M&P Shield 40 vs. M&P 40c vs XD-40 Sub-Compact

mbrittb00 · January 30, 2013, 11:15 AM

I'm looking to purchase my first CCW. I've been looking around and have narrowed my list to the following.

S&W M&P Shield 40
S&W M&P 40c
Springfield XD-40 Sub-Compact

I have had the opportunity to fire the Shield, and will hopefully be able to fire the other two later this week. That may make my decision for me.

I am leaning toward the Shield, mainly because it will be my first CCW and being thinner, thinking it will be a little more comfortable to carry or slip into a pocket. However the Shield is hard to find.

From what I've read some dealers are getting shields in monthly while other are having to wait months for a single gun. Basically it is hit or miss if your local dealer will be able to get them regularly or have it take several months.

I'm thinking if I can find one in the extended area (2 ish hours), I'll probably go with the Shield, but if I can't I have two options 1) Wait until a Shield becomes avaliable, or 2) select one of the other two.

I'm assuming that S&W has a huge backlog of orders. I wonder if the dealers that are listed on the Smith and Wesson website as a "Smith and Wesson Top Gun Dealer" is more likely to get get them quicker?

shrewd · January 30, 2013, 03:07 PM

it's your first cc, so you're probably going to be paranoid about printing no matter what. You'll want the shield. I did the same thing a year or so ago, certain a single stack was for me.

Once you get comfortable though, find the right position on your waist, the right holster and belt (this means ALOT, seriously) you'll start to notice you can carry much larger pistols comfortably and concealed. I'm in the process of searching for a compact double stack to replace my kahr right now.

I'd say go with the M&Pc

leadchucker · January 30, 2013, 03:18 PM

You may well be able to carry a thicker piece, but thinner will always be more comfortable. Get a Shield... if you can... at a reasonable price.

jbrown27 · January 30, 2013, 03:55 PM

Springfield XDS. Exact size of shield in a 45 acp. Fiber optic front sight and a sweet shooter. Better on recoil than the shield 40 was IMHO. More back in the hand instead of muzzle flip of the shield 40

mbrittb00 · January 30, 2013, 04:10 PM

shrewd, your first line suggested the Shield would be better, then the last line suggested the M&P40c?

mbrittb00 · January 30, 2013, 04:24 PM

jbrown, the problem with the XDS is that it only holds 5 rounds. If they made it in a .40 or 9mm version I would definatlly put it in my consideration pile. I assume that the better recoil that you refer to would also be included in the XD-40 Sub-compact (which I hope to shoot tomorrow). That may change my mind.

jbrown27 · January 30, 2013, 05:31 PM

The xds 9 is coming out the 2nd qtr of this year I believe. I don't know about the xd sub compact I haven't shot it. I'm talking more that the 45 tends to have a different recoil than a 40 does. More back into the hand and less muzzle flip than the 40 in similar sized guns (ie. Size and weight ). I have a xds and couldn't be happier. True you are getting 1 less round than the shield in 40 but your getting a 45. Plus they sell an extended 7 round mag

shootniron · January 30, 2013, 05:41 PM

Shield in 9mm

mbrittb00 · January 30, 2013, 05:42 PM

Yeah, that is the conclusion I am coming to as well.

Shield 9mm.

XD40inTX · January 30, 2013, 06:11 PM

I own both the Shield in .40 cal and the XD40sc (as you can see from my UserID). They're both great guns. I prefer the Shield for everyday carry but I occasionally carry the XD, too.

Incidentally, I carry the Shield in a Crossbreed Minituck and the XD in a CB Super Tuck. Both are great holsters for concealed carry.

propforce · January 30, 2013, 07:19 PM

I have the Shield 40. A great choice.

+1k ammo · January 31, 2013, 12:10 AM

Go with a Shield 9mm. Just playing with it at the counter while ordering and it was very nice. Fit my large hand no problem

My LGS has a montyly order of so many ??? (it is a larger shop) so, I missed this months but he said should be on next months so don't have to wait too long. I am busy anyway so it's ok if it takes a little bit.

