M&P Shield 9mm 2.0 with thumb safety-discontinued?

[jamesallen]

Am I right that the M&P Shield 2.0 9mm with thumb safety SKU 11806 has been discontinued? It does not seem to exist anywhere on S&W's website. There does not seem to have been any sort of announcement or anything, it's just gone.

 

[Saudade]

I've yet to see any company "announce" they are discontinuing as model. They just disappear. Most likely to focus on Shield Plus production.

This specific SKU is still available so if you want one, better grab it quick.

Shield 2.0 Palmetto State

S&W M&P9 M2.0 Shield 9mm Black 11806 (19.99 Shipping) | Family Firearms

S&W still lists other SKUs with the manual safety (Performance Center).

 

[murphydog]

They could also be on a production pause…but agree with there is no time like the present to buy a gun you like.

 

[LVSteve]

It would not surprise me in the slightest if the safety model has been discontinued. With all the "experts" telling everyone that safeties are a bad thing on carry guns, I suspect non-safety guns sell in far greater numbers.

 

[CouchPotato]

S&W needs to move onto a M&P 3.0, especially for the Shield

Enlarge the front of the trigger guard, get the trigger shoe right, add a rail, move the current PC sear into all models, make sure the slide stop works as a slide release, add a threaded barrel option, dump the PC ports and add a 4" PC compensated option.

Obviously all of that will destroy holster compatibility but eventually you just have to rip the bandaid off.

 

[LVSteve]

S&W needs to move onto a M&P 3.0, especially for the Shield

Enlarge the front of the trigger guard, get the trigger shoe right, add a rail, ....

Not feeling it for a rail. It makes the front of the gun chunkier, which makes the holster bigger, which is a undesirable for IWB carry.

 

[Well Armed]

S&W needs to move onto a M&P 3.0, especially for the Shield

Enlarge the front of the trigger guard, get the trigger shoe right, add a rail, move the current PC sear into all models, make sure the slide stop works as a slide release, add a threaded barrel option, dump the PC ports and add a 4" PC compensated option.

Obviously all of that will destroy holster compatibility but eventually you just have to rip the bandaid off.

No need for a rail on the Shield. The overwhelming majority wouldn't use the rail, and their are already light and laser options for those who want to attach one to their Shield. It makes little sense to make changes that will turn off the majority to appease the small minority.

 

[BBMW]

I'd be a little suprised if S&W didn't move the entire Shield line to the Shield Plus platform. I don't see any reason to keep the versions older than that.

 

[CouchPotato]

No need for a rail on the Shield. The overwhelming majority wouldn't use the rail, and their are already light and laser options for those who want to attach one to their Shield. It makes little sense to make changes that will turn off the majority to appease the small minority.

It's much more than a small minority.

Based on the private Facebook fan groups for S&W that I'm a member of, I can see there's a lot of Shield owners who want a rail. Almost every day someone posts in those groups looking for a holster because they've attached a rail adapter and some kind of weapon light to their Shield.

The big chunk of market share who insist on having a rail in a micro 9mm have moved on to Glock, Springfield, Sig Saur, Shadow Systems, etc all of which offer a rail on a micro 9mm.

The sad reality is that S&W is failing at giving customers the features they want on a micro 9mm. The market environment for guns is evolving and changing faster than it ever has.

We have more options and better options than ever but the perfect CCW gun hasn't been created yet.

 

[Well Armed]

It's much more than a small minority.

Based on the private Facebook fan groups for S&W that I'm a member of, I can see there's a lot of Shield owners who want a rail. Almost every day someone posts in those groups looking for a holster because they've attached a rail adapter and some kind of weapon light to their Shield.

The big chunk of market share who insist on having a rail in a micro 9mm have moved on to Glock, Springfield, Sig Saur, Shadow Systems, etc all of which offer a rail on a micro 9mm.

The sad reality is that S&W is failing at giving customers the features they want on a micro 9mm. The market environment for guns is evolving and changing faster than it ever has.

We have more options and better options than ever but the perfect CCW gun hasn't been created yet.

I disagree. I believe it's a small majority, and your FB group is an echo-chamber. Most in those groups are always having problems finding holsters because for lights and lasers because most holster makers don't offer holsters ti accommodate lights and laser because the market isn't there.

For the minority, there are already and have been options on the market. Streamlight, Crimson Trace, Nightstick, LaserMax, Viridian, and more all make light and/or laser attachments for the Shield. As you mentioned, there are even rail adapters that are available. There's no need to change the design of the Shield's frame to accommodate and inconvenience the majority who will have to find new holsters when there are options on the market already for the minority to be able to attach a light. Everyone has had a Shield at one point of time or another. A major reason why I chose to buy a Shield Plus was that I already had holsters and accessories from prior Shields that I owned or still own. Compatibility with prior iterations of the Shield was a big selling point for me and other buyers.

