Looking to buy a carry pistol.

[tim c]

I carry .40 shield most the year and when its hot my model 638

 

[srings]

You really can't go wrong with either the Shield or M&Pc. I carry the Shield in 9mm...totally dig it. My brother carries the C and digs it. I'm 6'4" 210lbs and he's 5'10" 170lbs. It'll just be fit and feel for you. Nice thing about the Shield is you can buy the .40 and get a 9mm barrel and thus get two for one...bada bing bada boom!

 

[BigDog99]

You need to decide if this is your EDC as well as your range / plinking gun. If you already own a full size "range" gun and this is your EDC then I recommend the Shield due to its size. Easy to conceal and still shoots great. If you are in need of a dual purpose gun then the M&Pc is the better choice. You decide on the caliber as they are the same size in either 9mm or .40 (Shield / compact dependent) Both are great firearms and fun to shoot.
I am also a big guy (6'2" 300) and I EDC a Shield in a Foxx holster. I have and use both the Foxx hybrid and the Little Foxx. Both are IWB and have their advantages. The Little Foxx is a single clip holster that can work better with lighter pants / shorts. Both work well with a belt and I recommend using a belt with ANY holster.

Good luck with your decision, you will enjoy either.

 

[dondavis3]

I own both the Shield and 9c.

My Shield

My M&P 9c

They are so very close in size & not at all close in capacity

I carry my M&P9c 95% of the time in a Slider holster
With 2nd mag on other side in mag holder.

If I weren't using a belt holster - it might be a different story -

I don't know because I always wear a IWB or OWB holster.

 

[mustangman]

.. Nice thing about the Shield is you can buy the .40 and get a 9mm barrel and thus get two for one...bada bing bada boom!

Dont want to start a "whole thing", but since there are no conversion barrels for the Shield, a factory 9mm would have to be used. I know that people do use them, but I would not feel comfortable doing so, with the side to side play in the back of the slide, small though it may be. I'm no expert, but in my mind there's a reason guns fit together the way they do. My 0.2

 

[dondavis3]

Dont want to start a "whole thing", but since there are no conversion barrels for the Shield, a factory 9mm would have to be used. I know that people do use them, but I would not feel comfortable doing so, with the side to side play in the back of the slide, small though it may be. I'm no expert, but in my mind there's a reason guns fit together the way they do. My 0.2

I agree - I would not do that.

 

[CatSnipah]

Shield FTW.

I have a 9. I'm sure the 40 is good, too, if you're comfy with that caliber. There have been some reports of 40's coming apart on people during range time. And in the grand scheme, it's a very small percentage. Much debate over loads vs design defect. So, keep that in mind and READ before you choose, and make a well-informed decision.

But in the end,Shield FTW!

I carry IWB in a Foxx Trapp kydex holster. Minimal print and very low profile holster. No problems with it here in the warm, humid, sunny South.

Oh, you really must have a good belt for secure carry. Several here have offered advice regarding non-belted carry, but you need to be a responsible-armed citizen, and securing your weapon for the safety of you and those innocent folks around you is critical, IMHO.

 

[CatSnipah]

The CatSnipah carry combo....9 mm Shield and a Foxx Trapp IWB holster with optional extended slide guard and J-clip. Shield upgraded with TruGlo fiber optic sights, pinky extensions for my 7-round mags. Added Foxx grips, which are similar to Talon grips. Stick on then set with heat (hair dryer will do). Certainly helps with the humid environment here in SC. Everything else is stock.

Currently loading Hornady Critical Duty 135 grain FlexLock. Also carry Federal HST in 124 gr. rotate between the two.

 

[steve462x0]

I like the 40c, G26,g19,g23, and g30sf

 

[PadreM]

I am 170 & 6 foot tall. I carry a M&P 45c. Iwb with a Alien Gear holster. Made my own shell as I have a Viridian C5L on it. You can conceal long barrels easy it is the length of the butt (grip) that matters. The butt on 45 c is not any longer than the 9c or 40c or the shields. I like the four inch barrel but thats my preference. I also have a 2014 M&P bodyguard in my pocket.

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[wantmoresmiths]

I was recently at a local steel match where S&W had a display set up, that had both a Shield and 40C on hand. holding them both at the same time made the decision to go with the Shield very easy. The Shield just fit my hand better. The extra capacity of the compact won't make up for poorly placed shots because of a poor/improper grip. The weight of the additional ammunition in the compact should also be a part of your consideration.

 

[formernuke]

Ok here is my advice take it or leave it.

Shoot them both and get the one that shoots better for you. As for a holster I have a IWB hybrid style. Several different company's make them (read around) alien gear, foxx,...many more.

I'm 6"2 and weigh 200 pounds I can conceal a full size M&P 40 in most of my outfits without a problem.

 

[mlapaglia]

Ive got a M&P 9FS, 9C and 9 shield. The FS is range, the 9C is HD and the Shield is one of 2 guns I use for SD. The other is a Sig P938. Both the Shield and the P938 are excellent pistols and I am hard pressed to pick the one I like best. Both are accurate and reliable. Id suggest shooting anything you can then choose the one that fits you best.

Michael

 

[durandetto]

Thanks for all the input. Not sure I'll get the opportunity to shoot both before I buy, but I do like the way the shield fits in my hand.

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[ccpacker]

Six round Shield 40 in my off side pocket. Glock 22 gen 4 w/15 rd mag. plastered to my hip. Keep the ammo the same. Both are accurate. Glock is more accurate at greater distance. I enjoy both. Dress for concealment.

 

[Jim1392]

Try the Remora holster for carry with gym shorts. It is about the only holster I have tried that does well without a belt.

I can second this. I carry a 642 in a regular Remora IWB holster and it does not move. Usually I wear a belt but I have stuck it into my shorts to run to the store without one and there was no difference.

 

[Jaysq]

Buy a gun that you will carry every day!!!! Most guns seem fine at the dealers but try carrying them all day long. I have a S&W 3913, which is one great gun and quite a few members carry them. But I found I was not carrying it and ended up with a 9mm Shield which goes everywhere with me.

Do not rule out OWB carry. You are going to have to wear something to cover the part of the gun that shows, why not just wear it OWB and be 100% comfortable. You said you wair a tee and then another shirt over it. That will cover an OWB with a Shield. I wear the Haynes thin colored tees tucked in and a button shirt left unbuttoned and untucked and have no problems. It is great with shorts.

Get a quality holster and support it with a gun belt. I have a solid one piece bull hide 1/4" x 1 1/2" for jeans and a Wilderness Instructor belt for shorts. Dress to carry your gun, though some carry without belts in a Remora, I prefer to have my gun more secure.

IWB has a big following but it is not for me when OWB works as well.

 

[chungiii]

Carried a 40c for 2 months and traded it in for a Shield 40 in February. Much a easier to carry and like many others including yourself have said, it just feels good in the hand. I love Remora holsters for IWB carry and they can be used without a belt and are inexpensive (start at $25). Recently bought a Sticky holster (same concept) and it works as well as the Remora and arrived much quicker. (Remoras are custom made, Sticky holsters are pre-fab). Down side to them is that they can be irritating when worn next to the skin for a long time. Most days I wear t-shirts under my work shirts, so this isn't a problem.

 

[durandetto]

My new additions.

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[STRONGNUFF]

My new additions.

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Congrat's !

What caliber did you go with on the Shield?