9mm compacts - what's the real difference?

[ISCS Yoda]

Just looking for information for discussion purposes. I’m not the world’s biggest fan of modern, polymer pistols, I’m big on 3rd Gens if we’re talking pistols, wheelguns being my happy favorites, but I’m trying to understand the variables and whys and wherefores of some modern, compact 9mms. So, with that caveat in mind, what is the actual difference between the 9mm Shield and 9mm M&P Compact 9mm – assuming we omit length, weight, and capacity of rounds, the three obvious items – is the Shield just a miniature M&P 9c? (Colors don’t count either, of course.)

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD? 9mm

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P®9c Flat Dark Earth Finish


If you don’t mind my extending my inquiry and mentioning the competition, how do the Shield and M&P 9c compare in terms of the Springfield XDS and the new FNS compact 9mm?

XD-S Polymer Frame Pistols | Top Concealed Carry Handguns

FNH USA - Distinct Advantage :: FNS?-9 Compact

I have friends carrying these various guns and I admit no real familiarity with them so this is totally informational, pros, cons, hidden differences, whatever. Dollars, too – how do they compare price-wise in the marketplace? S&W posts its MSRP prices; the others didn’t, not that I saw, anyway.

Thanks.

***GRJ***

 

[OKFC05]

When you are doing IWB or similar carry, it soon becomes evident that the GRIP (and on a wheelgun, the CYLINDER) causes the concealment problems.
So the first thing I look at in a small semi auto is it single or double stack?
The Shield is single stack, and the M&P 9C is double stack.
For ease of carrying IWB, I still rank the Kahr P9 at the top. YMMV.

 

[Fastbolt]

Not an unfair question for idle musing, but the answers are going to be subject, elusive and probably not completely satisfying.

Might as well ask why Glock created the "subcompact" category, but then decided to call their G30 & G29 "subcompacts", when they're actually probably better categorized as "compacts" compared to their G21/20 models ... and they don't actually have any compact models listed in their .45/10 model lines.

I agree with OKFC05's observation that the thickness of the grip frame is a significant factor in some concealment considerations. I know I often selected my 3913 compared to carrying my issued 6906, and that was simply due to the slimmer grip. I wasn't concerned about carrying the 4 fewer rounds on my own time.

You could think of the M&P 9c as being like a 6906, I suppose. Here's a M&P 40c alongside my 4013TSW. Not that dissimilar.




And yet, here's a "compact" 40c compared to a "subcompact" G27. Huge difference, right?





You could think of the Shield 9 as being a slimmer gripped version of the CS9 (and compare the CS9 to a 6906). In that instance, the Shield is a shorter and more easily carried pistol than the 9c.

Just depends.

I've found that only half an inch of slide length can make for a noticeable difference at the end of the day, getting in & out of a car all day ... but the slimmer grip of a 3913 is more comfortable while seated in the car than the 6906, and both are when great quality holsters are being used.

Just depends, especially on the owner/user.

The answer that's right for you is the right answer.

Now, I imagine the gun makers are trying to meet as many expectations of potential buyers as possible. Take your pick.

The interesting twist to things is that sometimes smaller versions of guns require more than just 'shrinking' the length and height.

Not all reduced size pistols are as tolerant as ammo & shooter influences as larger models. Reduced slide mass, slide velocity, recoil spring rates and feeding "timing" can create some 'interesting' things for engineers - and owners/shooters - to ponder.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

YMMV is right! Never an argument there. But seeing the pictures that Fastbolt posted, wow, yeah, thanks, not a ton of difference in those various guns. Funny thing, I noticed after I acquired a 6906 that it wasn't all that different size-wise from my CS-45. Definitely fits the same holsters.

All very interesting! Much obliged.

***GRJ***