you can use larger M&P mages with the 3.6 and can’t find any Shield Plus mags right now.

I've been considering the 3.6 Compact, as far as I can tell it's very similar in size to the Shield Plus with the 13 round mag. Am I correct in this assumption?

Not really. Unless you mean sub-compact. The Shield Plus is a single stack and 6" long vs 6.8". The grip height may be around the same but will not feel the same as the compact is a double stack. The weight is 18oz vs 26oz.

I think you're confusing the Shield (single stack) with the Shield Plus (double stack).

FWIW, I have the 1.0 9c (very similar to the 2.0 subcompact) and the Shield Plus. I find the Shield Plus easier to carry, and the 9c (with Apex trigger) easier to shoot rapidly.

Size comparison Shield Plus vs 3.6" Subcompact:
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus vs M&P 9 M2.0 3.6" Subcompact size comparison | Handgun Hero

Size comparison Shield Plus vs 3.6" Compact:
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus vs M&P 9 M2.0 3.6" Compact size comparison | Handgun Hero

I've been rotating carry guns more than socks lately. Used to carry my full-size 9 2.0. Owb. I wanted to switch to IWB, so I bought the 4" compact, and
a Gen 5 Glock 19. Then I wanted to switch to AIWB. Found that I didn't like how far those stuck down the front of my pants. Then bought the 2.0 Subcompact. I like the length, but found it hard to get a good master grip to quickly draw it from the holster. Finally, I bought the 3.6" compact. Finally found my true love. It has the same slide as the Subcompact, and the grip of the 4" compact. I now own a bunch of other carry guns that I probably won't carry too much.

Congrats on buying a Great firearm.

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The Penetration Channel

Thanks for the links cma, that helped. I think the Shield Plus with 13 round mag is the same height as the 2.0 Compact 3.6 with a 15 mag. Less than an inch difference in length, slightly wider grip and heavier 2.0 Compact 3.6. Very close in size it seems.

cma_g21 gets the point.

Depending on your application you may have to choose between concealability of Shield Plus and shootability of M&P9C (with Apex trigger).

I'm personally more towards M&P9C, I can easily conceal 4.25" version in AIWB. Accuracy and shooting comfort is more important for me.
Apex trigger in M&P9 is way better that new trigger in Shield Plus.

That size comparison chart is skewed.

It compares the Subcompact with a finger extension magazine to the Shield with a flat magazine.

The Subcompact ships with one flat and one finger extension mag. The flat mag makes the overall height of the two exactly the same.

The major difference between the two is the length, which allows the subcompact to have a rail, something I do use, and plus the ability to use full size mags, which I carry one for a spare. Overall in my book that puts the subcompact ahead of the Shield.

Before I had really carried much, I thought that the 3.6" version of the 2.0 would be a little easier to carry than the 4" so when I ran across one I snatched it up. While I don't have a 4" M&P 2.0 for a real apples to apples comparison, I do sometimes carry a 4" CZ P10C in the same position and a similar holster. That small difference in barrel length really does make a difference, for me at least. Shootability is pretty much the same for the two lengths.

I'm considering replacing my Shield 1.0 EDC, options are the Shield Plus or the Compact 2.0 with 3.6 inch. Looks like the Compact 2.0 will probably be the winner.

I have been carrying my Gen 1 compact for about 6 yrs now. I am really happy w/ it. It starts out smallest w/12 rnds and just a little extra height gives me 14 or 15. And my backup mag is a 17. So smallest size is 12 + 1 w/ a 17 spare for a total of 30 rnds. Being an old fart who almost never tucks in my shirt, the slight extra thickness compared to my old Keltec PF9 (very similar size to a Shield) just isn't a problem.

Nice score. For a while it was tough to find any MP, especially the Compacts and subcompact.

I got the 2.0 subcompact 3.6” and have a 15 round magazine. With the 15rnd mag it’s the same dimensions as the 3.6” compact. They can both also use the 17rnd mags but the advantage of the subcompact is can be as short as the Shield when using the 12rnd mags. Both are nice guns. 95% the same gun. My only complaint is that trigger takeup is a little gritty, hopefully it cleans up over time. Still a very nice trigger, especially for a striker gun: the break is clean at around 5lbs and the over travel is short as is the reset.

This won't add much to the conversation, but I grabbed a 2.0 Compact 3.6 from Primary several months ago and I couldn't love it more.

I got the email notification, ordered it like 20 minutes later and literally 2 minutes after that they were sold out. I sent the link to my friend and she responded instantly that they were out of stock and when I looked , they were.

I have seen them occasionally since then, but I'm glad I got mine when I did. It's not as small as the Shield Plus, but I'm a big guy and I like the 15/17 capacity. Perfect hand feel (for me) and points so naturally (for me)

The 3.6 is my ideal gun. Might have to send it off for milling for a RMR.