M&Pc vs Shield in 9mm

[jimjc]

My first M&P 9MM full size has just arrived and I`m already looking to get a second one a smaller one... Don`t you just love having this desease...

Anyway I like the compact because it`s able to use the full sized mags....but there`s so many Shields being sold...is that because it`s thinner and a little easier to carry....I`ve heard the trigger is better...is the trigger like the Apex?...

In the hopes that this communist state Illinois I live in finally gets a carry law...( it`s finally coming ) Is the Shield better gun or is it a craze....Jim

 

[Smitty357]

It depends on your personal preference. I sold both of my C's shortly after buying both my Shields. To me the Shield is a more comfortable weapon that i can carry 12+ hours a day and not have it bother me in any way. With that being said, my Shield is be designated carry and my Kimber 1911 is my weekend carry, when i dont expect to carry many hours at a time. My C's fall between my Shields and and my 1911's. So IMO, they were no more use to me as I already had weapons that suite my needs between my Shields and 1911's.

To each his own the C and the Shield are great weapons. But it boils down to the person whos doing the carrying. I personally dont think you can go wrong with either weapon.

 

[EugeneNine]

The shields are still harder to find and more $ so do like I did and buy the 9c now and the shield later

 

[M29since14]

It's a matter of your thoughts on a couple things - namely how many rounds do you feel that you need to carry and how concerned are you about the differences in weight and bulk. Neither gun is going to substantially outshoot the other (in my limited experience) and the triggers are similar, to me.

The Shield is not exactly a super lightweight gun, but it is a decent compromise in all the usual factors one considers in a hideout gun. I'd prefer one to a 9c for my uses. The difference in capacity doesn't concern me that much - the decreased weight and bulk does.

 

[laskt9]

Also if you're a lefty the shield is useless. I wish everything on it was ambi like the c

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jajo]

Good question. I bought a Shield 9mm in January. My LGS had a good selection of Compacts, as well as the Shield in both 9 and 40 on the shelf. So, I had a choice.

I already own a 9MM Fullsize and went with the Shield.

But, is the Shield inherently better than the Compact? No clear answer to this question that I can think of. The Shield is a little smaller and a little lighter. The Compact carries more rounds and offer some ambi controls.

At the time I bought the Shield, the Compact 9mm was $20 more. So, no real price advantage either way.

At the time I purchased the Shield, the Compact seemed like a compromise to me (I guess) - smaller than the FS but larger than the Shield. Since I already had the FS pistol, I went for the smaller pistol.

I am pleased with my decision and really like both M&Ps.

 

[Ray95]

I bought the 9c and carried for a while, it was kinda bulky and heavy when carried for extended periods of time. eventually got the shield and carried in the same holster, comp tac minotaur. shield feels a lot more comfortable to carry despite the decreased capacity. I switch between the two depending on the situation.

 

[aversusb]

Also if you're a lefty the shield is useless. I wish everything on it was ambi like the c

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

I am a lefty and carry the Shield. Would I like Ambi controls? Yes. But you can train and be very good with the Shield. I have use the slide lock/release to release the slide to chamber a round. I prefer the "slingshot method to put the gun back to work. The thumb safety rarely goes on. On occasion I do engage the safety but as with all striker fired pistols, it is just an added feature and not a necessity.

Ironic because I have the ambi thumb safeties on my C and FS M&P's. Just happened to be the ones in stock with I wanted to buy them. I actually enjoy the ambi safety of the M&Ps as it acts a thumb shelf for my strong hand thumb.

 

[mag318]

You could always buy both like many here have. They are both great pistols and you won't go wrong with either, it all boils down to personal preference. If I could only own one it would be the Compact, to me it's a more comfortable pistol and I don't need a spare magazine for carry. The triggers are very similar with the Shield have a more audible reset.

 

[Gauger]

I have gone off the deepens where CCW is concerned. I have:
Nano 9mm
MP360 357
MP 40c with extra 9mm barrel
MP shield 40
XDS 45

I rotate them all depending on what I am doing and where I am going. Some of them have night sites and the 40c has a crimson trace laser. I do not have a taylor fit holster for the XDS yet so I do not carry it as much. Better to have too many than not enough. All that said if I had to choose a single one, shield all the way.

