First gun - Compact 4" vs Shield 9mm?

[Redcoat3340]

I had a Shield and dumped it....getting a 2.0 M&P9c.

The Shield wasn't bad, just that for me the M&P is as easy to carry...when I carry it.

You might want to consider a Gen 3 S&W ala a CS9 (perfect carry size, safety and decocker) or a 6904 with more bullets (also a good carry size) or a 3913 with is sort of in the middle of those two.

Don't limit yourself to plastic guns...take a look at the S&W classics and you might just change your mind.

 

[Mystery]

I had a Shield and dumped it....getting a 2.0 M&P9c.

The Shield wasn't bad, just that for me the M&P is as easy to carry...when I carry it.

You might want to consider a Gen 3 S&W ala a CS9 (perfect carry size, safety and decocker) or a 6904 with more bullets (also a good carry size) or a 3913 with is sort of in the middle of those two.

Don't limit yourself to plastic guns...take a look at the S&W classics and you might just change your mind.

Too many choices.
M&P 2.0 is good but it's big so metal frames ones would be also similar.
I can't conceal it except when wearing jacket.
Colorado is cold but only for few months.
We are already having over 70 degrees weather.
Even in winter, I can't wear jacket at work as there's air conditioning plus I work in front of computer all day so sitting with a big gun for hours will be uncomfortable.
It's a good gun and feels good in my hands but it'll be only HD gun.
A lot of guys here suggest to practice at range with the gun you carry so can't do that with the compact as I won't be carrying it.

I'm leaning more towards original shield as I can conceal it better and can use as HD and range, all in one.
I can upgrade the grip and trigger for cheap if needed.

I will add a 22LR for practice if shield gives me hard time at the range.
Decisions... decisions...

 

[dla]

Too many choices.
M&P 2.0 is good but it's big so metal frames ones would be also similar.
I can't conceal it except when wearing jacket.
Colorado is cold but only for few months.
We are already having over 70 degrees weather.
Even in winter, I can't wear jacket at work as there's air conditioning plus I work in front of computer all day so sitting with a big gun for hours will be uncomfortable.
It's a good gun and feels good in my hands but it'll be only HD gun.
A lot of guys here suggest to practice at range with the gun you carry so can't do that with the compact as I won't be carrying it.

I'm leaning more towards original shield as I can conceal it better and can use as HD and range, all in one.
I can upgrade the grip and trigger for cheap if needed.

I will add a 22LR for practice if shield gives me hard time at the range.
Decisions... decisions...

Nope - big mistake. Get yourself a shooter, learn to shoot, enjoy it, put lots of rounds downrange.

THEN WHEN YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY get yourself a true CC gun.

My point is don't fornicate around with half-***ed solutions like the Shield. You will struggle to shoot it, you won't enjoy it, it isn't convenient to carry concealed. The Shield is like the Governor - it appeals to the inexperienced.

OK, I'm done now. I won't add my two-cents to this thread again. Wish you well!

 

[Smoke]

Am I Being Careful Enough?

Nope - big mistake. Get yourself a shooter, learn to shoot, enjoy it, put lots of rounds downrange.

THEN WHEN YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY get yourself a true CC gun.

My point is don't fornicate around with half-***ed solutions like the Shield. You will struggle to shoot it, you won't enjoy it, it isn't convenient to carry concealed. The Shield is like the Governor - it appeals to the inexperienced.

OK, I'm done now. I won't add my two-cents to this thread again. Wish you well!

I'm really confused. First we're told that if we're "serious about CC" we need to carry "Small and light" and if you carry bigger you're a "Mall Ninja".


Then we're told that a Shield is to small too shoot well and we need a "True CC gun"

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.

 

[snowman.45]

Nope - big mistake. Get yourself a shooter, learn to shoot, enjoy it, put lots of rounds downrange.

THEN WHEN YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT CONCEALED CARRY get yourself a true CC gun.

My point is don't fornicate around with half-***ed solutions like the Shield. You will struggle to shoot it, you won't enjoy it, it isn't convenient to carry concealed. The Shield is like the Governor - it appeals to the inexperienced.

OK, I'm done now. I won't add my two-cents to this thread again. Wish you well!

Like everyone else here, you are entitled to your opinions. However, your opinions and experience may not be in line with that of others. It's obvious that you don't like the Shield, but you seem to have an affinity for the KelTec as a "true CC gun". Ok, happy for you, but when you come across with statements that the Shield "appeals to the inexperienced", while extolling the virtues the KelTec, you tell us a lot.

