I plan on purchasing either a M&P9 or M&P9c very soon. I had my mind made up to buy the full size but that was until I registered for Indiana CC permit. I don't really plan on carrying but I thought I should have the option. I want to get the model that is the most versatile. I am a medium size guy at 175 pounds. The main purpose of the gun is for home defense and range shooting. Everyone keeps telling me that once I get a handgun I will then want to carry. I didn't even think it was even possible to carry until I read Aaron1776 post. So should I get the compact or full size? I may be picking this gun up tomorrow, whichever I decide.
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CC full size 9pm M&P
- Thread starter TWEAKD4
- Start date
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I want to be the first to say it.... Indiana does not have a "CC permit" it is a license to carry a handgun you can carry it however you please. I have a m&pc and it is a great gun.
If I could do it over... I would get the full size.
If I could do it over... I would get the full size.
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I think you don't need to rush in buying. Guns will be there in the future.
Maybe you can meet up with some fellow INGOers and try out some guns.
I'm not sure what area you're in, but some places have Meet & Shoots.
Really, if you dress right, there is not much difference between the full and compact sizes.
If you want smaller, there is the M&P Shield.
More important is to pick out a good holster and belt
Maybe you can meet up with some fellow INGOers and try out some guns.
I'm not sure what area you're in, but some places have Meet & Shoots.
Really, if you dress right, there is not much difference between the full and compact sizes.
If you want smaller, there is the M&P Shield.
More important is to pick out a good holster and belt
I bought the full size. I don't carry much, but I would have no problem carrying the FS. I have carried my FS 1911 and it was fine and it is much heavier than the M&P.
For me the extra barrel length is not a big deal. I would rather carry my M&P than my Model 13 with a 3" barrel.
For me the extra barrel length is not a big deal. I would rather carry my M&P than my Model 13 with a 3" barrel.
You could get the compact, then added a shroud on a full size mag, which makes the compact grip similar to a full size... sort of a 'best of both worlds'?
I have both the FS and Compact. Though I could carry either, I prefer the compact on my skinny frame.
I have both the FS and Compact. Though I could carry either, I prefer the compact on my skinny frame.
I carry a 9c and I've owned a FS with the 5" slide. I prefer the compact for carry, because the shorter grip does make a difference for me. It's a well balanced gun and shoots very comfortably for a compact. Also, if you feel like you need more ammo or a larger grip, you can use full size mags with an x-grip (or carry the compact mag in the gun and a spare FS mag).
DustyDawg48
Master
I've owned both and I've carried both and the full-size M&P9 isn't going to be that much harder to conceal. What matters most in carrying is having a good quality belt that is designed to bear a load. No Walmart specials, get a good belt. Then get a good quality holster that is designed for carry. Doesn't have to be inside the waistband to be concealable; dressing around the gun doesn't take much effort. I carry a G21 a lot and it is a much larger pistol than the M&P9.
Having said that, the M&P9c is a great gun about the perfect size, just a touch smaller than the G19 but it still shoots like a full-size. I'd opt for the larger M&P9 first, but that is just me.
Having said that, the M&P9c is a great gun about the perfect size, just a touch smaller than the G19 but it still shoots like a full-size. I'd opt for the larger M&P9 first, but that is just me.
Indy_Guy_77
Grandmaster
- Apr 30, 2008
- 16,576
- 48
In the past, I had a full sized and a compact. I carried the compact most of the time I carried a pistol.
I now no longer have the compact. I can conceal the FS quite easily.
If you want to conceal a larger gun - some musts:
Must invest in a quality holster.
Must invest in a quality belt.
Must be willing to make clothing concessions / dress around the gun.
-J-
I now no longer have the compact. I can conceal the FS quite easily.
If you want to conceal a larger gun - some musts:
Must invest in a quality holster.
Must invest in a quality belt.
Must be willing to make clothing concessions / dress around the gun.
-J-
As a slender individual myself I can attest to the need for a good belt!
I actually prefer a longer barrel, all else being equal, as that is more for the holster to "grip" (in my experience) to stabilize the weapon. I carry inside the waistband where, when concealing, I don't need to worry about the barrel/bottom of the holster protruding from beneath the hem of my shirt.
