I am about to get a Shield Plus with the optics ready slide. What optic do you use and recommend for the shield? I would like to stay as small as possible but still easy to see. Thank you , Mac

The first thing you want to do is to make sure that the Shield Plus you are purchasing is the new production that has a flat optic cut instead of the sloped optic cut that often doesn’t properly zero with many popular optics.

If it’s the old version I’d either not buy it or be prepared to send it to C&H to have it milled properly.

As for optics in that footprint, I’ve used the Sig Romeo Zero (yuck) , the Holosun 507K and the EPS Carry. There’s also those I haven’t tried which includes the Shield RMSC and possibly other optics.

I like the 507K (I’ve owned one) and it’s a good optic, but I have three EPS Carry optics and I really like them. They have an enclosed emitter which is not only good for environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature (condensational fogging) but clearing debris as well.

The 507K is still a great concealed carry optic because with a concealed handgun it is largely protected by weather and body heat makes condensational fogging virtually impossible. The only real downside in that capacity is the fact that one has to be more dedicated to clearing debris from the window and emitter area. To me that’s not a really big deal, but since the EPS Carry exists, I go with that.

I just put my old Shield 1.0 up for sale and purchased the new Sig 365 X Macro. I put the 507K with ACSS on it. Make sure that whichever one you decide to go with that it is a side loading battery compartment so you don't have to remove the optic in order to change the batteries. This is my first venture into the world of optics on a handgun and so far I am loving it. SoCalDep has been at this a long time and has much more experience than I.

Thanks. I like the EPS and may go with it in the green just because I can see the green dot better. This one was purchased new 2 months ago so I hope it is a straight cut. I’m trying to find the serial number ranges now.

I have a Vortex Venom on my 2.0 metal. It is not very large and should work. Love it.

Anyone know if there is serial number break from sloped cut to straight cut? Tried searching for it with no luck. Thanks

If the slide is milled from the factory, doesn't it only fit certain optics? I bought mine before milled slides were available, then later had it milled for a Holosun (which I like).

I have been really trying to like my Shield Plus with a 507K and the C&H plates but just can't for the reasons SoCalDep has mentioned. The slide is not machined level, and S&W really missed the boat with that optic cut. So far mine, even with McMasterCar replacement screws and thread lock, will not stay tight. It won't get to POA/POI, and even maxed out is several inches high at 15 yards. I am either going to scrap the idea, or get the slide machined for use without the adapter plate.

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Plastic has no soul

You would think S&W would warranty these pistols and repair the cut or fit it with a new slide.

While not my gun, I was able to take a look at a friend’s Shield Plus that was milled by C&H to fix the slope and remove the extra bosses to allow a Holosun EPS Carry to mount directly. I looked good. That would be my choice right now.

I've read some good reviews on the Leupold Delta Point Micro Red Dot in several gun mags. I'd be giving it a close look if I were in the hunt for a RDS.

They're made for Glock and S&W M&P (not CORE) at this time. Oh, Amazon has them on sale right now.

I wouldn’t trust a gun magazine for an objective review of a product. It’s pretty common knowledge that they are basically advertising forums for manufacturers and have been for decades.

The Leupold DeltaPoint Micro has some advantages over iron sights but significant disadvantages over modern pistol optics. I own over a dozen optic-equipped handguns, teach pistol optics for a large law enforcement agency, a non-profit tactical officer’s association, and a private law enforcement training company, and I wouldn’t even consider a DPP Micro over other options available.

That doesn’t even include the fact that the versions available don’t even fit the pistol being discussed in this thread - another issue with the DPP Micro - It’s gun specific. In my opinion it’s doomed.

First I’ve heard of this issue, and I agree a serial number break would be helpful. I haven’t tried to mount an optic on my Plus yet.

Yeah I guess I'll find out , just picked up a new Shield Plus last week and shot it last weekend with a Romeo Zero and with elevation adjustment maxed out in down direction at 25 feet was 4" high and 25 yards about 12".

The Romeo Zero was used on a Glock 43X MOS , Sig P365X and Sig P322 with no issues.

Is this elevation issue something you can see without installing an optic to know if it's an issue or is it so slight you cannot tell? Thanks

The JPoint/RMSc footprint are typically the standard on micro pistols and are compatible with the most optics. If you prefer Holosun, then I'd say Holosun miss the boat by not using the JPoint/RMSc footprint.

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In other news, I use a Crimson Trace Rad Micro Pro going on 2 years now with no issues. It sits low and flush and co-witnesses nicely. I can use my night sights as if the optic wasn't there if need be. No buying extra plates, making expensive permanent alterations to the slide that devalues the pistol AND voids the warranty, no jumping through hoops period. There are several other micro reddot offers on the market that also fits the JPoint/RMSc footprint, so they'll also attach directly to the slide.

