Read all of this thread. Good grief! I have a 9mm Shield, a 40c, and a 45c in my MP collection. I carry them all depending on what I am wearing. I can carry my 45c for 12 hours no problem because I have a great gun belt and a comptac minotaur for it's holster. If you have the right holster and a good gun belt, you can make most handguns comfortable IWB. I carry my 226 extreme in a supertuck and I can definitely tell its there, but I don't carry it when I'm wearing dress pants or sweatpants..... If you want something to throw in a pocket, buy yourself a pocket gun! Which a shield is not. IMHO.
Shield or Compact??
- Thread starter DZH
- Start date
Also, they are all fine shooters. I personally haven't shot a 40 shield, but have shot many 40's of that size. My 40c doesn't kick that much more than my 9 shield and is about the same as my 45c. Maybe it's just me, but there really isn't that big a difference in kick. I understand that the 40 has more snap, but it's not like it's a full 10mm....
Der Biermeister
Member
Correct -- it's primary mission is not to be in a pocket. But, I have found that for short periods of time -- like going shopping, it is fairly easily carried in a shorts or cargo pocket. I've just purchased a Remora sleeve to make it a little more comfortable.
Well over 90% of the time, my Shield is in my IWB holster.
When I get the money - my true pocket gun will be the S&W 642 Airweight.
If you are looking for a small carry, shield.
You can shoot it at the range but it won't be as much fun as a larger gun. (especially a .40)
If you are looking for a range gun that is easy to carry, the compact. It is thicker so it's a little more to carry. I'll shoot a couple hundred rounds thru it at the range without any problems. The compact has a rail for a light if you want one for nights.
You can shoot it at the range but it won't be as much fun as a larger gun. (especially a .40)
If you are looking for a range gun that is easy to carry, the compact. It is thicker so it's a little more to carry. I'll shoot a couple hundred rounds thru it at the range without any problems. The compact has a rail for a light if you want one for nights.
Smitty357
Member
Ok i'll be honest, neither of them are good weapons.
However, if i must carry my S&W i'll just carry this one. Forget all about those little baby guns they call compacts and shields. This one will do the job and then some, lol.
However, if i must carry my S&W i'll just carry this one. Forget all about those little baby guns they call compacts and shields. This one will do the job and then some, lol.
What kind of pants? Slacks like Dockers or another style? What brand and model holster?
While waiting for my Shield to arrive, I pocket carried my SW990Lc in the Sticky Holster I had ordered for the Shield. That was with Dockers or similar brand pants with large front pockets. There was ample room even for the fatter pistol, but it bounced a lot as I walked. I figure a thinner and slightly lighter Shield will bounce more.
All four of my jeans are different cuts/styles. One of them has a pocket deep enough for either pistol, and the tightness is perfect in regards to not printing yet not bouncing.
I'll give my little opinion. I've seen others refer to these not being fun. It's all subjective. For me, it's fun trying to group my Tupperware DAO type triggered pistols as well as I can with my 1911.
Friends with little shooting experience have fallen in love with my 1911 because it makes them feel good with tight groups. I consider the challenge of mastering my SW99's and Shield (compared to single-action, 5" barrel pistol groupings) to be my game of golf.
I need to decide how to calculate my handicap!Smitty357
Member
I consider the challenge of mastering my SW99's and Shield (compared to single-action, 5" barrel pistol groupings) to be my game of golf.
MANY people need to learn how to play this game. After a few rounds, they'll understand those little plastic guns just dont shoot near as well.
Then they'll stop arguing over what "they" feel is the better weapon. In the end it all boils down to personal preference. So everyone is wrong in the end. What works for one person doesnt always work for another person. This is where every human is his own man/woman. If we all felt the same about the weapons then we wouldnt have to argue of which one we think is better. Simply put, we'd only have one weapon with nothing to compare it to and it would be a very boring day at the range.
Ok i'll be honest, neither of them are good weapons.
However, if i must carry my S&W i'll just carry this one. Forget all about those little baby guns they call compacts and shields. This one will do the job and then some, lol.
Once again I will say, with the right holster that sucker will ride comfortably IWB!
