9c vs Shield

[cyfman1]

I currently have a Shield in 9 and really like it.Thinking about maybe getting 9c,well just because Is there really that much difference mainly width,weight and comfort/concellability between them ?

Just curious and looking for opinions from folks who know.

Take care and be safe

Jerry

 

[bassgunner]

I had considered the same question. I have a shield in 9mm and use the 8 round extended magazine because I can get my whole hand in it. The 9c with its pinky extension is still not quite long enough for a full grip in my hand.

 

[Smith Wesson]

i was in the same boat as you guys
after buyintg the 9c... i had realized that this was the gun i should have brought first.. the shield has its place... if i live in a mag restricted place i would suggest the single stack (furthermore get the bg380 it actually a pocket gun).. other wise there is no point to them.. the double stack is the same size ... a takes the full size mag.... trust me get the 9c.... it even feel better in the hand.. also it shoots better..

 

[Tradewind36]

I have a Shield and almost bought the 9c, but the grip just didn't feel right, too short even with the pinky extension. The full size mag probably would have made a difference but for carry I would want the 12 round mag. 9c didn't work for me.

 

[jstanfield103]

I have had a Shield. Great gun but a little to big for a pocket gun. Sold it when they first came out. Now I have a Glock 43. Love that gun but was thinking about buying the Glock 26 also. Instead I bought the M&P 9C. I like the pinky extension on the 12 round magazine. I also have the 15 round magazine with the X-Grip works great. I do not like the looks of the 17 round magazine with the X-Grip, makes the gun look funny in my opinion. If you are going to carry the gun IWB holster then you probably want the Shield. OWB carry probably the 9C.

 

[icemn]

Got rid of my 9c in favor of a shield 9 and no regrets whatsoever. The shield for me is much easier to carry and conceal.

 

[MyDads38]

I had always carried FS handguns until I got my 2 Shields (9 & 40). I like the size of the Shield and have the Pearce extension on the 7 & 6 round mags-makes all the difference in handling/shooting the shield without compromising concealability IMO. I carry the extended mag for a reload.

A compact size handgun is good for certain applications, but can never replace a FS in most situations. I'm comfortable carrying either and shoot them all very well. It does take some time/practice with smaller handguns, to be comfortable and accutate with them. I don't own any of the M&P compacts, yet LOL, but haven't ruled them out for my collection!

 

[RobzGuns]

I considered the 9c, but didn't like the factory trigger at all.
While the Shield's factory trigger isn't the absolute best on the market, I feel it's MUCH better than the 9c's factory trigger and doesn't absolutely NEED an Apex Kit.

If you're planning on doing an Apex trigger kit anyway, then it doesn't matter, but if you're not planning on adding a kit, rent one before buying.

 

[Motorsporting]

I have and love both. I carry the 9c probably 60% of the time; the Shield only about 5%. The 9c is easier to shoot (bigger, heavier gun), but the Shield is super concealable. I can pocket carry fine with the right clothes, but I usually AIWB with the Shield - it disappears. The triggers on both get MUCH better with use, including dry fire. I swapped the sights on the Shield because I like a rear sight with a "ledge" to it (plus added a night sight up front). I don't have huge hands, but the Shield is difficult to get a good grip with compared to the 9c (for me). Despite this, for defensive purposes, the Shield is accurate and reliable, but the 9c is more so for me (plus you can carry a full size magazine as a spare).

 

[BigDog48]

The width difference between the two is the key for me, with the Shield under an inch and the 9c about 1.2". The 9c is about the same width as a Glock 26, which I replaced with the Shield. IWB, for me at least, that makes big difference in comfort and cocealability when I carry IWB, which I do 9 of 10 times.

To each his own, but I'm sticking with the Shield. I shoot it fine, and like the comfort factor of the slimmer pistol.

 

[CSB]

You're all very lucky. Here in California just about the entire M&P line is banned for purchase, unless you're LE (the Shield being the only exception I'm aware of).

 

[Wishbone]

I bought a Shield 9 and M&P9C at the same time. Did not care for the shield at all and sold it. It would rub a spot above my thumb knuckle until I bled. The grips are so thin I found it hard to shoot at the range. The ease of carry is not much a big of difference for me to keep it over the 9C. Plus you get the ful benefit of extra mag options.

 

[Gaucho59]

I have both, but my 9c is a Ruger SR9c which is the same size as the M&P. The 9c conceals just as well for me and is very comfortable. The things that make the 9c my carry choice are, it's much more accurate and easy to shoot well, higher capacity, and the biggest plus, it's much easier and faster to get a solid firing grip on the draw. I have much more confidence in the 9c. Oh, and the Ruger trigger is fantastic, right out of the box. I do like my Shield, but I carry my 9c about 80% of the time. Carry a LCP about 10% of the time and my Shield about 10%. Not looking to get rid of it, but I really don't need it either....

 

[Wee Hooker]

My 2 cents. I had both at once. With a good holster, I found the 9c carried as good if not better than the shield. The shield is actually taller than the 9c (which caused it to print more). I also had problems getting good repeatable accuracy with my shield as it was just too thin in my hand and seemed to have more muzzle flip. I sold the shield off in short order and kept the 9c.

 

[cyfman1]

Thanks for the feed back so far

 

[Arik]

The width difference between the two is the key for me, with the Shield under an inch and the 9c about 1.2". The 9c is about the same width as a Glock 26, which I replaced with the Shield. IWB, for me at least, that makes big difference in comfort and cocealability when I carry IWB, which I do 9 of 10 times.

To each his own, but I'm sticking with the Shield. I shoot it fine, and like the comfort factor of the slimmer pistol.

Which part did you measure? The slide and front half of the frame, which is inside the waist measure 1 inch on the Glock. It measures 1.18 at the finger groves which are outside anyway. Same for something like the Sig P series which 1.5 inches but that's at the controls, the slide is a hair over 1 inch

 

[alphabrace]

I have a 9c and a 40 shield. I am much more accurate with the 9c. However the shield is a breeze to conceal using an iwb. I really wish I had bought the 9 shield Anyway just my 2 cents.

 

[kozmic]

I have both and favor the 9c. No external safety (both are available either way now, but not when I bought them) I don't find the dimensional differences to be an issue and I prefer the added capacity.

Besides my wife stole my Shield and claimed it as her own!

 

[Hamster65]

I "rented" a 9c at my local gun range just to try it out, prior to getting my Shield. I wasn't all that crazy about the 9c trigger pull and even with the pinky extension, it just didn't quite fit my hand right. If not for the trigger, I might have gone with full size mags and those "X-Grip" magazine adapters but due to available funds at the time, I ended up getting the Shield instead.

The one and only complaint I've ever had about the Shield, is the 7 round mag. It makes the grip too short for my hand and throws off my aim. For this reason, I purchased an extra 8 round mag. Even with the 8 round mag in it, it conceals quite nicely in my IWB so, I really don't have any complaints.

I've liked every M&P pistol I've ever owned and/or shot so, I may eventually get a 9c just because but, it's just not within my budget at the moment.

 

[Garman]

I own a Shield in 9MM and wanted to get a 40C as well, but then I stumbled onto this....which is pretty much same size as the 40C, a Ruger SR40C. It is a sweet shooter for sure! I really like everything about this gun!!