Smith & Wesson M&P Shield or Beretta Nano

New Smith & Wesson M&P Shield or Beretta Nano? Would like opinions on both of these new pistols for CCW.

Something that small, you're probably going to need to shoot them both and decide for yourself.

ETA)The reason I say that is because after shooting quite a few pocket guns, specs on paper rarely tell the story. My hands are kinda small for a guy, so what might be acceptable to me might be a no go to you. Besides, the Shield isn't even really out yet, and the Nano isn't widely circulated yet. Hickock45 did a pretty decent review of the Nano, though.

I'll through the PPS into mix

Edit: throw

I watched Hickok's review of the Nano. I like the size and it looks pretty accurate but it is butt ugly and I do no like the way you have to take it apart to clean it.
However I am a big Beretta fan. Own a 92FS and CX4. A PPS is a good ultra 9mm compact too. It should be in the mix for sure and the new Sig P938.

The shield is not really a pocket gun, per se. It is a sub compact, but clearly designed for holster carry. It is about the size of a PPS or a Kahr. No in the same realm as a Kel Tec or Ruger, nor do I think it was meant to be.

Personally, I am glad. I think the shield is the one for me.

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Wait a couple years so you can avoid returning the M&P to fix issues.

Never buy a new gun the first couple years it's out from any company.

The Nano has been a mixed bag from what I read on the Beretta forums.

I have owned the PPS, Nano, PM9, and PF9. I like the PPS best. I would hold out for the S&W though it if were my money.

PPS. Unless the Shield turns out to be as reliable and the terrible M&P trigger is improved. The Shield MSRP is the only improvement vs. the PPS.

both are way too new to give any opinion really. The shield just hit dealers today, and the nano is unobtanium.

I held a Nano and dry fired it.

The trigger sucks and it's too wide and top heavy. Meh.


Still like the PPS the best, but I admit the M&P Shield has my attention, mostly because of it's price point.

I did handle a PPS and a Nano yesterday, the PPS did fit my hand better, and seemed to have a better trigger. The grip on the nano is too small for me, I barely got two fingers on it. Like gripping a P3AT or a taurus PT709. I love my Berettas but I'd go with a PX4 subcompact before I'd go with a Nano. More subs need to be as thin as the PPS. The PPS with a belt clip would be a pretty easy setup to hide.

I would most likely go for the SW, but Ive yet to handle one

M&P Shield hands down. The Nano, like all Beretta guns, is too chunky. The grip is too small for how big the gun is.

Nothing in 9mm is what I would carry a "pocket gun". They're pretty big and will really on fit in something like cargo pants or shorts where you have big pockets. But here is the thing, the Shield will fit just as well as the Nano in that.

SHIELD YOURSELF!!!!!!!!

I'm a Glock slut, but the Shield is calling me. If they ever come out with a safety-less version, I will most likely pick one up.

I would bet my dealer will only stock a safetyless version. I should have checked if my dealer had any on my way to work, but I forgot.

In the Shield review done on Shooting USA, Jim says the trigger is a lot better than the typical M&P trigger:

We will know more on the Shield in a week or two. Several of us have them en route and should be in our hands in a week or so.

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Yeah, I'm seeing people post pics of them here already, but no one's shot them yet. So far, all I've seen are "official" reviews by shows, etc. I want to see a review from normal shooters, and what they think of them.

I'm interested for sure, once they come come out with the no-safety version.

I'm interested if they, come out with the no-safety version.

I've had the full size m&p9 for about a year now and today just picked up the SHIELD to carry easier than the FS.
I haven't shot it yet, but the trigger is the most apparent difference between the two pistols(of course after the size).
I don't really know how to describe the difference between the triggers....i t just feels more solid I guess. I don't have a problem with the standard trigger on the FS either though.
Its also really nice to CC.... I've been for the last 3 hours and so far its easily concealable and is hardly noticeable.

I second Bending Rods-i-guess.

I dry fired one today, trigger was way different than the other MPs Ive actually shot. Way less take up and travel to click. It was comfortable with the extended mag in too.

Do you know what the overall height is on the shield with a flush mag? I've tried to find the specs online but have been unsuccessful. Do you think it is small enough to ankle carry comfortably?

Shield

Picked up my M&P Shield today and headed straight to the range. Coolest thing is this gun was just announced at the NRA show yesterday.

It's of comparable size to the LC9/PF9 but feels much better in my hands than either and has a very good M&P-ish trigger. Only put 96 rounds through it but no issues and very accurate shooter for me.


My M&P Shield

I cant find my ruler so I havent measured it yet, but I'll get on that in the morning with some comparison pics to a FS M&P and a Ruger LC9 for reference.
I have chicken legs and I dont really know how ankle holsters work, but putting the pistol up to my ankle doesn't seem like it would work very well.....I think its too big for that (for me anyways) If you have thicker legs it might be doable though.

