M&P 40c vs. Shield 40

reynolds357 · July 16, 2017, 08:53 PM

Pros and cons of each? Primary use will be concealed carry and keeping in the door pocket of the truck.

claydoctor · July 17, 2017, 08:21 PM

Check out the 45 while you're at it.

Targa · July 17, 2017, 08:28 PM

If inner waist band carry I would pick the Shield for comfort. Other than that I like the compacts much better.

dean1818 · July 17, 2017, 09:19 PM

I have both,

I dont see cons

I have both in a Remora holster

Extremely comfortable way to CCW

The Shield is a bit thinner

But.... In a Remora, the difference is slight

I have a +2 from Mecgar so 13 rounds in the compact, vs 8 in the Shield

The new triggers on the M&P Compact are SOOOO much better that they were 2-3 years ago

I like the fuller grip on the Compact.

I feel very comfortable with either

CDNN has an amazing deal for compacts with NS

The 40c in FDE looks amazing to me

Lastly

I am told that you can swap barrels in the 40C to
9mm and 357sig

the shield 40 can go to 9mm

Vulcannut · July 17, 2017, 09:24 PM

I have a 40c and a 9mm shield so can't do quite the perfect comparison but the 40c holds 10 rounds over 6 or 7 depending on what mag in the shield 40. The 40c handles recoil better than the 40 shield. The 40 shield is known as a snappy gun way more that the 9mm is. The shield is thinner and carries easier than the 40c. The 40c can use the larger capacity magazines in it from a full size unless your like me and live in a not so free state that limits the mag to 10.

40c has a standard picatinny rail shield doesn't.

My 40c has less recoil than my 9mm shield or at least I think it does. If I had to pick between the 40c, or either the 9 or 40 shield I would pick the 40c. It shoots really well for me and I prefer the thicker grip. It's my OWB carry piece and if needed go to piece in the home.

Size wise the footprint is almost identical but the 40c is wider.

I like the trigger on my 40c more over my standard shield but it's well broken in so my shield may get there. I have both the PC shield and standard shield. The PC shield has the better trigger between the three.

Honestly either one would serve you well.

reynolds357 · July 18, 2017, 07:48 PM

I actually ordered one of the 40c from cdnn before the thread got any responses. It seems to be a price I could not turn down. I got to thinking, I already have a Walther PPSM2 9mm so might as well get the 40c.

Vulcannut · July 18, 2017, 08:01 PM

Congrats on the purchase. I really like mine. I bought it used for a dealer and was able to fire it before purchase. They gave my ten rounds. At 7 yards first 3 shots with dead center within 1 inch of each other. I rapid fired the remaining 7 and put them in a three inch group. I smiled and proceeded to complete the purchase. The gun just fits me well.

reynolds357 · July 18, 2017, 09:35 PM

I think I will like it.

BlackOmega · July 18, 2017, 09:57 PM

I can't compare the 40's, but I shot both the Shield 9, and the 9c side by side. I like the size and concealability of the Shield much more than the 9c, however, I MUCH prefer shooting the 9 compact over the Shield.

I think you'll be happy with your 40c purchase.

SDF880 · July 18, 2017, 10:28 PM

Luv my M&P40C's!

Siggy-06 · July 19, 2017, 02:44 PM

Carried a 40c iwb holster for 3 years. Really great gun for the money. I'm waiting for the Compact 2.0 release from S&W.

The shield is only a little bit thinner and lighter, but the compact offers more capacity and is nicer to shoot. If you can conceal the larger gun(and have a proper belt) go for it.

dean1818 · July 20, 2017, 07:03 AM

The deal is back up on CDNN for those that didnt see it.

$359 is an amazing price.

