Revisiting the M&P 9C

[Lisa M]

You know, I was so smitten with the Shield that I put my compact to the side and had a torrid affair with my new purchase. But now I find myself going back to the M&P 9C. You say, it's too heavy/bulky to carry, yeah I hear ya. But there's just something about this gun that feels comfortable.

 

[whitestang]

I have a 9c also and have found it to be a great pistol. The Shield is too small for my hands so it is uncomfortable for me to shoot. At the end of the day you have to go with what works the best for you.

 

[lhump1961]

I also prefer the compact versions and while I don't have a 9 I do have a 40c and a 357c. Nothing against the Shield as it has it's nitch and by all accounts is a great success but like you I like the feel of the compacts better. I had Ray Lobo make a holster for me and they both work very well in it along with a good belt. I usually carry a 3913 or a 6904 but I do carry an M&P from time to time and like them just fine.

So many good guns I may have to start carrying multiples just to get thru the rotation!

 

[M&Pmeister]

Love the 40 Shield, but my 40C is a keeper. If the attire allows it, I still prefer the 10+1 capacity and the full ambi controls of the Compact. Not to mention the ability to use 15rd FS mags.

 

[B3500]

There has been a lot of marketing and gun review emphasis on thinness for some time now.

With a good holster, decent belt and a mindset that you want to carry a double stack, a double stack polymer pistol is not really that much more effort to carry. It does take some time for your body to become accustom to it, but easily doable, if you want to.

 

[Xader]

Since my other primary carry is a FS steel 1911, "heavy" is the absolute last word I would use to describe the 9c.

Bulky? Yeah a bit, but that's the trade-off for ~50% more on-board ammo.

 

[Prasko]

I've always said, the extra 1/4 inch in thickness is easier to deal with then the extra grip length the shield has over the compact.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The Shield still isn't a "pocket gun" like the micro .380's and it may be slightly easier to conceal than the compact, but it's not a world of difference. I too prefer the .40SW to the 9mm for my own personal reasons and I find the 40c to be vastly a better shooter than my Shield in .40SW. The 9c is a great gun though, I just prefer the 40c with my own reloads.

 

[Prasko]

I find it easier to conceal the compact then the shield. Hardest part to conceal is the butt of the gun, and the shield is taller with flat mag.

 

[M&Pmeister]

I find that when I carry the Shield in a tilted IWB, the grip hugs my side very tightly and the thinness really helps concealment. The Compact less so. OWB in a paddle holster however, the shorter grip wins, and grip thickness don't make much of a difference.

Neither are range guns, so long session shooting comfort isn't a top concern. Both are large enough for my relatively small hands to be very controllable for quick draw and rapid followup shots. Long slender Shield has a slight edge, compared to stubby 40C... until I swap to a mag with extension, or better yet, FS mag with an adapter sleeve. Ahhh...

 

[bmb96mus]

I also have a shield and a compact in 40. I've wanted to sell the 40c but can't bring myself to do it. It's a great gun and feels great in my hand. But I carry mine up front appendix. And the shorter barrel of the shield makes things a lot easier. In the winter when I'm not wearing shorts and a tshirt I plan to start caring the compact on my hip again. I don't think u can go wrong with either

 

[Saudade]

Bought a Shield 9 a few weeks ago. Great little gun but not good enough to ditch my 9C. In fact my 9C with my FS mags with Xgrips makes for a fantastic grip that can't be duplicated by any Shield.

 

[Old_Sparky]

I have both the 9c and the Shield in 9mm. I shoot and carry both, depending on my mood at the time. I prefer IWB for ease of concealment. Weight? Not really an issue for me with a good holster and a Galco gun belt.

 

[MichiganScott]

I compared the Shield to my 9c when it first came out and found it wanting. The additional cartridge count of the 9c is more important to me than the slightly smaller frame size of the Shield.

 

[Sgt 45]

I tend to carry the FS 9 more than the 9c, BUT, the 9c conceals better no doubt about it. I just shoot the FS better so it gets the call more often. I've never shot the shield, but the ones that I've handled are just too small for my hands.

 

[MSG Glenn]

Since I already had a full size M&P40 I decided on getting a new compact. The main reason was I was carrying the FS with no problems concealing it & I could use my FS mags in the 40C. I'd still like a Shield, but I've decided that my next buy will be a 45C. My funds are limited so a Shield will have to wait.

 

[Donn]

I have all three, FS, 9c and Shield. The 9c was the first, and is still my favorite. If I have any really serious shooting to do, the 9c goes with. Got the Shield with warm weather in mind, but find I'm carrying it most every day regardless of season. It's just a more comfortable EDC. I shoot it pretty good too.

 

[78Staff]

I think I posted this in another thread, but I have the Shield 9 and am really looking to pickup a compact, although probably in .45. The Shield is nice, shoots well, but the C line just feels better in the hand, at least for me. Not ready to completely ditch the Shield, just looking at other options .

 

[tectrry]

I guess I will add my $.02. Had the 40c for over a year and like it a lot and shoot it pretty well. Started carrying about 4-5 months ago and ended up adding the Shield 9. I really like carrying the Shield (especially when wearing shorts and a t-shirt), but I don't shoot it as well yet. I usually carry IWB about 4 o'clock and hardly feel the Shield even driving, but the compact is quite uncomfortable while driving (Corvette seats), but I love shooting it. I figure that I will go back to the compact in the cooler weather and carry the Shield in the summer for now.

 

[Smitty357]

My shield carries 10x easier for 12+ hours a day versus my old 9c. And my 1911s are much better range weapons. So in my case, the compact doesn't fit in anywhere around here. Got rid of it a long time ago and don't see myself ever wanting to go back. There just isn't anything it has to offer that I'm missing.