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

Shield or Compact

  • Compact

    Votes: 144 53.9%

  • Shield

    Votes: 123 46.1%
  • Total voters
    267
eric-holmes

eric-holmes

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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.
 
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I did carry the Shield 40 for a while and although comfortable I was uncomfortable with the small difference in size verses firepower and accuracy.

The Shields trigger actually hurts to fire it too much it seems to slap my trigger finger after pulling it. I now use it only as a back up and am back to my 40 compact which I handle very well and while it is a little more uncomfortable to carry it is with me everyday!
 
My problem is that I don't carry my compact that much because its uncomfortable. The shield is only 3 shots less and that's still more than revolvers, which people always recommend for concealed carry.
 
The Shield is not a target pistol, it is not a hunting pistol, it is a self defense and deterrent pistol. Civilian self defense is within 5-20 feet. We trained 2 to the body 1 to the head so you have 6 shots to get the job done if you ever get into 2 perp. situation. In 45+ years I never had to draw my weapon. The Shield is a dream to carry in a Crossbreed or similar holster.
 
nickn10 said:
The Shield is not a target pistol, it is not a hunting pistol, it is a self defense and deterrent pistol. Civilian self defense is within 5-20 feet. We trained 2 to the body 1 to the head so you have 6 shots to get the job done if you ever get into 2 perp. situation. In 45+ years I never had to draw my weapon. The Shield is a dream to carry in a Crossbreed or similar holster.
Click to expand...
Well said.
 
The grass is always greener. The shield is not that much smaller, and you give up ammo. I don't know about you but in a situation like that I want as many chances to hit BG as I can get, with a full size mag+xgrip as backup in case he has a bunch of friends.
 
If you wanted to pocket carry then I would go with the shield but it seems like this isn't what you want to do. I would go with the compact since it does have more fire power and is a bit more easier to handle.
 
With all the trouble with the Shield....go with the compact.
 
"With all the trouble"??? Beside some of the Shield40s having the mag drop issue, what other trouble has there been?

If it's only for easy carry, go with the shield. The mag drop has been solved.
I wouldn't sell the C though until after getting the Shield and deciding you like the shield enough to actually carry it. You'd hate to wish you hadn't gotten rid of the C.

If you feel 7 or 8 rounds isn't enough, get comfy with the 'C'.

(BTW: There will never be a 'Once and for all'. ;)
 
I bought a Glock 26 Gen 4 that I carry. Bought a 9 mm Shield last April. Carried the Shield but prefer the Glock. Shot a 9 c and like it. May be weird but I like a thicker gun. Thinking of trading my Shield for a 9 C. I shot the 9c better than the Shield.
 
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I they still have the Shield in the morning, I think I'm going to buy it regardless. If I don't like it, I'm sure ill be able to sell it.
 
Shield is a fine piece, but the M&Pc 40 I own is what is on me 99% of the time. If I could only have one it would be the M&P compact, finest all around pistol ever made. Even on my nightstand as a back up to the mossy & M4, I pick the compact over my 2 full size M&Ps, but YMMV.
 
Bought the 40c (LE Version) mid August. 1,000 rounds through it already and flawless performance. An excellent weapon and my preferred carry pistol.
 
I've got a 40C that's my "daily carry" around the house. A rotation of a pair of small 1911's "outside"....

I'm trying to swap my 9C for a Shield 40, just for the "pocketable" aspects, but may still cancel that deal if my dealer can't get one in a reasonable amount of time.

I see nothing wrong with the Shield v.s. the 40C or 9C except the 40C is fairly comfortable to shoot, the Shield 40 will be less so.

Just IMHO, of course....

It's best to shoot both and see what suits you.

Regards,
 
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