M&P 9c vs Shield the age old debate

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marine6680

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I'm contemplating this one...

My fiance has settled on the Shield as her pistol for ccw.

Me, I am torn...

The trigger on the shield is very nice, that is what won over my fiance.

The trigger on my full size M&P was mushy out of the box, almost like the trigger was flexing before the break. An apex kit fixed this issue, but not needing to do anything to the shield out of the box is nice.

I did pick up a M&Pc today, and the trigger was world's better than the full size was. It felt almost as nice as the pro series trigger sitting next to it, which broke very clean, similar to an Apex... It was a surprise to me after my full size experience. Is this common for the compact trigger to be better than the full size? If all the compact models have that nice of a trigger, then I could be happy with it.

The thinner nature of the shield is nice, as I know a good holster will add to the overall bulk, starting thinner is better.

The difference in rounds is not a huge deal for me, but the extra rounds of the 9c is nice.

I have determined my ideal carry position will be on my hip with a forward cant.

I have no suitable holster, but I did an impromptu test with my full size M&P, and while it was larger than the compact in the length and height, it was comfortable. But I am worried if a holster would add enough thickness to bother me.

The reason for the back and forth is that they do not have two shields in stock (no safety version), so I would need to order one. I can pick up the shield for her and a compact for me right now. The price difference is only about 60 bucks.

But, we still need to do the ccw class before we can get our permits. Since we moved to a new state and all...

It would be nice to take the class using the pistol I planned to carry, though I could always use another pistol, as there is no requirement to use the intended carry.
 
it was a surprise to me after my full size experience. Is this common for the compact trigger to be better than the full size?
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It's got nothing to do with Compact vs. Fullsize as it's the exact same parts. It's all a matter of when the pistols were produced and what iteration of the factory parts was used. The sears haven't changed lately but they are on version 3 of the slide release levers and those have a surprising impact on the trigger.

http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=4647

The difference in rounds is not a huge deal for me, but the extra rounds of the 9c is nice.
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12+1 vs. 8+1 is a pretty big difference. Will you need them? Idk. I do know that no one leaves a self defense situation saying, "what a waste I have all these cartridges left in my magazine."

The thinner nature of the shield is nice, as I know a good holster will add to the overall bulk, starting thinner is better.
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This is the key and is entirely dependent on the individual. For me the thickness of the 9c isn't a problem and with the greater capacity and smaller height (you read that right, the 9c with the flat baseplates is shorter in height than the Shield with the 7 rd mag) it was a no brainer. Thickness isn't something I truly find to be a huge issue with most of the current double stack polymer 9mms. A holster adds more, but a good IWB holster means you shouldn't notice it.
 
Thinking an alien gear hybrid holster would work well.

My full size was made May 2014... Its trigger was mush. The 9c in the case was nice and crisp.
 
I have been carrying a 9mm shield (thumb safety version) in a alien gear cloak tuck since July. Trigger on mine is pretty good but I did put on TruGlo TFX fiber optic/tritium night sights (awesome sights BTW). I looked into a compact but I'm glad I went with the shield, it conceals very easily and is a very good shooter.
 
My full size was made May 2014... Its trigger was mush. The 9c in the case was nice and crisp.
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I have a Pro model with the Gen 1 slide release lever that was manufactured in June. Even the manufacture date isn't a guarantee of what parts will be in it, though it usually helps. Really need to expect each. I'm just letting you know that in my experience it isn't a Compact vs. Fullsize issue. Frankly I do DCAEK kits and AEK triggers in all my M&Ps so I don't notice a lot, but even then I still found I could notably feel the difference between the gen 1 and gen 2 slide release with my two compacts.
 
My full size has the new slide stop lever... but had the MIM sear, and it was my understanding that S&W switched to a machined sear due to trigger complaints.

So I guess I need to test the trigger before I buy, and if I like the trigger get the compact.

I picked up 3 shields today and all three had a good trigger.
 
My normal attire is a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.

If I can conceal the 9c in that, I am fine. Still torn between the two.
 
Very true...

I dislike when choices are less than clear cut. I was hoping someone with both could regale me with anecdotes on the differences in carry when in casual attire.

I could be happy with both, but I need to handle a 9c again, to get a feel for it as a carry, to be sure.

