First gun - Compact 4" vs Shield 9mm?

[Mystery]

Hi guys,
New user here.
I'm new to guns and want to own one.
I'm reading/watching many threads on Glock vs S&W, among different compact and subcompact models etc...
I checked different handguns at gun stores.
Glocks are out for now as I want manual safety in my first gun.

The compact 4" looks good but I feel it's too big for conceal carry.
The shield is smaller so wanted to check if it's good for a first gun.
Of course there's no one gun that can be used for all situations but I'd like to get something that's decent at range and also for conceal.
I see few online stores are selling the 9mm shield very cheap, under $300 while the 4" are at $400.
Any thoughts on shield as a jack of all situations gun?
thanks

 

[dla]

Get the 4" Compact and learn to shoot. You can conceal it. Later, when you get serious about concealed carry and get your CWP, get a Keltec PF9.

The Shield is a terrible first gun to shoot and is too fat and heavy to conveniently conceal.

So get a shooter to have fun with and get a serious CC weapon to actually save your life with.

IMHO of course.

 

[BuddyS]

Welcome to the board, Mystery. I’m new myself.

I would recommend getting the M&P9C m2.0 with the 3.6in barrel. Once you become used to shooting it and more familiar with handguns in general you’d be surprised how easily you can conceal it with the right type of holster setup, etc. Not to mention you’d be carrying 15 rds vs 8.

That being said, the Shield was one of my first handguns, and I found it very comfortable to shoot and shoot accurately. It’s very concealable, and could be a summer carry vs maybe carrying the Compact in the cooler months.

Both are fantastic handguns, you can’t go wrong. Buy both!

 

[murphydog]

Welcome!

Since you are new to guns, taking an NRA Basic Pistol Course or the local equivalent would be a good first step. If you are able, trying several different guns at a rental range or from friends would be next; you may find you get along best with a particular brand, but it may or may not have a manual safety.

Finally, taking your state's concealed carry permit class and getting extra training beyond that is essential. I've been through all the steps of the process and found a bigger gun than a Shield works best. Good luck in your decisions.

 

[Eski]

Both are fine guns. I have a 2.0 compact 3.6 as well as a Shield. Both in 9mm. The Shield is a “1.0” performance center.

The compacts are a nice size, falling in between a concealed carry gun and a full size duty gun. The compact is concealable, but obviously not as easy to conceal as the skinny Shield. Also, after a long day of carrying, the Shield is far less noticeable than the compact with less bulk and weight.

The grip length of the Shield with the 8 round extended magazine is the same length as the compact which allows for you to get a nice, solid grip. For me, my Shield is often my at home gun as well despite having more “suitable” options. The reason being I shoot it very well and have no issues using that as my home gun instead of say, my compact or one of my full size handguns.

My only hesitation is that for a new shooter, smaller guns are generally not recommended. That being said, the Shield is kind of in a nice zone where it’s small yet not too small. I have put the Shield in the hands of new shooters a few times, and all of them loved it. In fact, a few went out and made the Shield their first handgun after shooting a wide variety of my handguns.

So, both are good options. For me, if I were to only have one, it would be the Shield. If you have the chance to try both or even just one, do so! Everyone is different.

Good luck to you!

 

[thebolt]

I agree with both dia and BuddyS.

Smaller guns are difficult to shoot and they are not a gun for a beginning shooter. The smaller the gun the easier it is to conceal but the more difficult it is to shoot and I've seen moderately experienced shooters having trouble with the Shield. The larger the gun the easier it is to shoot and you can learn to conceal anything if you are willing. I carried and concealed a full size and commander size 1911 and similar sized guns for much of my life. The important thing is to learn to shoot before you carry CCW. Big responsibility comes with CCW and some overlook the complexities and responsibility of CCW. Shooting a gun quickly and accurately is only one part of CCW. Many people never truly think about tactics and having to use a firearm in a confrontation, but that discussion is for another topic and I don't want to get off topic on your post.

Good luck with your selection and your training.