Plus, the S&W Shield is still a top selling handgun who have sold millions. I also believe S&W is the number #1 handgun manufacturer in the United States manufacturering 1,649,550. They're sales aren't hurting. I've also been on Glock Talk for many years. I'm a regular there, and they'll even typically will perfer the Shield platform. There have already been several threads and even polls on this topic.

 

[stansdds]

Of course the Shield needs a rail. You have to have some way to mount the laser and the flashlight, plus you never know when you are going to have to attach a bayonet. You might also need a place to mount a bipod and when things get real sporty, you will want to attach that 40mm grenade launcher.

 

[Well Armed]

Of course the Shield needs a rail. You have to have some way to mount the laser and the flashlight, plus you never know when you are going to have to attach a bayonet. You might also need a place to mount a bipod and when things get real sporty, you will want to attach that 40mm grenade launcher.

Yes, buy the smallest most compact micro 9mm for light weight concealment, and then add a light, red dot, mag extension, and put a grip sleeve on it because the grip is too thin to basically give it a double stack grip width.

 

[CouchPotato]

Of course the Shield needs a rail. You have to have some way to mount the laser and the flashlight, plus you never know when you are going to have to attach a bayonet. You might also need a place to mount a bipod and when things get real sporty, you will want to attach that 40mm grenade launcher.

Yes, buy the smallest most compact micro 9mm for light weight concealment, and then add a light, red dot, mag extension, and put a grip sleeve on it because the grip is too thin to basically give it a double stack grip width.

You guys might want to consider moving to a communist country... There's less choices and often times everyone is required to do things exactly the same way. You might be the types of people who like it.

I carry a M&P Shield with a TLR6 mounted to it and I insist on having a weapon light because I've been in a defensive situation with a gun where the weapon light was necessary. This was with a Springfield XDM that was purchased long before Springfield's scandal in IL.

I was in another defensive situation with my M&P Shield where surprisingly, the laser was of great value and saved the day.

Lights and lasers are not the be-all and end-all but they do have practical case use situations on defensive handguns, especially weapon lights.

There's been many stories over the years where tragedy happened in a home defense scenario where the homeowner was sure there was an intruder, shot in the dark, and after the lights were turned on, realized they just shot a family member.

The light output of the TLR6 is only 100 lumens which is enough for positive threat identification in dark indoor situations. In an outdoor situation where more distance could be involved, 100 lumens isnt always enough. For broad holster compatibility, I'm stuck with the TLR6.

My situation aside, the reality is that the market has shifted and there's more demand than ever for weapon lights on CCW handguns.

 

[Well Armed]

You guys might want to consider moving to a communist country... There's less choices and often times everyone is required to do things exactly the same way. You might be the types of people who like it.

I carry a M&P Shield with a TLR6 mounted to it and I insist on having a weapon light because I've been in a defensive situation with a gun where the weapon light was necessary. This was with a Springfield XDM that was purchased long before Springfield's scandal in IL.

I was in another defensive situation with my M&P Shield where surprisingly, the laser was of great value and saved the day.

Lights and lasers are not the be-all and end-all but they do have practical case use situations on defensive handguns, especially weapon lights.

There's been many stories over the years where tragedy happened in a home defense scenario where the homeowner was sure there was an intruder, shot in the dark, and after the lights were turned on, realized they just shot a family member.

The light output of the TLR6 is only 100 lumens which is enough for positive threat identification in dark indoor situations. In an outdoor situation where more distance could be involved, 100 lumens isnt always enough. For broad holster compatibility, I'm stuck with the TLR6.

My situation aside, the reality is that the market has shifted and there's more demand than ever for weapon lights on CCW handguns.

The market hasn't shifted. It's the same as it has always been. Weapon lights on small EDC handguns are the exception and not the rule for most people who carry a firearm; however, for those like you who want that option, there are already several options on the market. You already admitted to utilizing one of those those options. You also admitted that there are rail attachment options that's allow you to use bigger more bulky lights. Again, there is no reason to change the design, and I doubt S&W will change the design as it's not a make or break feature for most people, but changing the frame and adding a rail will turn even more people off.

Other than that, I suggest investing in a handheld flashlight as you shouldn't be "identifying <possible> threats" or anyone for that matter by pointing a loaded gun at them anyway. Your thread should already be identified BEFORE the muzzle of your firearm is point at it.

