I'm looking at finally getting a M&P .45 FS to go with my 9/40s. I have a 9c along with my 9 as a concealed carry when its to hot for FS carry so I'm looking for a smaller CCW pistol in .45 also. My question is whats the different between the compact and sub compact. I see the subcompact has less ammo but has sleeves to use the larger mags. If you want more ammo and use the sleeves isnt that the same as having a compact or FS? Other than that it looks the same as the compact? I don't get it. Same barrel length and length. Its like S&W just wants to throw out lots of models that seem to be the same basically but it just makes things confusing? I thought about a shield but I'm leery of using a .45 in a less than 4 inch barrel. I shot a couple other brands with short barrels and they weren't much fun to shoot for me.
Looking for .45 CCW
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I find my Shield PC .45 shoots really well and recoil is fine. The gun is also very accurate for me. I also carry compact 1911's in .45
hyena
Member
My Shield .45 is very accurate and easy to shoot. Recoil is not an issue. It must be the springs they use. I have a .CA Pitbull in .45 that is the same weight and recoil is pretty brisk.
BigDog48
US Veteran
I carry either a Shield 45 or a Kimber Ultra Stainless TLE. Both are easy to carry OWB, and both shoot well....the Kimber is more accurate (and fun to shoot)! The Shield is more "utilitarian".
ultratec00
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%QT-ICE
First rule of thumb, DON'T ever treat a short barreled (especially polymer) 45 like a full size or even commander size 45. Choice of ammo makes a world of difference. With the right bullet weight and spring combination, the Shield 45 is very accurate, manageable, and shooter friendly. Compared to my now retired XDS-45, a walk in the park.
I was reminded of this the other day when sighting in one of my 1.0 M&P 45 Compacts with the 185 JHP self defense loads mentioned in a previous thread. Quite snappy and every bit of 1000+ FPS out the muzzle (saw a You Tube video actually chronograph them at 1100 fps), but super accurate in that platform.
At the end, ran a mag through my Shield 45 as a spot check and the felt recoil was noticeably less and manageable. This with a 185 JHP pushing around 900 FPS and a stainless steel guide rod that has a lighter spring than stock. The reassuring pleasure, watching the entire mag eat the center out of a ICE-QT target off hand at 25 yards
First rule of thumb, DON'T ever treat a short barreled (especially polymer) 45 like a full size or even commander size 45. Choice of ammo makes a world of difference. With the right bullet weight and spring combination, the Shield 45 is very accurate, manageable, and shooter friendly. Compared to my now retired XDS-45, a walk in the park.
I was reminded of this the other day when sighting in one of my 1.0 M&P 45 Compacts with the 185 JHP self defense loads mentioned in a previous thread. Quite snappy and every bit of 1000+ FPS out the muzzle (saw a You Tube video actually chronograph them at 1100 fps), but super accurate in that platform.
At the end, ran a mag through my Shield 45 as a spot check and the felt recoil was noticeably less and manageable. This with a 185 JHP pushing around 900 FPS and a stainless steel guide rod that has a lighter spring than stock. The reassuring pleasure, watching the entire mag eat the center out of a ICE-QT target off hand at 25 yards
S&W Model 457
Glock Model 30
Glock Model 30
max503
Member
ACORN
Member
I was shooting (and hitting) bowling pins with my .45 Shield at 25 yds the first time out. Good enough for me.
Sig 220 or 245 (aka 220 compact)..... my go to's since 1989 and 94.
The 245 is a 6+1 with a 4" barrel that thinks it's a full size 220.
The 245 is a 6+1 with a 4" barrel that thinks it's a full size 220.
mckenney99
Member
Just had to do a little comparison research to answer your main question because S&W's descriptions of Full sized, Compact and Sub-Compact have become so random that you need a comparison chart. Best I can tell, the full sized 45 has a 4.6in barrel and uses a "full grip length 10rd frame. The compact uses a 4 inch barrel with the "full grip length 10rd frame. The sub-compact uses the 4 inch barrel and the short 8rd frame. Yes you can use the larger 10rd magazines in the 8rd frame. Use of the sleeves or collars on the 10rd magazines prohibits the possibility of over insertion of the magazine in the shorter frame with the slide a slide lock, potentially damaging the ejector.
