M&P Shield vs. M&P Compact: Once and for all.

[Skeptic 9c]

I own a 9c and keep it for HD with the long magazine and the grip adapter. It's just too wide for CC unless I use something like a Galco Miami Classic, which in the heat has it's own troubles.
Geoff
Who has a Kahr 9094N in that slot.

 

[eric-holmes]

I have decided to keep my 40c and just learn to carry it. After all the reviews and youtube videos I have watched, I have concluded that the size difference isn't enough to matter and there is practically no weight difference. I am going to get a versacarry today and see if that helps my carry problem.

 

[RussC]

With all the trouble with the Shield....go with the compact.

MP22:

The only trouble I see with the Shield 9mm is finding one to buy.

Russ

 

[treiz]

I have concluded that the size difference isn't enough to matter and there is practically no weight difference.

That's the exact same thing that I did, and what I concluded. When you compare the two and what you give up it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to switch!

 

[GKC]

I have owned full size M&Ps, Compacts, and now have two Shields (well, my wife has one and I have one.) I have had the full size in .45 and 9mm, and the compact in .45 and 9mm. I have only had the Shield in 9mm.

I have to say that for carry, the Shield is my favorite. I have small hands, and it just fits me perfectly. I really like that it doesn't have a rail. For home defense, I might prefer a M&P in .45, but it is a small margin. I wouldn't mind relying on my Shield for HD as well.

 

[nozmadd0x]

I have decided to keep my 40c and just learn to carry it. After all the reviews and youtube videos I have watched, I have concluded that the size difference isn't enough to matter and there is practically no weight difference. I am going to get a versacarry today and see if that helps my carry problem.

Absolutely love my 9c in a versacarry.

Although the Shield is a bit slimmer, the overall size is pretty much the same. For IWB carry, just loosen your belt a little and carry a few more rounds. Why spend another $400 on a gun that holds less rounds? If you're comfortable with the Shield be my guest, but when it comes down to protecting my family and myself, I choose the C.

 

[mlapaglia]

Just voted and it was 29 to 29 50/50, Seems like either will do just fine. I have both and voted for the shield as it carries so comfortable at 4:00 for me. I have the 9C set up for HD with a micro 90 light and CT grip laser and X-grip so I have 17+1 shots. For me its the best of both worlds.

 

[plisken]

I like my 9c. I feel the size and weight difference isnt worth giving up round count. When you can use full size mags in the 9c. I carry mine in a Galco king tuk holster.

 

[mr2r6]

Different strokes different folks. Just glad S&W listens to its customers and puts out a little something for everyone. I voted Shield, but my opinion is biased as I only own the Shield and have never even shot the 9c. Personally I want a 9c just for the extra rounds at the range and all, but feel the Shield is as big as I want to go for EDC and anything bigger it might be uncomfortable to carry.

 

[RussC]

Different strokes different folks. Just glad S&W listens to its customers and puts out a little something for everyone. I voted Shield, but my opinion is biased as I only own the Shield and have never even shot the 9c. Personally I want a 9c just for the extra rounds at the range and all, but feel the Shield is as big as I want to go for EDC and anything bigger it might be uncomfortable to carry.

+1

My Shield fills my pocket.

The compact would look ridiculous as a pocket gun and IWB I would go full size.

Russ

 

[mag318]

I have both but if I had to choose one it would be the 9c. I like both but the 9c just feels better in hand and I find it conceals just as easy.

 

[hole saw]

Voted for the 9c just works perfect for me

 

[Mr. P]

I voted for the shield -- if I want more rounds, I will carry OWB, my Sig 226 combat with my 18 round clips

for carry, though, the shield is easy to conceal

 

[RICK SR]

For concealed carry only. Will not be used for home defense (12g for that).

I am small framed and I am leaning toward selling my M&Pc and getting a Shield. I happen to find one fairly local and I think I'm going to go ahead and buy it up. I may just have to decode after I buy it.

Just remember that in order to gain something you have to give up something and that is mainly control and recoil. A wider heavier gun distributes the recoil over a much wider path and reduces recoil as well as gives you better control. Also note that the new Shields are being bumped up quite a bit do to demand. If this is so in your case i would check around and i would wait till the market settles and then buy one and not overpay for one now just because there the newest and latest craze. You got along this far with your C model, I'm sure it will be OK for a while yet. Besides just think if they did not come out with the Shield!!!

Just some good old Horse sense. In any event Good Luck Panther.

 

[Beat Trash]

I've had a M&P9c since they were first introduced. I managed to buy a 9mm Shield a week after they were announced.

My Compact is my daily off-duty gun. My Shield is my BUG while at work. The Compact is just too thick for vest carry. But the Shield is a dream for this type of carry.

I have RCS Phantom holsters for both guns. I carry OWB over my kidney at about 4 o'clock or so. In this type of carry, they are about equally concealable, so I carry the compact. (A good belt does make all the difference!)

I shoot the compact slightly better than the Shield. But don't take this as a slam on the Shield. With the Shield, I can clean the 6" pie plate rack at 25 yds, using mandated frangible ammunition, at my agencies facility.

Shooting the 9mm Shield, I quickly forget it's a compact gun designed for a specific task. One quickly starts to compare the Shield to full size platforms. It shoots that well.

OP, we all have different size and shaped bodies. The best thing you could do is to shoot both. Carry both and see which works best for YOU. You already own a Compact. Buy a Shield if you can get one without paying scalper's prices for it. If the Shield doesn't work out for your needs, you would have no problem selling off a Shield right now.

 

[azmercedes]

Just sold my 9 Shield to buy a 9c. Like the full size 9 so very well that the Shield felt like a toy and the small grip on the 9c feels perfect, plus got more tries at the BG and better control.

 

[ryan_veezy]

I own a shield all decked out. Apex trigger, tru glo sights, talon rubber grips. Kept changing the trigger and springs to get it just right. Now I'm at about 5.5 lbs. I'm grouping bulls eyes at 10 yards. I have my crossbreed super tuck. This is and will be my edc. I have had every gun known to man as a edc and this by far is the best. Comfortable, concealable, and my 7+1 is more than enough to stop a threat. The m&p compact was a bit too bulky. This shield is the best EDC for me.

 

[coachpan]

Very same situation

I am a smaller person and have the 40c and Shield 9mm.
I find the Shield very easy and comfortable to CC. The like the 40c for home defense. Like shooting each at the range. Alternate weeks. Clean after each shooting . Really like both and find them a fine compliment for other.

 

[c.j.]

Can't go wrong with either. Biggest consideration would be how you're most likely to carry it. If I'm going IWB, I carry the Compact. If I want to pocket carry (yes, I can pull that off) or am dressing more discreetly, I can go with the Shield.

 

[ken158]

My CCW will be a Shield. I have had a 9 for some time and just found a 40 but have not put it into "service" until it is well tested but I will most likely keep both. The trigger on the 40 is as good as the trigger on the 9 which has the APEX kit installed. As a retired LEO, I carry for a defensive reason rather than an offensive reason since I dont chase bad guys anymore... but refuse to be a victim. On a final note, no matter which you choose, it does you no good if it becomes too cumbersome to carry and merely rests in a drawer at home. I can defend the house with a much better weapon than any handgun will provide.