Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW (Read 11212 times)

RSN172

Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« on: March 14, 2017, 09:19:36 AM »
I went to look at some handguns with my daughter in NV for her EDC weapon.  She already submitted her application and should be getting her NV CWP in about 3 months, so she has some time to make a final decision.  Before we when to the store, she was wanting a Sig, but after looking at and handling several handguns, she narrowed her choice to the Glock 43 or M&P.  I liked the M&P very much, especially since it carried 2 more rounds than the 43, but after reading an article testing the various single stack 9mm guns, I am thinking maybe the Glock would be a better choice because of its extreme reliability.  They mixed various brands of ammo and bullet weights and rapid fired 50 rounds.  The Glock did not have a single malfunction in that test or the 1000 rounds they fired earlier.  We did not actually shoot either gun. 

Looking for some input, especially from those who own or have shot these guns.  If you have another suggestion, please feel free to share it.  Keep in mind we do not want a 1911 style or one that has a manual safety or hammer fired.

http://www.gunsandammo.com/handguns/compacts/single-stack-9mm-shootout/
Happily living in Puna

changemyoil66

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2017, 10:01:11 AM »
I'm looking at either the 43 or the shield also if reciprocity passes as my carry to the gym.

Like in the previous post, you can read reviews, but in the end she has to shoot both to compare.  If the gun ranges (Battlefield LV, The Gun Store, etc...) don't carry them for rental, then see if someone in the community can let her test fire theirs.  Make sure if she uses someone else's, bring her own ammo and offer lunch or something.  LMK if she can't find anyone.  I can give my CCW instructor a call because he might know more people.

My wife got her Nevada CCW and is looking into a snub nose revolver.  She doesn't want to have to worry about tap and rack ever.  So I let her chose what she wants.

Always remember, its the indian, not the arrow.

zippz

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2017, 10:03:07 AM »
I have a Glock 43.  I have added a +1 extension so it holds 7 rounds and have a longer grip.  The Pearce +1 extension is about the same size as the grip extension the Glock comes with, I don't know why they don't just stick the +1 on it in the first place.  I wouldn't worry about the capacity.  Either gun would be fine.  It takes a lot of practice to be adequately proficient with the small pistols, so have her get at least a couple hundred rounds through the gun first.

macsak

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2017, 10:06:41 AM »
My wife got her Nevada CCW and is looking into a snub nose revolver.  She doesn't want to have to worry about tap and rack ever.  So I let her chose what she wants.

Always remember, its the indian, not the arrow.

good call, 66
 :shaka:

stangzilla

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2017, 11:39:14 AM »


My wife got her Nevada CCW and is looking into a snub nose revolver.  She doesn't want to have to worry about tap and rack ever.  So I let her chose what she wants.



revolvers are better anyways.   :geekdanc:

drck1000

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #5 on: March 14, 2017, 12:20:38 PM »
If possible, I would have her try and shoot both.  I really like Glock guns, but between the Shield and 43, I prefer the Shield.  For me, it's mostly personal preference and the feel of shooting the Shield vs the 43, the Shield felt easier to control.  Not that the 43 was difficult to control.  I have shot the Shield in both 9 and 40.  While I am not a fan of 40, the Shield 40 was actually pleasantly easy to shoot, whereas I hated the Glock 27. 

I've also seen friends who own the 43 where their grip affects the slide stop.  In one person, that prevented the slide from locking open after the last shot and for another person, it occasionally caused the slide to lock open with rounds still left in the magazine.  I shot both guns just fine. 

In the end, I think both are excellent guns.  If I were to buy, I would get the Shield first and then a 19 second on my list before the 43.  The 19 is more because I can use my 17 mags with that gun and I can conceal the 19 just fine. 

Just one person's opinion, but the comparison that you are considering.

PalisadesKid

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #6 on: March 14, 2017, 01:38:19 PM »
G43 – 3.39” barrel
Shield- 3.1”barrel

Apparently some hollow points don’t behave as they should once the barrel starts going below the 3.5” mark. Seems like a lot of the hollow points were tested with 4” barrels according to the specs listed on the side of the box.

Saw a video on ballistics testing using a 3.2” barrel with the classic Speer Gold Dots and most of the rounds didn’t expand and ended up over-penetrating and so forth. Not enough velocity out of those sub compact barrels.