 

[CouchPotato]

The market hasn't shifted. It's the same as it has always been. Weapon lights on small EDC handguns are the exception and not the rule for most people who carry a firearm; however, for those like you who want that option, there are already several options on the market. You already admitted to utilizing one of those those options. You also admitted that there are rail attachment options that's allow you to use bigger more bulky lights. Again, there is no reason to change the design, and I doubt S&W will change the design as it's not a make or break feature for most people, but changing the frame and adding a rail will turn even more people off.

Other than that, I suggest investing in a handheld flashlight as you shouldn't be "identifying <possible> threats" or anyone for that matter vs pointing the loaded gun at them anyway. Your thread should already be identified BEFORE the muzzle of your firearm is point at it.

Your reading comprehension skills seem selective at best. Yes there's an aftermarket rail adapter for the Shield, but you give up holster availability, which then means the gun can't realistically be carried.

I think that you fundamentally don't understand how a weapon light should be used in civilian defensive scenarios. Moreover carrying a separate flashlight is not a realistic option all of the time. If the light is attached to the gun then you'll always have it.

In a defensive scenario, you'll only be able to use what you have on you. I do carry a separate flashlight at times, but I can't all of the time.

With home defense, if you *have to* use a weapon light to search, use the peripheral splash of light from low ready or similar... Trigger finger off the trigger, support hand finger on the button. Otherwise it's usually best, where possible, to retreat to cover or concealment and then use the light when/if the potential threat emerges in order to confirm its actually a threat.

In all scenarios, if there's justified reason to point, and if there's time, hit the light just to be absolutely sure the guy has a weapon in hand and not a cell phone. You use the light because you've already perceived a threat and because you have time to confirm the threat before shooting.

If you end up pointing a gun and light at a perceived threat when there wasn't one, that's much better than shooting a perceived threat when there wasn't one.

Activating the weapon light is part of my battery of arms and adds zero time to my draw stroke. It happens *after* I've found reason to draw, after my support hand is on the gun, and before the sights are leveled with my eye.

Of course all of that assumes a scenario where there's time to bring the sights level with your eye. To that point, weapon lights/lasers exist that will automatically activate when drawn from the holster. I have mixed feelings about them, but they exist.

Perhaps not among your circle of friends, but the the market as a whole definitely has shifted. The wide selection of micro 9mms with rails and the plethora of holsters and attachments are proof of it. Those products exist because there's market support for them.

 

[Shibadog]

I just don’t get folks buying a small, light, concealable pistol oly to turn around and add weight and bulk but that’s me. I’m not a fan of weaponlights for a couple reasons-(1) you’re pointing a weapon at anyone you shine the light on (even that family member noted earlier) and (2) ou just gave the armed bad guy a great aimingpoing to score a hit on You&#55357;&#56883;. I believe in and use a great light, BUT it’s held to the side by the non dominant hand. I can check an area without pointing the weaponAND if the goblin shoots “center mass” on the light my arm is the only part of me exposed. Do what works for you, but think about what you are doing…

 

[Well Armed]

Your reading comprehension skills seem selective at best. Yes there's an aftermarket rail adapter for the Shield, but you give up holster availability, which then means the gun can't realistically be carried.

No, I comprehend just fine. If there was really a great demand, holster makers would make holsters for Shields with the adapter/light combinations. They don't because there's not enough demand for it. Matter of fact, there are only a handful of holsters available for Shields with the TLR6 and other light and/or laser combos. The number of companies who offer holsters for any micro sized firearms with a light/laser pales in comparison with non light baring holsters. That is because most people do not add a light to their EDC. If there was more demand, there would be lights with higher lumens that artach to the the Shield as is.

I think that you fundamentally don't understand how a weapon light should be used in civilian defensive scenarios. Moreover carrying a separate flashlight is not a realistic option all of the time. If the light is attached to the gun then you'll always have it.

I don't think you understand. You do not use the light on your firearm as a flashlight pointing it at potential threats (as in they may or may not be a threat). You don't go around pointing a loaded firearm at anything you don't plan on killing or destroying. Period.

In a defensive scenario, you'll only be able to use what you have on you. I do carry a separate flashlight at times, but I can't all of the time

There's no reason why you can't carry a light with you all the time. You need to solve for why you think you can't. They come in all shapes and sizes. You want to be able to identify people in pitch darkness, then do it the right way by carrying a light instead of flashing people with the muzzle of a loaded gun while you're on edge.

If you end up pointing a gun and light at a perceived threat when there wasn't one

You're putting others lives in danger, are breaking firearm safety rules, are being an irresponsible gun owner, and you're opening yourself up to possibly legal troubles.

