Smith and Wesson just released the new M&P Shield.
Just do an internet search using your favorite search engine.

Here is the email link that I received;
"SMITH & WESSON HLDG CORP has added a news release to its Investor Relations website."
Investors - Press Releases - Smith & Wesson

Looks like a single stack,
Each Shield is sold with two magazines, one with a flush baseplate, the other an extended magazine with a grip extension.
In 9mm the magazines hold 7 and 8 rounds respectively, in .40 S&W 6 and 7 rounds.
Regards,
BM1

Would be nice if they offer one without the safety!!!

Are you required to use the safety?

Shooting USA segment: Shooting USA - Smith & Wesson Introduces the M&P Shield - YouTube.

It has a safety? Sweet!

As soon as my LGS has one in stock I will have one in my hand.

No, don't have to use the safety but still don't like it-that's just me of course. YMMV

Interesting...just eyeballing the specs of Shield vs the 3913TSW. Can we say the Shield is the modern day, plastic 3913? Old school vs New School?


http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/sw3913tswreview.pdf

Product: Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD

I'm interested to see one in person and compare it, in hand vs my 3913TSW (prerail, short grip).

My question was largely rhetorical. I do not, and never have, understood why anybody would refuse to purchase a gun because it has a feature which is not required for its use, and which will probably never interfere with the gun's use if it is not used.

My BG380 has a safety which I've not used even one time. I knew I wouldn't use it when I bought the gun. <Shrug> I don't get it.

Oh Chuck... You see the former Marine Force Recon operators and current mall security consultants over at mygunistacticool.duh have been studying the effects of gun features as they pertain to the art of ninjitsu. Based on their research and input from almost every forum commando and internet assassin they could find it was determined that safety levers get you killed. That is why we almost lost WWII and nearly every LEO from 1985-2000.

The info I received is that today's announcement was for the release of the Shield model for commercial & sporting goods dealers, not the LE version. The LE version won't be released for another 1-2 months. I didn't get any further details, but I'd suspect the LE model will probably have night sights (standard), a 3rd mag and naturally a LE price break.

I'll probably order one in 9mm as soon as the LE distributor can place an order for the LE version.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

After seeing the Bersa BP9CC I was expecting a similar version with the Shield even before the unveiling today.

BP Concealed Carry

What I didn't expect was it to have a safety. Bersa's from what I've seen are the ones with safeties, but this time around they switched it up to confuse us.

The one review I read did positively state that there was no realistic way of activating the safety accidentally so I agree that it's a totally preferential thing if you want it or not.

The other thing I noticed was no equipment rail for the Shield vs. the Bersa, which for its intended use is again, a preferential thing. I think most would say that it's something else for your clothes to catch on.

Interestingly I went to the Accessories Page for the Shield and OH MY MY, the folks at S&W sure have been busy to make sure there are plenty of them for this puppy even at the day of launch!!

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...ccessories.pdf

I especially like that Crimson Trace is coming out with one for it and Laserlyte already has one for it.

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Live For Today Not Tomorrow

Oh Well, I would rather shield myself with a M&P 10mm! S&W is not listening to the potential customers!

I guess I'll just have to continue carring the other 10mm guns!

Anyone know about what the price of this new Shield will be?

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M&P15,9MM,M66,22-A,Glock 30SF

They are for sale right now in the $395 range.

Where in the world did you find one? I was at the biggest gun store in Wisconsin yesterday and asked one of the gun guys if he had a Shield (jokingly of course). He didn't know what I was talking about. He showed me a BG380, then he pulled out a Kahr when I explained it was a single stack 9, then he looked it up and soon I had three guys behind the computer oooing and ahhhing over the new gun coming out.

Bud's Police doesn't list them yet. If they are coming out with a LE edition I'll wait for that!

EDIT: I called Bud's Police and spoke to a rep there that said they tried to put in a LE order and S&W rejected it. They won't take the order unless they have the guns. The rep also said she heard that S&W had 3,000 Shields in stock at press release. That is a pretty small number.

One other tip: The M&P22 will be available in LE in a couple months!

Personally, I don't want to rely on "probably". Thumb safety = deal-breaker, for me.

There are several listed on Gunbroker.

I looked at the Shield. It is impressive. I particularly like that it has a manual safety. I just can't justify the purchase when I already have a flawless single stack 9, the CS 9.

The only thing this "shield" has in common with a 3913 is the caliber and manufacturers logo.

The 3913 is the finest 9mm single stack semi auto to ever come out of S&W. GREAT trigger, 8+1 capacity, hammer fired, metal frame and slide, accurate, reliable and looks good while doing all that. Regards 18DAI

Just ordered one off gunbroker. 399 + 20 shipping. I had been thinking about a Nano. But I'm very happy with my other S&Ws, so when I got the email about the Shield...

Now the wait.

Agreed, but that's why I want to check out the shield in person to see if it's worth getting as a backup, beater, car gun to my 3913!

If I was going to get a 9mm I think this would be the thing. Probably the .40 would be too snappy.

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This Signature is too Short!

I have a conundrum. I am about to pick up a Walther PPS, and the dealer told me that he was going to get a Shield in Monday and that perhaps I should check it out before I make up my mind. So, what's to do?

HiCap

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HiCap

Wait until you see the Shield. I have an LC9 that I am happy enough with, but I would have preferred the Shield.