Just tossing that out there. With that being said, I believe there’s a specific line of HP’s from Speer for subcompact pistols and other HP’s like the Hornady Critical Defense will be fine. The Federal Premium HST’s though allegedly perform the same with the subcompact barrels as they do with the 4”+ barrels.

PalisadesKid

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #7 on: March 14, 2017, 01:40:22 PM »

You'll win with either, but the Shields are cheaper.  :shaka:

Did you consider what her carry ammo will be?

G43 – 3.39” barrel
Shield- 3.1”barrel

Apparently some hollow points don’t behave as they should once the barrel starts going below the 3.5” mark. Seems like a lot of the hollow points were tested with 4” barrels according to the specs listed on the side of the box.

Saw a video on ballistics testing using a 3.2” barrel with the classic Speer Gold Dots and most of the rounds didn’t expand and ended up over-penetrating and so forth. Not enough velocity out of those sub compact barrels.

Just tossing that out there. With that being said, I believe there’s a specific line of HP’s from Speer for subcompact pistols and other HP’s like the Hornady Critical Defense will be fine. The Federal Premium HST’s though allegedly perform the same with the subcompact barrels as they do with the 4”+ barrels.

macsak

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #8 on: March 14, 2017, 02:03:12 PM »


yeah, speer has a new gold dot for short barrels

um, not that i know anything about short barrels...

RSN172

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #9 on: March 14, 2017, 02:05:45 PM »
Thanks for the info about ammo.  Never thought about that.  I carry Hornady CD 124 gr in my Glock 19.  In NV I carry 15+1 in tbe gun and a spare 15 rd mag.  It is ok for normal use, but at the ConExpo we walked 26.7 miles in 3 days according to the pedometer.  It started to get uncomfortable after a few hours whereas I never noticed it before while wearing my CC holster for 8 or 9 hours and not doing a lot of walking and standing.  My daughter and I both liked the Shield a little more and it is a very reliable gun also.  I need to get a lighter and smaller gun for extended CC.
Happily living in Puna

eyeeatingfish

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #10 on: March 14, 2017, 07:11:25 PM »
The second generations of the M&P pistols are supposed to be much much better than the first generation so consider that when you see comparisons to a glock.

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #11 on: March 14, 2017, 07:37:21 PM »
Size matters!

The larger the pistol, the greater the potential capacity, and the easier it is to draw ans shoot accurately.  Control of a large or medium frame pistol is much better than with a smaller one.

The smaller the pistol, the easier it is to conceal and carry comfortably.  That's obvious.

The key is to make sure you get something you can carry all the time (might need more than one for different wardrobe days).  If you aren't comfortable carrying, you'll find yourself leaving it home more and more.  Everyday carry requires you to carry everyday -- not just some days. 

Once you decide which size frame/mag you like to carry, you can weed out the ones that are too big as well as too small.  Mags can be single or double stacked.  That determines the capacity and the thickness of the grip.  The priority there is deciding if you like shooting with the wider grip.  If it doesn't matter, then pick between higher capacity (double stack) or easier to carry (single stack).

This is very much like shopping for a car.  Personal comfort, features, size, capability (caliber and capacity), and handling all play into the decision.  Therefore, you should test drive all those which meet your minimum requirements and go from there. 

You're never stuck with a pistol.  If you find one you like better, you can add to the collection to have a backup or spare, or you can sell it. 
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

RSN172

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2017, 07:45:14 PM »
I really like my 19, but I think I need to get a smaller, lighter gun for days that I am going to do a lot of walking and standing, like going to trade shows.  That ConExpo was ridiculously huge.  The 19 loaded with 16 rounds and a spare 15 round mag is a lot of weight after awhile.
Happily living in Puna

Heavies

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2017, 09:03:42 PM »
Try a Kahr  CM or PM 9.  I like mine a lot, it is very shootable and controllable for a pocket 9.  I have been collecting Winchester "D" defend ammo.  Reports are that even in very short barrel the bullet performs well in ballistic gel testing.  Also, being a subsonic 147grn, the recoil is less snappy and easier to shoot well.

