CCW 40c or Shield

[Expygator]

Who carries either or both of these? I currently carry a BG 380, and I can carry it anywhere any time. I am small in stature and either appendix carry or 4 pm. I'll put it a back pocket if my shirt is tucked in.

I'm wanting a Shield but only because I feel that I can carry it better with my small frame. How much different is it to carry a 40c vs. a Shield?

Dean

 

[N4KVE]

I tried both, & bought the 40c. Fits my hand much better. My only S&W. GARY

 

[daveuspp]

My GF carry's the Shield even though she can carry either.... just likes the slimmer feel of the single stack...

 

[B3500]

With a good belt and holster either can be carried easily.

It comes down to whether you want to carry a double stack or a single stack and do you need it to perform alternative uses, like say doing home defense duties. The compact can be more versatile since it can take the higher capacity full size magazines, but for many the Shield might be a bit easier to carry due to it's thinner size.

Carrying the 40c will be a little heavier (about 4oz heavier when empty 23oz vs 19oz) and wider (1.2" vs 0.95") than a Shield 40, but the 40c has a slightly shorter overall height (4.3" vs 4.6"). The grip for me is the hardest part to conceal so the overall height difference is helpful. For the girth and weight of the 40c you get basically 4 more rounds (10+1 versus 6+1).

The best of both worlds would be to get both to provide you with more carry options to choose from as your day to day carry needs or requirements change.

 

[Jaysq]

I carry a Shield every time I go out. It is an easy gun to carry and conceal. If you are now carrying a BG, the Shield might be an easier change over for you.

 

[JAREDSHS]

I carry a Shield 9 in my jeans right hand pocket.

 

[Jboutfishn]

I carry a 40C with a Max Tuck. I have ordered the 9mm Kydex for the Max Tuck. 1/2 the width, one belt notch

 

[GTJacket]

I have both a 40c and Shield 40 and carry them both (not at the same time). Shield is a little more comfortable for prolonged carry at the 4:00 position especially if you are going to be sitting down for a while but the 40c is still plenty comfortable with a good gun belt and holster. Both conceal very easily. You really can't go wrong with either, but again I cannot stress enough the importance of a good holster and belt.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I have both and carry both. I 75% OWB / 25% IWB the 40c and 100% IWB the Shield. The Shield IWBs easier but it's doable with the 40c.

 

[M&Pmeister]

I have both and carry both. I 75% OWB / 25% IWB the 40c and 100% IWB the Shield. The Shield IWBs easier but it's doable with the 40c.

Ditto here. I bought my 40C several yrs ago and while I like it's features and ergos a lot, it is not my favorite IWB carry. The slide width makes all the difference in the world. In the colder months, with a sweater and jacket, it's nice to carry OWB that extra firepower.

Now that I got the Shield40, I rarely CC the 40C in warm weather, which around here is 8-9 months out of a yr.

 

[speedyquad]

i pocket carry both...i have been strictly shield since i bought it at the end of april, beginning of may. i purchased my wife's shield in 9mm about 2 weeks before i bought myself a shield 40. one week after getting her the shield, i was running errands and about half way through, i was going to be going passed our house. i decided on having a little test...the first half of the trip, i carried the shield, the 2nd half the 40c. i loved the 40c, it was just a little over a year old and i carried it every day. i never noticed it's weight or anything. it was never uncomfortable at all. so i carried the shield for the first half of the errands. it felt the same as the 40c. then i stopped and switched to the 40c for the rest of my running around...it was then i realized how big and bulky the 40c really was. it took me a week to acquire a shield 40. my wife actually claimed that one after shooting it and "stuck" me with the shield 9...

as far as shooting, i am slightly more accurate with the 40c, than the shield...but not enough to concern me...

 

[bmb96mus]

^^^^I agree with speedyquad 100% u might not notice how much smaller it feels iwb until u carry it. Once I did I couldn't go back to my 40c in these summer months. Once I start to layer up I plan on caring the 40c again.

 

[ScrapmasterFlex]

The Shield is an absolutely amazing firearm that is not only , in my normal speech, "awesome for CCW" and perfect as my "Dedicated Every-Day-Carry" gun, but it is like the team at Smith and Wesson literally custom engineered this gun to be the ultimate CCW firearm.