4.45" with flush mag.

Thanks for the replies. I was hoping it would have an overall length similar to or less than a Glock 26 so it would be easier to pocket or ankle carry. Looks like the Kahr PM9.still fits the bill

First range report Ive seen! Now I almost regret not losing my mind and impulse buying today. Mike come down here, lets go shoot this sucker at High Rock!

So far what I've seen of the Nano isn't encouraging. Everyone I know who bought one has experienced problems with it.

The Shield is a better bet, even with S&W's issues of late, IMO.

Thanks for the info. Is the Shield going to be much more comfortable to carry than a Glock 26?
G26 is shorter but the Shield is a little thinner. Weight is about the same.

The Nano is top heavy and has no traditional slide stop/slide release. It's very quirky when you handle it. Out of the two, I'd choose the Shield since it's much more traditional in both function and feel.

i have a PPS so i'm set but if i had to choose i would say shield. the nanos lack of reliability in many reports,especially on the beretta forums,is troubling. i also do not like that it has no slide stop lever and the fact that they copies the shitty kahr shape and grip is abominable.

I thought the trigger on the shield was much improved and actually decent for M&P line. Wish I had waited instead of buying the lady the Bodyguard.

Is the 1/10 of an inch thinner slide and grip on these pistols
going to be a lot easier to carry OWB than a Glock 26 ?
Still not sure if going that small is worth losing mag capacity.

It's more than a 1/10, but only you have to decide if gaining .20-.25" is worth the reduced capacity.

I will say that capacity issue aside the Shield feels much better in my hand(s) than a Glock 26 ever did.

It seems that all the micro gun comparisons are to the G26... I suppose that's the reference. Glock really did create the smallest possible no compromise real gun.

Now everyone is trying to make a G26 style gun thinner, lighter, without introducing too many aggravating compromises or too little capacity or too hard to handle. Do this and the world will come to your door. I'm not ready to throw out my G26 just yet though...

I have a PPS and compared the Shield to the PPS side by side. It is essentially the same size in every regard except the barrel length, which is just a hair shorter on the Shield. the Shield gets an 8 round mag in the same size as a PPS 7 round mag due to the slight double stacking. the PPS fit my hand better and the triggers were about the same.

the only advantages I can see the Shield having to the PPS is that it has a traditional button mag release as compared to the lever on the PPS and it holds one more round in the same size mag.

I like the Shield a lot, but am already invested in the PPS and there's not enough reason to switch.

Hey stevemc,

Is that stupid warning engraved on the slide or just painted on?

Seriously? "Caution- Capable of Firing With Magazine Removed"

Do all the M&P's without a mag disconnect have that? The one M&P 9 I've fired had neither the warning nor the disconnect.

Warning about being able to fire without a magazine in the gun, all 3 of my M&P's(9mm, 45c and Shield)

I own a Nano, bought it when it came out. I've had 2 FTE's as some people have had multiples. I'm not concerned, I like it for what it is.
I consider the Nano to be a gun of compromises, with deep concealment being a priority. I think the Shield would be more comfortable to shoot for an extended session, and I would say it will be a fine gun.
However, if I wanted that gun, I would get a Glock 26 and be done with it. However, neither could replace my Nano for pocket carry.
The Nano is not to be a daily driver or weekend plinker, at least not for me. The long trigger and small size make it, for me, ideal to carry hot.

I also really like the simplicity of the Nano, as well as the solid stainless sub-chassis. I know Beretta is taking their sweet old time with accessories and upgrades, but the gun has potential, including a larger frame and integrated laser, for example. I'd like to see more progress on that front, but I'm also sorta spent out on gun stuff for the year, so I'm not too hurt.

Personally, I say just get the shield because everyone is just looking for problems with the Nano. But I'm keeping my Nano, as it does what I want when I want.

Once I see the Sheild make it through about 6 months of use from folks not being paid to review it.... I will get one to replace my J-Frame because of the higher capacity and faster reloads.

There are times when my M&P 9c is too thick. Simple as that.

I like them both but I chose the Nano it's smooth sides and light recoil sold me on it. The gun being "top heavy" makes it a breeze to shoot but either way u can't go wrong

I have about 250 mixed brands and styles of ammo through my shield now and so far it's been a pleasure to shoot. No issues with it. I found the nano was too small for my hands but size wise fits a pocket better than the shield. I pocket carry my shield though because i live in a warm climate where shorts are the norm. When it came down to it i found the nano harder to obtain a quick grip on and follow up shots were more spread. The shield fills the hand nicely and performs similar to it's larger sized cousins. That's the main reason i picked the shield.

I handled both the Nano and Shield last week at my LGS. I thought the Nano's trigger was terrible. I liked the Shield a lot, but still felt it was a bit too small for my hand.

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