M&P Compact, Glock 26 or Shield

[TahoeDust]

Why does the shield weigh almost as much as the 9c?

The same reason the 9c weighs almost as much as the full size. They share all the same major components.

 

[KYamateur]

The shield is a very well built compact gun. I would assume they go heavier on the steel where it is really needed. Being a single stack vs a double stack, that is a big size difference empty, but not so much weight difference.

 

[Hangingrock]

I believe that S&W is indifferent to the citizen market place in regard to magazine availability for the MP series pistols. I'll go so far to say that law enforcement or other government entities that have adopted the MP series pistols have no problem or restrictions on the numbers of magazines they require.

 

[TahoeDust]

The mags, particularly the once impossible to find 17rd 9mm, have been popping up more frequently in the last few weeks. I found them in stock 4-5 different times at the reasonable sub $35 price.

 

[gym]

The Glock 26 is the standard IMO, the others are a matter of taste, I have owned all 3 and still prefer the 26 if I had only 1 choice.

 

[wally]

once impossible to find 17rd 9mm, have been popping up more frequently in the last few weeks. I found them in stock 4-5 different times at the reasonable sub $35 price.

The sub $35 is not so reasonable when the competition is sub $25, but we are talking compact here, and the M&P9c mags have been unavailable or way over-priced for a very long time.

"Popping up from time to time" is a long way from just being able to get a spare when you need one, IMHO mags are critical spare parts, usually the least reliable part of the pistol, and not being readily available is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

 

[KTXdm9]

I preferred the Shield, as I like single stack for IWB carry. Recoil is more than manageable for such a small pistol, and the stock trigger is better than most polymer pistols I've shot.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I still prefer the Glock 19 and make the sacrifice to carry it daily. By the time you add the pinky extension, there is just a slight bit of difference of muzzle length compared to the 19. The other bonus is that you don't get your fingers pinched doing magazine changes because of the longer grip length.

If I had to choose one of the three, it would be the S&W M&P9c.

 

[breakingcontact]

Why does the shield weigh almost as much as the 9c?

The Shield is almost the same overall size as the M&P compact, just in different areas.

 

[ORHunter79]

I've carried the Glock 19, 26, 27 and 30. Now I carry the Shield all the time.....and I mean all the time. I found myself leaving the Glocks at home cause of how think they were. I liked my buddies LC9 but hated the trigger. Then I found the Shield. I still am and always will be a Glock fan, but for ease of carry, Shield gets my vote hands down.

Here's a review I did on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph3CMAHpo8w

Here's just an accuracy test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMEmxpmqi3I

 

[breakingcontact]

^ I went from an LC9 to a Shied as well.

 

[Fiv3r]

I've only handled the 26, but it's become my most carried pistol. EDC, light hiking, any place I might need a light pistol with more pop than a .22

Boringly reliable and accurate.

 

[Alberforth]

The only reason I went to a double stack was the convincing case made for it by my CCW instructor. So have a think about what sort of situations you are preparing yourself for.

One thing worth noting is that people often remark that Glock grips, particularly the G26, work better in shooting than they feel in static holding. This has been my experience.

Another thing to note is that often grip length is more of a challenge than grip thickness. This was part of what led me originally to get a G26 which I carried daily for 2 years. Now I've found a G19 works well enough carried the same way--it prints slightly at times but not enough for others to notice.

 

[kneesus]

Shooter's choice with either the M&P or Glock, I love both. You won't really notice the thickness of if you have it IWB. I carry mine with a clip, it's really up to you.