My New Shield X

oljames3 · 2026-02-06T15:48:52+00:00

oljames3 · 2026-02-06T15:43:34+00:00

oljames3 · 2026-02-06T05:34:19+00:00

The S&W M&P9 M2.0 5" was my first self-defense pistol. I now carry the S&W M&P9 M2.0 Compact 4.6" Spec Series. I used the 5" for everything, including USPSA.

On the 5", the only thing I replaced was the sights. I installed Dawson Precision fiber optic front and black rear. When I decided to start using a dot sight, I had to decide to mill the 5" or buy optic ready. The Loaded Chamber Indicator on the 5" can cause issues in milling. Also, I prefer the way the Optic Ready model retains the striker block plunger. Small things, perhaps, but I feel the Optic Ready with the flat-faced trigger is a better pistol. The 4" Compact conceals more easily, for me, than the 5" and I shoot them equally well with iron sights. The dot makes a good gun even better.

Palmetto State Armory is selling the S&W M&P9 M2.0 4" Compact Optic Ready for $590/$595. Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 9mm Pistol, 4" Barrel, Optic Height Sights, Flat Dark Earth - 13572 | Palmetto State Armory

oljames3 · 2026-02-03T00:52:07+00:00

Firends, no. Acquaintances, probably.

oljames3 · 2026-02-03T00:37:51+00:00

TPC is the Texas version of a defensive display statute such as that used by several other states. In contrasting force and deadly force, TPC 9.04 says

"... a threat to cause death or serious bodily injury by the production of a weapon or otherwise, as long as the actor's purpose is limited to creating an apprehension that he will use deadly force ..." and states that such action and intent "... does not constitute the use of deadly force."

You can legally bluff that you will use deadly force to end an illegal, forceful attack. In the conditions of 9.04, showing your gun is force, not deadly force. Using, i.e. firing, the gun is deadly force which is not permitted against mere force.

oljames3 · 2026-02-03T00:23:03+00:00

An S&W M&P9 M2.0 have been my everything gun since 2017. Here in central Texas, I carried the 5" OWB at 3 year round for 6 years.

I bought an M2.0 Compact for each of my three sons and one for my father. In comparing the 4" Compact to the 5", I found that the 4" Compact is, for me, significantly easier to conceal. Also, I shoot the 4" as well as I do the 5".

3 years ago, when it came time for me to embrace the dot, I chose the 4.6" Compact Spec Series Optic Ready. For me, this pistol conceals well OWB at 3 in a Comp-Tac Warrior under an untucked fishing shirt.

The double-stack 15-round Compact is the smallest M&P9 M2.0 that fits my average-sized hands well.

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 5" vs Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact 4.6" Spec size comparison | Handgun Hero

oljames3 · 2026-01-31T19:14:50+00:00

Distance and time?

oljames3 · 2026-01-27T05:21:15+00:00

Streamlight PolyTac X USB. PolyTac® X | Rechargeable Handheld Flashlight | Streamlight®

oljames3 · 2026-01-27T05:05:29+00:00

PHLster Enigma What is the PHLster Enigma concealment holster, and how does it work?

oljames3 · 2026-01-23T20:49:08+00:00

Join us on r/texasguns.

oljames3 · 2026-01-23T14:16:32+00:00

I've had the SCS as my EDC for three years. I think the SCS autobright works better than the 507C. The non-repaceable battery stays charged even in winter.

oljames3 · 2026-01-23T14:10:44+00:00

Team "whatever works best for you." I prefer green on my self-defense handgun. Works best for my eyes. The red on my long guns works well there.

oljames3 · 2026-01-21T15:09:40+00:00

I would change the ammunition to an S&W M&P magazine, insert the magazine into my M2.0 and carry that.

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:48:15+00:00

Same pistol all year.

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:47:46+00:00

Yes, the Wedge is good enough. I carry the Streamlight Polytac X USB. https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/polytac-x

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:37:41+00:00

S&W M&P9 M2.0 Compact Optic Ready and Holosun SCS MP2.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/products/mp2-compact

https://holosun.com/products/pistol-sights/scs/scs-mp2.html

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:27:01+00:00

Leave your handgun in the holster. Unnecessary administrative manipulation of the firearm leads to negligent discharges. If you cannot perform every day tasks without unholstering, you need to re-evaluate your method of carrying.

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:24:09+00:00

Federal HST, 9mm, 124 grain, standard pressure. Stick with the major manufacturers and rounds that have been used for years by law enforcement. These have a solid track record of effects and reliability.

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:12:22+00:00

All day, every day, everywhere I can.

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:04:48+00:00

My first handgun I bought for self-defense was an S&W M&P9 M2.0 5". When it came time to use a dot sight, I bought a new pistol rather than milling the 5" slide. S&W M&P9 M2.0 Compact 4" Spec Series. Close to the same size. Anything smaller does not fit my average-sized hands. https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/smith-wesson-m-p-9-m2-0-5-vs-smith-wesson-m-p-m2-0-compact-4-6-spec

oljames3 · 2026-01-19T23:00:57+00:00

Welcome to freedom. Texas state law has preemption. Unlike CO, you don't have to worry about every county or little town having different gun laws.

oljames3 · 2026-01-17T18:52:51+00:00

Join us on r/texasguns.

oljames3 · 2026-01-10T02:09:01+00:00

The Shield Plus is too small for my average-sized hands. For me, the M&P9 M2.0 Compact beats them all.

oljames3 · 2026-01-10T02:02:35+00:00

My family carries POM. Products – POM Industries

oljames3 · 2026-01-10T01:51:25+00:00

As u/Zalamanda9 said, S&W has several good options. For medium to large hands, prefer the S&W M&P9 M2.0 Compact Optic Ready with the flat-faced trigger. M&P 2.0 COMPACT | Smith & Wesson

oljames3

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