Soldiernurse
US Veteran
Shield or Compact??
- Thread starter DZH
- Start date
I think the pros and cons of each have already been very well articulated. If you can only have one of these for the foreseeable future go with the versatility of the Compact. I agree with many others that the Shield is a good CCW gun but not great. It's size prevents it from being great. I say this because its very easy to get spoiled on a micro compact pocket gun like the PM9. I say this because I don't routinely carry my XDs and it is small, but not next to something in the P290 or PM9 ballpark. The Shield is nice but over time you will want to go to the range and practice more with the Compact, it's capacity is excellent, it will eat any ammo you throw in it, and its as reliable as the day is long, and will provide great nightstand duty.
I would tell anyone this, say if we were talking about the PPS or even XDs instead of the Shield. If your primary goal is to source a gun specifically for a CCW role than get something truly pocket friendly like the CM/PM9, P290, or even a Nano and be done with it. Otherwise say hello to the M&P Compact.
I would tell anyone this, say if we were talking about the PPS or even XDs instead of the Shield. If your primary goal is to source a gun specifically for a CCW role than get something truly pocket friendly like the CM/PM9, P290, or even a Nano and be done with it. Otherwise say hello to the M&P Compact.
N4KVE
Member
While we can all comment on what we prefer, it boils down to what feels better in OUR hands. I shot both together, & Mr. hand said the M&P40c felt better. End of discussion. GARY
shield4me
Member
Must agee both the compact and the Shield are outstanding weapons. I recently sold my M&P .357C to a friend and then was able to snag me a .40 Shield. The reason for me, the only reason....was my personal comfort level. The compact, for me, simply was not comfortable for IWB CCW all day.. and the weight...though not excessive...was still tipping the scales toward the "this really is kinda to heavy to be carrying all day". As far as accuracy...my buddies and I shoot every Wednesday...and my Shield competes against my former Compact.....and she holds her own. Again..both GREAT guns...but comfort won out over capacity. Just my 2 cents worth....
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Soldiernurse
I wish I had deep pockets I would take my wife to Europe. (Ha ha)
I pocket my Shield in slacks from Sam's Club.
The only pair of pants that are a little shallow for my Shield are sweat pants and when I wear those I wear my iwb with my t shirt out.
Russ
I don't
My two cents.
If you are only trying to pick one of the two and are looking for concealment and and excellent range gun. Hands down the compact. I desperately wanted a shield, but wasn't willing to spend almost double what they normally cost to someone who was lucky enough to get one. One day came across the compact, held it and immediatly loved how it felt in my hand. Full size grip with the pinky extension and the double stack mag. As luck would have it the first time I went to the range with it a guy was shooting his shield for the first time. He let me shoot it and vice versa.. we both agreed the compact was the much better feeling gun. I would NOT want to shoot the shield all day as the grip was so thin. BUT!... if you are ONLY looking for a conceal carry, and a little time at the range practicing with it, the shield with it's lighter weight and slightly shorter barrel is probably the better choice. The length of the grip however is the same size as the compact and even longer than the compact when you put the pinky extension 8 round mag in. I wear the compact in my abdomen with a glaco holster made for it and I don't have any issues with it. Would I love it if it were a little lighter... sure, but with the better grip and larger round count, you have to expect it. Both are great guns, but I'm glad I chose the compact all day long. You can even run the full size mags in the compact with the xgrip giving you the full size M&P round count if you want a little more fire power when you lay it next to your pillow at night to protect the fam.
