Been researching light compact 9mm's.
Ruger's LC9 has a little pin that has to be taken out in order to strip it. That little pin is EASILY dropped/lost. BIG negative in my book.
S&W's M&P Shield is EASILY stripped ONE HANDED without tools or tiny parts to loose.
BOTH are very close to the same price, both are 7+1, LC9 is 2oz lighter, both same height, both same length, both same width.