M&P Compact, Glock 26 or Shield

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viking499

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Looking for a small, compact pistol. Looking at the 3 listed above because i like the way they feel in my hand. Handled some others, but narrowed it down to these 3 choices. Have handled the Compact, but not the other 2.

Can anyone who have handled at least 2 of these compare them for me? which did/do you like best.
 
I have shoot all three and owned 2 of them Still have the m&p9c. Well its my wifes.

First the shield is really in a different class. Smaller and lighter all around. Much closer to a kahr cw/p 9 in weight size and capacity. Both the m&p model may need some apex trigger improvments but the price is so much lower compared to a glock its justifiable if needed.

I like the glock 19 but not the 26. For a some what small pistol it just does not fit ME right but many do like them. I do like the m&p9c very much. Accurate ,easy to shoot and for my wife I added a apex kit to it and ohhh what a nice trigger with the kit. same for the shield.

Like I tell most people that ask (What should I buy) YOU MOST MAKE THE CHOICE. You are the one that has to live with it. Both can run great both will turn out a turd once in a while too. That's what CS is for , right. If you lean toward the shield then look at a the kahr cw9 too.

good luck with your choice.
 
Difficult to impossible to figure it out until you're shooting representative examples for yourself on a range. Handling them at a gun store counter only tells how they feel when not being fired. Felt recoil is subjective, and it's not unusual for how someone experiences controllability to change an opinion.

I own a M&P 40c, but have fired a number of 9c's.

I own a couple of G26's and a G27.

I've handled and fired the Shield 9 & 40.

The 9c is really controllable and nicely balanced. The 40c requires more effort and practice (as with most .40's compared to similar 9's).

The Shield 9 & 40 were a very pleasant surprise. The Shield 9 is rather thin in the hand, but it handles very nicely under live fire. It's balance was a bit quicker than my well-used and slightly heavier 3913, but it was just as controllable. Very accurate, even in a number of fast-paced drills running out to 10+ yds. Nice. If I didn't already own a number of very nice compact/subcompact 9's, I'd have already ordered one.

The G26's are good. A bit thick and chunky, but good for their intended purpose. Controllable. I prefer the revolver-shaped curved triggers of the M&P series guns (which includes the Shield), but the little Glock 9/.40's can be run fast, hard & well with practice.

The Shield 9 is the slimmest of the bunch, but even so, its grip design, overall handling and controllability make it a very attractive subcompact 9. Some folks have expressed an opinion that the Shield is almost too thin in the grip frame. (Which is why a prospective buyer would probably benefit from looking around to rent one and try it on a range. to make sure its felt recoil & handling characteristics under live fire are suitable to the buyer's desires, experience and skillset.)

I'm also an armorer for the Glock and M&P series, although last I heard they haven't gotten the additional material for the Shield included in the M&P armorer manual. Maybe by the time I have to get my next armorer recert it'll be approved and included in the class.

As an armorer I like many things about the guns mentioned.
 
I own all three, and had a Ruger LC9 as well. I shoot the G26 best, the wife strongly prefers the M&P 9c, and the Shield is the easiest to conceal. The Shield is also both of our second choices. The narrower grip produces more felt recoil.

Too bad you're not here - I'd let you shoot 'em all back-to-back.
 
Looking at the 3 listed above because i like the way they feel in my hand. Handled some others, but narrowed it down to these 3 choices. Have handled the Compact, but not the other 2.
Click to expand...
What am I missing?

The M&Pc is most comfortable in my hand. I'd rather have the G26 than the others.
 
What am I missing?

The M&Pc is most comfortable in my hand. I'd rather have the G26 than the others.
Click to expand...

Handled all three at the LGS the other day, but have only fired the M&Pc before.
 
I own all three, and had a Ruger LC9 as well. I shoot the G26 best, the wife strongly prefers the M&P 9c, and the Shield is the easiest to conceal. The Shield is also both of our second choices. The narrower grip produces more felt recoil.

Too bad you're not here - I'd let you shoot 'em all back-to-back.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. But I could probably buy all three cheaper than I could travel to the west coast.
 