 

[MrJeep]

The shields are still harder to find and more $ so do like I did and buy the 9c now and the shield later

My LGS has at least six 9mm Shields in stock and is running a sale, $399.99 each. Bad news is they don't ship.

 

[CJ_mp40c]

The c still has a tac rail for a flashight for night home protection.
The shield is smaller.
I went .40c for the tac rail, capacity and the ability to use full size mags.

I'm sure the shield would be easier to carry.

 

[Synyster06Gates]

I had a Shield I was using for EDC. I sold it and bought a full size M&P to get the job done...I didn't like the small magazine capacity (.40) and the only way I can conceal with a lean body and tightish fit clothes is small of the back anyway. I can conceal just about anything there. In my opinion, the full size is the winner for holding 17 rounds rather than 7.

 

[Shuutr]

I have a 9 full size and a 9c. I really like the interchangeability of mags. I have the x-grip extension to bridge the gap the full size mags leave when inserted in the 9c. It is very comfortable to shoot and equally accurate with both the compact and full size mags.

IMO a ccw choice comes down to a) will you carry it, b) will you practice with it and c) are you confident in its ability for use in its intended purpose.

If the added weight means you won't carry it as often, then that's no good. The weight/size difference doesn't matter enough to me. The mag interchangeability does two things: I take it to the range whenever I take the full size or if I only take the 9c I spend less time at the range reloading mags because I have a handful loaded when I walk in. The extra practice adds confidence in its ability. The extra rounds in the mag adds confidence that I have enough rounds.

It all comes back to a. If the added weight or size doesn't mean you will carry less, then the 9c seems like a good choice.

 

[Shuutr]

As an aside, I have three CCW: M&Pc, sig P938 and an airweight revolver.

 

[RussC]

I have a full size XD 45 that collects dust after I purchased the Shield 9mm.

I pocket conceal but the times I carry IWB the Shield is easier to conceal over my full size especially with summer clothing.

I will admit the Shield with the shorter distance between the front and rear site is not as forgiving when I pull the shots over my full size.


Russ

 

[kablamo]

Get what you like, what fits you, what you shoot well, and what YOU will actually carry. That's all that matters.

 

[danysw]

Get what you like, what fits you, what you shoot well, and what YOU will actually carry. That's all that matters.

IMO this is the best answer of this thread. Agree 100% with you kablamo.

 

[checkmyswag]

With how and where I carry, I can get a much better grip on the Shield than the compact. If people on the interwebs actually geared up and trained many would be surprised how crappy their draw is or how they have to reposition their grip on the gun while firing. That is a freaking NO GO. I do have to say this forum is better than most. Just tired of seeing unfounded/untested advice. Training is way different than standing in an indoor range not drawing and firing slowly. Rant mode off. Not directed at anyone in particular. Just growing tired of reading advice from people who don't train. Again this board is typically an exception and I've got good advice here.

Depending on holster/position and even body type though you may find the compact works great for you. I like them both just currently prefer the Shield.

 

[kablamo]

the previous poster makes some great points. shooting at paper while standing still, with optimal light, using 1 eye for precision aiming is NOT training. it does gain proficiency in target shooting, but not real life application.

that being said. i go through cycles of what i find comfortable to carry. i started off on a J frame. then moved to a Kahr CW9, which was replaced by a M&P9c which is still in the carry rotation. I'm a small guy at 5'3" 145lbs and can conceal a 4" 1911 better than the 9c - all based on where i carry it. i find myself carrying the 1911 most of the time in the small of the back/behind the hip at 4:30-5:00, while my 9c i carry at 3:00. Just depends on my dress. I also am putting a Hi Power into rotation. that being said, you'll find much larger guys than me who only feel carry comfort in a j frame or small single stack.

Body type, daily activities, and personal preference all dictate what you WILL carry and what you find comfortable carrying. i started with the J frame because I thought i'd never want to "deal with" a larger gun, and look where i am now. All preference!