FOR CCW IS M&P SHIELD BETTER THAN M&P COMPACT 9MM?

[Linejudgemick]

I can see the shield taking place of the compact if they add more m&p features to it. Adjustable backstraps. Thumb safety choice. Ambidextrous mag and slide stop. Right now it only has the looks of the m&p. I own a 40 shield and a 40c. I have to say that I love carrying my shield more then the 40c. Its just soo much more comfortable on the hip!

I have a 9C, but don't have a Shield for this reason... I'm left-handed and chose another single-stack 9mm. One without a thumb safety and switchable magazine release. I usually carry my single-stack just because it is so easy to conceal - besides, it shoots well too. That doesn't mean I don't love the compact. The compact is a pleasure to shoot and I have no plans to part with it anytime soon. I think there is a place for both, but to me the Shield needs to incorporate more of the M&P features. If it ever does, then I might consider one to "go along" with my compact, JMO. In the winter when it is easier to carry the compact OWB concealed, I do.

 

[B3500]

the other day I was at the range and had a chance to demo the shield. Comparing that to my 9c, I have to say the kick on 9c was less bite and softer. Accuracy wise the 9c also seemed to have an edge. But when comparing the recoil of both of these to my Glock 34, the Glock recoil seems so soft in comparison. But I love my 9c regardless but will not get the shield just because of the kick is a bit too much

Interesting, but not unexpected.

A Glock 34 and MP9c are 4oz more in weight and both have a greater size when compared to the Shield. On average they calculate between 0.7-1 lb less recoil than the Shield generates, so "felt" recoil would certainly be different by all these factors.

The thinness of the Shield and how that recoil is directed in to the web of your hand could have made the felt recoil feel like it was more than the others, too. Maybe some of the difference could have been mitigated with the use of a grip sleeve to add a bit of width and cushion to it's grip.

Is the difference in recoil too much to overcome? Likely not judging by the popularity of the Shield as seen in this thread and the multitude of others. It depends on the shooter, their grip, experience level, recoil tolerance and their desire to want to use that piece due to it's thinness for carry.

In the end am glad you were able to try it to see if it would work for you or not versus buying it and then not being satisfied with it when you got to the range the first time.

It's good we have choices to find pieces that best fit our needs.

 

[marathonrunner]

I may buy the Shield eventually but for now pretty content with my 9c. My smith and Wesson Deep Wyatt is my daily carry as it is small and easily concealable.

 

[Atonal]

For me, summer carry is M&P Shield and winter carry is M&P 9c or full size.

 

[wtburnette]

the other day I was at the range and had a chance to demo the shield. Comparing that to my 9c, I have to say the kick on 9c was less bite and softer. Accuracy wise the 9c also seemed to have an edge. But when comparing the recoil of both of these to my Glock 34, the Glock recoil seems so soft in comparison. But I love my 9c regardless but will not get the shield just because of the kick is a bit too much

I've found that, at least for me, recoil is something I get used to. When I first started shooting (only 7 months ago), I was shooting my G19. At that time, I tried a buddy's G23 and hated it. I didn't enjoy the recoil of the .40 round at all. Since that time, I've purchased a G34, M&P VTAC, Walther PPQ and my Shield, all 9mm. I shoot at least once a week and the Shield, while it feels a bit snappier than my other guns, doesn't bother me. This past weekend at the range, I got to try my buddy's G23 again and was amazed that it felt fine to me. Just goes to show that you get used to the recoil. Now, there are some guns, like the LCP, that I wouldn't want to try to get used to because they're just darn painful to shoot, but at least in this case I got used to a compact .40 just from shooting often. YMMV of course.

 

[Horsehaulin]

Try looking at a Sig P938 for concealed. My wife shot mine one round and it is no longer mine. The 7 round extended mag is the cats meow.

As others have stated, if you don't put someone or multiple targets down in 8 rounds, you lost the fight before you started. I carry a second mag with me, but even with that, i do not expect to reload.

I am currently in the market for a Shield too, I have very high hopes for it to say the least.

 

[C/O]

I feel both are good guns, but for CCW I feel the Shield is the better option, esp. in summer attire. The thinness of the gun makes all the difference for me. Now, for fall/winter carry, in bigger, baggier clothing then I say either would be fine. Magazine capacity is not really a major concern for me, I would feel equally safe carrying a 5 shot J frame.