Increasing magazine capacity - Shield

drew-67 · Sep 18, 2018

Hi,
Wondering if there are any magazine extensions available to increase magazine capacity to 10 rounds in the M&P Shield that would be considered reliable enough to use for CCW?

I’ve seen a few different companies advertising parts to increase the OEM magazines, so just wondering what ones if any, would be considered as good as the originals??

Thanks for any help!

RobzGuns · Sep 18, 2018

The more popular way to increase mag capacity in the Shield, is by using the MagGuts Spring kits. The original hit gives you 1 extra Capacity in the mag, the newer version gives you 2 extra (9 in the flush 9mm mag and 10 in the extended 9mm mag).

Do a Forum search for MagGuts and you will find quite a few threads with satisfied customers.

murphydog · Sep 19, 2018

I've read good reviews and seen the (retail) prices on the MagGuts magazine conversion kits. For the cost I would do the +8 conversion - buying a spare factory magazine - and practicing rapid reloads.

royal barnes · Sep 19, 2018

I have the Hyve Technologies on my 8 round factory mag but they are, in my opinion, too long for concealment. I carry 2 7 rounders with the Magguts extension giving me 9 rounds in each and they are only 1/4” longer than the factory ones. I have found both to be reliable and the Magguts wth the “Z” springs are easy to load.

gwmac · Sep 19, 2018

I may be a sample of one, but my 7 round Mag guts +2 conversion failed. It acted as if the spring quit, three times in a row. Simply would not feed and I have reverted to carrying factory mags.

drew-67 · Sep 19, 2018

Thanks for the helpful replies...
I absolutely love the M&P Shield; I started out with the original a few years back and added a M2 earlier this year

I have been through a few defensive training courses with it now and have the confidence with it to make it my EDC..

It’s replaced my full-size M&P because I can carry it everywhere everyday that’s legal to do so. And so rather than rotate between the two, I’d rather do all my serious defensive training with one and get as good as I can with it..I feel as adequate with it for accuracy and follow up shots with recoil as it fits me very well.

But, that gets me back to my question on wanting to enhance and modify my Shield OEM magazine to be able to hold 10 rounds like my full-size, as a part of me feels that that is the one compromise I am not fully happy with and if I could change it and not effect reliability,,then why not??

Thanks again for any suggestions

WRA · Sep 19, 2018

Just my 2 cents worth.....

I own 2 Shields 2.0's and a total of 4 - 8 round magazines and 4 - 7 rounds magazines. All the 8 - round magazines have been converted to 10 round magazines using the Maggots +2 inserts and the 7 round magazines convert to 9 rounds using the Striker +2 plate.

There have been zero feed related issues with either setup and using a wide range of ammunition.

I use the Maggots +2 magazines for everyday carry and the Striker +2 for range use but have complete confidences.

wnderr · Sep 19, 2018

MHO, don't bother to mess with weapons to be used for self defense. Buy the correct gun for your wants/needs.

The Shield is an excellent choice with the stock and +1 mags, as a single stack weapon.

If you feel you want/need more rounds, consider a 9c or compact 9 2.0.

With these, you have options for 12, 15, or 17 rounds in a single mag.

Add one in the chamber, and you gots lots! Add an extra mag or two, and you are loaded for bear.

MHO!

drew-67 · Sep 19, 2018

wnderr said:
MHO, don't bother to mess with weapons to be used for self defense. Buy the correct gun for your wants/needs.

The Shield is an excellent choice with the stock and +1 mags, as a single stack weapon.

If you feel you want/need more rounds, consider a 9c or compact 9 2.0.

With these, you have options for 12, 15, or 17 rounds in a single mag.

Add one in the chamber, and you gots lots! Add an extra mag or two, and you are loaded for bear.

MHO!

The thing is, is other than capacity,,I feel that the Shield is absolutely the correct gun “for me” as my defensive EDC..
The trigger reach/and thickness works extremely well for me to control recoil, execute super fast follow shots with excellent combat accuracy!
I did consider a compact for round count, but from what I have seen and understand, as they are the same size “grip & trigger reach” as the full size..I like for range use but feel the shield is a better handling pistol for defensive purposes and one I can carry regardless of season/clothing.

Thanks again

Flyingfool · Sep 19, 2018

I have shield and just got the 2.0 9c with 3.6” barrel. Both are 9mm

Recently took both to the range. Size wise, the 9c is longer in the barrel. Not much of an issue for concealment. The 9c is noticeably wider and much heavier fully loaded.

