M&P45c vs M&P45 Shield

It's been a while since I handled a M&P 45c, but my best recollection is that it's a pretty large pistol--especially compared to other compacts. I carry a 45 Shield now and find it can be carried quite comfortably in a front pocket and with an IWB holster would be very good, especially compared to other option in .45. The 45 Shield is not much larger than the Shield in 9 or 40. I'm most familiar with the 45 Shield trigger and find it totally acceptable for a combat/defensive gun. It handles the 45ACP cartridge well, recoil quite manageable. Hope that helps.

I have the M&P45C, but not the Shield. I would take the M&P45C over the Shield any day considering that it is easy to conceal and carry, has capacity of 8+1 for 9 or 10+1 for 11 rounds, 4" barrel to help keep a decent velocity, more hand-filling grip to soften/disperse recoil in the hand, and more weight to provide quicker return-to-target and speed up follow-up shots. Full-house .45auto 230 gr HST ammo (my preferred defense load) is a stout load, but is handled very comfortably by the M&P45C.

Mine had an 8+ lb. trigger pull when I bought it, but simply installing an Apex sear and striker block instantly gave it a fantastic 4.5# pull. I can shoot this as accurately (and as enjoyably!) as my 1911s.

As this pistol is no problem to conceal and carry, I see no reason to choose anything smaller, which involves more compromises.

This is among my top choices in carry pistols and is a joy to practice with at the range.


With 10-round magazine for 10+1 = 11 rounds.




Allows full finger purchase on the grip with flat-bottom magazine. S&W sized this pistol perfectly!

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I can speak towards the MP9c and Shield 9mm.

This is all "IMO" based on my experience.

My MP9c trigger is pretty nice. Its an older one and it smoothed up quickly. Some people whine a lot about it and praised when S&W upgraded it and also put it in the Shield when it came out (I think around the same time.).

The difference in size and weight is fairly significant. I used to CC a MP9c all day. It was certainly doable but the Shield is a lot better suited to do it. I 'think' the difference between the 45c and the 45 Shield is a little bigger than the difference of the 9mm versions.

IMO, the MPc is a compact duty gun. The Shield is a CC gun that shoots better than you'd expect.

Keeping that in mind,,,,,Which are you looking for?

AZGlock13 said:

I think I'm leaning more towards the larger M&P45c (nice pics DHart!). I currently have a M&P Shield 9 that I pocket carry some. I used to own a M&P9 Pro 5" (Range use) and a M&P40c (carry use). I think the compact duty staggered stack sized M&P (in .45) is what I'm really looking for.

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I think that makes good sense.

My view is that if one must go with a sub-compact single stack, 9mm is the most suitable caliber for such a pistol. Since you already have a 9mm Shield - that's about the ideal sub-compact single stack choice.

Which one has better chamber support

AZGlock13 said:

I think I'm leaning more towards the larger M&P45c (nice pics DHart!). I currently have a M&P Shield 9 that I pocket carry some. I used to own a M&P9 Pro 5" (Range use) and a M&P40c (carry use). I think the compact duty staggered stack sized M&P (in .45) is what I'm really looking for.

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Oh... you have experience with both sizes (MP40c and the 9 Shield) so you have a fairly good concept of both of the 45 youre asking about. I think you're making a good informed decision.

For what its worth, unless I had money to burn, Id rather have 2 different calibers in the MPc size than the Shield size as I think the MPc size, being a compact duty gun, is more versatile, and view the Shield being more specialized.