Anyone here go from a Shield to a Compact?

[checkmyswag]

With the world getting crazier by the day ive been considering getting an M&P compact to carry instead of the Shield.

You made the switch. Did you carry differently? Any other observations?

 

[Rowlette]

The size and weight is so similar you will not even notice the difference.

 

[PirateJim]

I sure hear ya about the world getting crazier by the minute! However, most of the self defense scenarios I can work up in my mind, that end well for me, can be handled with my Shield.

The compacts hold more ammunition to be sure. Four extra rounds for the 40, which I suppose could be two more bad guys double tapped, for a total of five, vs the Shield that can only double tap three bad guys. Both leaving one in the chamber for a follow-up. But you get that at the expense of a quarter inch in thickness (the most critical dimension IMO for concealment) and 2.9 oz weight for the gun plus the weight of four extra rounds that you lug around from now until the day comes that you get to find out if you can fight off more than three attackers that keep coming.

I don't know what you've got in mind exactly, but I think if I we're going to go bigger than my Shield, I'd probably go up to the 45c. But I don't currently feel the need. However, I realize this is all sort of subjective and I doubt there are right or wrong answers. If the bigger gun gives you that ol' warm and fuzzy feeling, get it!

 

[checkmyswag]

I should just be better about carrying an extra mag instead.

 

[timn8er]

I carried a 40c for quite awhile till I finally scored a Shield 40. The difference in the way the two pistols carry was very apparent when I took my Shield to the LGS to have Truglo TFX's installed; I was back to carrying the 40c & I sure missed that Shield! Just the slight differences in weight & dimensions made a ton of difference in carry comfort. I think your plan to carry another magazine more than makes up for the extra rounds that the larger pistol would have.

 

[dullh]

With the world getting crazier by the day ive been considering getting an M&P compact to carry instead of the Shield.

You made the switch. Did you carry differently? Any other observations?

I have both a 9mm Shield and a 45 Compact.

The 45C is my "fat shield".

Both are carried in the same spot (not at the same time ) and both are carried in DeSantis Intruder holsters.

To me, not that noticeable a difference - if you're thinking about the 9c/40c probably won't notice the difference at all...

 

[Smith Wesson]

wish i would have waited before buying my shield.. because now after doing research i see it would have been better off getting the 9c... the 9c could take a full sized mag vs carrying an extra mag with the shield.. not much of a size difference in the 2... .. this video is what sealed the deal for me... if this is going to be you first gun buy, go with the compact.. you might still end up buying both,, the compact has the ability of filling all your need , it can take the 17rnd mag for shtf, going to war or it can take the 10mag or 12mag for shield like concealment.... personally i dont even keep my shield 8mag full i keep it at 5+1 (for me i feel it runs better that way) and if i had the 10 or 12 mag 9c, i would prolly carry it 8+1 (in 10mag) or 10+1 (in 12mag) ......still waaaay more then the shield at very close to the same size..
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_kmG221Xg"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2_kmG221Xg[/ame]

 

[NCW Ray]

I should just be better about carrying an extra mag instead.

My first S&W autoloader was the M&P 40c. Great pistol, accurate, reliable and fun to shoot. But...some days I spend 8+ hours driving and I started having back pain caused by the pistol. I carried it in a IWB at the 3-3:30 position. When the Shield 40 NTS model came out I bought one and bought the same holster for it...and what do you know...No more back pain! What little size difference between the two was enough to cause me problems.

To make up for the loss of magazine capacity I bought a Snagmag magazine carrier. I carry it in my left front pocket and don't even know it's there.

 

[hurley842002]

If I could only own one, I would likely get the compact. With that said, I own a compact in 9 and 40, and a Shield in 9. For those that say you won't notice the difference, that hasn't been my experience, I very much notice the difference. Because of this difference, I carry the shield 99% of the time. I can add or subtract 8 round mags, as I feel the need, but the pistol always carrys the same.

 

[checkmyswag]

I only carry OWB so aside from the slight weight difference I doubt id notice the difference much at all.

 

[hurley842002]

I only carry OWB so aside from the slight weight difference I doubt id notice the difference much at all.

You are right, there probably wouldn't be much of a difference. Now that we have that info, I think it's a no brainer, compact all the way.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I carry a 40C & about 1/4 of the time my full size M&P40. Many times I carry the 40C with a full size mag inserted equipped with an X Grip. I always have a spare full size mag on my hip. I was tossing around the idea of getting a Shield as my next firearm but since have decided that it will be a 45C. Ideally I'd be able to afford both but don't hold your breath, LOL.

I can conceal the full size & compact successfully & the weight (that I really don't feel much anymore) is reassuring. OWB in the cooler months with sweatshirts & IWB with T shirts in the warm months.

 

[hurley842002]

In regards to your "world getting crazy" statement, it should also be noted that my 9c is also with me nearly 90% of the time, in my man bag/diaper bag, with a couple extra mags, so I've got "reinforcements" should things get real nasty. Perhaps that's why I'm so comfortable "only" carrying the Shield.

 

[ca survivor]

In regards to your "world getting crazy" I'm carrying now days a full size MP .40 from an HK .45c from a few days ago.

 

[tommyo]

If I could only own one, I would likely get the compact. With that said, I own a compact in 9 and 40, and a Shield in 9. For those that say you won't notice the difference, that hasn't been my experience, I very much notice the difference. Because of this difference, I carry the shield 99% of the time. I can add or subtract 8 round mags, as I feel the need, but the pistol always carrys the same.

I agree! I went from a G26 to a Shield and it is much nicer to carry. I recently went back to the G26 for about a week and couldn't wait to get the Shield back on. I have the MagGuts in both magazines so I'm 8 +1 with a spare 9 round mag....plenty of ammo for a civilian

 

[tectrry]

I carried a 40c for quite awhile till I finally scored a Shield 40. The difference in the way the two pistols carry was very apparent when I took my Shield to the LGS to have Truglo TFX's installed; I was back to carrying the 40c & I sure missed that Shield! Just the slight differences in weight & dimensions made a ton of difference in carry comfort. I think your plan to carry another magazine more than makes up for the extra rounds that the larger pistol would have.

+1 ^^^

I started with the 40C, then got a Shield and occasionally carry the 40C after getting use to the Shield. Comfort factor is noticeable - not bad enough to stop me from doing it but noticeable. I carry both IWB at about 4 o'clock.

 

[B3500]

I mostly carry a double stack 45 or 40. I did get a Shield after they came out with a nms model, and while it is quite capable I mostly belt carry (IWB/OWB) with a cover garment. For me there is not that much difference with this carry mode between them so I choose the small increment in capacity with the double stacks.

I choose a single stack when I feel the need to carry deeper with a Smart Carry holster or if I have to tuck in my shirt with IWB. Smaller and/or thinner works better for me in these two carry modes.

Go ahead and get both if you can. Having more options is a good thing.

 

[kozmic]

I carry a 9c and a 9 Shield. I feel the trade off in size and weight is worth the extra rounds. Both are carried iwb. I almost always have a spare mag on me regardless.

 

[Broken]

40C vs Shield 40

I currently carry the M&P 40C but am looking to start carrying on my bicycle. I would more than likely use a belly band type holster. The lighter and thinner Shield is very tempting!

 

[Gubment Cheese]

I sold my shield for a 40c. The shield is a great gun but too thin for my hands, I have xl hands. I have a kahr cw45 I carry. It's a little thicker in the grip and fills my hand better. Waiting for buds to ship my 40c. I wanted a M&P compact for a long time and can't wait to give it a try.