I've got all three, FS, Compact and Shield. You could CC a full size, but the 17rd mag gets heavy and the full size grip is not easy to conceal. If you wear layers, you can pull it off. When warm weather comes, the more clothes you shed, the tougher a FS is to cover up. Even the Compact can be difficult depending how you dress in the summer. That's how I wound up with a Shield. Regarding external safeties, they're a redundant component IMHO. You don't need one. YMMV.
M&P 9 Full Size for CC/Home Defense?
- Thread starter TeleGuy53
- Start date
rock_castle
Member
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2013
- Messages
- 249
- Reaction score
- 178
You must have some big meat hooks! My hands are pretty big and the G19 isn't too small for me.
I live in Colorado and now that the weather allows sweatshirts (I prefer the zipped kind) and jackets I'm back to my fs M&P 9. I carry it in a Galco Avenger and have no issues concealing it with one of these covering garments. I'm 5'9" and 180. I also carry 2 spare mags in a DeSantis double mag carrier. That's a 51 round load out but you never know when a mag will go bad lol.
For years I carried a full size 1911. I like the M&P, it's a 2013 model and no barrel issues what so ever. It's very accurate. I added Ameriglo I Dot night sights and the Apex duty/carry kit. I'm quite happy with it. It's also nearby when I'm home and where ever in the house I am.
For years I carried a full size 1911. I like the M&P, it's a 2013 model and no barrel issues what so ever. It's very accurate. I added Ameriglo I Dot night sights and the Apex duty/carry kit. I'm quite happy with it. It's also nearby when I'm home and where ever in the house I am.
JJEH
Member
Nothing wrong with a FS M&P...
aarontart
Member
I have both the full size and the compact and as much as I want to carry the full size I end up carrying the compact every day. I have several different holster that fit one of the other and some that fit both. Both are comfortable but the full size just feels like it is printing to me. That's just me and I love both of them so I don't think you could go wrong. The compact has become my sidekick since I bought it and it goes everywhere with me and stays in the nightstand as a back up to fullsize that wears a surefire x300u now.
I went through a similar process almost 2 years ago. Started at the FS because I had bought the M&P.22FS and the 9mm would compliment that. The more research I did, the more I started leaning towards the M&P9c. More research (and it going on sale) lead to the shield. I have a 870 in the house as well, but the Shield is my companion.
As far as "bad things happening during a mag swap." I've never pinched my hands and much to my surprise I'm actually more comfortable with the 7rd magazine than the 8 and I shoot better with it. My son, who loves to shoot and shoots better than me wouldn't touch the 7rd magazine when I first got it now won't touch the 8 and says he also prefers the 7.
For me, the reason for one gun was finances. I fully expect to buy another gun, but wasn't sure when I'd be able to afford it. For the price I got the shield, I couldn't pass it up. I'm just now starting to research my second pistol purchase, and am leaning towards a G19, but I expect that to be months away...maybe as many as 6. Too many kids to support a gun habit.
As far as "bad things happening during a mag swap." I've never pinched my hands and much to my surprise I'm actually more comfortable with the 7rd magazine than the 8 and I shoot better with it. My son, who loves to shoot and shoots better than me wouldn't touch the 7rd magazine when I first got it now won't touch the 8 and says he also prefers the 7.
For me, the reason for one gun was finances. I fully expect to buy another gun, but wasn't sure when I'd be able to afford it. For the price I got the shield, I couldn't pass it up. I'm just now starting to research my second pistol purchase, and am leaning towards a G19, but I expect that to be months away...maybe as many as 6. Too many kids to support a gun habit.
Motorsporting
Member
My PPQ had to go back to the shop after a few hundred rounds. None of my M&Ps have. All this means is what we've all said/read 100 times - anything mechanical can fail and have issues. There are no certainties.
I always thought Glock 17 and M&P 9 FS were pretty much comparable in size.
I have carried my G17 on occasion. It's a little big for my carry preferences, but can definitely be done and it's one heck of a weapon. Awesome HD gun with optional 33 round OEM mags. Mas Ayoob is not a big guy, but carries full size Glocks all the time. Same with Gabe Suarez.
Mr. Teleguy53, no offense, but you are over analyzing. I'd suggest going ahead and getting the full size M&P. It will serve you admirably as a home defense gun and it is less expensive than some of the others you have been looking at. Buy a few holsters, IWB, OWB, maybe a shoulder holster, and try lugging the thing around. If you are lucky, or not too picky about exactly how concealed your concealed weapon is, you will be happy.
