Undecided on compact 9mm

[PatC415]

By my experience if you're considering carrying a Shield, then you may as well carry a G26.
Compare the size, weight.

Um, NO.
A Shield is MUCH thinner than a G26. I have owned and carried both. Take a look:
Shield vs G26.jpg

https://www.google.com/search?q=shield+vs+g26&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS735US735&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=M8QJ3Yx2VavixM%253A%252Cjcy2LQfK99LK-M%252C_&usg=__8x7ZBQ5JLnchOUba9spwMC_HesQ%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiR9_yuoeDXAhWo5YMKHSHNBWwQ9QEIOzAD#imgrc=M8QJ3Yx2VavixM:

[BAJ475]

I would not want to have to bet my life on ANY single stack, reduced capacity, short sight radius, greater recoil, sub compact gun. If I had to choose a sub compact over a glock 19 sized weapon, I would go to the range and rent each of them. You'll likely sort out more in an hour than anything any of us can tell you. It might also be fun...except often times it isn't very fun shooting sub compacts...hence the trip to the range.

And if it matters to you I own a 3.3" XDS bi-tone. I would not buy it again. I'd probably go with a Shield if I absolutely needed a gun this size. But again, go the range and shoot them. Make sure you like how it handles before you drop your hard earned cash on it.

I am with you. For a HD pistol, I would not want a compact pistol. Of course, CC is a different thing but I still prefer to carry a pistol with a 4" barrel. As you said, he needs to go to the range to make sure he likes how it handles before dropping hard earned cash on it.

[HAWK91]

I’m no expert shooter, but I own the g19 and a m&p shield 9 mm. I like both. I’m accurate with both at the range shooting at an 8 inch target at 7 and 15 yards. Both feel good in my hands. The shield is a less expensive gun if price matters. I don’t think you can go wrong with either. Just my opinion.

[XDJYo]

Here's my unqualified take on these things.

Shield is great to have a nice, lightweight, slender pistol for conceal carry. You can find extended magazines to get your capacity up to 10 rounds from the factory 8 rounders, but then, you're talking aftermarket extended length base plates.

The XD is a FANTASTIC pistol. Target pics to follow. IMHO, they're built more ruggedly than a Glock. This is my choice for Home Defense. A few reasons is that they have a picatinny rail for lights/lasers etc. Wife and I both have a light attached to our XD's. (Hers is an XD-45 4" Service Model. Mine is an XD-m 45 4.5" model). They both have been terribly reliable and they both can share magazines so that's a plus.

Although it's not currently listed on the SA website, you can find the XD-45 Compact. That has the same 4" barrel, but with a slightly shorter grip but with 10 full California rounds. Takes standard sized magazines from the full size Service model too. This can be used for conceal carry if need be.

Both the Shield and the XDs point very naturally as they have the 1911 grip angle. Sights come right up and you pull the trigger. The trigger on the XDs are more friendly too. The Shield is a bit tough, but for whatever reason, accuracy isn't as bad as I would have expected. We've put a lot of rounds down range in all 3 of those pistols. No malfunctions and no issues.

[XDJYo]

[aspenvalley]

I have a CW9 and G19. I currently have the G19 and CW9 on my permit but I carry the G19 more because I can find a single client IWB holster that is really usable.

Don’t get me wrong I really like the Kahr. I just have not found the right holster.

[Marktallica]

I couldn't be happier with my Shield 9. I carry it every day and shoot it often. It's very comfortable (both for CCW and to shoot) and accurate. Because most of the advantage a double stack is negated in this state, the slight capacity advantage of the G26 isn't worth the trade-off in width. I have an athletic build and like to wear form-fitting clothing, so I can't imagine trying to CC anything thicker than a Shield.

Sent from my SM-T817V using Tapatalk

[Tri750]

Um, NO.
A Shield is MUCH thinner than a G26. I have owned and carried both. Take a look:
[ATTACH]660218[/ATTACH]
https://www.google.com/search?q=shie...8QJ3Yx2VavixM:

We all know one is single stack, the other is double stack so the width will differ.
By size, I am talking about height and length .
The weight is very close as well.
I had a Shield, for a single stack, it was a brick . Sold it and went with the PM9.

[deathrunner60]

Thanks to all for the replies. Believe it or not they have been helpful. Another question while I’m here, I’ve heard that mags and parts for the XD’s are hard to find because the gun isn’t made here in the USA but in Croatia. Is there any truth to that’s?

[colossians323]

Love my kimber emp

[lt05deluxe]

Shield is accurate and at a great price.

[smittty]

I like the XD pistols but I think the little one is too heavy for it's size compared to glock and s&w.

That leaves the G19, G26 and Shield.

The g26 isn't a whole lot smaller than the G19 so I'd skip it. No G26!

The Shield is slimest and therefore will cc the best, however, out of the three it's the least comfortable to shoot. The most comfortable being the g19.

I personally like the size of the g19 the best, however I 'd want to carry the smallest lightest of the bunch.

If I was spending your money I'd buy two guns, one for fun and the other for cc.

If I was spending my own money I'd get the G19.

[Lonestargrizzly]

G26 if you just want a great shooting carry pistol

[XDJYo]

No, not at all. The XD lineup has been around a very long time. Parts are readily available from a few aftermarket sources for upgraded triggers etc. Powder River Precision and Springer Precision are the two that immediately come to mind. Plus, the sights on the XD's are metal and ready to go out of the box. No need to replace the plastic sights on a Glock. Springfield is TOP NOTCH when it comes to warranty service should you need anything.

While the XD is somewhat heavy and feels out of balance in the shop, once the gun is loaded, that imbalance goes away. The weight is also a good weight as it helps mitigate recoil and contributes to it being a smooth shooter.

And, the best answer may be to get both. A smaller, slimmer CCW piece and a full size/fun range gun. A Shield and an XD! But, I know of some that appendix carry a full size 1911! Yikes!

Happy hunting and be safe!

[garagemonkey]

Lots of people CCW them but I find my G19 too bulky to carry on my frame. I'm only 5-10, 170 so IWB prints badly no matter where I put it unless I'm draped in flowing layers like Prince. It's way easier to hide a fullsize 1911 for me. I'm not a Glock fanboy and it took a LONG time for me to buy a Glock, let alone prefer it over my 1911s, S&Ws, and other pistols, but the G19 is the one get-to-work HD, target, or defense pistol I'd keep if I put sentimentality aside and could only have one.

Kahr PM9 inside a Crossbreed MiniTuck is my CCW rig. With the 6+1 magazine it's teeny. I have a 7-round backup mag.