M&P Shield vs. LC9

[postalman]

For my next buy, I'm torn between these two 9s. Both have their pros and cons. Any thoughts from anyone out there in forum land?

[TwoGunJayne]

LC9 has a solid rep, never shot a Shield (but have shot 2 different SW Bodyguard .380.)

From what I've seen and know, your decision is a coin flip or buy both.

[sopsax]

I bought an LC9 a few months ago so that I had a smallish, lightweight 9MM pistol to carry. I ran about 100 rounds through it, then last month, shot the HR218 qualification (nation-wide retired LEO carry) with it to renew my HR218 status. Shooting range-ammo reloads, it double-fed twice, but I fulfilled the requirements okay.

Today, I took it to the range to shoot another 100 rounds through it - I'd suspected that the jams were because of the reloaded ammo at the range. This time I shot factory-Winchester ammo suitable for range-use. No problems with it at all. The only thing is that the trigger pull is LONG, thus real accuracy, at least for me, wasn't there.

My son (LEO) carries a S&W M&P 9mm (the small one) and he loves it. I've handled it but have not fired it. It is bigger and heavier than my LC9, as I recall.

So, if you need something small and light, I'd have no trouble recommending the Ruger. For self-defense, the trigger pull on mine will work just fine, but it is not the gun to use if you like putting all your shots in the 10-ring. sopsax

[MR_22]

I just about bought a Shield, but in .40S&W. I really liked what I saw. I handled one that a friend owned and was pleased with it. Instead, I ended up getting a Beretta 96 and then a Glock 22.

[G50AE]

Buy  a Glock!  You will not regret it.

[GunnyBlue]

I am a Ruger fan, and own several of them.
When I decided to buy a compact, slim, 9mm, I considered the LC9, M&P Shield, Beretta Nano, Springfield XDs, and a few others.
After handling and shooting most of them, I chose the Shield. It has a great trigger (I did not like the trigger on the LC9).
I've been very pleased with the Shield - it is a quality piece and functions flawlessly. YMMV

If you wish to stick with Ruger (Outstanding Customer Service and great quality/price), I would feel comfortable recommending the SR9c, as long as the added size/weigh is not an issue for you.

The best advice I can give is to handle and shoot all that you are seriously interested in. That was the mind changer and deciding factor in my case.

[postalman]

Thanks for the replies and sage advice. Gunny, I did exactly what you said and the Shield won out. Both were excellent guns but I couldn't get past the way the Shield felt in my hand. The LC9 just felt sooo thin and the checkering did nothing to help matters. The LC9 trigger was harsh in comparison to the Shield, even though I'm not thrilled with the Shield's trigger either.

It now looks like my Makarov (former EDC) will now go into the drawer as another line of home defense. My BW is still my fave BUG.

[GunnyBlue]

You're welcome! 

I think you made a good choice. The Shield's trigger will get even better with some use.
You may want to put a Pachmayr grip on it, also - makes it feel even better (In my hand anyway...)
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/173454/pachmayr-tactical-grip-glove-slip-on-grip-sleeve-s-and-w-m-and-p-shield-rubber-black?cm_vc=U112

Conratz and enjoy!

[G50AE]

I think you made a good choice.

Conratz and enjoy!

I think a better choice would have been to purchase a Glock, which he would enjoy even more. 

[GunnyBlue]

I have a Glock G19 Gen4 which I love. But, for everyday, concealed carry, I prefer the thinness of the single stack Shield over, say the Glock G26 double stack. Personal preference. They're both great firearms. Now if Glock ever does come out with a compact, single stack 9mm....

[MR_22]

I have a Glock G19 Gen4 which I love. But, for everyday, concealed carry, I prefer the thinness of the single stack Shield over, say the Glock G26 double stack. Personal preference. They're both great firearms. Now if Glock ever does come out with a compact, single stack 9mm....

If they make a 9mm version of the 42, I'm all over it. In the meantime, my Diamondback DB9s are just fine.

[cwlongshot]

I picked up a shield after a returning student showed up with one for some instruction... I shot it and the next day I owned a 40!!



Its light slim and a dream to carry! It replaced my G23 as my EDC.

CW

[postalman]

My Pachmayr grip sleeve is now on and I'm ready to go. I like this sleeve so much I had to also get one for my son.
I'm fortunate I didn't get the MA compliant version of the Shield- a 10+ lb. trigger pull on that one.  Let the buyer beware!

[sopsax]

I picked up a new S&W M&P Shield last Saturday after a 10-day wait. I left my Ruger LC9 on consignment at the same store.

Today, I took the Shield to an indoor target range and ran 200 rounds of Winchester 115-grain FMJ through it. Not one problem - good shooter; all rounds in the kill-zone (or when I shot at a 25-yd bullseye target, all within the nine-ring). I don't know what the trigger-weight is, but it feels much like my Glocks and Kahrs (striker-fired), so there is nothing to complain about there.

Took it home, cleaned it, oiled it, and now it is in my Galco holster (one of those that go between the belt and the trouser-top). I carry the seven-round mag in the gun, the eight-round mag in a mag-carrier. The seven-rounder is shorter and thus more easily concealed than the eight-rounder, which protrudes more out of the butt. By the way, the Ruger only comes with one magazine - I bought an after-market Ruger mag so I'd have two magazines. The S&W comes with two magazines.

As time went by, I just wasn't happy with the Ruger - long trigger-pull, some problems with reliability, and the magazine disconnect-feature. I put the Shield side-by-side with the Ruger LC9 before I bought the Shield and they were of similar size. Today, I put the Shield side-by-side with my original Kahr K9 and they were the same size. The Kahr was noticeably heavier because of the all-steel frame.

So far, so good. sopsax

[postalman]

The latest addition to my Shield. Not a bad deal, I give my son a Pachmayr grip sleeve and I get a Lasermax in return.