.40 compact or .40 shield?

[Friedrice118]

Hi on smith and wessons web site The compact is 100$ more than the shield. Does the shield quality wise have any disadvantages because if its the same as the .40 compact just smaller and less rounds i think ide go for the shield. But im not too sure about the quality of each.

 

[MP1SG]

Hi
I Have both the Shield 40 and the 40c. Both are great weapons and both are equally durable, reliable and accurate. The really on significant size difference is that the shield is much thinner. As far as concealibility I can conceal the 40c just as easy as the Shield. Obv the 40c has the higher round count and the ability to use the full size 40 mag. (15 0r 17 rounds).
So for me, I perfer and carry daily the 40c, with a spare 15 round mag, this offers me the concealibility of a compact weapon and the magazine capacity of a full size weapon
thanks
1SG
out

 

[Bikemobile]

I own the shield 40, a 40 full size, and ive shot a friend's 40c alot. The 40c is a nice shooter but is wider and is a bit tougher to conceal in the waist band IWB. The shield goes IWB and just disappears for me. I love it. The shield 40 is slot snappier to shoot with SD rounds.

If its your first polymer pistol i would get the 40c. Easier to learn to shoot well.

 

[Smitty357]

IMO, for me the Shield conceals much more easily. Then again, it depends on the size of the person thats carrying. I myself am about the size of a toothpick and I could easily hide behind a light pole. So the shield makes a difference when it comes to my figure.

 

[marshallartist]

I regularly carry a 40c and have carried a Kahr CM9 (similar size to the Shield) and can say that the little guns are easier to carry especially if you want to carry in a pocket or on your ankle. But if I'm carrying on my belt (which I do 85% of the time) I'll opt for a larger gun like the 40c or a Glock 23.

 

[CrossRifles2008]

Go 40c more guns in one.

 

[Friedrice118]

thanks guys, i already got the m&p 9mm compact and we can use hollow points in my state so i think i might go for the shield as far as the main difference being size. my 9mm carries great inside the waist but im confident a 9mm hallow will do the job i need it to in self defense. If i got to rush out the door and stick a gun in my pocket i think ide go for the 40 shield

 

[MP22]

I don't own a shield...but from all the threads about the problems it....go with the .40c.

 

[hkyplr]

A couple of differences not pointed out yet. 1) the compact model has the adjustable backstraps, the shield doesn't. 2) the compact has the ambidextrous controls, the shield doesn't.

 

[MP1SG]

Dam
I am back and forth on this one. Last night i shot my Shield 40 and it is so accurate and nice to shoot. I will admit it is "easier" to carry, But I still feel as though i can conceal the 40c as easy as the Shield 40. Its just that the shield is less noticeable (Make sense) So currently I am carrying the Shield 40 with the flush mag and the spare mag on my hip.
Thanks
1SG
Out

 

[NewGunGuy]

You should go for the 40c. Why? Because you can get one. I have not found a Shield 9mm or 40 since I started looking 3 months ago. Not at the last 3 gun shows or any LGS. I am going to keep searching for the elusive Shield.

For me the issue is - "Do I buy the Shield in 40 or 9mm." I plan on shooting this gun a lot so I am worried the 40, in such a small frame, might not be much fun to shoot.

 

[AZ115]

Go with the compact...

A couple of differences not pointed out yet. 1) the compact model has the adjustable backstraps, the shield doesn't. 2) the compact has the ambidextrous controls, the shield doesn't.

The compacts also have the picatiny accessory rail. My .40c doubles for nighttime duty with a Streamlight TLR-4. The M&P Compacts are very versatile and I have no need for the Shield...

 

[hkyplr]

The compacts also have the picatiny accessory rail. My .40c doubles for nighttime duty with a Streamlight TLR-4. The M&P Compacts are very versatile and I have no need for the Shield...

Thanks for the info, I was wondering what light would fit the compact rail.

 

[bonjorno2]

i'd take the shield, but hope you get one without any bugs!

 

[mewisemajic]

If you are looking for one to carry/use now I would go with the 40c. S&W is making and shipping Shields as fast as they can and their quality is not 100%. Unless a Shield handles better than a 40c I would go by the carry the biggest weapon you can conceal addage.

 

[robkarrob]

One thing that no one has mentioned is the Shield has the better trigger action. It has the new designed trigger for a loud reset sound. But you can't always hear the reset. With the Shield's trigger you can feel the reset. The trigger jumps forward about 1/32 inch at reset, so you can feel it. No more guessing where the reset is. With the Shield, you don't have to let the trigger out fully, guessing whether or not you've reached the reset.

Bob

 

[RockHard2407]

One thing that no one has mentioned is the Shield has the better trigger action. It has the new designed trigger for a loud reset sound. But you can't always hear the reset. With the Shield's trigger you can feel the reset. The trigger jumps forward about 1/32 inch at reset, so you can feel it. No more guessing where the reset is. With the Shield, you don't have to let the trigger out fully, guessing whether or not you've reached the reset.

Bob

This was a talked about issue at the gun shop.
I ordered my M&P .40c with a thumb safety. When I got it home it had/has a very good trigger reset, I can hear it and feel it. I wonder if S&W upgraded the trigger on the new ones.
Anyway at the range I pay very little attention to the trigger reset, and after making some adjustment in my trigger control
I can remove the bulls-eye at 10 yards. (yes I am one of the guys that thought the gun shot low) but it was user error the gun is "dead" on.