Kicking around the idea of getting either the M&P Shield or M&P Compact in 9mm and wanted to see if anyone here has one, has shot one and get your opinion/experience with the said model. Not interested in other brands like Glock, XD, Kahr etc, just looking at the S&W's for now.
M&P Compact and M&P Shield info wanted
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fordnut
Well-Known Fanatic
First off...where you going to get a Shield....They are hard to find.
I have held the Shield, but, have not shot one. They are narrow because of the single stack mag as compaired to the compact with it's double stack width.
I am a lover of the M&P line. I would really like to have a Shield...but, will not get caught up in the $200.00 over list price tags everyone is putting on them...
The compact is a great shooter. That is about all I can say...I like it...
Steve
I have held the Shield, but, have not shot one. They are narrow because of the single stack mag as compaired to the compact with it's double stack width.
I am a lover of the M&P line. I would really like to have a Shield...but, will not get caught up in the $200.00 over list price tags everyone is putting on them...
The compact is a great shooter. That is about all I can say...I like it...
Steve
Hope the availability of the Shield gets better, from what I have read online everyone who has one gives it excellent marks for concealment, accuracy, reliability and price.
I am with you on paying more than list price, not gonna happen because I am a shooter not a collector. I have been waiting on a Kel Tec PMR-30 .22Mag for over a year now, last two I came across they wanted close to $700 for a $379 retail gun just because they are hard to get.
I am with you on paying more than list price, not gonna happen because I am a shooter not a collector. I have been waiting on a Kel Tec PMR-30 .22Mag for over a year now, last two I came across they wanted close to $700 for a $379 retail gun just because they are hard to get.
dreamerofdreams
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Haven't gotten my hands on a shield yet. I've carried the M&P compact as long as I've been carrying. It's a sweet gun and the ergonomics fit me very well.
I am on a wait list at "Lawman's" out of NC. I am currently 56 on the list but they said they are getting about 5-7 a week. I am willing to wait because the price is $350...well below the retail price. Not sure why they are selling so cheap but I'm not asking any questions.
beerman
Well-Known Fanatic
I've never held or shot the shield, but I do have the compact in .40 and I've shot the compact in 9mm. The 9 mm version was such a smooth shooter it was unbelievable. Everyone in my grouped liked shooting it (was a rental at a range). I shot very well with it, good grouping and handling for a smaller gun.
I wanted something smaller than my full-size xd40 for edc, so I picked up a new M&Pc in .40 S&W. The .40 does not shoot as smoothly as the 9 mm version obviously, but it's still a nice shooter for a smaller handgun. I went with .40 to not have to buy another type of ammo and I like it's knock-down power better than the 9 mm.
I wanted something smaller than my full-size xd40 for edc, so I picked up a new M&Pc in .40 S&W. The .40 does not shoot as smoothly as the 9 mm version obviously, but it's still a nice shooter for a smaller handgun. I went with .40 to not have to buy another type of ammo and I like it's knock-down power better than the 9 mm.
I went to Silent Bob at UAG to buy a Shield. After handling the Shield and the M&P9c side by side, I bought the more expensive M&P9c. A few reasons why:
1. The 9c offers double stack magazines Shield mags are single. I was buying the gun to carry and have never heard a defensive shooter say they wish they hadn't had so much ammo.
2. The 9c has interchangeable grips, Shield doesn't. This really sold me on it as I have large hands and the largest grip feels phenominal and fills my palm.
3. The 9c is thicker than the Shield but not by much. For me, the pros of the 9c outweighed the value of the slightly thinner gun.
4. Although the M&P line has been on the market for many years, the Shield is new. I haven't heard of any problems with the design but didn't want to be a beta tester. Especially after hearing horror stories about the Kimber solo.
5. Magazines for the 9c have been easier to find since it's an older model.
I don't think you can make a bad decision with either gun. The above is just a list of my personal opinions and reasoning for my purchase. Hope it helps.
I was very pleased dealing with Bob at Upstate Armory in Fountain Inn.
1. The 9c offers double stack magazines Shield mags are single. I was buying the gun to carry and have never heard a defensive shooter say they wish they hadn't had so much ammo.
2. The 9c has interchangeable grips, Shield doesn't. This really sold me on it as I have large hands and the largest grip feels phenominal and fills my palm.
3. The 9c is thicker than the Shield but not by much. For me, the pros of the 9c outweighed the value of the slightly thinner gun.
4. Although the M&P line has been on the market for many years, the Shield is new. I haven't heard of any problems with the design but didn't want to be a beta tester. Especially after hearing horror stories about the Kimber solo.
5. Magazines for the 9c have been easier to find since it's an older model.
I don't think you can make a bad decision with either gun. The above is just a list of my personal opinions and reasoning for my purchase. Hope it helps.
