First gun - Compact 4" vs Shield 9mm?
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NewToGuns17
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I don't mind printing to an extent because from above it looks different than from the side. If you aren't wearing tight clothing it just may look like a wrinkle, cell phone, etc. I enjoy carrying the shield not because it prints less but because it's thin and the holster I have makes it comfortable. I can lay in bed with it on that side without discomfort. It's definitely not the only gun I bring to the range if you know what I mean. If I could do it again id get the 2.0 compact. I'm actually wanting to get the vp9sk and try that out.
Without "small and light" most won't carry.
Also, too many mall-ninjas forget that "small and light" guns are going to be used at "bad breath" distances by people who aren't in the Cop business.
kbm6893
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So now you’re basically calling everybody on this thread a mall ninja, when there are probably over 100 years of cop carry experience alone disagreeing with you. Mall ninjas are the ones who think that a gun like the Shield, which have sold millions of since its inception, what, 8-10 years ago? is too big to carry. There are literally millions of people carrying them as I type this. The Shield is small and light. It’s not the smallest and lightest. But it is a far cry from a full size gun, and I honestly forget I have it in me, as I’m sure most do.
Everything is a trade-off. Slightly more weight means slightly more controllability. Which is why I shoot my Shield WAY better than I do. My Bodyguard. And “bad breath distance” is a mall ninja term. And the three ounce difference between a Shield and a PF9 isn’t gonna be felt by anybody.
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If people can't conveniently carry - they won't. The differences between the PF9 and Shield are substantial.
kilroy2721
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Since you are new to the firearm scene...WELCOME.
Just because multiple people say that (whichever make/model) is the best one out there does not mean that that is the gun for you.
You mentioned no experience so the first thing you should do is take a NRA class to gain some experience.
While the Shield is smaller it is just as easy to conceal carry the 4" compact. If you want to do a lot of target shooting, the bigger one will generally be a little more gentler to shoot.
You will probably end up buying a lot of different holsters before you end up with something you will truly feel comfortable wearing.
A lot of people feel uncomfortable if there handgun does not have a manual safety. The more training/experience you get will change your mind probably.
Just because multiple people say that (whichever make/model) is the best one out there does not mean that that is the gun for you.
You mentioned no experience so the first thing you should do is take a NRA class to gain some experience.
While the Shield is smaller it is just as easy to conceal carry the 4" compact. If you want to do a lot of target shooting, the bigger one will generally be a little more gentler to shoot.
You will probably end up buying a lot of different holsters before you end up with something you will truly feel comfortable wearing.
A lot of people feel uncomfortable if there handgun does not have a manual safety. The more training/experience you get will change your mind probably.
NewToGuns17
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That is a very narrow approach to carry that skips pockets, purses, etc.
Mall Ninja?
NewToGuns17
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I'm still trying to figure out this concept that if you don't carry a pocket pistol you're not "serious about CC" but if you carry anything bigger than a pocket pistol you're a Mall Ninja.
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In the interest of full disclosure if I knew everything I know right now when I was buying my first gun I would have got a glock 26 and a Glock 19 and maybe a Glock 43 and called it good.
I have owned a Shield and 9C. I also own a full size M&P. I prefer the 9C over The Shield because I'm not comfortable with less than 10 rounds and because I liked the fact that the 9C will accept a full size M&P magazine. (Saves money on spare magazines).
This was before the 2.0 came out. If I had been in the market when the 2.0 came out I probably still would have gone with the Glock but to keep it within the OP's parameters I would have bought the 2.0 Compact and wouldn't have wasted my time on an M&P9.
I realize the original poster isn't interested in Glocks because he wants a manual safety so I'm not going to try to talk him into him one. I'm just going to say that the fact that Smith & Wesson doesn't really offer anything comprable in size to the Glock 26 is a deal-breaker for me.
FWIW I carried the M&P full size concealed daily for 3 years and to my knowledge was never made. I've been carrying the Glock 19 for probably 2 years and again to my knowledge haven't been detected carrying it. If I can conceal a full size M&P there's no doubt in my mind that you can conceal a 9C.
I have owned a Shield and 9C. I also own a full size M&P. I prefer the 9C over The Shield because I'm not comfortable with less than 10 rounds and because I liked the fact that the 9C will accept a full size M&P magazine. (Saves money on spare magazines).
This was before the 2.0 came out. If I had been in the market when the 2.0 came out I probably still would have gone with the Glock but to keep it within the OP's parameters I would have bought the 2.0 Compact and wouldn't have wasted my time on an M&P9.
I realize the original poster isn't interested in Glocks because he wants a manual safety so I'm not going to try to talk him into him one. I'm just going to say that the fact that Smith & Wesson doesn't really offer anything comprable in size to the Glock 26 is a deal-breaker for me.
FWIW I carried the M&P full size concealed daily for 3 years and to my knowledge was never made. I've been carrying the Glock 19 for probably 2 years and again to my knowledge haven't been detected carrying it. If I can conceal a full size M&P there's no doubt in my mind that you can conceal a 9C.
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Buy the full size M&P9 2.0 with 4.25 inch barrel. No safety.
Learn on a full size gun. Then, stick that gun in your night stand, and have a competent home defense gun for the rest of your life.
Buy a smaller compact conceal carry gun later as you gain experience.
Learn on a full size gun. Then, stick that gun in your night stand, and have a competent home defense gun for the rest of your life.
Buy a smaller compact conceal carry gun later as you gain experience.
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If there was such a thing as the S&W forum dictionary here are a couple of definitions that would be in it.