If you are only trying to pick one of the two and are looking for concealment and and excellent range gun. Hands down the compact. I desperately wanted a shield, but wasn't willing to spend almost double what they normally cost to someone who was lucky enough to get one. One day came across the compact, held it and immediatly loved how it felt in my hand. Full size grip with the pinky extension and the double stack mag. As luck would have it the first time I went to the range with it a guy was shooting his shield for the first time. He let me shoot it and vice versa.. we both agreed the compact was the much better feeling gun. I would NOT want to shoot the shield all day as the grip was so thin. BUT!... if you are ONLY looking for a conceal carry, and a little time at the range practicing with it, the shield with it's lighter weight and slightly shorter barrel is probably the better choice. The length of the grip however is the same size as the compact and even longer than the compact when you put the pinky extension 8 round mag in. I wear the compact in my abdomen with a glaco holster made for it and I don't have any issues with it. Would I love it if it were a little lighter... sure, but with the better grip and larger round count, you have to expect it. Both are great guns, but I'm glad I chose the compact all day long. You can even run the full size mags in the compact with the xgrip giving you the full size M&P round count if you want a little more fire power when you lay it next to your pillow at night to protect the fam.
2tango2
US Veteran
It is? ( The tide that is) I see a ton of Compacts taking up space on the shelves of LGSs in my area.....not same story for the Shield. I was going to add a 9c to my FS9 and Shields. Finally held one today and didn't like how it felt. Already have a G26 that fits that role...probably a good gun but hands down Shield for me after handling the C
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Thegunslinger
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
- Messages
- 62
- Reaction score
- 43
All about personal taste I have a 9c and like it better then the shield. My best friend has a shield and likes it better ten my 9c both great choices. Seems like I'm more accurate with my compact but his shield is more comfortable iwb
MrJT
US Veteran
I love all the complaints about the Shield coming from those who don't own one / can't find one / don't want to pay for one.
It's a no brainer or concealed carry. Get the Shield. It's so comfortable, concealable, and shootable.
Someone above mentioned the size difference and, though it doesn't sound like much, how much more comfortable and easy it is to carry the Shield. Spot on!
I agree that it's not the best option for a "combat pistol" or even a range gun (due to capacity, not shootability) but the purpose of the Shield is to carry.
If you want a full sized gun, get a full size. I realize that some can't or won't get more than one gun, so I guess I can see getting a compact in that case.... but a compact makes for a mediocre carry gun and a mediocre range gun and a mediocre combat gun.
Buy the right gun for the job, not a mediocre "inbetweenium".
It's a no brainer or concealed carry. Get the Shield. It's so comfortable, concealable, and shootable.
Someone above mentioned the size difference and, though it doesn't sound like much, how much more comfortable and easy it is to carry the Shield. Spot on!
I agree that it's not the best option for a "combat pistol" or even a range gun (due to capacity, not shootability) but the purpose of the Shield is to carry.
If you want a full sized gun, get a full size. I realize that some can't or won't get more than one gun, so I guess I can see getting a compact in that case.... but a compact makes for a mediocre carry gun and a mediocre range gun and a mediocre combat gun.
Buy the right gun for the job, not a mediocre "inbetweenium".
MrJT
US Veteran
And that's why Shields are hard to come buy and selling for a few hundred above MSRP while the compromise size compacts gather dust.
Oh, and it's only been out for about one year.
I have been bouncing around my carry guns ever since i got the shield 9 and 40 (10-2012). Cant decide between my 9c and 40c or my Shield 9 or Shield 40.
The Shield DEFINAETLEY carries better than the compact IMO, The shield is just as accurate and reliable. One of my issues is magazine capacity, But i guess carrying a spare magazine would help with that. So, for now its my shield with Ameriglo front sight, 10-8 rear and Federal HST 124grain +P. And a Spare magazine of the same.
Of course until I change my mind again
Thanks
1SG
The Shield DEFINAETLEY carries better than the compact IMO, The shield is just as accurate and reliable. One of my issues is magazine capacity, But i guess carrying a spare magazine would help with that. So, for now its my shield with Ameriglo front sight, 10-8 rear and Federal HST 124grain +P. And a Spare magazine of the same.