I want one in .40.
If GB is any indication; no .40’s have gone out yet.
But I guess it will take a few months to get one.

I have faith in Smith, I just think the .40's are going to be wayyy snappy!

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This Signature is too Short!

There are some on gunbroker, but there are also a few online retailers that have them (grabagun.com comes to mind). I called my LGS and they already had one, so I bought it. I will have it in my hand by lunch time tomorrow. So if you're looking, call around. S&W said they had several thousand units out already.

Went to Cabelas here in town, and they had several. Was told they got them ahead of time, and had to sign a waiver not to show and tell before release. Held it, and it is a nice sized package, but admit, it just wasn't a 3913 and didn't point as well for me. Advantage still goes to the 3rd gen.

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God, country, family.

Can't wait to see one up close and in person, cause I know I would love it, and the price is right.

FWIW, I saw one on GunsAmerica this week. I know we have a lot of M&P users and fans here on the forum, but I'm gonna stick with the 3rd gens... just my personal preference.

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I went to Cabela's first thing this morning. I saw a M&P Shield in the case and asked to look at it. The salesman said he didn't know they had them yet.
I took it home.
Monday I will take it to the range and make a bunch of noise and get back to you with my impressions.

Jim

If anyone else can relate some first hand experience with their Shield, I'd appreciate it. I want one. Bad! But I'd like to hear some opinions first. Thanks!

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Misty

I have an M&P 9 compact, which by the way shoots fantastically in both the areas of reliability and accuracy. Other than width difference, is there any reason why I should trade or sell mine to get a shield?

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handlebar-proud to be American

I have a PPS and love the way it handles, shoots and conceals.
The Shield is inexpensive in price compared to the PPS. I would suggest handling both when you go back to the store and hopefully by then someone will have written their shooting experience.

I hope they make one in 45. Then I will buy one.

Picked mine up this morning. It was even nicer than I expected. The grip is incredible, ergonomics are unrivaled in the slim 9mm category (and I have several of them). It's hard to describe but it feels like an ultra-thin Browning Hi-Power to me. And to my surprise I like it even more than my 908. The trigger is excellent with a very clean break. Reset is as described, very distinct. Fit and finish is top notch i.e. typical S&W. I could ramble on and on about how enamored I am with this gun but I will digress. I didn't have time to really put it through its paces today, but reliability was 100% and it shoots to POA. Recoil/muzzle flip is very manageable, almost soft for a gun this thin and light. After a thorough breaking in this gun will no doubt be my BUG and summer off duty carry piece. I already have a spot picked out in the safe for my Ruger LC9.

Proof! Just kidding, here it is next to my 908.

Firemanjones, good advice. When the M&Ps first came out I had a .40 and liked it a lot. One reason I like the idea of the Shield is that there will be a lot of after market vendors out there. BUT, the PPS is so classy....

More later.

HiCap

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HiCap

hello all
appreciate the pic next to the 908. i stopped by gander today and they had 5-6 M&P shield that just came in. i wanted to just get a feel for the shield.
Luckily i didnt order one online. i like the new M&P but for now the 908 i have will do just fine.
Now if i had some extra $$ i would definetly consider the lighter gun. wish the shield was a little smaller.
thanks again
Mike

Got to play with one at the NRA convention here last weekend. I had been planning on picking up a M&P9c after getting my grubby mitts on the Shield that is the compact 9mm I am getting.

The nice rep handing out the S&W hats said the first major shipment went out Thurs 4-12-12. I think S&W really has their ducks in a row with this release.

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M&P15 -811000 | Bodyguard .380

Sorry I didn't get to shoot yesterday... I went this morning. I put 150 of my 147 grain reloads through the new shield and followed with 25 Speer Gold Dots 147 grain. It functioned perfectly.
I shot both magazines 1 after another until I ran out of ammo.
I tried strong hand ,weak hand and even tried to limp wrist with my strong hand,no problems at all.
The trigger is very nice, it seems a little heavy but breaks crisply and helps to keep shots on target. I'm no super shooter but could keep my shots in a fist sized cluster even shooting fast at 7 yards. Thats about as good as I can do with my 1911.
I really like this gun in case you couldn't tell
Oh, buy the way, recoil was milder than I expected. I think the grip shape has a lot to do with that.
I think my wife is gonna steal this one too!!

The safety does NOT interfere with the gun in any way. It recessed enough that you won't even notice that it is even there. But, it was designed to be there because of some fool who will shove it into a pocket with lack of due regard. IMO it should not be a deal breaker. I suspect some are using that as an excuse why to not buy. A low priority when you look at the positives of the Shield .. it's *functionality* and quality.

I saw one this afternoon. MY LGS got eight of them in today they said. They had five left. I put one of those on layaway.

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John 3:16 .

You guys are killin' me, I may have to take a look at one.

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Sure you did

actually looking to purxchase can't seem to find one

Mine should be coming in today. If you've got a Cabelas nearby, give the number a call that they have on their website.

I called them last Wednesday and I'm picking it up today. None of my LGS have been able to get any for 6 weeks, but I know of two buddies that have gotten a shield from Cabelas in the last 3 weeks.

Just found one "out West" should have it in a few days. Can't wait. I have been calling all over the country looking for one that wasnt $700=.

Went to my favorite LGS last Friday.

They had one you could look at but wasn't for sale.

Dave