I think in 37 years of law enforcement, with 30 of that spent as a firearms instructor and SWAT member now retired 5 years, I may have had some experience with firearms and what works for concealed carry, as well as what qualifies as a reliable pistol. I'm really shocked that, according to your pronouncements, I've been wrong about so much.

 

[gwmac]

The Shield is very shootable, I struggled too in the beginning. Practice, practice, practice. It conceals well and I love it.

 

[URIT]

Wow, wading through this thread would have left me feeling frustrated rather than confident in my first choice of firearm.

So many advisors and options to consider. That is a problem I didn't have when I went out to buy my first handgun. Then, the late 1960s, I was restricted to a .38 revolver.

Fortunately for me, the guy who sold me my first handgun was a real professional. He spent a great deal of time making sure that my selection fit my hand so I'd enjoy my weapon and become a good shooter. The department range personnel took care of the rest of my necessary training.

No one has mentioned handgun FIT. This is important if you don't want to keep buying and selling to find a better option.

If you haven't bought a gun yet, I urge you to read through this blog article... Trying On a Handgun | Cornered Cat.

That article alone may save you some money and time.

Enjoy the adventure!

 

[sotexas]

Owner of both can shoot steel @ 10yrds accurately with both but have found the 3.6 a great compromise between the 2 with the 15 round mag capacity. The multiple backstrap sizes make getting the proper fit much easier, but always try before you buy.

 

[SiGfever]

I find the Shield v2.0 9mm to be very easy to shoot well. It is a smooth shooting and accurate pistol. It is much easier to shoot than my G43 which I had to add a Houge "Handall Jr." to it for it to be easy to shoot. Will it be as easy as say the 3.6" m2.0? No, but it will be easier to conceal and will be more comfortable to wear. YMMV

Now if a general all purpose pistol is required, the 3.6" m2.0 or a G26 will meet your needs.

 

[sotexas]

Agree with SIGfever on the carry aspect, I carry a P365 probably 50% of the time, Shield PC .45 around 25%, and the 3.6 or a 1911 4" compact the remaining time. The 3.6 was referenced as a possible tweener for your first gun.

 

[Mystery]

Thanks all for suggestions.

...
No one has mentioned handgun FIT. This is important if you don't want to keep buying and selling to find a better option.

If you haven't bought a gun yet, I urge you to read through this blog article... Trying On a Handgun | Cornered Cat.

That article alone may save you some money and time.

Enjoy the adventure!

Thanks for the article link.
I tried different guns for fit today.

What I figured out is that the thickness of grip doesn't matter as much as the width of the grip.
The distance from the web of palm to the trigger is more important to me.
Shield's grip thickness is fine but the width is narrower than I like.
380 ez feels the most comfortable as the grip is wider.
Compact 9 also is good but feels little bit big according to that article.
Springfield XDS single stack feels great as it has wider grip.
CZ P10 C feels huge for some reason, it's a bigger gun overall.
M&P 22lr also feels better than shield due to wider grip.

I don't think I'll go 380 ez route.
A good compromise would be compact or just get a 22lr for now.
I'm actively looking at gun sites so will buy one soon.

 

[Zed16]

Shield's grip thickness is fine but the width is narrower than I like.

Agree with you on the Shield's grip size: I installed Hogue Handall Beavertail Grip Sleeves on mine and love the hand fit: S&W M&P Shield 9mm & .40, Ruger LC9/EC9 - HandALL Beavertail Grip Sleeves - HandALL Grip Sleeves - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

I bought a sale priced Shield 1.0 in 9mm, then installed the Apex sear in it. It feels very similar to the Shield factory 2.0 trigger when I dry fire them side by side. If $$ is a factor in your decision I would do the same: buy a 9mm Shield 1.0, practice ammo, and shoot. In the future if you decide you want to do something with the trigger you can buy and install an Apex sear.

My cousin is quite happy with his .40 Shield 1.0: no grip sleeve and no Apex sear.

 

[Mystery]

Is $387 good price for 2.0 9mm compact?

Lowest I can find the one with safety is $387 shipped at gunprodeals.

https://gunprodeals.com/smith-and-w...me-black-armornite-stainless-steel-slide.html

Is that good or should I wait for price to go down?

Alternatively, I can buy a shield 9mm for $250 and can use it for practice for now.
Thanks

 

[Shield 9 WV]

Mall Ninja?

Except that I never go to the mall, I might be one.

What's a mall ninja?

 

[roadking2007]

Except that I never go to the mall, I might be one.



What's a mall ninja?

mall ninja - Google Search




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