View Poll Results: Which pistol would you recomend. First CCW
S&W M&P Shield 40	5	23.81%
S&W M&P 40c	9	42.86%
Springfield XD-40 Sub-Compact	7	33.33%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

January 30, 2013, 11:15 AM	#1
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	M&P Shield 40 vs. M&P 40c vs XD-40 Sub-Compact I'm looking to purchase my first CCW. I've been looking around and have narrowed my list to the following. S&W M&P Shield 40 S&W M&P 40c Springfield XD-40 Sub-Compact I have had the opportunity to fire the Shield, and will hopefully be able to fire the other two later this week. That may make my decision for me. I am leaning toward the Shield, mainly because it will be my first CCW and being thinner, thinking it will be a little more comfortable to carry or slip into a pocket. However the Shield is hard to find. From what I've read some dealers are getting shields in monthly while other are having to wait months for a single gun. Basically it is hit or miss if your local dealer will be able to get them regularly or have it take several months. I'm thinking if I can find one in the extended area (2 ish hours), I'll probably go with the Shield, but if I can't I have two options 1) Wait until a Shield becomes avaliable, or 2) select one of the other two. I'm assuming that S&W has a huge backlog of orders. I wonder if the dealers that are listed on the Smith and Wesson website as a "Smith and Wesson Top Gun Dealer" is more likely to get get them quicker?

January 30, 2013, 03:18 PM	#3
leadchucker Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2011 Location: NC Posts: 239	You may well be able to carry a thicker piece, but thinner will always be more comfortable. Get a Shield... if you can... at a reasonable price. __________________ CONTACT YOUR SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND GOVERNORS, AND TELL THEM YOU OPPOSE FURTHER GUN CONTROL! They're politicians. If you identify yourself as a voter, they WILL listen. It's IMPORTANT, and the NRA makes it EASY!

January 30, 2013, 06:11 PM	#10
XD40inTX Junior Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 1	I own both the Shield in .40 cal and the XD40sc (as you can see from my UserID). They're both great guns. I prefer the Shield for everyday carry but I occasionally carry the XD, too. Incidentally, I carry the Shield in a Crossbreed Minituck and the XD in a CB Super Tuck. Both are great holsters for concealed carry. __________________ If you would enslave a people, first you must disarm them. ~ Adolf Hitler ~ Mein Kampf

January 30, 2013, 03:07 PM	#2
shrewd Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2010 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 257	it's your first cc, so you're probably going to be paranoid about printing no matter what. You'll want the shield. I did the same thing a year or so ago, certain a single stack was for me. Once you get comfortable though, find the right position on your waist, the right holster and belt (this means ALOT, seriously) you'll start to notice you can carry much larger pistols comfortably and concealed. I'm in the process of searching for a compact double stack to replace my kahr right now. I'd say go with the M&Pc

January 30, 2013, 04:10 PM	#5
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	shrewd, your first line suggested the Shield would be better, then the last line suggested the M&P40c?

January 30, 2013, 04:24 PM	#6
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	jbrown, the problem with the XDS is that it only holds 5 rounds. If they made it in a .40 or 9mm version I would definatlly put it in my consideration pile. I assume that the better recoil that you refer to would also be included in the XD-40 Sub-compact (which I hope to shoot tomorrow). That may change my mind.

January 30, 2013, 05:31 PM	#7
jbrown27 Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: East Texas Posts: 21	The xds 9 is coming out the 2nd qtr of this year I believe. I don't know about the xd sub compact I haven't shot it. I'm talking more that the 45 tends to have a different recoil than a 40 does. More back into the hand and less muzzle flip than the 40 in similar sized guns (ie. Size and weight ). I have a xds and couldn't be happier. True you are getting 1 less round than the shield in 40 but your getting a 45. Plus they sell an extended 7 round mag

January 30, 2013, 05:41 PM	#8
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 1,146	Shield in 9mm

January 30, 2013, 05:42 PM	#9
mbrittb00 Member Join Date: January 30, 2013 Posts: 32	Yeah, that is the conclusion I am coming to as well. Shield 9mm.

January 30, 2013, 07:19 PM	#11
propforce Member Join Date: October 9, 2011 Posts: 20	I have the Shield 40. A great choice.

January 31, 2013, 12:10 AM	#12
+1k ammo Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2013 Posts: 124	Go with a Shield 9mm. Just playing with it at the counter while ordering and it was very nice. Fit my large hand no problem My LGS has a montyly order of so many ??? (it is a larger shop) so, I missed this months but he said should be on next months so don't have to wait too long. I am busy anyway so it's ok if it takes a little bit.