Florida J Frame
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No problem pocket carrying the Shield. I usually wear Dockers with the pleated front and use a Sticky Holster.
Why the Shield?
- Thread starter Well Armed
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Great thread. Lots of good information on the Shield. I too have been debating between the Shield and the 9c and like the OP said, on paper there does not seem to be that much difference between the two. I like the looks of the 9c but I like the Shield's ease of carry better so I guess I'll get the Shield 9mm.
ScrapmasterFlex
Member
I would never tell anyone they're wrong- so I won't here.
I will say I agree with most of the people here who say, it's a difference that might not be quantifiable but very very perceptible... Maybe the paper difference is negligible but in real life, the Shield just "feels" so much smaller. (and it my opinion better).
I also agree with the people who said, as soon as they held it they knew- I went to the store to look at the Shield but I knew if I found something else that was better/more desirable well then, good for me right? As soon as I was handed the Shield I was like, "Yup... this is it... I always say I'll know it when I find it/see it... well I found it..." and so far so great.
I did in fact forget I had it in my pocket just an hour ago...while outside with the dog... I thought he had found an animal in a brushy area and for a split second I thought, shoot I need to go grab something to defend him or dispatch whatever is about to pop out of that bush- oh wait, I have my Shield in my pocket!!!! Seriously- forgot!
I will say I agree with most of the people here who say, it's a difference that might not be quantifiable but very very perceptible... Maybe the paper difference is negligible but in real life, the Shield just "feels" so much smaller. (and it my opinion better).
I also agree with the people who said, as soon as they held it they knew- I went to the store to look at the Shield but I knew if I found something else that was better/more desirable well then, good for me right? As soon as I was handed the Shield I was like, "Yup... this is it... I always say I'll know it when I find it/see it... well I found it..." and so far so great.
I did in fact forget I had it in my pocket just an hour ago...while outside with the dog... I thought he had found an animal in a brushy area and for a split second I thought, shoot I need to go grab something to defend him or dispatch whatever is about to pop out of that bush- oh wait, I have my Shield in my pocket!!!! Seriously- forgot!
OP
Well Armed
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You all must be some big guys if your pockets are big enough to comfortable carry and retrieve a Shield as well as for get that you have a pound and a half gun on you.
I'm a regular sized guy, and no, I don't wear clown pants, even though some people I know think that I should. I wear the typical "old guy" uniform; khaki shorts that have a pleated front & a t-shirt that covers the pockets. I can carry my 40 Shield OWB in a Ed Hume JIT slide holster or pocket carry with a DeSantis pocket holster. Pocket carry works fine. Its not perfect, as it would be difficult to draw from a seated position, but otherwise no problems. In a belt holster I would have to lift the t-shirt than draw. With pocket carry, if things look dicey, I can have my hand in position to draw. Its a lot quicker for me, YMMV.
Osprey
Member
The debate between "capacity" vs. "carriability" is easily resolved. If you don't carry your hi-cap then the lighter, smaller, lower capacity gun is the way to go. However, there are, of course, other, very important, variables. Style of dress, characteristics of one's daily activity (job, car, motorcycle, public transportation, etc). Does the person need to be able to remove the gun/holster/mags, etc. because their daily activities keep bringing them to places where they can't legally carry?
Over my 17 years of CC, I started carrying J-frames. In 2007, I switched to a Kahr PM9, but recently, I've become less enamored by the Kahr as my training and experience have increased. As I'm looking for its replacement, I'm considering the Shield, the XDS-9 (I really like the 4.0 version), and the Glock 26. Each have their pros and cons. Neither of these is perfect. If I had my way, I'd have a custom with the length of the 4.0, the capacity of the Glock, the trigger of the XDS, and the "gadget-free" design of the Glock or Shield...
