*** UPDATE 5/3/18 ***
Smith & Wesson introduces the M&P M2.0 Compact with a 3.6″ barrel. Having recently purchased one, you can read my review here. I think this new M2.0 Compact with 3.6″ barrel is an even better choice if you could only have one gun for concealed carry and home defense.
If you can only have one gun for concealed carry and home defense, which would be a good one to consider?
I’d suggest the Smith & Wesson M&P Compact 9 (1.0). Why?
Compact Size for CCW
M&P Compact 9 is just 6.7” long and 4.3” tall making it easy to conceal, despite the fact that it’s a double stack semi-auto pistol. Although about 1/3 of an inch thicker and a little heavier than its single stack brother, the M&P Shield, I still find it comfortable enough to carry concealed every day. In fact, my IWB holster of choice is the L.A.G. Kydex Defender which can be used as an IWB or OWB holster.
The M&P Compact 9 can also accept a 17 round magazine (+1 in the chamber) making it an excellent home defense gun as well.
M&P Compact 9 Capacity
M&P Compact 9 holds 12 + 1 rounds of 9mm which is considerably more than popular single stack 9mm pistols such as the M&P Shield (7 + 1) or Glock 43 (6 + 1). Having 13 rounds available for concealed carry in a compact sized gun should be more than adequate under most circumstances. The M&P Compact 9 can also accept a 17 round magazine (+1 in the chamber) making it an excellent home defense gun as well.
Other Factors
The M&P Compact is very reliable, accurate and easy to shoot. There is also the consistency in training/shooting you get from using the same gun for both concealed carry and home defense. In fact, this is one of the main reasons the M&P Compact 9 is my EDC and home defense gun of choice.
MSRP for the M&P Compact is $549, but you should be able to pick one up for under $500.
For these reasons, the M&P Compact is one gun you might want to seriously consider if you can only have one gun for both concealed carry and home defense.
For more information about the M&P Compact, you can visit Smith & Wesson’s website.