I actually prefer a longer barrel, all else being equal, as that is more for the holster to "grip" (in my experience) to stabilize the weapon. I carry inside the waistband where, when concealing, I don't need to worry about the barrel/bottom of the holster protruding from beneath the hem of my shirt.
I think the 9c is the best of both worlds. Carry it with the small mag when concealing, and the full size mag with grip extension when OC/at the range/HD. I bought one strictly for it's versatility. Although I'd suggest an Apex trigger.
The key to cc of any forearm is body habitus. Work your pecs and abs until a loose fitting shirt conceals everything below your chest. voila! easy cc! Seriously though, I carry a FS M&P with no problem. I second the apex trigger kit.
CrossBreed SuperTuck Deluxe Inside the Waistband Holster Right Hand
Phantom Light Compatible Holster
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CrossBreed SuperTuck Deluxe Inside the Waistband Holster Right Hand
Phantom Light Compatible Holster
Inside Waistband Holsters - products new home - Infidel Ultra
I JFC a full-sized M&P every day (it's mostly covered by an untucked shirt, but you can see it if you're looking for it). I am rather manatee shaped though, so there isn't much I have difficulty concealing. I find the FS M&P easier to conceal than my old Glock 23, even though the M&P is slightly larger.
I'm not a 'big' guy - A bit shy of 6'0" and around 160 lbs.
I regularly carry full-sized, large frame guns (.45, .44 mag, etc.) with no issues whatsoever. I rarely carry IWB, preferring OWB or shoulder rigs, for the most part.
For YEARS I carried a 8-3/8" Mdl. 29, and even had guys tell me there was "NO way!" I could carry a gun like that and they wouldn't spot it. Yet, they didn't, even though I was standing right in front of them, facing them dead-on, wearing that gun under a regular sport jacket. Duh...
Additionally, I second (and third and fourth) a top-notch belt, and holsters. My primary carry belts were made by Beltman, double-thickness w/ a 'stiffener' strip sandwiched in-between. Not cheap, but not overly expensive, IMO. About $110 each, IIRC. IMO, ya spend good money on a good gun, don't get cheap when buying belts and holsters to carry it. My shoulder rigs, about $200 or so.
It's not really 'what' you carry, but 'how' you carry. It really IS that simple.
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in625shooter
Master
- Mar 21, 2008
- 2,136
- 48
I carry both full size and compact M&P's. I have used the Don hume 715 for them as well as a SIG 220 and Glock.
Either M&P will be fine. The full size isn't really that bad to carry concealed with a good quality IWB.
H715-M W.C. [H715-M] - $33.60 : Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.
Either M&P will be fine. The full size isn't really that bad to carry concealed with a good quality IWB.
H715-M W.C. [H715-M] - $33.60 : Don Hume Leathergoods, manufactures high quality leather and nylon goods.
The Keymaster
Master
I have carried the full size M&P for 2 years with no issues. If you want it concealed you will have to change your lifestyle as far as clothing is concerned.
Thanks for all the info. You guys brought up some very valid points that I haven't considered. I haven't completely made up my mind on which model but I do know that whichever I pick I will need a good harness when I am ready to carry.
I'm not a big guy at all, and I can conceal the FS M&P 9mm on my frame quite easily. Just carry the gun at a 45 degree cant and wear an untucked shirt. You're going to have to do this to conceal the compact version anyway, so I don't see what is truly gained by going to the compact. You'll just have a gun that is harder to shoot.
Try the gun out first. There are plenty of them around.
Try the gun out first. There are plenty of them around.
I'm a fairly slender guy, and I have OC'd/CC'd both the full size as well as the compact. As far as a range toy goes the full size wins by a small margin, I've found it to be slightly more accurate with my shooting style, and the recoil is almost non existent. The compact model requires that you change your grip slightly depending on which mag that you have inserted, the one with the pinky extension is preferable while the one without offers a shorter grip for easy conceal ability. The recoil is more definitive, but far from uncontrollable or unpleasant. After carrying and shooting both extensively I decided to make the 9c my EDC, mostly for weight reduction and the shorter grip length. I do have x grip adapters on my spare 17 round mags to give it a full size grip for range days or if I'm heading into some of the more unsavory parts of the city. I carry in a Blackhawk Serpa holster, (which fits both sizes)
