I'm trading in my G43x. As much as I want to love this gun, I just can't. I have an M&P 4" 2.0 shield in 45, which I sometimes carry. Now I'm looking to pick up one in 9mm. Can someone give me the pros and cons of the various shields on the market. There's 1.0, 2.0, different length barrels, single stack VS double stack etc.

Help me out and tell me what you like or don't like about the various options, comfort, reliability, trigger, EDC etc.

Thanks....

Hi OP. In general the original model became the ‘1.0’ and the recent upgraded version the ‘2.0’. That new version has different grip texture, potential trigger enhancements etc in a similar sized package. The PC (Performance Center) models have some trigger work, came stock with upgraded sights and most were ported. Not sure if 2.0 PC’s can be had without the ported barrel.
All Shields would be single stack, the MP Compact lines can offer the double stack layout.
I believe all Shield 9mm’s have the same barrel length, the exception being the new EZ model that is a little larger and by design is a different model all together.
I had a 1.0 PC Shied that was 100% reliable after 2500 rounds, I just moved into the EZ model due to an arthritic thumb.

Some modify their triggers, etc and others keep them stock; all personal preference.

I have a Shield 9 1.0 with 5,700 rounds through it, and a Shield 45 2.0. with 7,600 rounds through it. I can tell you based on my experience, that the Shield 45 is the better gun by far. I own nine pistols, including a SIG P320 compact and a SIG P229, and only one of them, my FNX 45 Tactical with its 5.25" barrel, is consistently more accurate than my Shield 45. That S&W created such accuracy from a 3.3" barrel is a wonder of firearm engineering. Bottom line: Unless you simply want to own a 9mm Shield, or you feel you need an extra round, there's no real need to buy a 9. If you want a shorter barrel, get the 45 with the 3.3" barrel.

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What, me worry?

Ranger and swsig sum it up well. I have had a PC .40 Shield for several years, the porting helps with .40 caliber, not so much in the other calibers.
The PC triggers are nice, but not near as nice as my .45 Shield.
The F/O sights on the PC's are nice, but not as nice as upgrading to TFO's for $76.
You'll get a slightly smaller pistol in a 9mm, and one extra round, but that's all you'll get. (Well, cheaper practice ammo too.)

I had a 9mm Shield for a while, carried it and put rounds thru it, then gave it to my daughter.
I recently got a 40 to 9mm barrel for my PC Shield, so have it to compare with the .45.
The other Shields just don't compare to the .45 version.

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U. S. Army Veteran

Ranger, great insight-- not to be nit-picky because most anywhere/one will say the Shield mag is a single stack but not sure that is technically accurate.. that said, it certainly isn't a double stack either

Thanks to swsig for his insight and encouragement on the .45 Shield.

I had Shields in 380, 9 and 45 and dumped them all in favor of CS9, 4513, and 642.

But clearly I've been spending too much time here as when I got a chance to trade a no-name 1911 from the Philippians for a nearly new .45 2.0 (I know, they were really all 2.0s just not marked), I was over that deal like a cold sweat. Now just biding my time as WA state's 10-day waiting period goes by.

The Shield and a .40SW M&P are the only two striker-fired pistols left in the safe...everything else has a hammer.

I have had the M&P .45 compact (now subcompact in the 2.0), the .45 FS and currently the 2.0 4.5" version. It is an excellent pistol; reliable, accurate and has never malfunctioned, period. My experience with the previous models was very similar. I have also had a number of the 9mm and .40 S&W models in the original version. Again, excellent. In the 2.0, I've had the 9mm compact 3.6" and the FS in 9mm. These, also checked all the boxes.

My experiences with the Shield started when they first came out. I bought a first version 9mm as an off-duty gun having looked for the most reliable, accurate and best concealment piece I could find. I allowed an old friend to talk me into trading it to him for a Model 60 I sold him back in the early 90's. I ended up replacing it with another first generation. I also bought a Shield .45. My experiences with these pistols mirror those of the others above. They are great pistols. Finally, I bought one of the 9mm Shield Performance Center 4" pistols, unported with RDS. I am extremely impressed with this little gun. I like it so much that I plan on getting one of the 4"models with RDS in .45 ACP.

I have Glocks and Sigs, as well. However, I find it very hard to beat the S&W M&P series in all versions. They are, in my experience, the best and most complete package.

After all my rambling, I went back and read the OP's original thread request to school him the different Shields. As can probably be seen by some of what I've written, I've had a number of them, although none in .40 S&W. The shields can be had in the shorter 3.1 - 3.3 inch barrel. The Shield .45 was introduced shortly before the 2.0 versions and all models are effectually 2.0. All can be had with or without a slide safety. The 2.0 versions can also be had with trigger improvements, porting and F/O sights in the original length barrel from the Performance Center. In the 2.0 4" barrel, they are available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 with or without compensator ports and with or without a Shield RDS.

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Dave Frost

Thanks for all the info. I now have the 45 M&P Shield 2.0 in 4" barrel. I think I'll be getting a hogue grip sleeve for it as it's just a tad narrow.

I'm now looking at possibly a 9mm as well, but don't know at the moment. I do reload all my own ammo, virtually all calibers with the exception of the 380s. I carry a ruger lcp in 380, but it's a very long trigger pull. Come to think of it, maybe a 380 shield? Whatta ya think of them?

I guess another trip to my LGS is in order for later this week again.

Thanks everyone for some great info.

I have three shield pistols, 9mm, 45 acp and 9mmPC. All have met my expectations as dependable, accurate pistols. I prefer to carry the 45.