The 2.0 9c shoots easier, less recoil so for me I like shooting it better than the shield, not that the shield is in any way objectionable. The 9c Just felt softer.

My shield is the first gen and smooth compared to the aggressive 2.0 grip texture. Funny thing was once gripped, I didn’t really notice the difference. If anything I was surprised that I may have preferred the 2.0 grip better in the hand. The jury is still out how that abrasive grip will feel against my body/clothes to carry.

I think that aside from pants pocket carry. The combo of the shield and the 9c are really about perfect.

At this point my plan is to carry the 9c whenever I can conceal it with clothing. If I think I need deeper concealment, I will take the shield. I am not a big guy so pocket carry other than cargo pants pocket is not practical for either of these guns. For pocket carry I will use my wifes 642, or I may buy a LCR revolver for myself.

rwt1405 · Sep 19, 2018

drew-67 said:
The thing is, is other than capacity,,I feel that the Shield is absolutely the correct gun “for me” as my defensive EDC..

Here’s the problem I see, in your response, “other then capacity”, so if the capacity is not adequate for you, then it is NOT the correct gun for you.

I also strongly recommend against using anything other then original equipment magazines for self defense.

rwsmith · Sep 19, 2018

Two shots each......

With a Shield 8 +1, I've got enough rounds to hit four perps, 2X each, with one left over. I think an extra mag would be a good idea if you run into more than four attackers.

drew-67 · Sep 19, 2018

rwt1405 said:
Here’s the problem I see, in your response, “other then capacity”, so if the capacity is not adequate for you, then it is NOT the correct gun for you.

I also strongly recommend against using anything other then original equipment magazines for self defense.

Well,, that’s the thing..it’s more a “mental thing” that I would be more comfortable with a couple extra rounds..But in reality I pray to never need any.

Perhaps sooner or later there will be a OEM 10 Round single stack magazine for the Shield that would be as reliable as the originals.

oink · Sep 19, 2018

I guess you should buy that new Sig. When carrying my Shield (V1), as the mags are fairly thin, I carry two spares in my pocket. They are the 8 rounders and I lose the grip extension as it bulks them up in the pocket. Actually, by now I'm sure I've lost the grip extensions. That's more ammo than I carried for much of my LEO career. I think it's plenty.

Mr.Shield · Sep 19, 2018

I use Strike Industries E.M.P. with wolf springs for a total of ten rounds. These have worked flawlessly but I don’t carry them. It might be me but I prefer to carry my gun stock with extra magazines.

Flyingfool · Sep 20, 2018

I have heard/read about as many failures of the factory shield mag springs as I have of the magguts conversions. Yes, test them as you would any carry gun for funtion of guns and mags.

Question for those folks who would not carry an aftermarket mag conversion.

If S&w would buy, or contract out a vendor such as magguts to produce the mags without any changes to the magguts current materials . Would it suddenly be OK and “safe” to carry this mag/spring combination?

As far as the 8 round mag without the extension rings. Be careful as these extensions are to prevent over insertion of the mag and possible malfunctions!

WRA · Sep 20, 2018

gwmac said:
I may be a sample of one, but my 7 round Mag guts +2 conversion failed. It acted as if the spring quit, three times in a row. Simply would not feed and I have reverted to carrying factory mags.

Please contact their customer support.

akdude · Sep 21, 2018

gwmac said:
I may be a sample of one, but my 7 round Mag guts +2 conversion failed. It acted as if the spring quit, three times in a row. Simply would not feed and I have reverted to carrying factory mags.

I have used the Magguts +2 in my 8 rd mag and its great!

Only down side is when using a mag loader for the 1st rd. the front of the follower jumps and almost came out before inserting 1st rd, stopped it so don't know if it would have come out but after 1st rd. was inserted manually all was fine.

Contact magguts and they said not to use a mag loader to load 1st or 2nd rd!

dan323 · Sep 21, 2018

I purchased 2 , 10 round magazines from Promag.

akdude · Sep 21, 2018

dan323 said:
I purchased 2 , 10 round magazines from Promag.

U could not pay me to even take Pro-Mags for free!

Increasing magazine capacity - Shield

Member

US Veteran

Moderator

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

SWCA Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Similar threads