I also have a 45 acp Shield and with it's narrower slide/frame it is much easier to conceal, but still has 6+1 or 7+1 capacity. For me the 45 Shield shoots like a bigger gun. Recoil is VERY managable with proper technique.
I also have a full sized 45 and the sub-compact 45. Hard to go wrong with any of them but the Shield is definitely better for concealed carry and gives up very little in shootability.
I also have a 45 acp Shield and with it's narrower slide/frame it is much easier to conceal, but still has 6+1 or 7+1 capacity. For me the 45 Shield shoots like a bigger gun. Recoil is VERY managable with proper technique.
I also have a full sized 45 and the sub-compact 45. Hard to go wrong with any of them but the Shield is definitely better for concealed carry and gives up very little in shootability.
Probably not too helpful, but my choices would be either a Commander sized 1911 or a 4516. I’m just not a fan of polymer and striker fired handguns.
My EDC has been a Sig Ultra Compact .45 ACP 1911.
It is by best shooting 1911 by far and has been a flawless performer.
It is by best shooting 1911 by far and has been a flawless performer.
I can add my endorsement to what the others have said about the Shield 45. It's easily carried in my pocket, IWB, or in my 5.11 t-shirt holster. It's very reliable, and it's incredibly accurate for such a short-barreled (3.3") pistol. It's more accurate than my SIG P320 (3.9" barrel), and equal in accuracy to my M&P 40c (3.6" barrel). Only my big ol' FNX 45 Tactical (5.25" barrel) cleanly outshoots it. I shoot American Eagle 230g ammo at 890 fps, and Shield's recoil is very manageable. If it's not the single best carry gun on the market, it's at least equal to the best, IMHO. I strongly encourage you to rent one and shoot a box or two of ammo and judge for yourself. I think you'll like it.
This is my Shield PC .45 with a Versa Carry Compound holster. I also have an IWB holster by MTR. Find someone that has one and run a box, I don't think you will be disappointed. For me the gun really does shoot very accurately for MY intended purpose and is very manageable.
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ultratec00
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Love my Sig Ultra two tone as well. Good shooter and manageable with the right loads. The Shield 45 is bit thinner and lighter.
Given that, a Sig Ultra is every bit of $800+ out the door as is most compact/quality 1911s and some are well over $1000. For me, if something happens when carrying my Shield 45, as in it gets confiscated, damaged, and/or stolen, not a big deal. Go to the LGS and buy another. That happens to my Sig Ultra, the wallet sting is quite a bit more.
Given that, a Sig Ultra is every bit of $800+ out the door as is most compact/quality 1911s and some are well over $1000. For me, if something happens when carrying my Shield 45, as in it gets confiscated, damaged, and/or stolen, not a big deal. Go to the LGS and buy another. That happens to my Sig Ultra, the wallet sting is quite a bit more.
snowman.45
Member
I have carried a number of compact .45s over time; both before and since retirement. These have included the steel and polymer models, including Glock 30, 30s and 36, Colt 1911 OCP (and other miniature 1911 models), S&W 4516, 4513 and even a Kahr PM45. While I really liked the metal framed guns, the polymer pistols offer quite a bit of weight reduction. Of all I have tried; Glock, Kahr, and S&W, I have found the Shield .45 to be my favorite. Mine has proven to be accurate, reliable, light and concealable. These days, when I carry a .45, it's a Shield. I'm considering getting one of the Performance Center models in 4" barre, non-ported, but possibly with the RMS slide cut. I have one in 9mm and it is a sweet little pistol.
Come on Smith, do a 10mm. 
I get lucky if I hit the 8x11 paper at 25 yards.
It's hard to even see the target at that distance.
And my vision is fine, 20/20.
I guess my range has bad lighting or most probably I'm a bad shot.