While I never heard about the issue, the Shield Plus with optic cut was first released around Oct 2021. I purchased my optic cut Shield Plus in March of 2022 which is approximately 6 months after the Shield Plus with Optic cut was first released. The cut is flat.

If that CTC is your optic and fits flush the cut is not flat. The CTC optic is made sloped and the optic cut was made (initially by S&W) to accommodate it at the expense of the better and more popular optics.

I’m now the owner of a sloped Shield Plus slide that was given to me by a frustrated deputy. It’s real and it’s a huge failure by S&W - and the fact more people aren’t pissed disappoints me with firearms owners.

My CT Rad Micro Pro is NOT sloped nor is the Shield slide cut. I think I'd know better than you as I am the actual owner and user of both. I will take a caliper to mine later as well as to my other optic cut handguns for comparison on any angular difference.

I also have a RAD Micro Pro installed on my Springfield Hellcat OSP, and it fits and functions fine. The CT optics also attach directly to the slide of the Springfield's Hellcat as it uses the same JPoint/RMSc footprint. CT Pro optics are the around the same price $300 +/-, uses similar materials, and has similar features to other competing open optics. I wouldn't have purchased or used them if they weren't reliable optics with simular built quality as other options on the market....

You are mistaken, and the optics aren't designed for exclusive use or to accommodate the Shield Plus and alleged angled cut that you speak of. S&W purchased Crimson Trace back in 2016, the CTS-1550 (CT's first micro red dot) was released in 2018, the Shield Plus optic was released in 2021. S&W's CT always manufactured their red dot in the past and present and the red dot predates the existence of the Shield Plus and the alleged sloped cut.

You seem to be the only one complaining about and who I EVER heard upset and alleged that the Shield Plus having a sloped cut. I Googled it, and it seems only a handful of others have mentioned this vs the hundreds of thousands Shield Plus sold. Other gun owners aren't upset about it because your personal experience is in the minority and not the overwhelming majority.

I don't have a dog in this fight, and I have yet to install a dot on my Plus, however, the slope issue seems to be known. There are several threads, or have been, about the slope and the inability to install a Holosun on the plus, even after filing off the 2 extra posts.

This is one place that corrects the issue, I believe Maple Leaf also does it, but I could be wrong.

M&P Shield / Shield Plus Optic Ready Re-Machine for Holosun 507K/407K & EPS | Nameless Armament

Shield plus optic cut - AR15.COM

What I find strange is that a lot pf people have Holosun and other optics on their Shield Pluses including a longterm member on the DefensiveCarry.com forum (Mike1956) who trains and post his experiences, buy only a small handful of people have brought this up or have any issues at all. I know of others who went with the Smampfox and Shield optics, and they too never mentioned having any issues.

I have not gotten a chance yet, but I will take caliper to my example.

There’s this too…

OPTIC READY M&P SHIELD PLUS TO HOLOSUN 407K/507K/EPS/EPS CARRY SLIDE MILLING UPGRADE - C&H Precision Weapons

But hey… I must be mistaken… along with the entire armory staff for the largest Sheriff’s Department in the country because some dude on a forum says so.

It’s the internet… believe what you want.

A company saying they will remill a surface that they heard some people complain about is not really proof. I have not seen the post the large armory staff making a statement either about this issue. Could you post the link so I could read it. Thanks. If is sloped why not send it back to S&W for warranty work.

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balin
NRA Life Member

I never said it was proof… it does, however, when combined with information cited in other posts, disprove the idea that I’m “the only one complaining” as was claimed in an earlier post.

Multiple examples were sent back - one was sent twice. S&W refused to fix it and said it was designed this way with a slope. More than one company has a service to fix it… they wouldn’t do that if there was no business for it.

I’m not going to post internal department information here, and I’m not going to do your homework. You can choose to believe what you want or not. If it makes you feel better to be ignorant then fine.

Take a look at the new Sig Romeo X Compact, built as a civilian version of the military's Romeo M17 sight. RMSc footprint made of rugged metal with a side mounted battery CR1632 port so you don't have to remove it for a battery swap. Good luck with your search!

Can you visually see the slope with the optic plate attached? It's the one thing holding me back from buying an OR Shield Plus, but most gun shops aren't too keen for people asking to remove optic plates from new stock.

Knowing S&W and their current reputation, I'm willing to wager it's a batch, CQ, or issue with one of S&W's machines or programs. I don't doubt @SoCalDep experience, but it doesn't seem widespread. I seen a handful of people mentioning it during my initial search and seems that one company @SoCalDep cited talking about the problem; however, I also have seen many YouTube videos, hundreds of comments within those videos, and members on other gun forums who have a Shield Plus with various optics (mostly Holosuns) who haven't mentioned any issues or problems with zeroing their optics.