A distinctive lack of aftermarket upgrades for the M&P40 Shield...

[Echo40]

So recently, as a sort of pet project, I've been shopping for aftermarket upgrades/peripherals for the M&P40 Shield, to which I'm somewhat surprised to discover a distinct lack of options available.
On the other hand, it's the exact opposite for the M&P9 Shield.

Yeah, yeah... I know; "9mm is more popular" or ".40 is dead" but the M&P40 Shield was released back in 2012, years before the FBI dropped .40 S&W and many others followed suit, so it still surprises me.

I recently bought an Alpha Wolf Threaded Barrel for my M&P40 Shield, (one of the few available in .40 S&W, and not in nearly as many fancy colors) so I was playing around with the idea of getting a compensator for it, only to discover that apparently nobody makes one for the M&P40 Shield, yet plenty of companies make them for the M&P9 Shield, which makes no sense whatsoever to me because I would think that of the two, a compensator would be more useful on a .40, but apparently the market disagrees. *shrugs*

There are a few compensators for the M&P40 Full-size, but none for the Shield, (or so it would seem) and I don't know if one for a full-size model would fit on a Shield.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Unless I'm sadly mistaken a(lmost any?) 40cal compensator that fits the threads on your barrel (probably 9/16x24?) should work...

Cheers!

 

[rockster`]

Unless I'm sadly mistaken a(lmost any?) 40cal compensator that fits the threads on your barrel (probably 9/16x24?) should work...

Cheers!

To piggy back on this, almost any machine shop can take a generic-thread compensator and turn it to specific dimensions if you're really looking for something.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Echo40]

Thanks for the tips, fellas.

Now if only I could figure out why the prices on Compensators vary so wildly. Honestly, a KAK .40cal Compensator costs $15 while Compensators made specifically for the M&P40 cost $100!

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Typically there are sources of data to compare various alternatives on the web.
I guess it all depends upon what you are trying to achieve...? Is it just a "look" or are you really looking for a specific result, i.e., less muzzel rise, etc.?

Different ways to get to the same place: ported barrel vs. compensator.

Cheers!

P.S. In my example above the most sure common attribute is MORE TO CLEAN!

 

[Echo40]

My Shield is a Performance Center model, so it shipped with a ported barrel, I'm looking at a Linear Compensator for moderate noise reduction and decreased recoil impulse.

 

[seldon14]

Yeah, yeah... I know; "9mm is more popular" or ".40 is dead" but the M&P40 Shield was released back in 2012, years before the FBI dropped .40 S&W and many others followed suit, so it still surprises me.

The FBI dropping 40 was not the beginning of it falling out of favor. They where following the data, which many people had already been doing which began the decline of 40. Also it took quite a few years for the SHIELDS to get the rich aftermarket support they enjoy now. I don't recall any threaded barrels or mag extensions being on the market for the 9s or 40s for at least 2, maybe 3 years. Accessories are all going to be based off of market demand.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

The ability to shoot both 40 S&W & 357 SIG with only a barrel swap made the M&P my 1st choice: the capability to shoot 9mm as well with a barrel & a magazine swap makes it the most versatile choice, IMHO.

CHEERS!

P.S. Note please that this same versatility can also be found with the FN in 40 S&W...

 

[STORMINORMAN]

My Shield is a Performance Center model, so it shipped with a ported barrel, I'm looking at a Linear Compensator for moderate noise reduction and decreased recoil impulse.

Not at all familiar with the concept of using both...?

Good luck: let us know how it works out, please?

 

[Echo40]

Will do, I just ordered a Kaw Valley Precision Linear Compensator online, and I plan to test it out by Independence Day, provided that it arrives by then.