Now, on a firearm related note…anyone have any direct knowledge of the S&W M&P 9 Shield? I’ve read the reviews, handled one at the store and am seriously considering picking one up to use as an EDC. I don’t mind that it has less round capacity than my current .45, I like the concealability that I get with the size.

I own one. On the plus side, it is more accurate than it’s owner, and has never mis fired in the few boxes of white box target ammo that I have put through it. I got it on sale for a very reasonable price, and it fits my hand well. 

As far as concealed carry goes, there are 9mm pistols that are not much bigger than the average .380. The 9mm M&P Shield is not one of them. I don’t own one, because I don’t carry concealed, but a friend is very happy with his  .380 M&P that he carries in an ankle holster. He says that he can empty the mag into a 4 inch target at 25 ft, as fast as he can pull the trigger. In Mass, the law requires a safty, so many .380s are not sold here, but he would have bought the S&W anyway. He carries his with a round in the chamber (thumb safe “on”). My only major beef with the subject 9mm M&P, is the need of some type of tool to field strip. Needing to reach down deep, inside, to flip a little green lever, with a small screw driver, is a real PITA. For me, I like to give a pistol a first quick cleaning while still at the range. I clean the 9mm M&P, on a pad, on a bench, indoors, under bright light.

I hope that this helps. 

Well, I bit the bullet on this one and bought it. Went to the local gun show and, after making the rounds, found one priced too good to pass up. $325 + tax. That was better than any of the big box stores like Cabela’s were offering. It has the safety, but that doesn’t bother me. My .45 has one, too and I’m used to it. Had a harder time find a decent IWB holster for it than I did actually finding the pistol. I’m quite pleased with it, overall. It’s a nice shooter and, as stated above, is more accurate than I am.