 

[Real Old Navy]

I suggest you find a gun range that rents guns and try both to see which is best for you. I myself bought a Shield 1.0 with CT green laser as my first M&P..It's been modified, 3.6" threaded stainless barrel 10rd mags plus more. To me it shoots like a big gun but smaller and still concealable. The price your showing (under $300) is for a Shield 1.0...the 2.0 is more. The 2.0's have a smoother trigger plus a few other improvements over the 1.0's. 1.0's are selling cheaper to sell them out....but they're good guns. I am very happy with my Shield 9mm 1.0...but it does have a lot of mods done to it. I can carry it in my pocket when I'm Mr. Baggy Pants

 

[roadking2007]

I’m right where the OP is. New shooter, contemplating first purchase. A friend has the Shield and SHE (ha ha, yes) uses it for CCW. She loves it. I’ve shot it and liked the way it felt. Smooth trigger. Makes me seriously consider the other 2.0’s. I found it to be too small for me, for now, to shoot with accurately. Obviously, that’s a lot because I need more practice. But I’ve settled on a larger gun for the first one. I want something more substantial to help with stability and recoil absorption. The extra mass out there helps with my accuracy and I’ve found that the 4” barrel firearms are perfect for me. I’ve rented the Glock 17 (not a fan), the VP9 (loved it) and the Walter PPQ (leading contender so far). Next up are the 4” 2.0 and the 4” P320. After those, I’ll do a few more rental sessions for head to head comparisons.

One other thing. I would consider a Shield for CCW. However, for this newbie, I am too inexperienced to get a CCW yet. So I’m not even considering CCW-sized devices. After I’m a lot more experienced, and perhaps more trained, I may consider a CCW and the Shield. So that’s another reason I’m sticking with the 4” barrels.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[68Dave]

I have both guns. I would not recommend the shield as a first gun. I struggled with that little gun for a while. It was humbling. I shot other guns well, but struggled with my shield. Mine was a 1.0 and I didn’t shoot it well until I put in the apex kit. My skills have improved since back then, so much that I have now put the sear in something else. If you decide on the shield, I highly recommend the 2.0 for the better trigger.
David

 

[Dave Lively]

Are you planning on buying more guns?

Most of us here in this forum remember our first gun as being a kind of gateway drug that led to many more and think everyone is like that. But I know a lot of people in real life that buy a gun, a single gun, for self defense and stop there.

You are right about the compact being too large for concealed carry. It can certainly be done and many people do. But even more find a gun that large and heavy is uncomfortable to the point they leave at home when they would have carried a smaller gun like the Shield. The first gun I bought specifically for concealed carry was a Glock 19. I went through a handful of different holsters and a couple of different "good stiff gun belts" searching for something comfortable enough that that I would carry it before I realized the problem was the gun was just too large and heavy for me and no magic combination of kydex and leather was going to fix that. My carry gun for the past couple of years is a Glock 43 which I carry far more often than I did the 19.

While I prefer the Glock 43 over the Shield the opposite is true for the larger guns. Double stack Glocks like the 19 have blocky shape that literally rubs me the wrong way. I have a M&P 2.0 compact 4 inch that I shoot as well or slightly better than the 19, has better ergonomics, has been just as reliable as the Glock 19 and cost less. I like the trigger better than the one in my Gen 4 Glock 19 too. Don't feel like you are missing anything by going with an M&P instead of a Glock.

If you are open to buying a smaller gun later start with the compact. It will be easier to shoot well than the Shield and holds more rounds. Try seeing if it is too big for you to carry on a regular basis. If it is buy a smaller gun later on specifically for carry.

If you are only going to buy one gun get the Shield. You will probably not shoot as well but are more likely to carry it.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Welcome to the forum.

Since the Shield was introduced, scores of people have checked in on this forum and said that it was their first firearm, and they were happy with it. No reason to believe you'd be any different. Personally, I like the Shield grip a bit grippier, with an added grip sleeve. Good luck.

