M&P9 Compact vs Shield recoil

Since the fully loaded Sheild weights a fair amount less than a fully loaded M&P Compact, physics says the free recoil energy of the Sheild will be higher. How you will perceive this is impossible for anyone else to say.

I don't think the recoil spring has much to do with felt recoil. The size and weight of the gun, along with the differences in grip thickness and shape, makes much more difference. I haven't shot a Shield, but have shot the similarly sized and shaped Bersa BP9CC. That gun is comfortable to shoot all day, at least to me.

I have both. The Shield due to it's thinner grip and lighter weight has a more noticeable recoil but only marginally so. Both are super.

I've owned both and shot them side-by-side with the same ammo. Subjectively the recoil is pretty similar, though the compact is easier if you get into the +P or +P+ range. 147-gr. and 115-gr. standard pressure felt pretty much the same.

jawman said:

Does the M&P Shield have less felt recoil than the M&P9C since the Shield has 2 recoil springs instead of 1??

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Sure both are nice, but I would rather have M&P9sc or better yet Glock 26

jawman said:

What's the M&P9sc?

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That is PROFESSIONAL grade version of the Shield with real double stack magazine. Oops it's one with 12 round magazine called 9c. There is no SC I was thinking Glock Perfection.

did anyone get the new mags for the 40 cal shield? I have to send mine in and wanted to see a picture of the dimple they put on them, sorry for asking here, but it appears you guys may have one, and I am curious to know if it fixed your problem, I posted this as a seperate question, but no one answered. Pm me if you choose, thanks, GYM

jawman said:

What?

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The Shield is Granny or Grandpas special while M&P9c is semi-professional grade. The pros carry Glock.

jawman said:

Troll?

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It's not hard to comprehend. Anything modern in sub-compact pistol category that is not capable of accepting full-size gun mag as reload is amateur grade. For example G26 will accept G17 magazines therefore it is PROgrade.

jawman said:

Troll?

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More or less.

I have a Shield. I like the single stack for carry. To me, recoil is pretty manageable.

How felt recoil & muzzle rise/whip is experienced and perceived can easily differ among shooters.

Personally, having used a few M&P 9c's and one Shield 9, the 9c has a noticeably lesser amount of felt recoil & muzzle rise than the Shield 9 ... as well as my pair of G26's, my 3913, CS9 & a SW999c (S&W licensed version of the P99 9c AS).

The M&P 9c "shooting experience" seems rather similar to shooting a larger 9mm pistol of other makes/models.

The lighter Shield 9, with its thinner grip profile, didn't spread out the felt recoil impulse against the palm of my hand in the same manner as the wider backstrap & grip profile of the M&P 9c, but it was still surprisingly pleasant & controllable, though ... to me.

I've considered adding one to my retirement weapon collection.

You really need to shoot one yourself, though.

Handling one at a gunshop counter only tells you what it "feels" like to hold it ... not what it feels like during the actual recoil of live-fire.

Pro-grade? Amateur-grade? Based on optional magazine acceptance? Really?

Mindset, skillset, training, tactics & experience. The arguable "critical priority" list.

Equipment is ... equipment. Sometimes the selection is up to the user, and sometimes it's not.

It's not hard to comprehend. Anything modern in sub-compact pistol category that is not capable of accepting full-size gun mag as reload is amateur grade. For example G26 will accept G17 magazines therefore it is PROgrade

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1. Define what a "pro" is.

Is it ALL people who make their living while required to carry a gun on a daily basis?


2. Define what an "amateur" is.

Does it also include folks who have little or no interest in shooting handguns until getting hired and being required to qualify once a year? When do these "amateurs" automatically (no pun intended) get an "upgrade" to pro?

After making my point though, I'll concede that most owners of bottom feeder,s who are RANK amateurs with handguns, may overlook some of the points you made on magazine compatibility and other differences that make some handguns wiser choices to make when one's life might be on the line someday.

One is my brother-in-law, the MD. Last weekend he called to tell me he was buying his first handgun in his 55 years of life . . . a Shield. He's buying it through a shop staffed with "former Navy Seals."

More or less.

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I would say more than less.

+1 denster

I own and carry both

My Shield



My 9c



The recoil is slightly more with my shield.

Both are great guns.

Well a 1911 holds 7 or 8 rounds right!! So that means my kahr cm9 is a "pro" grade handgun as a 8 round mag for the larger pistols fits and works. And my wife has a pro grade m&pc. Honistly this prograde firearm bull is a very foolish way of thinking.

Guess there most be a heck of a lot of amateur law enforcent people out there with pablo j's way of thinking.

After having them both, I must defer to the compact, although not able to pocket carry, it has the extra rounds and a far better grip. Recoil was never an issue, but the shield was in 40, I prefer 13+1 rounds in 9.

PabloJ said:

The Shield is Granny or Grandpas special while M&P9c is semi-professional grade. The pros carry Glock.

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To funny.LOL

+1 frank. Isn't it funny how Glock folks feel the need to jump into a conversation. The Shield is a great pistol, period. It's the first that has me setting aside my wheelgun as a carry. OK, only sometimes.

Racinbob said:

+1 frank. Isn't it funny how Glock folks feel the need to jump into a conversation. The Shield is a great pistol, period. It's the first that has me setting aside my wheelgun as a carry. OK, only sometimes.

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I have a shield and M&P 9c both are great carry pistols.No complaints on my end.

Racinbob said:

+1 frank. Isn't it funny how Glock folks feel the need to jump into a conversation. The Shield is a great pistol, period. It's the first that has me setting aside my wheelgun as a carry. OK, only sometimes.

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LOL Glock guys are a little insecure -

Glock has fallen behind S&W / XDm in recent years IMHO

So they are are always telling you how good Glocks are.

You don't see other brand owners doing that.