I cannot speak to the 40c but, having been using a Glock 23 not only for carry but as my "main gun" so to speak since Jan 2010, I still bought the Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm for CCW and have absolutely loved it ever since.

It's not too small that you feel underarmed, you have enough capacity in enough caliber (and I chose the 9mm but you are apparently going ahead with the 40, so you definitely won't be feeling under-powered) and physically large enough to shoot like a 'real gun', not a pocket protector or last resort type of gun. Especially with you use the 8-rd mag with the extended grip. HOWEVER, it is NOT large enough to be cumbersome or bothersome IN THE LEAST, IN ANY WAY - and I did pocket carry it for the first month I owned it. In a $10.97 Walmart Blackhawk pocket holster ... and it worked fine, no one ever knew I was carrying, I still carried other things in my other pockets, in shorts and t-shirt in Florida heat etc.

But, having just got the Galco King Tuk IWB hybrid holster I ordered, I am now reaping the benefits of true concealed carry with a proper holster and everything is just gravy. I forget I am carrying it while walking the dog. .. and I walk my dog a lot. That is one of the reasons I actually bought the Shield. I was having trouble not only concealing my Glock 23 ( I am not a big guy at all) but toting the damned thing around. Especially when you have the loaded G23 w/ 13+1 rds, and two loaded mags also, the weight and size takes a toll on walking the dog day-in day-out. I tried an Alien Gear Holsters tuckable IWB hybrid holster ,and while it certainly helped and is a fine product, it didn't solve my problem - but the Shield not only solved the problem, it made me extremely happy and satisfied.



In fact I just got my gun back from the gunsmith today - I had him install my TruGlo TFO night sights and he amazingly turned it around in 24 hours (16-18 hours really!) when he has 2 mo. worth of work backed up. So I have my new Shield 9mm with the new TruGlo TFO tritium/fiber-optic day/night sights, in my new Galco King Tuk IWB hybrid holster, with 7+1 in the gun and 2 8rd extended magazines in special thigh pockets included on LA Police Gear pants and shorts. I feel like a million bucks because the gun is supremely comfortable and barely even noticeable. Oh yeah , to round out the package, I tried out a $12 Walmart leather belt... and it made a significant improvement over the Bear Grylls belt I had used previously.


Sorry for the long story - I just wanted you to know how happy I am with the Shield and how highly recommended it is, even from someone who won't ever give up my Glock 23 in .40 ... but I certainly will carry the Shield a lot more.

 

[PistolPacking]

I personally carry a Shield, because of the slim grip. I tried a 9mm compact, but the grip was to fat for me. I tried both of these at a gun show, and the Shield won, because it fit my hand. However, I do not carry it on me. It is in my cc purse. I carry a Ruger LCP .380 in my waist band.

 

[onedurwho]

40c in a Sticky Holster. I like the ability to add an extended mag...

 

[Ruger_Up]

I have the 9c and the Shield. With the right holster, both should be no problem.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rrich1]

Carry 40c off duty in a white hat holster. Love it. Might get a 380 though just cause

 

[MSG Glenn]

I carry a 40C IWB in T-shirt weather with & without the full size 15 round mag. In colder weather with sweat shirts I alternate between the full size 40 & the compact carried OWB. It's been commented that a good belt & holster is important. It was also commented earlier that it's nice that the full size mag fits it & since I have plenty of them I've dedicated two of them for the 40C. with X Grips attached. I concur with both statements.

 

[johnnyk71]

it's amazing to me that I can carry my Shield 9mm with nothing more than khakis and a t-shirt (IWB) and it is 100% concealed, and feels like it's not even there.

 

[Don Alvarez]

Who carries either or both of these? I currently carry a BG 380, and I can carry it anywhere any time. I am small in stature and either appendix carry or 4 pm. I'll put it a back pocket if my shirt is tucked in.

I'm wanting a Shield but only because I feel that I can carry it better with my small frame. How much different is it to carry a 40c vs. a Shield?

Dean

The Shield is smaller and lighter which makes it easier to carry, but the mags are limited as to the number of rounds available. The 40C is heavier and a bit larger, but it holds more ammo.

Both are great weapons! Your call...