Here is the Shield next to the compact:

 

[seebee62]

I have a 4 in 2.0 and I consider it my most concealable pistol.
All of my pistols will conceal well a Sig 320 Compact a CZ P10C a CZ P07 but the M&P 4 inch disappears Inside the waistband.
If I ever have to dress semi formal or formal for work I’ll carry the M&P.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Ranger17]

My first non-22 was a compact 9; solid gun but just didnt care for it. Picked up a Shield(pc) and I shoot that far better than i did the compact.
We all will have different opinions and suggestions; thats where being able to try them out first is a big plus. What is good for one may not be for another.

 

[Eski]

Welcome to the forum.

Since the Shield was introduced, scores of people have checked in on this forum and said that it was their first firearm, and they were happy with it. No reason to believe you'd be any different. Personally, I like the Shield grip a bit grippier, with an added grip sleeve. Good luck.

Here is the Shield next to the compact:

That looks like the “1.0” compact. The OP said a 4” compact which makes me think they’re talking 2.0 compact, which has a longer grip. Width is probably the same though?

2.0 compact next to Shield with the Medium grip:

 

[Bozz10mm]

The Shield wasn't my first handgun, but it was one of the first ones I bought after a 20 year hiatus from shooting. It took me lots of dry fire and 500 or so live rounds through it to get to the point where I felt confident in accurately shooting it.

Having said that, I like it so much now that I bought a second Shield in 45 ACP. My latest purchase was the M&P Compact 2.0 and it is pretty sweet. Actually not much harder to conceal than the Shield and I am slightly more accurate with it. So, I say get both, but start with the Compact 2.0.

 

[Ransom]

Obviously from the previous comments, it depends on each person. I bought a Shield 9mm in 2012 as my first gun. I love it and have shot it very accurately from day 1. I've got other options now but the Shield is still my every day carry. So I think the Shield makes a great first gun if you plan to carry it.

I also have a 9mm 2.0 Compact 4". It shoots very well also. I enjoy shooting it more that the Shield, but the Shield is easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry.

So if anyone tries to tell you a Shield is terrible first gun or a perfect first gun, just remember that's their opinion. You have to make up your own mind.

Good luck.

 

[Mystery]

Thanks for replies and suggestions...

Yes, I'm talking about the 2.0 4" barrel version.
I'm not considering the 3.6" since it's basically 4" one except the shorter length.
Original 9C that has 3.5" barrel is a maybe option but if I'm going double stack, I'd rather go with 4".

The shield is on sale for $250 at palmettostate.
However, it adds tax for my state and shipping plus FFL will bring it to around $320 so not that cheap after all.

I see the 4" with no safety on sale for around $350 while the ones with safety is over $400.
I'm waiting for it do go down. If it doesn't go down in few weeks, I'll buy it regardless.


As for CCW, I already took the class and have certification.
I'm not comfortable to carry yet so haven't applied for the permit.
It is very easy to get a CCW certification.
Attend a class and viola, you are certified.
Sheriff's office doesn't even have a requirement of live fire practice.
It's so scary that there are many carrying a deadly weapon and all they did to be certified is attend a 4 hour class, most don't even use live fire in that class.
God forbid if they have to use it with that paper certification.
They are a liability and will put more lives in danger than saving.

I'm planning on getting a membership and practice so need my own gun. I can rent but that'll add quickly, specially with the ammo price as I have to buy it there if I rent.

As for training, I took a intro to pistol class and went to range few times.
So far, I only used 22lr and I really liked the feel of M&P 22lr pistol.
That's another reason why I wanted to get a M&P in 9mm version.

Let's see if grab a gun drops price on 2.0 compact.

 

[Mystery]

That looks like the “1.0” compact. The OP said a 4” compact which makes me think they’re talking 2.0 compact, which has a longer grip. Width is probably the same though?

2.0 compact next to Shield with the Medium grip:

Thanks for that picture.
I was thinking shield would be much smaller but looks like it's same height as compact except the thickness and little shorter frame.
Hmm...

 

[Raisin]

Thanks for that picture.
I was thinking shield would be much smaller but looks like it's same height as compact except the thickness and little shorter frame.
Hmm...

The weight of the Compact 2.0 with 15 rounds versus 8 rounds in the shield makes a big difference in carry comfort.

 

[Mystery]

One question on FFL, the ffl transfer only charges transfer fee, it does not add tax right?