...assuming I could - and would - actually carry such a thing.
sprey
Over my 17 years of CC, I started carrying J-frames. In 2007, I switched to a Kahr PM9, but recently, I've become less enamored by the Kahr as my training and experience have increased. As I'm looking for its replacement, I'm considering the Shield, the XDS-9 (I really like the 4.0 version), and the Glock 26. Each have their pros and cons. Neither of these is perfect. If I had my way, I'd have a custom with the length of the 4.0, the capacity of the Glock, the trigger of the XDS, and the "gadget-free" design of the Glock or Shield...
...assuming I could - and would - actually carry such a thing.
sprey
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Nope... I'm 5'7", 165Lbs, 34" waste, 30" inseam.
In jeans, I simply go for Wrangler Relaxed Fit 34/30s. The fit is Just loose enough to allow ample room for my Shield and Remora and the Slash of the front pocket is angled just right for quick and easy access.
For dress casual... Wrangler Slacks, or Dockers.
Wrangler Cargo Pants are also very comfortable for pocket Carry.
All available at Wally-World.
What brand/style do you wear that you CAN'T pocket carry?
Kollin
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+1 for Wrangler's but I get them at Target.
Old_Sparky
Member
I have both the Shield 9mm, and the 9c. I carry both, but find the Shield hides just a little bit better, and is a little bit lighter. I carry both, depending on my mood at the time.
Protected One
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Mad Mensch
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I've also had both the shield and the 9c. I ended up selling the 9c because I wanted a conceal carry pistol and the shield definitely outshines the 9c in that aspect.
You really have to decide what the purpose of the gun is and go from there. If you're looking for a good range gun, CCW, and training gun I would go with the 9c. If you're looking for a dedicated year-round CCW get the Shield.
You really have to decide what the purpose of the gun is and go from there. If you're looking for a good range gun, CCW, and training gun I would go with the 9c. If you're looking for a dedicated year-round CCW get the Shield.
HeavyDuty Ken
Member
This could have been written word for word by me. +1.
Lockback
Member
I bought a Shield because, as a girl once told me, "Size does matter."
Shield VS. 9c
I bought my first M&P Compact when both compacts and shields were impossible to come by. I really wanted to buy a shield, but I saw a compact that had just been put on the shelf at a local gun shop. I held it and LOVED IT! I bought it right then. I touted to everyone about how the 9c was better than the shield because of the reasons you point out... close in size but holds more rounds, even though I had never carried a shield, I had only shot one at a gun range. In shooting the 9c vs. the shield, I loved the feel of the 9c better. I carried it everyday for a year as an appendix carry. I ignored the printing and sometimes the uncomfortable weight of the 9c. I told myself I didn't need the shield and after all, if you found one.. they wanted around $750 for it.. which people were paying! I thought it was ridiculous so I stuck with my 9c. I loved it. It felt perfect in my hand, shot wonderfully and it was always reliable. And I shot that 9c A LOT! Then one day as the hysteria died down, there was a shield on the shelf at Sportsman's warehouse. The first one I had seen on a shelf, although I had seen them listed around at $$380 to $400 I was willing to pay the $415 that Sportsman's was asking... and man was I glad I did. Yes, I absolutely love the grip on the 9c more, and yes, I gave up a larger round count, but once I started carrying the shield, with the weight difference and being thinner, thus printing less.. I was/am completely sold. I sold my 9c after buying the shield, as I really wanted a daily carry, but there was a tear in my eye. I loved that 9c. I'm considering buying another now just to have one at home. But for everyday carry in the 1 o'clock appendix carry, I find the shield MUCH more comfortable and still a great gun to shoot.
