Need help before purchase M&P Shield Plus and Compact

[kmaultsby]

I am about to purchase either the M&P 2.0 compact or Shield Plus, or maybe both. I will use the pistols for CCW and carry them around the house. Questions for the current users of the Shield Plus: Are you using an optic or just fixed sights? I live in California, and I know that you can purchase a slide for the Shield that is Optics ready, but that is an extra $270. My other option is to purchase the M&P compact 2.0, but I am unsure if an optic cut slide is available for it. Any throughs? Also, do you have any opinions on using an optic for concealed carry, yes or no? I shoot carry optics in IDPA.

Thanks

 

[panamajack310]

I just got an M&P compact 9mm 4” barrel, not cut for an optic. The gun is solid and lucky for me came with night sights. I have an optic but do not use one on my carry guns ( I believe in old school iron sights…they don’t fail! I will probably use an optic on a pistol for my wife for home defense.

 

[gunny4053]

I'd go with the Shield Plus, as to optics, that's one for you to decide. Personally, I find I shoot with irons as well as I shoot with an optic. The other thing to consider between the two is the Shield Plus gives you up to 15 rounds with factory mags, a lot off rounds in a small package. The Compact will give you 13 in a larger package. I carry a PC Shield 9mm and a PC Shield .40. Although the 9mm is limited to 9 rounds plus one in the pipe and both have iron sights, I never feel under gunned. Here's the twins and the target represents the first 20 rounds I put through the 9mm. Good luck with your choice.

 

[hardluk1]

I will not give advise on what might be a better carry option for you as that is your choice . I'll say I have no small handgun , shield orplus model included .

I do have a m&p 4" 15 shot 9mm compact optic ready with a thumb rest with a holosun green circle dot optic and some internal upgrades along with high cap mags mags but its still a practice handgun not a CC yet .

I wear trifocals but I carry full size handguns with 4.25 barrels in 40 or 45 in a iwb holster with open sights but that m&p compact 4" 9mm with a dot optic is for the future if I decide I need a dot optic or get to a point I rather carry a 9mm . I also have a long history of hunting with dot optics " ultra dot " on revolvers and dots 22lr fun guns going back to the early '90's but not for carry yet .

There are a number of M&P compact that are optic ready in a 3.6 & 4" compact model you can see in the S&W M&P pistol compact page so not sure where your looking and find none , maybe some gun shores only !! Site linked below . You can also see what a wholesaler has at sports south warehouse where most any gun shop can or does order from .

Make up your own mind as to the handgun to maybe depending on how you will carry it . Ilm only 5'9 with 37 years of CC and always iwb and at 3:00 !. Same holster now for 19 years for my 1911 and a MTAC for the m&p for close to 14 years .
Good luck with your choice.

Pistols | Smith & Wesson

 

[kmaultsby]

Thank you all.

 

[vipermd]

If you are carrying at home, I would go with the M&P compact. No need to conceal it in your own house. Always have a spare mag, never know when you could have amag failure. Be Safe

 

[Saudade]

Since you're in CA (so am I), you should check with your IA regarding modifications to your firearm. Some don't care much, other are very restrictive. In your case you'd be removing a "safety" device.

 

[kmaultsby]

Since you're in CA (so am I), you should check with your IA regarding modifications to your firearm. Some don't care much, other are very restrictive. In your case you'd be removing a "safety" device.

What modification? If you are referring to replacing the slide with the OSP slide it is legal you can purchase them at Turners.

 

[kmaultsby]

If you are carrying at home, I would go with the M&P compact. No need to conceal it in your own house. Always have a spare mag, never know when you could have amag failure. Be Safe

I was thinking the same thing, and a salesman at my local gun shop showed me how he carried his Glock 19 with no problem and recommended what Holster to purchase.

 

[Saudade]

What modification? If you are referring to replacing the slide with the OSP slide it is legal you can purchase them at Turners.

Legal to purchase, yes. Legal to use, yes. Legal to modify a carry gun and delete a "safety" item (Chamber load indicator here), maybe, depends on the county.

For example:

Contra Costa County:

"Firearms with attached laser sights, flashlights, red dots, and sighting systems are not acceptable. Glow in the dark or luminescent sights are acceptable."

Firearms which have been modified, including modifications to triggers, slides, safety mechanisms, conversions, and magazine releases are not approved."

"Prohibited firearms include any single action only firearms. This includes any semi-automatic handgun made by any manufacturer built on the Colt 1911 configuration."

Yes, I think this is ridiculous but that's their rules. (so let's not argue about it).

Not saying the OP can't, just suggesting to check with their IA beforehand to avoid problems afterwards.

 

[sotexas]

I carry both without issue. I have sleeves for the 3.6 that allows for higher capacity magazines. While the plus is very accurate I shoot the 3.6 with slightly better accuracy. Having said that the plus gets carried more frequently. Get them both and enjoy your options.

 

[Motorsporting]

The 2.0c does come with an optics cut if you can get it in CA. What do you shoot in IDPA? If it's a full-size MP, then I'd get the 2.0c. If you shoot something else, then both are excellent choices. The Shield is definitely easier to conceal.

 

[MikeNV]

Coming in late here, but might add a few things for you to think about. First, I would recommend going to the S&W web site and looking at their 2024/23 catalogs (under Support) to see which guns are available optic ready (OR). I believe most Pluses are available OR now but not many (if any) Shield 2.0's. You might have to do some digging to see which are CA compliant.

You ask if those with Pluses use optics or fixed sights - I have both. A 3.1" barrel OR (SKU 13536) and a 4.0" OR (SKU 13253). I don't carry the 4.0" with an optic - it's bigger and a lot harder to conceal. In a defensive situation, I believe you're more likely to point and shoot rather than try to find an optic dot.

I also have a Shield 2.0 3.1" (SKU 12471) that has been my primary carry gun over the last 4 years. The Shield 9 2.0 is a nice size to carry and not too heavy with an 8 round mag (CA compliant).

The Shield Plus 3.1" and a Shield 2.0 3.1" are very similar in size except for a slightly larger grip. Both conceal well and are good shooters. The Plus might have a slightly better trigger, but my 2.0 is a Performance Center (PC) version with a ported barrel, less muzzle rise and quicker recovery.

I included some pics below to compare sizes. The 4.0" barrel Plus is much larger than the 3.1" when holstered. My 4.0" Plus came with the optic, is a PC version with ported barrel, and is probably my most accurate range shooter with the optic. The Plus pics have 15 round mags installed, the 2.0 an 8 round.

I would also recommend going to a range and try renting/shooting as many of those in consideration as you can. Your tastes are probably different than others.

 

[Hiwood]

I am about to purchase either the M&P 2.0 compact or Shield Plus, or maybe both. I will use the pistols for CCW and carry them around the house. Questions for the current users of the Shield Plus: Are you using an optic or just fixed sights? I live in California, and I know that you can purchase a slide for the Shield that is Optics ready, but that is an extra $270. My other option is to purchase the M&P compact 2.0, but I am unsure if an optic cut slide is available for it. Any throughs? Also, do you have any opinions on using an optic for concealed carry, yes or no? I shoot carry optics in IDPA.

Thanks

Optics certainly have a place on a pistol used for competition or in hunting but I see no need for one used for concealed carry defensive use. Keep in mind the defensive pistol is nearly always employed at extremely close ranges normally measured in a matter of just a few yards. As Pat Rogers said "mission drives the equipment". At these type of combat distances the optic is no more accurate or faster than iron sights which are far more durable, reliable and easier to conceal.