Soldiernurse
US Veteran
Der Biermeister
Member
So what is your pocket gun?
Soldiernurse
US Veteran
Funny you should ask; TCP 738 is my #1 BUG or BP9CC with deep cargo pockets. However, (Shield & BP9CC almost identical in size dimensions) I seldom primary pocket carry my BP9CC. BTW, I've never had a malfxn with either.
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I have the 9mm Shield, which I got specifically for IWB. It's great, but I wouldn't want a bigger gun for that. For pocket carry, I have the BG380.
A friend has the 9c. To me the 9c and Shield shoot the same, with a tiny edge to the 9c for comfort, although I could shoot the Shield all day anyway.
A friend has the 9c. To me the 9c and Shield shoot the same, with a tiny edge to the 9c for comfort, although I could shoot the Shield all day anyway.
Soldiernurse
US Veteran
Bikemobile
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.
Oh ok, good. Yeah they are both good guns.
Well said. I have carried concealed daily since 1974. 39 years. My Shield is a dream to carry IWB. Dress with a web belt or casual in string tied waist band tennis shorts, this gun fills the bill.
huskybiker
Member
I can comfortably carry my 9c IWB, but it requires the use of a quality holster (Don Hume, in my case) and belt. I can't even tell I'm carrying the Shield, even with an inexpensive, clip-style, IWB holster. Just as others have said, the small difference in size can really be felt when carrying.
Ray95
Member
+1
I've weighed both my 9c and shield9, both fully loaded. It's a 7oz difference between the two. I use the same comp-tac minotaur holster for both and it's a considerable difference carrying at the 4:30 position. Also the shield doesn't dig into my side gut / hip as much as the 9c does when I'm driving.
Dan
What Shield not a pocket gun. ?
Great now what am I to do I have been pocket packing for one year in a pocket Desantis Nemesis cut to fit the Glock 26.(Apparently there are some who pocket a Glock 26 )
Jokes aside I don't even notice I am packing in my slacks.
Naturally there was a period of adjustment but that would be true with a new leather wallet before it shapes to your backside.
Russ
Johnny Numbers
Member
It's been quite a while since I have visited this forum so obviously I'm catching the tail end of this thread, but since I own a 9c and a Shield 9 as well...I feel compelled to comment. 
Comfort goes to the Shield...hands down, due to it's thinness and weight. However, there were times when I wanted something more substantial with more capacity...so I bought a 9c.
The 9c has a Crossbreed Supertuck that I wear on my side when I choose to carry in that fashion.
The Shield has now been relegated to Appendix carry using a DeSantis Sof-Tuck holster that works very well in that regard. I drop an extra mag in my pocket and off I go. In my opinion, appendix carry is inherently uncomfortable and needs some getting use to and that can be compounded if you're trying to pack a gun that is just a little to big. Thats not saying that someone can't AIWB a 5" 1911 and ask "whats the prob?" For me...the Shield is perfect for that mode of carry.
So for me...it isn't an "either/or" decision as far as which one to keep or sell; it's an "either/or" decision on how I choose to carry that day depending on how I'm dressed and what may feel the most comfortable at any given time.
Shield or Compact? For me...I have uses for both.
Comfort goes to the Shield...hands down, due to it's thinness and weight. However, there were times when I wanted something more substantial with more capacity...so I bought a 9c.
The 9c has a Crossbreed Supertuck that I wear on my side when I choose to carry in that fashion.
The Shield has now been relegated to Appendix carry using a DeSantis Sof-Tuck holster that works very well in that regard. I drop an extra mag in my pocket and off I go. In my opinion, appendix carry is inherently uncomfortable and needs some getting use to and that can be compounded if you're trying to pack a gun that is just a little to big. Thats not saying that someone can't AIWB a 5" 1911 and ask "whats the prob?" For me...the Shield is perfect for that mode of carry.
So for me...it isn't an "either/or" decision as far as which one to keep or sell; it's an "either/or" decision on how I choose to carry that day depending on how I'm dressed and what may feel the most comfortable at any given time.
Shield or Compact? For me...I have uses for both.