This gun is very versatile

Not only can this gun convert to 357SIG and 9MM

This pistol also takes the full size mags (15 rounds)

If you get the Xgrips, which keeps the gap from showing AND, you add the +2 from Mecgar

You COULD get

15+2+1 = 18 Rounds of Forty

I carry with the 10+2 MAG and
I plan on using the long mag for range and second mag backup

This is a stock picture (not mine)

iblearning · July 21, 2017, 05:52 PM

Had a Shield 40, shot fine, accurate, a bit slow to get back on target due to light firearm. I was always nervous reading about kabooms some had. Traded for a Springfield Mod2 40, and like the Mod2 much better, although it is wider.

reynolds357 · July 21, 2017, 06:28 PM

I got the 40c and shot it today. The night sights are not impressive. They are about as bright as a 10 year old set of Trinicons I have. The pistol is accurate, but the ridiculous amount of curve on the trigger makes it hard for my big, sausage link fingers to use.

ritepath · July 22, 2017, 07:24 AM

Don't know about the 40 and 40c, but I did own the 9c and still do the Shield. Even though I only carry OWB I found the 9c to be big and bulky. I stopped carrying it completely and gave it HD duty with 17 round mags and xgrip, which it eventually lost to a P220, then it performed safe duty for a couple of years before I traded it on a dirtbike. My shield on the other hand is awesome...the near perfect carry gun.

chaim · July 22, 2017, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

I actually ordered one of the 40c from cdnn before the thread got any responses. It seems to be a price I could not turn down. I got to thinking, I already have a Walther PPSM2 9mm so might as well get the 40c.

I think you made the right choice, especially if you already have a mini-9/40 sized gun.

I don't have the Shield but I do have a SIG P290RS. I recently bought a S&W M&P40c when Buds had them on sale for $350. I'm starting to think it may be the perfect carry gun.

At the range it is accurate, and so far it has been 100% reliable.

For a long time, I felt that the M&P and M&P Compact fit my hand perfectly. I love the feel with the medium backstrap. What always stopped me from buying was the trigger. Well, I think they have either greatly improved it, or I've gotten used to it, because it really isn't bad for a striker fired pistol. Meanwhile, it still fits my hand very well (almost as well as a CZ 75 or a 1911). The hand fit, plus a decent, a light trigger probably do a lot to help with the accuracy I already mentioned. In addition, it is quite comfortable to shoot (surprisingly I like it best with the flush as opposed to the one with the pinky rest).

Compared to my P290 for concealment, sure the P290 is a little easier. However, the M&Pc is far from difficult to conceal IWB. The tiny bit of comfort you give up with the double stack v. the single stack I believe is more than made up for by improvements in function. It is easy to shoot accurately (so is the P290 for its size, but the M&Pc is an improvement), the wider grip helps tame the .40S&W's recoil for faster follow up shots, and capacity is greater. Carry with the 10 round flush mags for concealment (2-4 more rounds than my P290 depending upon which mag I pick), and you can carry the full size M&P40 15 round mags for reloads. If your concealment needs for the day allow a larger grip, carry with the 15 round mags with a mag sleeve.

So, just right size (not too small, not too big), capacity, .40S&W power, reasonable recoil control with that .40S&W power, reliability and accuracy. As I said at the beginning, it just may be the perfect striker fired carry pistol.

July 16, 2017, 08:53 PM	#1
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	M&P 40c vs. Shield 40 Pros and cons of each? Primary use will be concealed carry and keeping in the door pocket of the truck.

July 17, 2017, 09:19 PM	#4
dean1818 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 844	I have both, I dont see cons I have both in a Remora holster Extremely comfortable way to CCW The Shield is a bit thinner But.... In a Remora, the difference is slight I have a +2 from Mecgar so 13 rounds in the compact, vs 8 in the Shield The new triggers on the M&P Compact are SOOOO much better that they were 2-3 years ago I like the fuller grip on the Compact. I feel very comfortable with either CDNN has an amazing deal for compacts with NS The 40c in FDE looks amazing to me Lastly I am told that you can swap barrels in the 40C to 9mm and 357sig the shield 40 can go to 9mm __________________ An imperfect servant of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Buying American made, wherever I still can Last edited by dean1818; July 17, 2017 at 09:35 PM.

July 19, 2017, 02:44 PM	#11
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	Carried a 40c iwb holster for 3 years. Really great gun for the money. I'm waiting for the Compact 2.0 release from S&W. The shield is only a little bit thinner and lighter, but the compact offers more capacity and is nicer to shoot. If you can conceal the larger gun(and have a proper belt) go for it. __________________ Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire.

