M&P9c VS Shield 9

[jgriff50]

Looking at getting a smaller CC gun. Sick of hiding a full size 1911 haha

Any recommendations? I've held both guns in my hand, I like the ammo capacity of the 9C and I think it would be a tiny bit easier to shoot. But carrying a full size 1911, I want to go to something that's easy to conceal and carry all the time, and I think the Shield 9 will be a breeze in that category. But it's not a whole lot smaller than the 9C. So let's hear it guys!!!

 

[Smith Wesson]

Get the saw map 9c
Thank me later. ...like you said close in size and higher in defense ..

 

[Whitwabit]

Look into shooting the 40c if you have a chance to shoot before you buy !

Recoil is surprisingly light for a 3.58" barrel. I enjoy mine more each time I shoot it ! I have 2 pistols in 9mm and the 40c hasn't much more recoil then them.

 

[Arndog123]

I have a 40C and 40 Shield and carry the Shield a lot more. They're both great guns and can't go wrong with either. The thickness difference doesn't seem like much but it's night/day when carrying IMHO.

 

[timn8er]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...e-choosing-shield-versus-m-p-9c-thoughts.html

Read this thread from earlier this week.

 

[PirateJim]

The cases at gun stores across the fruited plain are full of different models because there is no one perfect pistol. They are all compromises in one way or another, and for CC guns a lot of that compromise is capacity vs size and weight.

A lot of people choose to go the .380 route to minimize size and weight, but here we are discussing 9mm's (or .40's ) so we've already upped the anti. Referring back to your original post:

Looking at getting a smaller CC gun. Sick of hiding a full size 1911 haha

As I have hunted for the perfect carry gun over the last 20 years or so it has become my belief that width is a mighty important factor in concealability. I'd say go ahead and get the Shield and make hiding your carry gun just that bit easier. You'll still feel well armed.

Good luck with your decision which ever way you decide is the best for you! Post us some pictures when you decide!

 

[MSG Glenn]

I carry the 40C as well as the full size 40 in the cooler months. I like the fact that I can put the FS mags in the compact (I have 6 total, 2 dedicated for the 40C & equipped with X-Grips). I haven't noticed any big problem with concealing either of them & the 40C shoots like a dream. I can't relate to the Shield as I never even had one in my hand but I sure can recommend the 40C or 9C. I'm thinking about getting a 9MM barrel & mags for either of my M&Ps one of these days. You can't go to .40 cal from a 9 MM M&P but you can go the other way. You can also go to .357SIG which uses the same .40 cal mags.

 

[CaptRon956]

The main selling point of the Shield over the Compact is it's width, or lack of.... The Shield is .2" narrower than the compact & that translates into easier concealment & comfort. My EDC is a Shield 40, and in a AG cloak tuck 2 holster it disappears under cargo shorts & a tee shirts on my 5'-11" 160lb. frame... The M&P shield is marketed for the concealed carrier... The M&P compact not so much.... It really depends on your specific needs...

Photot courtsey of truth about guns. Compact 9 on left, shield 9 on right.

Gun Review: Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield - The Truth About Guns

 

[jgriff50]

Yeah it doesn't seam like much, 1/4" but I think the shield will be almost effortless to hide compared to my FS 1911 haha

 

[NoogMan]

I EDC both my lightweight commander, as well as my Shield. I'll even throw my full size SA TRP on from time to time. To me, I can EDC the TRP better than the M&P compact or full size M&P (besides the weight). The compact and full size M&P grips are THICK, and bother me when sitting/driving, while my Shield disappears visually and in the "comfort" department. A Shield will spoil you.......you can carry the thing anywhere, anytime, and get a full grip with larger hands like mine. My compact/full size M&P have become range/bedside guns for me personally. I grab the Shield 75% of the time during summer with shorts/t-shirts, and my commander gets the other 25% of that IWB EDC time. Just my .02

Oh, and the trigger....my full size and compact M&P have crappy triggers compared to the Shield/1911. Now, the Shield isn't on par with my TRP, but it's a hell of a lot better than the foot long take up on my other M&P's. Guess I need APEX FSS kits on them.

 

[RobzGuns]

Seems like hardly anyone likes the factory trigger in the FS, or C and consider the Apex a MUST. Just about everyone agrees that the Shield's factory trigger is much nicer and while some just gotta have the Apex, getting the trigger kit for the Shield is more of a wanna have than a must have.

Don't go just by how they feel to hold... Shoot them both and see which performs better for you.

If you don't mind dumping another $100 (give or take) into a trigger kit right off the bat, go with the C. You may feel that the Shield's trigger, while not quite a 1911, is doable.

 

[CaptRon956]

If anyone is in the market for a FS M&P 9 I highly suggest popping the extra dough on the M&P 9 Pro... It comes with a Apex trigger installed with a 4.5lb pull.. 5" barrel and those sights!

Product: Model M&P9 Pro Series

 

[CGhelofxr]

I originally thought I wanted a Shield, after holding both the 9C and the Shield the 9C was much more comfortable.

If the trigger is an issue, APEX modifications can help.

Just my view

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The 9 compact is far from compact. But it is a fantastic gun. Shoots great for me. And it's very comfortable in the hand too. Factory trigger needs a little polishing. No need for any Apex parts, IMHO. The Shield is a lot thinner. So many great guns to choose from these days.

 

[PROnSHIELD]

...M&P 9 Pro...5 inch barrel...It comes with a Apex trigger installed

No, it doesn't

 

[EscapefromNY]

I went through exactly this debate when I was looking. I went back and forth on capacity, which is something of a moot point, given my location (I do like the idea of being able to carry 10 rds if they ever rescind the idiotic law).

Ultimately I didn't enjoy shooting the shield. The grip is too narrow. Felt like I was not holding it properly, but like I was holding a ruler (one edge on my fingers, the other on my palm). Very uncomfortable. I carry the 9c all the time.

Hold both. Shoot both. If concealability is your ultimate need, get the shield.

 

[PirateJim]

If anyone is in the market for a FS M&P 9 I highly suggest popping the extra dough on the M&P 9 Pro... It comes with a Apex trigger installed with a 4.5lb pull.. 5" barrel and those sights!

Product: Model M&P9 Pro Series

There are two Pro Series models, the 5" in that link with a fiber optic front sight and a 4.25" that comes with night sights. As the owner of a 5" Pro I can assure you that they do NOT come with an Apex trigger. However, an Apex trigger does make them mighty nice.

However, neither is going to fill the original poster's desire for a smaller carry gun!

 

[Arndog123]

If the Shield grip is too narrow for your hands I recommend installing a Hogue slip on grip. Got them on both my Shields and my M&P 380's as well. They feel really good in my hands and are fairly inexpensive.

 

[NoogMan]

If the Shield grip is too narrow for your hands I recommend installing a Hogue slip on grip. Got them on both my Shields and my M&P 380's as well. They feel really good in my hands and are fairly inexpensive.

I also thought the grips were a bit thin....Talon rubberized grips fixed that for me.

 

[EscapefromNY]

If the Shield grip is too narrow for your hands I recommend installing a Hogue slip on grip. Got them on both my Shields and my M&P 380's as well. They feel really good in my hands and are fairly inexpensive.

But doesn't that negate the width advantage? I know the slide is narrower and the gun is a bit lighter, but if I lived elsewhere and I needed to fatten up the gun to carry and shoot it comfortably, I'd want to do it with bullets rather than rubber.