I think the SCCY is a pretty good value for the money. I found it to be very dependable(around 1000 r ounds). It went bang every time, but the trigger is probably the worst in the industry IMHO. But once you get used to it...it serves it's purpose and their customer service is A+++ and they are made in the USA.
The p11, which the sccy is a copy of, does have a horrible trigger. Its not gritty or anything, its smooth, its just like an 11# pull, and the trigger curls up, and it will blister your finger if you shoot it alot. One of these days Im gonna shape it alittle smoother. But its reliable, had a couple hangups the first day, I had to order a new rear sight because I was shooting low with it, keltec had me send the whole thing in, and replaced it, test fired it and sent it back for free. Was kinda cool, I talked to the guy on the phone when he was on his way to the range to shoot it. Apparently when you have a problem, you get assigned a case worker, and they are the same person you deal with the whole time. I thought that was cool.
Its been fine ever since, probably 600 rounds through it.
For the money, the M&P Shield is a very nice gun. Bought one for both my wife & daughter & they loved it. I personally carry an XDs & love it but it's a little pricier than the shield.
the shield is a nice size and thin, if you want something super small but still easily controllable, the keltec pf9 seems to be a nice concealable handgun. and they can be had for $275-$325