I was very pleased dealing with Bob at Upstate Armory in Fountain Inn.
armaborealis
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My wife and I carry M&Ps in 40, full size and compact. It is the same size frame as the 9mm. M&Ps are great. The biggest downside is the trigger. I find the reset to be very smooth and difficult to "feel." We carry in OWB holsters (Dragon Leatherworks Flat Jacks) and have no issues. The mags interchange with the full-size which for me is a big plus. The Apex RAM kit addresses the trigger issue if you want to spend a hundred bucks or so.
The Shield is thinner and has a better trigger. I've also heard it is very shootable for a single stack slim frame pocket nine. Single stack means less capacity, though.
I think they fit different roles. The M&P full-size is a serious fighting service handgun, ideal for open carry, CCW if you're a bigger person, or a defensive "house gun." The M&P compact is its more concealable counterpart; despite a shorter sight radius, you've still got a good grip, good capacity, and ability to carry a full size mag for a 17 rd reload. The shield is a hold-out gun, more comparable to a pocket 380 or a 38 snubbie. Most civilians are going to carry at most one spare mag, so with the shield you've got 14+1 rounds available, and with a M&P compact you'll have 30.
Pistols are all ballistically inefficient and a minimum standard response should be more than one round fired per target. A realistic "most dangerous" threat scenario is multiple threats (say, 2-3 thugs). 7+1 in a shield feels a bit underwhelming when you consider a scenario of two or three threats who may need two to four shots to stop as a minimum standard response. I think the shield is a well-executed pocket gun and I think it likely stacks up very well if compared to a Kel Tec 380 or a 38 sp snubbie but for me, I stick with the M&P compact.
The Shield is thinner and has a better trigger. I've also heard it is very shootable for a single stack slim frame pocket nine. Single stack means less capacity, though.
I think they fit different roles. The M&P full-size is a serious fighting service handgun, ideal for open carry, CCW if you're a bigger person, or a defensive "house gun." The M&P compact is its more concealable counterpart; despite a shorter sight radius, you've still got a good grip, good capacity, and ability to carry a full size mag for a 17 rd reload. The shield is a hold-out gun, more comparable to a pocket 380 or a 38 snubbie. Most civilians are going to carry at most one spare mag, so with the shield you've got 14+1 rounds available, and with a M&P compact you'll have 30.
Pistols are all ballistically inefficient and a minimum standard response should be more than one round fired per target. A realistic "most dangerous" threat scenario is multiple threats (say, 2-3 thugs). 7+1 in a shield feels a bit underwhelming when you consider a scenario of two or three threats who may need two to four shots to stop as a minimum standard response. I think the shield is a well-executed pocket gun and I think it likely stacks up very well if compared to a Kel Tec 380 or a 38 sp snubbie but for me, I stick with the M&P compact.
bigfutz
Well-Known Fanatic
Upstate Survival on Woodruff Rd said they had a few Shields come in; they were able to sell them quickly at $650! I guess they must have paid attention in Economics 101 regarding the laws of supply and demand.
Tigerstripe
Well-Known Fanatic
i like the Shield for my wife. im with ya on having many shots but the shield holds more than a revolver.
i dont think she has held a Shield and the fit is what she needs. the worst problem for her is racking autos.
most are just too tough for her. dont know why. for now after her speed six is a P-22.
i dont think she has held a Shield and the fit is what she needs. the worst problem for her is racking autos.
most are just too tough for her. dont know why. for now after her speed six is a P-22.
I have a Shield, love the thing. Also have a Nano and an XD standard in 9mm. The Shield is by far my favorite 9mm. When considering a CCW I went to a local indoor range and shot several in the size range of the Nano and Shield but since they didn't have any of the Shields in stock, I bought the Nano with the intent of looking for a Shield.
Packnheat said:
I got my Shield 9mm last weekend from Lawmens in Columbia. It was $325 for the gun and $347 total with tax. Thought the price was too good to be true but their selling them at this price and the wait wasn't as long as I expected. Anyone looking for a shield and don't mind waiting, this is a great deal.
fordnut
Well-Known Fanatic
That is a great deal. I paid full retail of $439.00 for mine...in Florida. I have never regretted it a monent. I love my 9mm Shield..
Steve
Steve
rotarymike
Well-Known Fanatic
At the Shootzenfest this past weekend, I got to shoot a Kahr P9 (not sure exactly which variant), Keltec PF9, and M&P Shield. The M&P was by far the most comfortable shooter; very comparable to my Sig P6 which is just a tad heavy for a CCW. The PF9 was probably the lightest; shot OK but didn't to me have an instinctive 'pointing' feel to it. Hard to explain - basically I don't want to have to put a lot of brain cells to proper grip and alignment if I have to use my CCW defensively. I want those brain cells to be figuring out a way for me to NOT shoot some SOB.
Still would like to try a Ruger LC9, but I think it'll be a lot like the Kahr. Also heard bad things about the trigger. The M&P had a very nice trigger.
Still would like to try a Ruger LC9, but I think it'll be a lot like the Kahr. Also heard bad things about the trigger. The M&P had a very nice trigger.