July 20, 2017, 07:03 AM	#12
dean1818 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 844	The deal is back up on CDNN for those that didnt see it. $359 is an amazing price. This gun is very versatile Not only can this gun convert to 357SIG and 9MM This pistol also takes the full size mags (15 rounds) If you get the Xgrips, which keeps the gap from showing AND, you add the +2 from Mecgar You COULD get 15+2+1 = 18 Rounds of Forty I carry with the 10+2 MAG and I plan on using the long mag for range and second mag backup This is a stock picture (not mine) __________________ An imperfect servant of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Buying American made, wherever I still can Last edited by dean1818; July 20, 2017 at 07:55 AM.

July 22, 2017, 07:24 AM	#15
ritepath Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,419	Don't know about the 40 and 40c, but I did own the 9c and still do the Shield. Even though I only carry OWB I found the 9c to be big and bulky. I stopped carrying it completely and gave it HD duty with 17 round mags and xgrip, which it eventually lost to a P220, then it performed safe duty for a couple of years before I traded it on a dirtbike. My shield on the other hand is awesome...the near perfect carry gun. __________________ There's only one... Last edited by ritepath; July 22, 2017 at 07:31 AM.

July 17, 2017, 08:21 PM	#2
claydoctor Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 450	Check out the 45 while you're at it.

July 17, 2017, 08:28 PM	#3
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	If inner waist band carry I would pick the Shield for comfort. Other than that I like the compacts much better.

July 17, 2017, 09:24 PM	#5
Vulcannut Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Location: Some H$ll whole in Connecticut Posts: 58	I have a 40c and a 9mm shield so can't do quite the perfect comparison but the 40c holds 10 rounds over 6 or 7 depending on what mag in the shield 40. The 40c handles recoil better than the 40 shield. The 40 shield is known as a snappy gun way more that the 9mm is. The shield is thinner and carries easier than the 40c. The 40c can use the larger capacity magazines in it from a full size unless your like me and live in a not so free state that limits the mag to 10. 40c has a standard picatinny rail shield doesn't. My 40c has less recoil than my 9mm shield or at least I think it does. If I had to pick between the 40c, or either the 9 or 40 shield I would pick the 40c. It shoots really well for me and I prefer the thicker grip. It's my OWB carry piece and if needed go to piece in the home. Size wise the footprint is almost identical but the 40c is wider. I like the trigger on my 40c more over my standard shield but it's well broken in so my shield may get there. I have both the PC shield and standard shield. The PC shield has the better trigger between the three. Honestly either one would serve you well.

July 18, 2017, 07:48 PM	#6
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I actually ordered one of the 40c from cdnn before the thread got any responses. It seems to be a price I could not turn down. I got to thinking, I already have a Walther PPSM2 9mm so might as well get the 40c.

July 18, 2017, 08:01 PM	#7
Vulcannut Member Join Date: March 31, 2017 Location: Some H$ll whole in Connecticut Posts: 58	Congrats on the purchase. I really like mine. I bought it used for a dealer and was able to fire it before purchase. They gave my ten rounds. At 7 yards first 3 shots with dead center within 1 inch of each other. I rapid fired the remaining 7 and put them in a three inch group. I smiled and proceeded to complete the purchase. The gun just fits me well.

July 18, 2017, 09:35 PM	#8
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I think I will like it.

July 18, 2017, 09:57 PM	#9
BlackOmega Member Join Date: August 30, 2015 Posts: 22	I can't compare the 40's, but I shot both the Shield 9, and the 9c side by side. I like the size and concealability of the Shield much more than the 9c, however, I MUCH prefer shooting the 9 compact over the Shield. I think you'll be happy with your 40c purchase.

July 18, 2017, 10:28 PM	#10
SDF880 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2009 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 390	Luv my M&P40C's!

July 21, 2017, 05:52 PM	#13
iblearning Junior Member Join Date: March 7, 2013 Posts: 5	Had a Shield 40, shot fine, accurate, a bit slow to get back on target due to light firearm. I was always nervous reading about kabooms some had. Traded for a Springfield Mod2 40, and like the Mod2 much better, although it is wider.

July 21, 2017, 06:28 PM	#14
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I got the 40c and shot it today. The night sights are not impressive. They are about as bright as a 10 year old set of Trinicons I have. The pistol is accurate, but the ridiculous amount of curve on the trigger makes it hard for my big, sausage link fingers to use.