Canik MC9 Prime vs Shield Plus Carry Comp: Detailed Comparison

Today, I compared the Canik MC9 Prime vs Shield Plus Carry Comp. We’ve put real rounds through both pistols, so I wanted to break down what stands out, what doesn’t, and what might matter to you if you’re trying to decide between the two.

Shield Plus Carry Comp Overview

We’ve already run close to 1,000 rounds through the Shield Plus Carry Comp. Out of all of that, we only had one failure to eject, and that was on the last round. Not bad at all.

The green front sight is easy to pick up, and I like the blacked-out rear. The built-in comp keeps the gun shooting flat. It’s a smooth shooter with solid capacity choices.

You’ve got three mag options:

• 10 rounds for better concealment

• 13 rounds, which gives a better grip

• 15 rounds, which brings it up close to the Canik’s full size

I prefer the 13-round. The 10-round is easier to carry, but my pinky doesn’t quite fit. The 15-round works fine, but adds more length than I usually want.

Where the Shield Falls Short

One issue I’ve had is with the slide serrations. They’re angled back and not very functional, especially if your hands are sweaty or there’s moisture. I had to delay filming because of the condensation just from walking the gun outside. These serrations might look cool, but in real use, they’re not the best.

The optic mounting plate could also be better. And while it’s a great carry gun, it’s lacking some features you’ll see on the Canik.

Canik MC9 Prime Breakdown

We ran 100 rounds through the Canik Prime on video and followed that with another 100 rounds the next day. The first batch was 124 grain, the second was 115 grain—someone mentioned the Prime had issues with 115 grain, but we didn’t see that.

You have three ports in the front of the slide instead of one large comp. I think it works well. The orange front sight pops out nicely, and the rear sights are blacked out. Those are night sights, which is a plus.

Better Serrations and Extra Features

Compared to the Shield, the slide serrations on the Canik are vertical, which means you can grab them from any angle and get a solid grip. That matters more than people think, especially when your hands aren’t dry or you’re in a hurry.

The Prime is also optic-ready, has a slide stop on both sides, and the mag release is reversible, just like the Shield.

It also comes with two 17-round magazines and a flared magwell, which makes reloads smooth.

Trigger Comparison: Canik MC9 Prime vs Shield Plus Carry Comp

Both pistols have decent triggers, but the Canik Prime trigger is better. The break is cleaner, and it just feels more responsive. The Shield Plus trigger is fine, especially for a carry pistol, but there’s one thing worth pointing out.

If you press high on the Shield trigger shoe, it won’t fire. You have to press lower on the trigger for it to break. Now, in a perfect grip, that’s not an issue. But under stress or with a sloppy grip, that could be a problem. That is just something to think about.

The Canik doesn’t have that issue. No matter where you hit the trigger, if you’re pressing straight, it’s going to go off.

Carry Differences and Size Comparison

We stacked both guns side by side. With the 15-round mag in the Shield and the 17 in the Canik, they’re the same height.

The Shield does not have a rail, which limits your light options. The Canik Prime has a rail, so you can mount whatever you want. That might be important depending on how you carry.

The takedown system is easier on the Shield in my opinion, but that’s a small detail.

Both guns have reversible mag releases, and the Canik has both a chamber and striker indicator, while the Shield does not. It only has a small port to peek in and check the chamber.

Shooting Impressions: Back to Back

I hadn’t shot the Shield Plus Carry Comp in a few months, so I loaded up both guns and ran them with the same ammo, one after the other.

Surprisingly, the Shield Plus felt softer shooting. That caught me off guard, but it was noticeable. Still, the Canik Prime tracked better. It stayed flat during recoil and returned to target quickly.

The Prime was a little harder to rack. If you have weaker hands, that may matter.

Both triggers felt good in live use, but again, the Canik’s was just better. No question there.

Final Thoughts

Right now, without putting 1,000 rounds through the Canik yet, I’d say this — if I were going to carry a gun with a longer grip and wanted 17-round capacity, I’d choose the Canik Prime.

That said, I love that the Shield gives you options. You can run 10, 13, or 15 rounds. Less ammo means less weight, and that matters in hot weather. I live somewhere hot and humid, where I can wear a lightweight shirt or shorts most of the year. Carrying something light is a big deal.

But if weight isn’t a concern and you want more rounds, night sights, better serrations, and a better trigger, the Canik Prime wins.

Both are solid. Just depends on what matters most to you.

Want to See It in Action?

If you want to see a side-by-side comparison of both pistols, check out the full video on YouTube.