JMHO

*Disclaimer: I am not an operator.

solidjohnny

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #14 on: March 16, 2017, 08:07:18 AM »
Thanks for the info about ammo.  Never thought about that.  I carry Hornady CD 124 gr in my Glock 19.  In NV I carry 15+1 in tbe gun and a spare 15 rd mag.  It is ok for normal use, but at the ConExpo we walked 26.7 miles in 3 days according to the pedometer.  It started to get uncomfortable after a few hours whereas I never noticed it before while wearing my CC holster for 8 or 9 hours and not doing a lot of walking and standing.  My daughter and I both liked the Shield a little more and it is a very reliable gun also.  I need to get a lighter and smaller gun for extended CC.

I walked about 21 miles in the 3 days I was at the ConExpo....I can't imagine CC anything during that show. 

RSN172

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #15 on: March 16, 2017, 05:24:39 PM »
Yeah, it was just too big of a show.  Now that I think about it, I was wearing my CC holster and spare mag for 12 to 13 hours a day.  Going to breakfast, the expo and then dinner before going back to the hotel.  At least it was only uncomfortable and not painful.

After looking at the videos posted earlier in this thread, I am going to continue to carry my 19 and not get a smaller gun.  For days when I know I am going to be walking and standing for long periods, I will carry my 19 in a fanny pack I have that just fits it.  I sewed a Sherpa with the catch removed into it.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2017, 10:03:10 PM by RSN172 »
Happily living in Puna

Heavies

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2017, 10:37:28 PM »
Yeah, it was just too big of a show.  Now that I think about it, I was wearing my CC holster and spare mag for 12 to 13 hours a day.  Going to breakfast, the expo and then dinner before going back to the hotel.  At least it was only uncomfortable and not painful.

After looking at the videos posted earlier in this thread, I am going to continue to carry my 19 and not get a smaller gun.  For days when I know I am going to be walking and standing for long periods, I will carry my 19 in a fanny pack I have that just fits it.  I sewed a Sherpa with the catch removed into it.
Nice!

However, If you are so inclined to look for something purpose built, I would recommend one of these..

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQ3CS1W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1




It is a well made fanny pack that easily holds my CZ compact with the XC1 light attached or full size 75B.  It has a quick opening rear compartment that holds the weapon, and functional front pockets that can be used to carry your everyday items. For a 19 the medium would be a little bit smaller, and maybe a better fit for the pistol itself, but maybe not enough room for a wallet, keys, etc...  I just got the large size for more options.

changemyoil66

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #17 on: March 17, 2017, 09:18:35 AM »
The 19 is a good choice because it holds more rounds compared to the 43 (7) and the Shield (9).  And the size isn't that much more.

At least if its uncomfortable, you know that the gun is still there.  Maybe wear a garment under the holster (underarmor dry fit, or wife beater tank, etc...) on long carrying days.

I'm not a fan of the fanny pack because access is restricted if needed to draw quickly.  And the zipper makes a noise.  Also if robbed, the robber would ask to open the pack or for it.  Then if he sees the gun, possible he might shoot you.  Where as IWB, it's hard to see.

RSN172

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #18 on: March 17, 2017, 10:52:28 AM »
The one I made I can leave the zipper open and the gun is still hidden.  It takes me about 1 second longer to draw from it than from my Fusion Pac holster.  I admit, one second is quite a bit of time in a quick draw situation.  What I like about the Fusion Pac is that it is attached to your body separately from your pants.  That means if you have to go and do nbr 2, it is still around your waist and not having to worry about where to put your gun.  It is also a very comfortable rig, except when you are walking and standing for 8 hours.  It would have been ok if I wore it OWB, but then I would have had to wear a jacket and it was to hot for that.
Happily living in Puna

changemyoil66

Re: Glock 43 or M&P Shield for CCW
« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2017, 11:27:13 AM »
The one I made I can leave the zipper open and the gun is still hidden.  It takes me about 1 second longer to draw from it than from my Fusion Pac holster.  I admit, one second is quite a bit of time in a quick draw situation.  What I like about the Fusion Pac is that it is attached to your body separately from your pants.  That means if you have to go and do nbr 2, it is still around your waist and not having to worry about where to put your gun.  It is also a very comfortable rig, except when you are walking and standing for 8 hours.  It would have been ok if I wore it OWB, but then I would have had to wear a jacket and it was to hot for that.

How about changing the position of the holster when IWB for long periods?  That changes the rubbing and pressure areas.  So like 5 oclock, then 4, then appendex, etc...

My Tier1 Concealed holster allows any position to carry.