M&P c or Shield for CCW?

[TAROMAN]

Being the contrarian, I went with the Compact in 357 Sig for CC.
Accurate and easy to shoot well.
The pinky mag extensions help, too.
If I, heaven forbid, get into a situation that 10 rounds of 357 can't settle, then heaven help me.
Quickly ditched that green laser, it was for a night training exercise.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Having owned both, I'd vote the 9c hands down. It has basically the same footprint as the shield and is SO much more ergonomic and easy to shoot well. I found the extra width and few ounces disappears in a good holster anyway. That said, I have moved on from both and now carry the M&P45c when I feel the need for more than a J frame.

 

[Quanah]

Having owned both, I'd vote the 9c hands down. It has basically the same footprint as the shield and is SO much more ergonomic and easy to shoot well. I found the extra width and few ounces disappears in a good holster anyway. That said, I have moved on from both and now carry the M&P45c when I feel the need for more than a J frame.

Agreed on the Compacts. You get a nice size for IWB, excellent shootability and the ability to use full size mags. A 'pocket gun' is an LCP and the Shield ain't a pocket gun. If you're going to carry in a holster, might as well get some mojo for your trouble.

 

[rosborn]

Being the contrarian, I went with the Compact in 357 Sig for CC.

Accurate and easy to shoot well.

The pinky mag extensions help, too.

If I, heaven forbid, get into a situation that 10 rounds of 357 can't settle, then heaven help me.

Quickly ditched that green laser, it was for a night training exercise.

The ability to have/incorporate magazines with a place for my pinky is pretty important to me. That and the wider grip. I need those two attributes.


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[GKC]

Ok, now I'll end with a potentially-stupid question that may help others (or expose me as stupid)...

With all the talk of the compact models able to support the full size double stack mags as an option for higher capacity carry, is there an equivalent case for the Shield 45?

Are there other S&W single stack 45's whose 8+ round mags will fit the Shield? Perhaps one of the S&W PC1911's?

That's not a dumb question. The Kahr CW45 will accept 1911 mags, some stock and some with a little tweaking. I really don't know about the Shield .45, since I no longer own any 1911s (and thus, no 1911 mags to try) but I'm going to guess and say no.

Most 1911 mags (in .45) hold 7 or 8 rounds, so you don't gain much if any capacity. The advantage that Kahr owners find with the 1911 mags are they are usually much better mags than Kahr mags, and they are usually cheaper. S&W mags are generally very good, but they are usually more expensive than 1911 mags...although some, like Wilson mags, can be pricey too.

Someone might come out with a drum mag that fits the Shield, but that would be difficult to conceal carry!

 

[TruckinThumper]

I am in a similar pickle.

9C?
STD 4.25"?
4.25 CORE?

 

[JPucci]

That's not a dumb question. The Kahr CW45 will accept 1911 mags, some stock and some with a little tweaking. I really don't know about the Shield .45, since I no longer own any 1911s (and thus, no 1911 mags to try) but I'm going to guess and say no.



Most 1911 mags (in .45) hold 7 or 8 rounds, so you don't gain much if any capacity. The advantage that Kahr owners find with the 1911 mags are they are usually much better mags than Kahr mags, and they are usually cheaper. S&W mags are generally very good, but they are usually more expensive than 1911 mags...although some, like Wilson mags, can be pricey too.



Someone might come out with a drum mag that fits the Shield, but that would be difficult to conceal carry!

Thanks for the response on this one, GKC! I figured that might be the case. I may ask S&W just to see what they say. You're right though...an extra round or two isn't a BIG deal. That drum magazine though...

 

[dben002]

M&P c or Shield for cc ????

Either one is great. Both conceal well.

Which one fits your hand better and which one are you more accurate with and comfortable with? That's the one to carry.

 

[Smooth1]

I've got both the shield in 40 and the 40c. You really can't o wrong with either 1. The shield is easier to conceal but the 40c is more comfortable to shoot and more accurate. I prefer having both guns in the same caliber.

 

[WarDamnSW]

My advice: go with the one you won't hesitate to put on daily. For me, the width of the shield makes all the difference. I do carry an extra mag also, usually just throw it in a pocket.


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[Bonephish]

I enjoy shooting and carrying my .45 Shield, it's more accurate than my 9C and conceals more comfortably IWB.

I often pocket carry a Sig P938 or a Airlite J-frame, understand the frustration of not enough pockets. I started buying 511 pants and shorts that have extra pockets for phone, knife, etc. Using the Boraii pocket holster is most comfy for me.

 

[TAC]

I say go with the M&Pc. More capacity. Easier to handle and accepts your full size mags which make a great spare carry mag. I've never had a time where I couldn't conceal a doublestack compact in just a tshirt and shorts.

The M&Pc gives you more to hang onto as well!

 

[fallhunter]

I wear jeans, a tank top, and polo shirt in all weather all year long, and I OWB carry an M&P full size, a Glock 19, or Shield with my polo shirt covering it. Its the only way I will ever carry. Yes, it does get a bit warm, but its a trade off.

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[fallhunter]

Also, I OWB carry an extra mag all loaded up, and OWB my flashlight.

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[USNCWO4]

Depending on outter shirt/jacket, I carry the Shield .40 or the H&K P30SK LEM V1 9mm.

 

[mfholmes]

Ya gotta love this forum. It's because of discussions like this that we learn new stuff and get the incentive to try new things. I've had the Shield 40 for a few years now, and I thought I loved it. Easy for CC, lots of available extras for dressing it up - just felt like it was supposed to be my EDC.
Only problem was every time I went to the range to sharpen up with it I wasn't getting any better. Not much good at hitting a plate beyond 15 feet. I got that Pearce pinky extension, the rubber grip sock to fatten it up, even got tritium sights to help my old eyes. Still not getting better.
So after learning about the option of the 40C for cc I tried it out at a local gun show and just "saw the light." It felt right with the larger grip set, had the right heft for the 40 cal loads and wasn't much bigger than the Shield. Just a hair thicker, about a half inch longer but nice clean lines and still easy carrying.
So now I have the 40C, I don't have to do anything to it, and I can actually hit a plate at 25 feet - even 50 if I take my time. It's a real dream. My Shield is gone, and I'm thrilled. This is such an easy shooting pistol. Thanks to this forum I can feel better about what I'm carrying.
Like I keep seeing in so many posts; carry what you can shoot well. Slight differences in size should NOT be the issue.

 

[ltzgolf]

I carry a shield 9 90% of the time. When not the 9 I carry the 380 body guard. Being from CA I can't get my hands on the 45 shield for less than 950$. I also have on my CCW the 40. Love all of them.


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