Are the triggers better on the new M&P Shields versus the older ones? I'm considering getting one for a conceal and carry but was curious as to what to expect. Don't bother to mention the Apex trigger kit as a solution, I have one on my M&P Pro 9mm and know all about it but really don't want the extra expense. I think I like the size and features of the Shield and it will replace my XDS .45. I also have others for C&C like the BG and a Sig P238 so there's no rush. Let me know if the trigger is about the same or if it is improved on the newer models. If so, what year did it change? Thanks, Elliott45.

Not sure when it changed, or if it even did. I carry a shield 9 and I think the trigger is just fine for a carry gun.
Trigger feel shouldn't matter much on a carry gun, but length should. I'm my opinion I think the shields trigger is great after a couple hundred rounds and countless dry fires.

As far as I've heard and read, the Shield's trigger is the same as it's always been and it has always felt better than the other M&P triggers. I've always hated the 'standard' factory M&P triggers, but the Shield's trigger impressed me enough to go ahead and buy it. That was Three Years ago.

Supposedly, the OTHER M&Ps started incorporating parts of the Shield's trigger system a year or two ago.

Find someplace that has a shield to rent, or someone who has a Shield you could try and see if you like it. In the store, a brand new Shield's trigger may feel a bit gritty, but a quick polish of some of the parts (or shooting a few Hundred rounds) will smooth them out.

Thanks for the replies. I did notice that a shooting range I go to does have one and on the way yesterday I dry fired it and it felt fine. But then I went to a gun shop and the trigger didn't feel as good. Of course it is new but I thought maybe it was old stock and that the trigger may have changed. Probably the one at the range has just smoothed out but I think I will still rent it once to check it out. Thanks for the info, Elliot45

Yup, trigger has been the same all along. As a matter of fact, S&W is now using it on their other M&Ps. It will feel a bit grainy at first but after a few 100 rounds it smooths out. BTW, get use to overhand racking (which is recommended for SD anyway), the slide lock is rather stiff.

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Thanks OS-Wiz. I have the same issue with overhand racking on my M&P Pro 9mm. It's funny, there was a very long thread on this forum that started when a OP questioned whether there was something wrong because his "slide release" didn't work on his M&P Pro. Everyone jumped on him claiming it's a "slide stop" button and was never meant to be used as a slide release even though it's located on both sides of the gun. I shot 6 semi-automatics this weekend and only on my M&P could I not use that lever to release the side. The guns included a .45 Colt Gold Cup, a Kimber .45, my XDS, my Beretta 84, a Sig P238 and my M&P Pro 9mm. All the others released very smoothly. BTW, the OP who started that thread found another thread that has a solution to fix the M&Ps and got his working fine. Regards, Elliot45.

I liked the Shield's trigger quite a bit when I first got it. Mine's a May 2014 production. I've shot probably 400-500 rounds through it. Runs good.

Then I bought a new M&P 9 last month. Also a May 2014 production. I think the M&P 9's trigger is much better than my Shield's trigger. The Shield seems to have a lot of over-travel; in comparison, the M&P breaks right at the end of the travel.

Indeed, when I dry fire, I get some muzzle movement with the Shield, whereas I'm rock solid with the full size. I think this is due to the longer travel of the Shield's trigger after the sear is released.

I love my Shield 9. After over 1k rounds fired & countless dry firing with snap caps, the trigger & slide really started to smooth out. I think S&W Shield's are among the best in the industry

hokiefyd, it's funny that your M&P 9 is better than your Shield. About 2 months ago I bought a M&P Pro 9mm and when I had the trigger pull measured it was just under 7 pounds. It also had the long travel pull you mentioned. S&W said to send mine back to reduce the trigger pull to 4 - 5 1/2 pounds but I chose to go with an Apex trigger which also reduced the travel in the trigger. It's been suggested that maybe S&W put in a trigger in mine that was supposed to go to the regular model which has a stronger trigger pull. I think your M&P 9 may have received one of the Pro Series triggers. If so, lucky you.

CaptRon956, thanks for the feedback, I'm starting to want a Shield before I sell my XDS.

Regards, Elliot45