One advantage of getting the 9c is that me and the mis'ess can't mix up our pistols. :eek:
 
I was hoping someone with both could regale me with anecdotes on the differences in carry when in casual attire.
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Do you yourself not carry? If you do carry, then I imagine you have experience with what size pistols do/don't work for you. Again, personal anecdotes from people that aren't you aren't really going to tell you if it will work for you.
 
I carry the 9c and don't find the added weight or thickness to be any issue. However, I carry appendix and have found, at least for me, weight and bulk are a lot more manageable in that position. I agree with Tunnel, the difference in capacity is pretty significant, especially when you take into account the 9c accepts the full size mags. FWIW, during the colder months, I'll carry full size mag in the gun along with a full size mag as a back up.
 
I haven't carried in a long while... I worked aviation contract jobs for several years, and moved state to state every 6-12 months, made it difficult due to varying state carry laws and permit needs. And I haven't since I moved to SC with a steady job/location. Reasons... blah blah... Will be changing that soon though.

My experience with caring various sizes is pretty much zero. As when I did carry, I had only a few guns. I carried an XD when I did, and I had issues with concealing it well in my normal attire.

I have gained knowledge and financial ability since then, so I can better choose a suitable holster and carry style.


From my reading... The general consensus is that the shield is by far the easier to conceal and carry in casual summertime clothes. The 9c isn't overly difficult to conceal, but it is less comfortable and much heavier when fully loaded.

My other thought is to spare magazine... would I carry one, and how. I have no free pockets as I carry my cell phone alone in my left pocket. Blame the ever growing size of smartphones and the need to protect that large display... Back when flip phones were tiny, I could care less.

So if I have no spare mag, the larger capacity would be nice.

Then there is the trigger... the 9c may be hit or miss on if I get a good trigger, unless I ask to test the trigger and finding one fro their stock that is good, before completing the purchase.

Its fairly evenly matched, so it is difficult. I plan on hitting up the store tomorrow to ask if I can try out the 9c a bit... That may help me with the choice.


Another thought I had... is that a holster for the 9c, would also likely work with my FS, and that would allow me to carry the FS in winter.
 
The 9c isn't overly difficult to conceal, but it is less comfortable and much heavier when fully loaded.
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One note on this. With a good holster and a good belt (don't underestimate the importance of a good belt) the weight of either should honestly be a non starter. Were we talking a fullsize 1911 vs. the Shield, I'd agree about the weight difference. But honestly in carrying both and larger pistols than either as well I never notice the weight. I do notice how it feels against my body by the end of the day and if I'm getting poked in one area or the other.
 
If weight isn't a concern, and size is similar... then getting poked by the 9c vs shield should be close to the same.


The little lady is going with a "flashbang" holster. Seems the easiest and most comfortable for her in her various clothing. So thin is better, and the shield it will be for her, that is locked.
 
I'm 6'5", 250, and I still think there's a pretty good difference between the two. I think the Shield is appreciably smaller in an all-day carry role. The 9c is not a very small gun, at least to me. I try to dress somewhat fashionably, not just giant Hawaiian shirts and heavy coats, so the size difference is notable to me, although I did end up choosing the Walther PPS over the Shield by juuuust a hair due to the PPS's outstanding quality and wonderful trigger.
 
I have the 9c and prefer to carry my full sized M&P. Yes, it's heavier, but they are the same width, but, with a good belt and holster, they are equally comfortable to carry IWB on my hip at 8oclock (I'm a lefty). The difference in grip length is a factor for summer carry under light clothing.

I am currently awaiting the arrival of a new Shield. My plan is to carry the Shield in a leather-Kydex hybrid (specifically, a Foxx) similar to what I currently use for the full sized and compact M&Ps. Previous experience with carrying a PPS (essentially the same footprint as the Shield) tells me that, for me at least, the Shield will be much more comfortable carrying IWB. The grip length (being shorter than my fullsized will make it a bit easier in light clothing, but the same as the compact.

Maybe that helps. :)
 
So the shield and 9c conceal similarly, but the shield is generally more comfortable.

That was my take away from that... Thanks
 
I try to dress somewhat fashionably, not just giant Hawaiian shirts and heavy coats
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I disagree that either of those is needed to conceal carry a 9c. In the summer I wear t-shirts. In the fall I wear a t-shirt underneath and a light cover over that. I really don't need to go crazy to carry. Now I don't wear skin tight clothing, but I never did.
 
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