"Range gun" 1.) A gun with that will never be used for hunting or self defense but is interesting, fun to shoot, or set up for competition. 2.) A self defense gun that you can shoot well but is so large and heavy it will seldom if ever be carried or used for self defense.
"Carry gun" 1.) A small light gun you cannot hit the broadside of a barn with but actually carry. Seldom shot because others at the range might laugh at how poorly you shoot it and missing is no fun.
If you cannot shoot your carry gun well that is precisely why you should be taking it to the range, not your "range gun". While any trigger time will help the best way to learn to shoot a small gun is to shoot small guns. Practicing with a big, easy to shoot gun is not the same thing.
I was recently reminded of this when I bought a M&P 22c to supplement the S&W 41 I have owned for many years. The 22c is a light and small 22, and the 41 is a large and heavy 22 with a great trigger. Both are strictly range guns I shoot for fun. I shoot the 41 very well but was surprised how poorly I shot the 22c. Being a 22 recoil is not an issue and the gun is accurate. But small light guns are harder to hold on target. All those years of shooting the 41 did not result in my automatically shooting the 22c well. But I did get better with the 22c the more I shot it.
When I go to the range the Glock 43 I use as a carry gun is always in my range bag. I will admit that there are days I just don't feel like shooting it but usually I do. I don't shoot as well as I do my 2.0 compact and due to the higher recoil i don't put as many rounds through it as I would a larger gun. But where I shoot there is no rule requiring that I burn through half a case of ammo every range session.
If someone reading this wants a small gun for CCW my advise would be to jump right in, buy one and start practicing with it. Particularly if they are not a gun enthusiast and will only own that one gun. If you get frustrated and decide you would rather find a way to carry a bigger and heavier gun you can buy one later on.
"Range gun" 1.) A gun with that will never be used for hunting or self defense but is interesting, fun to shoot, or set up for competition. 2.) A self defense gun that you can shoot well but is so large and heavy it will seldom if ever be carried or used for self defense.
"Carry gun" 1.) A small light gun you cannot hit the broadside of a barn with but actually carry. Seldom shot because others at the range might laugh at how poorly you shoot it and missing is no fun.
If you cannot shoot your carry gun well that is precisely why you should be taking it to the range, not your "range gun". While any trigger time will help the best way to learn to shoot a small gun is to shoot small guns. Practicing with a big, easy to shoot gun is not the same thing.
I was recently reminded of this when I bought a M&P 22c to supplement the S&W 41 I have owned for many years. The 22c is a light and small 22, and the 41 is a large and heavy 22 with a great trigger. Both are strictly range guns I shoot for fun. I shoot the 41 very well but was surprised how poorly I shot the 22c. Being a 22 recoil is not an issue and the gun is accurate. But small light guns are harder to hold on target. All those years of shooting the 41 did not result in my automatically shooting the 22c well. But I did get better with the 22c the more I shot it.
When I go to the range the Glock 43 I use as a carry gun is always in my range bag. I will admit that there are days I just don't feel like shooting it but usually I do. I don't shoot as well as I do my 2.0 compact and due to the higher recoil i don't put as many rounds through it as I would a larger gun. But where I shoot there is no rule requiring that I burn through half a case of ammo every range session.
If someone reading this wants a small gun for CCW my advise would be to jump right in, buy one and start practicing with it. Particularly if they are not a gun enthusiast and will only own that one gun. If you get frustrated and decide you would rather find a way to carry a bigger and heavier gun you can buy one later on.
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joeintexas
US Veteran
I see many comments about the Shield being difficult to shoot accurately, I carry the 45 Shield daily and shoot it weekly, no problem what so ever, of course I've been shooting since the 60s, a new shooter may have some difficulties and a full or compact size may be the answer. My nightstand gun is a Walther PPQ, that might be a more viable answer for your first gun. Very accurate and easy on the hand and wrist. Properly dressed you could conceal carry if you choose.
NewToGuns17
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I don't know the concealed carry laws in your state... I know some states are very strict on it being seen. In my state we have the option or OC or CC. I usually cc to lessen the likelihood of seeing people faint and the gun I'm usually carrying is an h&k vp9. Nobody can tell it's on me even with a t shirt on. Before that I carried my m&p 2.0 full size. Again, same thing. The shield is by far the most concealable, I could probably wear a pretty tight shirt and still be good with it. Like I said before, your holster has a lot to do with it. The tighter to your skin it is, the better off you are. Most people aren't looking for a good so a long as it's not a full print you're probably good. If you're concerned with money and want to get a gun you can have fun at the range with, get the 4" compact. The shield is pretty much just for cc in my opinion. You can shoot it at the range but it's not enjoyable for long range sessions. The compact is in the middle.
Colorado is open carry (Although our Governor is trying to change that) pretty much except for the city and county of Denver. I've never heard of anyone in Denver being prosecuted
I agree with you - good advice.
Although the difference isn't great, the M&P 2.0 "Compact" (4" barrel) is almost exactly a Glock 19 - which is a very handy size pistol. And Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore has the "no safety" version on sale for $349 & free shipping. (or $299 for the 40SW version).
I am convinced that people err buying a small first gun. But a G19-size pistol is fun to shoot and concealable. The fact is that not everyone who says they want to conceal carry actually follows through with it. Buying a small gun like the Shield for a first gun is a mistake IMHO, simply because it is hard to shoot.
I've been shooting for 50 years so it doesn't take too long to retrain the fire control computer between my ears for a different pistol. But new shooters are going to be frustrated needlessly struggling with a dinky pistol. Put that new shooter behind a G19-size or larger pistol and they'll have fun.
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