Of course until I change my mind again
Thanks
1SG
Smitty357
Member
The Shield without a doubt carries better. At least when u carry 12+ hours a day 5 and sometimes 6 days a week like i do. I couldnt carry my 40c comfortably near as long. So when it was all said and done, i had no use for my 40c anymore.
My Shield is carry weapon and my 1911's are my range guns. There is no use for a "C" in my stable. For those that only have a few plastic pistols to chose from, maybe they have use for a C at the range. But thats probably because they've never shot a 1911 against their C at the range either, LMAO. Another perfectly good reason I have no use for a C.
IF my 1911 would conceal anywhere near as easy and comfortably as my Shield. Then in that case, i'd have no use for a Shield either. But for now, my Kimber ultra carry is the closest 1911 frame that I carry somewhat comfortable. But my no means is it comparable to my Shield when carrying.
My Shield is carry weapon and my 1911's are my range guns. There is no use for a "C" in my stable. For those that only have a few plastic pistols to chose from, maybe they have use for a C at the range. But thats probably because they've never shot a 1911 against their C at the range either, LMAO. Another perfectly good reason I have no use for a C.
IF my 1911 would conceal anywhere near as easy and comfortably as my Shield. Then in that case, i'd have no use for a Shield either. But for now, my Kimber ultra carry is the closest 1911 frame that I carry somewhat comfortable. But my no means is it comparable to my Shield when carrying.
Bikemobile
Member
I'd go with the compact. The Shield is a bit on the thick and heavier side. So i guess the compact would be much better for CC.
Or get urself a Kimber and u will never look for another CC.
The shield is thinner than the 9c. Therefore a better ccw for most. Mine is my daily carry.
Smitty357
Member
LoL, u must have missed where I was going with that one.
The point is this has been argued until its been beaten into the ground. So i just flipped it around a bit to see where it would go.
MrJT
US Veteran
Wow. Mediocre carry gun.
So I assume then that you have a compact and a Shield?
I do not. I sold my M&P9c.
Yes, a mediocre carry gun. Mediocre because a concealed carry gun should be small, light, and comfortable to carry all day while doing all sorts of things. The M&P compact is only OK in that regard. Just like similar sized compacts. They're concealable and you can carry them for a while, but during a full, active day they get uncomfortable.
It's a fine gun, but it falls into a relatively useless category. Really I think it's best suited for someone who can't get a full sized house gun as well as a concealed carry gun.
My love affair with my Shield is still strong. I love that gun!
I can't comment if the compact is better than the Shield since I only have a Shield.
GregoryJ
Member
I have both a Compact and a Shield in 9mm. I CC the Shield with a seven round mag in the gun and a spare eight round mag. I have never CC the compact.
I took the compact to the range last weekend. It had been several months since I had shot it. Put seventy-two 115 gr FMJ rounds down range. Two things became abundantly clear, loading the twelve round mags is a real pain and the trigger is horrible compared to the Shield's trigger. I probably won't do it, but I understand why many compact owners change the trigger.
IMHO, the Shield is a much better gun than the compact for less (MSRP anyway) money. As of right now, the Shield will most likely be part of my estate.
I took the compact to the range last weekend. It had been several months since I had shot it. Put seventy-two 115 gr FMJ rounds down range. Two things became abundantly clear, loading the twelve round mags is a real pain and the trigger is horrible compared to the Shield's trigger. I probably won't do it, but I understand why many compact owners change the trigger.
IMHO, the Shield is a much better gun than the compact for less (MSRP anyway) money. As of right now, the Shield will most likely be part of my estate.
Soldiernurse
US Veteran
Well, I SOLD my Shield .40S&W. Very, VERY glad I sold it. I just don't get all this love for the Shield. Now, a far superior handgun is my M&P9c, which feels so much better in my hand than the Shield. I have no problem whatsoever with my M&P9c as a CCW. PLUS, twice the mag capacity using the FS 17rd mag.
Useless category? ... whiskey tango foxtrot!?!
Smitty357
Member
LMMFAO.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