I've tried the g26, xds9 and m7p 9c. Here's a short review:

All: Spectacular and accurate.
None: None came with sight like I like. (Warren Tactical style with all black rear or just a single tritium dot in the rear and one up front...or heinie straight 8's)

g26: Perfect size but needs a diet. On my slim frame, a g19 carries just as easily....including appendix carry.

m&p: Seemed even bigger than the g26. I felt like the trigger was terrible. Couldn't have it without an apex kit.

xds9: Awesome for what it is...a single stack 9. Great trigger. Great sights (although not night sights). Stinks that it's at SA getting the recall fixed, but hats off to SA for standing by their product. Especially in my case as I am the second owner! If this were 10+ years ago, no recall would be issued. These days even Colt issues recalls. I'm not sure if it is to avoid litigation or if the internet spreads remote stories around the world over night and they just want to maintain integrity.

In the end...well I don't prefer any of them. I'd rather have an officer's 1911 honestly. If I just had to carry one of those 3, it would be the xds.
 
Own both an M&P9c and a 9mm shield...Both awesome...either one a winner...Have carried both...Currently carrying the shield...Shield is just a bit smaller and thinner which I like...Can't go wrong with either...
 
Really like my shield. Very good ergo's. Liked my xds to but I don't even know what it feels like haven't seen it in 4 weeks and probably won't for another 8 weeks due to the recall. Can u tell I am bitter? Shield is my new goto and will carry it going forward. Fk SA!
 
Most shields however weren't affected and the ones that we're were handled quickly from what I heard.
 
Hunter991 said:
Most shields however weren't affected and the ones that we're were handled quickly from what I heard.
Click to expand...
Also even though it is referred to as a recall you can easily see if gun is affected by yourself without sending it in. I have two compacts and two shields. All in 9mm. I prefer to carry the shield and so does my wife. I also think the shield has a touch more precieved recoil but not enough to sway a decision for me. I have never shot a glock so can not help you there. Also as stated the shield really is in a different class. Both in size and round count.
 
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If you want more magazines than come with the pistol, I'd have to recommend the Glock at present. M&P mags (except .45 ACP) have been near unobtainium for far too long, approaching worse than FNP-45 mags :(

In more normal times I'd recommend the M&P because the interchangeable back straps let you adjust the fit and you have a choice of double or single stack guns.

While the Gen4 Glock have changeable inserts, the smallest is only marginally smaller than the Gen3, although it made a world of difference for me. YMMV.
 
The M&P9c and the Shield are equally easy to shoot for me. I prefer both over the Glock 26... unless you put a +0 Pearce extension on it for a full grip. Then it's a wash. Without it, the grip on the 26 is too blocky for a two-finger grip.

I carry both a 19 and a Shield, so I'm not really biased toward one platform or another.
 
The apparent m&p magazine shortage is something to consider if you plan on any competition.
 
Don't know about Glocks.

Do know that the Shield carries like a relatively small gun and shoots like a larger gun. Shield triggers are typically much better than the M&P Compact too.
 
Seems to be a matter of personal preference, doesn't it? All three are quality weapons, and all three have folks that prefer them.

You can narrow the field slightly if you know what's most important to you. I live in CA, so my effective limit is 10+1 capacity - which is why a larger capacity isn't attractive. If I were in NY, the Shield would be higher on the list...and I'd practice with it until I could shoot it like I shoot my G26. I'm a big guy, and concealing a double-stack gun isn't too hard for me...but there are times when it's worth giving up a few rounds to avoid an extra bulge in my suit.

I carry the G26 because I shoot it better than the others. The next guy may carry a 9c because HE shoots IT better, and the guy after him might prefer a Shield. Another may want a LC9, and someone else says that's too big and want a LCP. An LCP in the pocket is better than a 1911 sitting home in the safe - but I can carry more, so I do.
 
I have owned all three. For the purpose of having a compact gun the Shield wins hands down. All are good guns but the Shield is truly compact. The others are bulky in comparison. I like the M&Pc, but the Glock 26 isn't much smaller than the 19, and in my opinion the 19 shoots better. I have fired over 500 trouble free rounds (FMJ and HP) out of my shield now. Pictured is a target from ten yards or so firing as fast as I could aquire the target with my shield. It is good enough for me to get the job done.

target_zpse3cab002.gif "] target_zpse3cab002.gif [/URL]
shield_zps64f03fbd.gif "] shield_zps64f03fbd.gif [/URL]
 
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Pretty nice Shooting KY. My Shield makes some targets that look a lot like yours.


I have handled and shot all three. When I bought my Shield I cross shopped the G26 and MP9c. I was not a big fan of the feel of the Glock and decided I liked the ease of concealment and carry the Shield offered over the MP9c.
 
Feel means very little in regards to how you shoot the gun. Buy whichever you shoot best.

For me, that's the G26. For you, it may not be.
 
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