If I'm walking out and about and you point your gun at me or a loved one of mine whether it's to identify me or not, we're going to have a problem that one or both of us might not survive all because of your bad decision making. You would be the threat. I'm sure everyone else on this forum would respond the same way to some random stranger pointing the business end of their firearm at them. They do NOT know what your motives are.

Perhaps not among your circle of friends, but the the market as a whole definitely has shifted. The wide selection of micro 9mms with rails and the plethora of holsters and attachments are proof of it. Those products exist because there's market support for them.

There aren't a "plethora of holsters or attachments" for micro carry guns. That's not true. The number of major (not cheap Chinese knockoffs) who make micro lights and lasers can be counted on one hand, and the as I stated before, the overwhelming number of holster makers don't offer holsters for light baring guns. It's a niche that some manufacturers and holsters makers cater too, but it's not the norm.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

S&W needs to move onto a M&P 3.0, especially for the Shield

Enlarge the front of the trigger guard, get the trigger shoe right, add a rail, move the current PC sear into all models, make sure the slide stop works as a slide release, add a threaded barrel option, dump the PC ports and add a 4" PC compensated option.

Obviously all of that will destroy holster compatibility but eventually you just have to rip the bandaid off.

I would never by a Shield with all that junk on it. All my Shields have the hinged trigger cuz I hate a trigger with a plastic dingus extending from it. All but one have the manual safety.....Guess I won't be buying anymore Shields. Also I would never a buy any handgun with a "cheese grater" on the front. I don't hang extra junk on my handguns. I like them as they are. Can easily slip into a pocket.

 

[CouchPotato]

No, I comprehend just fine. If there was really a great demand, holster makers would make holsters for Shields with the adapter/light combinations. They don't because there's not enough demand for it. Matter of fact, there are only a handful of holsters available for Shields with the TLR6 and other light and/or laser combos. The number of companies who offer holsters for any micro sized firearms with a light/laser pales in comparison with non light baring holsters. That is because most people do not add a light to their EDC. If there was more demand, there would be lights with higher lumens that artach to the the Shield as is.

Holster manufacturers can't make molds and holsters for every light/gun combo. Furthermore a lot of the weapon light options are pure junk and the holster companies know it.

In the case of the M&P Shield, because there's no rail, the bulk of what's available molds to the trigger guard, and has low light output, like the TLR6. For that reason, the bulk of people who prioritize a weapon light buy a different model gun so they can use a TLR7sub or TLR8sub, or something else. All of that is a major disincentive for holster manufacturers to support the weapon light options for the Shield.

I don't think you understand. You do not use the light on your firearm as a flashlight pointing it at potential threats (as in they may or may not be a threat). You don't go around pointing a loaded firearm at anything you don't plan on killing or destroying. Period.

At what point did I or anyone say that I do that? It's as if you've taken both sides of this argument, in your head, and are arguing with yourself.

Go back and read what I said.

There's no reason why you can't carry a light with you all the time. You need to solve for why you think you can't. They come in all shapes and sizes. You want to be able to identify people in pitch darkness, then do it the right way by carrying a light instead of flashing people with the muzzle of a loaded gun while you're on edge.

There's a lot of reasons why I can't, won't, and flat out don't want to, none of which need to be explained to you.

You're putting others lives in danger, are breaking firearm safety rules, are being an irresponsible gun owner, and you're opening yourself up to possibly legal troubles.

Im doing absolutely none of those things. The actual reality is that the weapon lights that I've installed on every handgun I own have already saved two lives and also my own life.

Flat out, you have no clue what you're talking about.

Under no scenario does attaching a weapon light to a firearm break any firearm rules, it doesnt put any lives in danger, and there's zero legal risk with doing it.

**You need to get it out of your head that a weapon light is used in the same way as a flashlight.**

If I'm walking out and about and you point your gun at me or a loved one of mine whether it's to identify me or not, we're going to have a problem that one or both of us might not survive all because of your bad decision making. You would be the threat. I'm sure everyone else on this forum would respond the same way to some random stranger pointing the business end of their firearm at them. They do NOT know what your motives are.

I'm really starting to question your mental fitness.

There aren't a "plethora of holsters or attachments" for micro carry guns. That's not true. The number of major (not cheap Chinese knockoffs) who make micro lights and lasers can be counted on one hand, and the as I stated before, the overwhelming number of holster makers don't offer holsters for light baring guns. It's a niche that some manufacturers and holsters makers cater too, but it's not the norm.

You need to look again.

 

[LVSteve]

Im doing absolutely none of those things. The actual reality is that the weapon lights that I've installed on every handgun I own have already saved two lives and also my own life.

You need to hang in a different 'hood.