Is the Shield Plus an M.2 or an M.1

[taylorkh]

And I thought I needed a score card to figure out CZ model variations

I was looking at a pile of M&P pistols at a local gun dealer this morning. And it was a pile. I liked the Shield Plus (large capacity version). When I got back home to do some more research I got rather confused. I have read that the "M&P" line has moved from version M.1 to M.2 with whatever improvements that entailed. The non-Plus Shield the dealer had was stamped M.2 on the slide. The Shield Plus - I am not sure. I do not find any pictures of the Shield Plus with the M.2 marking. Which makes me ask...

Is there such a thing in production as an M.2 Shield Plus? and is it worth seeking out over a Shield Plus without the M.2 marking?

Also... Looking at the pictures in the owners manual on the Smith web site it appears that the rails on which the slide moves are steel or stainless rather than an aluminum alloy chassis as used my many other manufacturers. Can someone confirm this?

TIA,

Ken

 

[fmflorida]

If I had to guess, M.2 means its using the 2.0 variation characteristics, just has added texture on the grip, better trigger, enhanced internals and so on. Rather than the 1.0 variation.

Similar to the Glock 43x/48. While they are technically not "Gen 5" since they are the first of their kind, they take on the Gen 5 characteristics.

 

[jurek]

Agreed with fmflorida.

Shield Plus is just another line. It is not upgraded version of its predecessor, it is just something new and better.
It took design and characteristics from M2.0, because M1.0 is obsolete and nothing good could be copied from it.

So Shield Plus is just "Shield Plus". neither M1.0 nor M2.0.

 

[taylorkh]

Thanks folks,

I am also reading that the Shield Plus is MINUS MINUS for spare magazine availability

I guess I will just stick with my 442. No mags required but I do have a large stock of moon clips

Ken

 

[Telecaster]

It's neither a 1 nor a 2; it's Plus.

 

[jurek]

Thanks folks,

I am also reading that the Shield Plus is MINUS MINUS for spare magazine availability
Ken

oh yeah. That is the big problem as for now.
Hopefully S&W find it out that demand for mags is bigger than for the firearm.

 

[Rammer Jammer]

Neither. Its M3, Gen 3, MK3 or whatever else you want to call it.

 

[Echo40]

It took design and characteristics from M2.0, because M1.0 is obsolete and nothing good could be copied from it.

I really wish that folks would look up the actual definition of the word "obsolete" in a dictionary before using it because almost 99.9% of the time that I see it used outside of discussions regarding electronics, it's completely incorrect, and this is no exception.

The "enhancements" offered by the Shield 2.0 are a more aggressive grip texture which many folks feel is too aggressive, a slightly improved trigger which still isn't as good as aftermarket triggers, and abbreviated front slide serrations which are only good for press checks, which not everyone uses.

So yeah, the 2.0 isn't even of a tangible improvement to warrant spending the extra money to buy it over a cheaper 1.0, much less replace it, hence why the 1.0 remained in production for years after the release of the 2.0. Even Smith & Wesson knew it wasn't a straight upgrade, they just called it the "2.0" because "1.1" which would have been a more valid designation for the slight improvement of the trigger wouldn't look good from a marketing perspective.

 

[skwchock]

thanks for the info...

 

[jurek]

I really wish that folks would look up the actual definition of the word "obsolete" in a dictionary before using it because almost 99.9% of the time that I see it used outside of discussions regarding electronics, it's completely incorrect, and this is no exception.

The "enhancements" offered by the Shield 2.0 are a more aggressive grip texture which many folks feel is too aggressive, a slightly improved trigger which still isn't as good as aftermarket triggers, and abbreviated front slide serrations which are only good for press checks, which not everyone uses.

So yeah, the 2.0 isn't even of a tangible improvement to warrant spending the extra money to buy it over a cheaper 1.0, much less replace it, hence why the 1.0 remained in production for years after the release of the 2.0. Even Smith & Wesson knew it wasn't a straight upgrade, they just called it the "2.0" because "1.1" which would have been a more valid designation for the slight improvement of the trigger wouldn't look good from a marketing perspective.

OBSOLETE:
"cause (a product or idea) to be or become obsolete by replacing it with something new."
Oxford's English Dictionary

I'm still going to treat Shield M1.0 as obsolete.

 

[Echo40]

That's its definition as a Verb, which more specifically refers to what has come to be known as "Planned Obsolescence" these days when it comes to consumer products. As an Adjective in general its definition is something that has fallen into disuse, or otherwise has lost its use due to replacement. As previously stated, the Shield 1.0 was not outright replaced by the 2.0, nor has it fallen into disuse in any practical sense.

An obsolete firearm in general would be something along the lines of a Borchardt Pistol or more recently a Gyrojet Pistol, something which is no longer even peripherally supported, not a last generation variant of a pistol, and especially not one which wasn't replaced outright by being taken out of production.

Maybe once Smith & Wesson stops supporting the Shield 1.0 altogether, as in no longer serving it or repairing it because they no longer make compatible replacement parts, (like their 3rd Generation Semiautos) then you can argue that it has become obsolete, but by the time that happens, the Shield 2.0 and most likely even the Shield PLUS will also be obsolete since they're all variations of the same design with a lot of interchangeable parts between them.

 

[edubbie]

I'm no expert and there are many many on here more knowledgeable than I. Here is my understanding. When the Shield M.1 came out, it was not yet designated as an M.1. It was just a Shield. It wasn't until S&W came out with modifications/changes for the Shield that the M.2 was designated then the M.1 was designated for the earlier model. Kinda like the 586 "no dash" I have. With that said, the Shield Plus is a new model so it doesn't have a M.x yet but I believe it is build on the Shield M.2 platform. When they upgrade the standard Shield Plus, it will be a M.2 thus making the original Shield Plus an M.1.

 

[mrmike7189]

Havent seen a shield plus for sale anywhere in MA.......strange since S&W is based in Springfield,MA?

 

[Saudade]

Looks like it was just added to the MA roster last month. It will show up eventually.

Approved firearms rosters | Mass.gov

 

[RobzGuns]

It wouldn't surprise if if it weren't on the Cal list yet either.

 

[Saudade]

It wouldn't surprise if if it weren't on the Cal list yet either.

Won't ever make it to the CA roster. You can buy them private party but they're running well over $1000.