thanks for your info/input. i`ve held a shield 9mm up at the range. the m&p shield. is only .950 wide. was also interested in the springfield xds, 45 cal., about 1 1/4 wide. also a single stack. but was told sunday springfield took the xds off the market because of other contracts. i wanted to add a compact weapon, i thought a single stack would fit the role. i`m not much for velocity, but energy. a 40 cal. at 21 ft., not sure what the energy would be in a 3" barrel or a 5" barrel, but i don`t think there is much difference in energy.