I bought my first M&P Compact when both compacts and shields were impossible to come by. I really wanted to buy a shield, but I saw a compact that had just been put on the shelf at a local gun shop. I held it and LOVED IT! I bought it right then. I touted to everyone about how the 9c was better than the shield because of the reasons you point out... close in size but holds more rounds, even though I had never carried a shield, I had only shot one at a gun range. In shooting the 9c vs. the shield, I loved the feel of the 9c better. I carried it everyday for a year as an appendix carry. I ignored the printing and sometimes the uncomfortable weight of the 9c. I told myself I didn't need the shield and after all, if you found one.. they wanted around $750 for it.. which people were paying! I thought it was ridiculous so I stuck with my 9c. I loved it. It felt perfect in my hand, shot wonderfully and it was always reliable. And I shot that 9c A LOT! Then one day as the hysteria died down, there was a shield on the shelf at Sportsman's warehouse. The first one I had seen on a shelf, although I had seen them listed around at $$380 to $400 I was willing to pay the $415 that Sportsman's was asking... and man was I glad I did. Yes, I absolutely love the grip on the 9c more, and yes, I gave up a larger round count, but once I started carrying the shield, with the weight difference and being thinner, thus printing less.. I was/am completely sold. I sold my 9c after buying the shield, as I really wanted a daily carry, but there was a tear in my eye. I loved that 9c. I'm considering buying another now just to have one at home. But for everyday carry in the 1 o'clock appendix carry, I find the shield MUCH more comfortable and still a great gun to shoot.
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RPK
Member
+1 I too have both and like Donn, 9c came first and it's a great gun! but in warmer weather those numbers make a huge difference and the shield works better for me.
Marshal Tom
Member
I immediatly went for the shield for a couple of reasons. I like a single stack over any of the fat double stacks out there such as a Glock 26-27 etc. I also like the longer grip of the Shield over most of the others. It just felt good in my hand the minute that I picked it up. The compact felt too thick in the grip area to me and the width of the frame was not what I was looking for. I carry a M&P 340 every day in my pocket and love it but I wanted the Shield for those times when I wanted more capacity but not a lot of bulk. I like the longer grip in my hand and never liked the feel of the short and fat grip of the little Glocks.
BlueBridge
Member
Being a smaller person, that minimal difference in weight and width make a huge difference in how it carries on my body.
Nakanokalronin
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I had the 9C and Shield 9 at the same time. The weight and dimensions were more than negligible to me. It's different when reading dimensions and watching comparisons online compared to actually seeing them up close together and carrying both IWB.
The 9c could be a winter gun, but that's only good if you're out in the cold all day. The thing people forget when carrying larger models during winter is that coats eventually come off unless you like sweating indoors or look strange eating at a restaurant with your jacket on.
The 9c could be a winter gun, but that's only good if you're out in the cold all day. The thing people forget when carrying larger models during winter is that coats eventually come off unless you like sweating indoors or look strange eating at a restaurant with your jacket on.
baccusboy
Member
I would have purchased the 9c over a Shield, because the size isn't that different, and you get so many more rounds with the M&P 9 Compact.
Been down that "small gun" road before. I soon learned that, unless I buy something pocketable, I may as well be carrying me 1911 Bobtail SC (no joke), because my Milt Sparks Nexus hides it so well. A subcompact carries about the same for me as the 1911SC, so I have to go with a tiny pocket gun, like a .380 LCP, or else I may as well go with something larger that needs a good holster.
But the problem for me was that I have an ever-so-slight shake in my hands. The way the 9 Compact is, the topside of the gun seems to be lighter and thin, compared to what I did buy (Ruger SR9c). The Ruger SR9c, which seems a little more slide-heavy, and for whatever the reason, I don't shake as much when holding it. That means, in my hands, the 9c shakes too much. Loved the gun, but just doesn't work for me, given the problem.
Been down that "small gun" road before. I soon learned that, unless I buy something pocketable, I may as well be carrying me 1911 Bobtail SC (no joke), because my Milt Sparks Nexus hides it so well. A subcompact carries about the same for me as the 1911SC, so I have to go with a tiny pocket gun, like a .380 LCP, or else I may as well go with something larger that needs a good holster.
But the problem for me was that I have an ever-so-slight shake in my hands. The way the 9 Compact is, the topside of the gun seems to be lighter and thin, compared to what I did buy (Ruger SR9c). The Ruger SR9c, which seems a little more slide-heavy, and for whatever the reason, I don't shake as much when holding it. That means, in my hands, the 9c shakes too much. Loved the gun, but just doesn't work for me, given the problem.
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