Or, if you decide carrying a full size duty pistol around is cumbersome and uncomfortable, no matter what holster you try, you can use the money saved on the original purchase to buy a Shield so you'll have a great home defense gun AND a great carry gun.
Or, if you decide carrying a full size duty pistol around is cumbersome and uncomfortable, no matter what holster you try, you can use the money saved on the original purchase to buy a Shield so you'll have a great home defense gun AND a great carry gun.
OP
TeleGuy53
Member
OK, took another ride to the LGS - held and dry-fired each of the guns named below.
My revised short list is now:
FNS-9
M&P 9 FS
Ruger SR9
All 3 are in the same ballpark, with regard to size, feature set and cost.
Do any of these suffer from known issues? Is there one which distinguishes itself over the others?
I hope to take advantage of Black Friday!
My revised short list is now:
FNS-9
M&P 9 FS
Ruger SR9
All 3 are in the same ballpark, with regard to size, feature set and cost.
Do any of these suffer from known issues? Is there one which distinguishes itself over the others?
I hope to take advantage of Black Friday!
Aahzz
Member
I prefer the ergonomics of the M&P to the other 2 on your current short list - it feels better to me. However, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
OP
TeleGuy53
Member
I agree. I don't think there's a bad one in the bunch.
I'm leaning toward the FNS-9 - nicely sized for HD/CC.
OK, took another ride to the LGS - held and dry-fired each of the guns named below.
My revised short list is now:
FNS-9
M&P 9 FS
Ruger SR9
All 3 are in the same ballpark, with regard to size, feature set and cost.
Do any of these suffer from known issues? Is there one which distinguishes itself over the others?
I hope to take advantage of Black Friday!
You might want to see if your preferred accesories are available for the FN (holster, sights). I don't see a lot of buzz about FN's on the web, so I'm unsure of their level of aftermarket support.
Lots of stuff out there for the M&P.
Wee Hooker
Member
Handguns are like golf clubs. It's hard to expect one to do everythign.
That said, I would vote with those who have suggested the M&P 9 compact. Much easier ( and therefore likely ) to carry, good accuracy at the range, and just fine for the home protection as well.
FWIW, I've owned every size and caliber of the M&P (including the shield and BG) at some point and still own 6 of them. The 9c is still a favorite and frequent companion.
That said, I would vote with those who have suggested the M&P 9 compact. Much easier ( and therefore likely ) to carry, good accuracy at the range, and just fine for the home protection as well.
FWIW, I've owned every size and caliber of the M&P (including the shield and BG) at some point and still own 6 of them. The 9c is still a favorite and frequent companion.
Last edited:
OP
TeleGuy53
Member
I agree about the potential lack of availability for gun-specific accessories; IIRC, the FNS-9 has only been in production for the past few years.
That said, the FNS-9 is starting to gain traction.[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEbWnuKixTk"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEbWnuKixTk[/ame] and [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P_Xxf3AZFs"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P_Xxf3AZFs[/ame] and [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHKBPd-ssv4"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHKBPd-ssv4[/ame]
It may be a good idea to get in ahead of the curve.
and Yes, lots of goodies available for the M&P...
Last edited:
OP
TeleGuy53
Member
OP
TeleGuy53
Member
Gonna look at the M&P9 and SD9VE today or tomorrow. In the end, the S&W brand, and its after sales support, has won me over. 
Thanks for all the input. guys.
Thanks for all the input. guys.
Shooting Padre
US Veteran
I carry a full size 9 most of the time. I think the holster is the key to comfort and you may have to experiment some. I use the CrossBreed super tuck and I'm not exaggerating when I say I can carry it all day and not be bothered one bit. I use a CrossBreed carry belt also. I do have a shield but mostly prefer the larger capacity of the full size.
OP
TeleGuy53
Member
Hey, PirateJim, I've been thinking alot about what you've been saying.
I have decided to take your advice and check out the M&P9 Shield as a carry & home defense pistol.
I'm willing to try the Pearse Grip Extender and/or the Shield's 8-round mag (with the built-in grip extension) to remedy my issues with the Shield's short grip handle.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), I'm going back to the LGS to take another look at the SR9 and a first look at the Shield.
I'm also going to start a new thread to get more feedback.
Thanks, PirateJim.
Stay tuned...
Last edited:
