Shield vs shield plus

[NVDIVER]

I have and everyday carried a Shield 9 Performance Center in a Recluse pocket holster for years. Recently I purchased a Shield Plus 9 Performance Center and expected a weight increase due to the difference between 8+1 vs 13+1 rounds. Imagine my surprise when I saw an increase of only 1/4 oz. why is that? Is the slide interchangeable?

[jjmIII_Ruger]

The guns are VERY similar is why. The added weight comes when you put those 5 extra rounds of Hornady Critical Duty in there .

[mrmike7189]

I bought a 2.0 shield 9mm today for cheap money. The extra few bullets doesnt matter eneough for me. I'm not paying over 5 bills for a PLUS.
The Plus has a thicker grip than the other shields

[Wavygravy]

The new Shield seems like another winner for S&W. I just can't pony up for one since my 3 year old Shield 2.0 still runs like a top and has never once malfunctioned in any way. Heck, I don't even use the 8 round mags for carry, just at the range. I have four 7 round mags.
Like @mrmike7189 -- the extra few bullets don't matter that much to me. I didn't go for the P365 craze, the Hellcat craze, etc. etc.

[markmiela]

Have the 1.0 Shield and just picked up the Plus. Better grip texture, better trigger and more rounds. I put off the buying the Plus but I am glad I did. This one will replace my original once I get enough rounds through it.


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[Echo40]

If you don't already own a Shield, don't see the bit of extra width/weight that comes from the higher capacity magazines as being enough to affect ease of carry, nor are you particularly concerned over the possibility of future gun legislation involving "high capacity" magazines, then the Shield PLUS is probably a better choice, unless you can find a Shield 1.0/2.0 for significantly less.

As someone who already owns a Performance Center M&P40 Shield 1.0, I'm not interested in a Shield PLUS, and even if the extra magazine capacity was appealing to me, then I would sooner buy a magguts kit to expand the magazine capacity of my Shield than buy a Shield PLUS.

[Shield 9 WV]

I also have a Shield 1.0 and recently picked up the Plus.

I am in the minority as I love the original Shield, it was perfect for me. I don't like the more aggressive texture of the Plus so I'm looking for a rubberized grip, but I know nothing about them.

I'm also in the minority as I like the Shield 1.0 trigger. I can shoot quite competently at the self-defense distances I envision.

I do want the extra capacity. I recently saw a Youtube vid between a LEO and an ex-military guy. About forty rounds fired, nobody hit.

YouTube

[Beemer-mark]

MY friend (who had the first Shield) just bought the plus. I have the Shield 2.0 and I wondered why they couldn't stack the magazine. Comparing the two the plus seems to have slightly thinner grip thickness so the the magazine can be just a shade wider, enough to accommodate 4 more rounds. For a self defense weapon I'm hard put to understand why you need 13 rounds or even more than 4 rounds. Your honer I had to shot the bad guy 13 times. Only the police get away with that one.

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by Shield 9 WV

I do want the extra capacity. I recently saw a Youtube vid between a LEO and an ex-military guy. About forty rounds fired, nobody hit.

The average gun enthusiast that shoots often but has never been in a gun fight or trained in high stress situations is probably about 800% less effective in a real gun fight than they think they will be.

And even though I like to think otherwise that includes me. A few years ago I found the body of a man that committed suicide while out on my morning walk. There was no risk to me but suddenly and unexpectedly finding a dead man lying on the ground with a gun got my adrenaline going much more than I would have expected. It was very different in reality than I would have expected. A real gunfight would be very different too.

Its real easy to Monday morning quarterback shooting incidents and type about how police officers are poorly trained and bad shots. But I doubt most of us here would do much better.

I will take all the rounds I can get without the gun becoming too heavy, too large or too expensive.

But whether someone will miss their target with 8 rounds in a Shield but hit it with 11 rounds in a Shield plus is a valid question. If it is random a hit would be 38% more likely but I am not sure it is random. And while capacity matters it is not the only thing that matters. I bought a P365 in early 2020 but am still carrying a Glock43. The Sig had issues early on and even though it has 800 trouble free rounds since coming back from the factory but I still don't quite trust it. I am about ready to switch to the Sig but do not feel unarmed with 7 rounds in the Glock 43.

[Eupher]

I had the 1.0 Shield in 9mm, but wasn't real fond of the trigger even after I put an after-market setup on it. Good gun otherwise, but when the Plus came out, I couldn't not buy it. Gave my 1.0 model to my niece. Still have my 1.0 Shield in .45 ACP and am comfortable with it, but not for carry. For EDC, I normally carry the P365 in a pocket holster but am putting the Plus through its paces. May make the switch soon, if I can finally decide on a bleeping holster.....

[Jet guy]

Visited Hogue Pro Shop in Paso Robles last week and purchased a grip sleeve for my Shield. Very tight fit, and got help in the installation. Always thought the grip was a bit too narrow, but the sleeve brought finger grips and palm swells. Would recommend current owners give this a try. $15 well spent.

[Eupher]

Originally Posted by Shield 9 WV

I also have a Shield 1.0 and recently picked up the Plus.

I am in the minority as I love the original Shield, it was perfect for me. I don't like the more aggressive texture of the Plus so I'm looking for a rubberized grip, but I know nothing about them.

I'm also in the minority as I like the Shield 1.0 trigger. I can shoot quite competently at the self-defense distances I envision.

I do want the extra capacity. I recently saw a Youtube vid between a LEO and an ex-military guy. About forty rounds fired, nobody hit.

Arkansas traffic-stop shootout caught by dashcam - YouTube

In the FWIW Department, I looked into this video a bit only because it occurred in NW Arkansas and I was struck that the perp either didn't realize he was being recorded, or didn't care.

The shooting on video happened in Nov. 2018. The perp, Luis Cobos-Cenobio, was eventually apprehended, tried, and sentenced for attempted murder and several drug charges. He did take a round in the shoulder; no LEO was wounded either in this shooting or during his apprehension. Cobos-Cenobio was strangled in jail by a man named Dekota Harvey in Aug. 2019. Harvey had been already charged with capital murder before he killed Cobos-Cenobio, so they added this new charge. Received several life sentences without the possibility of parole.

The bad guys -- they are definitely out there.

[Spartanden]

OK.... I am the odd man out here. Have an LCP 380 for carry. Was getting disgusted trying to find 380 ammo and it seemed 9mm was very common. I wanted an M&P 9mm for quite some time. None of my shooting buddies would sell me theirs, so I visited a local gun store. Asked about the M&P and they brought out the Shield Plus. It just felt right. I kinda like the 13 rd mag, but the 10 is ok as well. I figure if I ever need this for self protection, getting a few rounds off and finding cover is a method I would use. I don't necessarily need 13 rds, but it is nice to have for shooting. The 10rd will probably be the choice of carry.
I am here primarily to learn more about the Shield due to the current climate in our country. Not looking for trouble, but just want to protect myself and my family. I don't "know" anybody here yet, but I sure am learning alot!!! My $0.02 on the Shield Plus.

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by Beemer-mark

MY friend (who had the first Shield) just bought the plus. I have the Shield 2.0 and I wondered why they couldn't stack the magazine. Comparing the two the plus seems to have slightly thinner grip thickness so the the magazine can be just a shade wider, enough to accommodate 4 more rounds. For a self defense weapon I'm hard put to understand why you need 13 rounds or even more than 4 rounds. Your honer I had to shot the bad guy 13 times. Only the police get away with that one.

So you're that good that you never miss? Even in a high stress situation? Big ups to you my brother.

[catcus-jack]

Ask anybody who has ever been in a gun fight if they would have liked less ammo in their gun.

[Lindy]

Originally Posted by Beemer-mark

MY friend (who had the first Shield) just bought the plus. I have the Shield 2.0 and I wondered why they couldn't stack the magazine. Comparing the two the plus seems to have slightly thinner grip thickness so the the magazine can be just a shade wider, enough to accommodate 4 more rounds. For a self defense weapon I'm hard put to understand why you need 13 rounds or even more than 4 rounds. Your honer I had to shot the bad guy 13 times. Only the police get away with that one.

YouTube

I want the 13 rounds. My 20 year old daughter loves my 2.0 Shield, and will make a great first gun for her tiny little hands.

[Radco]

I have the Shield 1.0 and love it !
I have handled the Plus and feels OK but not enough to buy one yet Looking at 1911's
For anyone want a better feel grip on the 1.0 or 2.0 try TALON Grip tape , The rubber tape not sandpaper type, Better feel, firmer grip and makes the grip a tiny bit thicker.
As for extra rounds I have a SR9 with 17 +1 so that good enough g=for me right now :O

[Echo40]

Originally Posted by catcus-jack

Ask anybody who has ever been in a gun fight if they would have liked less ammo in their gun.

Okay, how many folks here have been in an actual gunfight? Show of hands.

Now, how many of you actually anticipate being in an actual, guns-a-blazin' gunfight at some point in your life?

Last but not least, imagine that you're famished right now, like you haven't eaten at all today, (bonus points if you actually are that hungry right now) then tell me what sounds better right now...A single hamburger or a bacon double cheeseburger?

The point is, wanting more ammunition in a gunfight is like wanting more food when you're extremely hungry, you may want it, you might even think that you need it, but factually speaking, how many folks have actually run out of ammo in a gunfight, and if they had it on them, would it have made a difference, would they have been able to make use of it?

FACT: If you're outgunned, then you're at a disadvantage which cannot be overcome simply by carrying more ammunition. In other words, if you are facing multiple assailants, then having a gun that holds more rounds and/or carrying more magazines/speedloaders isn't going to even the odds, not by a longshot.

Don't get me wrong, there's definitely an advantage to carrying firearms which hold more rounds as well as spare ammo, because obviously they enable you to potentially stay in the fight longer, but that doesn't mean that you'll necessarily need that many rounds, much less be capable of effectively making use of all of them.

In cold weather, I myself carry a double-stack SW40VE, but in warmer weather I carry a Shield 1.0 because it's easier to carry, and I have no intention to "upgrade" to a Shield PLUS when the added thickness as well as the added weight of a fully-loaded magazine would make it less comfortable to carry in Summer, yet make no difference in Winter. As previously stated, I'd sooner update my existing Shield with aftermarket magazine extensions than buy a new Shield PLUS.

[WK1025]

I had 2 Shield 1.0's that I got when the prices were low and the rebate was available and really liked them but wasn't crazy about the gritty trigger. When I saw the Shield Plus at my LGS it just felt right in my hand. At the range I shoot the Plus significantly better than the original Shield but not as good as my Performance Center 2.0 4". That is the great thing about Smith and Wesson they give you options ( to the detriment of my credit card). If you are happy with the 1.0 or 2.0 great, if you want more rounds and better trigger (IMO) you have that now as well. The Shield Plus has replaced my Glock 43 and 43X as my EDC.
Happy shooting,
WK

[HEADKNOCKER]

We picked up a Shield 2.0 9mm Sept. 2019 for $249.99
It has become one of my #1 carry pistols over my much heavier & bigger Hk USP Compacts..
I was at the LGS yesterday & had the SIG P365, Springfield Hellcat, & Shield Plus all right together & will say the P365 feels really good but doesn't feel as good to my hands as my 2.0 Shield.. There was another guy there who bought two Hellcats..
The Shield Plus is Nice but won't make me buy one..
There's something about the SIG that draws me toward it?? Size Weight? + "I really like the NRA Edition P365 in FDE"
If I want something Smaller & Lighter I gravitate toward our M&P Bodyguard in .380 for pocket carry..

[marathonrunner]

Originally Posted by Radco

I have the Shield 1.0 and love it !
I have handled the Plus and feels OK but not enough to buy one yet Looking at 1911's
For anyone want a better feel grip on the 1.0 or 2.0 try TALON Grip tape , The rubber tape not sandpaper type, Better feel, firmer grip and makes the grip a tiny bit thicker.
As for extra rounds I have a SR9 with 17 +1 so that good enough g=for me right now :O

the 1.0 trigger was gritty and not as light as the 2.0./ The Shield plus with the flat trigger is about as close as you can come to an apex flatty and it's the best trigger of the group. The 2.0 grip is too aggressive and I seldom carry it because it is too abrasice. The shield plus is just right. The plus is definitely worth getting

[Radco]

Originally Posted by marathonrunner

the 1.0 trigger was gritty and not as light as the 2.0./ The Shield plus with the flat trigger is about as close as you can come to an apex flatty and it's the best trigger of the group. The 2.0 grip is too aggressive and I seldom carry it because it is too abrasice. The shield plus is just right. The plus is definitely worth getting

Thanks for the reply and reviews very helpful ! Good to know, I have been lucky with my 1.0 and think the trigger is fine BUT I have not shot a Plus or 2. 0 lol so that may change !
I have 1000+ rounds through my 1.0, But am always thinking of another reason to buy lol

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by Forte Smitten Wesson

Okay, how many folks here have been in an actual gunfight? Show of hands.

Now, how many of you actually anticipate being in an actual, guns-a-blazin' gunfight at some point in your life?

Last but not least, imagine that you're famished right now, like you haven't eaten at all today, (bonus points if you actually are that hungry right now) then tell me what sounds better right now...A single hamburger or a bacon double cheeseburger?

The point is, wanting more ammunition in a gunfight is like wanting more food when you're extremely hungry, you may want it, you might even think that you need it, but factually speaking, how many folks have actually run out of ammo in a gunfight, and if they had it on them, would it have made a difference, would they have been able to make use of it?

FACT: If you're outgunned, then you're at a disadvantage which cannot be overcome simply by carrying more ammunition. In other words, if you are facing multiple assailants, then having a gun that holds more rounds and/or carrying more magazines/speedloaders isn't going to even the odds, not by a longshot.

Don't get me wrong, there's definitely an advantage to carrying firearms which hold more rounds as well as spare ammo, because obviously they enable you to potentially stay in the fight longer, but that doesn't mean that you'll necessarily need that many rounds, much less be capable of effectively making use of all of them.

In cold weather, I myself carry a double-stack SW40VE, but in warmer weather I carry a Shield 1.0 because it's easier to carry, and I have no intention to "upgrade" to a Shield PLUS when the added thickness as well as the added weight of a fully-loaded magazine would make it less comfortable to carry in Summer, yet make no difference in Winter. As previously stated, I'd sooner update my existing Shield with aftermarket magazine extensions than buy a new Shield PLUS.

I would never trust my life to aftermarket extensions or magguts components. That's just me. My life and the lives of my family are well worth the upgrade.
The original Shield is .95w and the Plus is 1.1. You'd never feel that. The original Shield is 20.8oz while the Plus is actually lighter at 20.2oz. How much weight difference do you think there actually is between a fully loaded 1.0/2.0 Shield and a fully loaded Plus?
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield vs M&P 9 Shield Plus size comparison | Handgun Hero

[brian686]

My nephew picked one up on Friday and we shot it Saturday. I was impressed. I liked the texture and the trigger was really good. It is a lot of gun for the money. I highly recommend shooting it if you are on the fence. It is it's own best salesperson.

[WK1025]

Having had the Shield 1.0 when it first came out and recent production 1.0's (2018) the trigger did improve through the years but the Shield 2.0 improved upon that to a noticeable degree - smoother and crisper - The Plus is better still. My Plus has less take up and even crisper break than my 2.0. I'm not sure the added rounds mean much to me (having 10 rounds in the same footprint isn't a bad thing) but the added grip width seems to help as I shoot the Plus better than the others (except maybe my 2.0 performance center 4" with an Apex trigger shoe)IMO. It even fits in all my Shield holsters.
WK

[Bumpus13]

I bought my first Shield in 2015.

I bought my Shield Plus a little over a month ago.

The Plus is a better gun. Much improved trigger, increased capacity, and (for me) the slightly wider grip w/ a tiny bit of a palm swell makes it superior. It has definitely been improved.

[sousana]

I have 2 shield 2.0 and 1 shield 1.0 and as of today I just added a second Shield 45, came with 9 magazines and a box and a half of ammo for 349.99

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by sousana

I have 2 shield 2.0 and 1 shield 1.0 and as of today I just added a second Shield 45, came with 9 magazines and a box and a half of ammo for 349.99

Sweet deal. Congrats on the new pew pew!

[akoda]

I have a PC Shield 2 , the plus has tempted me bad. I would jump on it if I didn't have a nice to me EDC.

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[sousana]

Originally Posted by DamnYankee

Sweet deal. Congrats on the new pew pew!

Thanks, I almost went on that S&W Shield plus they had but seeing as how it's hard as all get out to find mags for em I passed in favor of the 45 shield, which, after fondling her now for several hours straight, I like her.

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by sousana

Thanks, I almost went on that S&W Shield plus they had but seeing as how it's hard as all get out to find mags for em I passed in favor of the 45 shield, which, after fondling her now for several hours straight, I like her.

Yeah… hopefully S&W can get their act together and get some mags to market for the Plus. For no, I’m content with the 2 I have. I don’t carry more than that anyway.


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