I've been carrying either a Sig P365 or a Glock 43x for years and am seriously considering buying a Shield Plus for another CC option. I'd like to hear from anyone who has one and give me your opinion. I noticed that S&W is discontinuing some Shield Plus models. Thanks. Ray.
M&P Shield Plus
- Thread starter jabomano
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I haven’t heard about any discontinuations, link?
I have two shield plus’s and love them. I think they’re in my media gallery too. If you want to see them.
I didn’t like the P365 grip and I’ve never shot a 43x.
Overall conceals well, shoot great without or without optics though I use optics on mine. I like the overwatch precision trigger instead of the factory one. But the factory one is decent.
I’d always try before you buy if you can.
I have two shield plus’s and love them. I think they’re in my media gallery too. If you want to see them.
I didn’t like the P365 grip and I’ve never shot a 43x.
Overall conceals well, shoot great without or without optics though I use optics on mine. I like the overwatch precision trigger instead of the factory one. But the factory one is decent.
I’d always try before you buy if you can.
Have owned 3 Shields....the original...and 2 Shield Plus...still own the Shield Plus and always will....Great handgun...Great for concealment, good trigger for a self defense carry weapon, easy to carry and easy to shoot. 100 percent reliability with all three and no failures of any type....The Shield Plus is my backup everyday carry....Had to switch to the CSX E-Series 3.6 inch barrel for my primary carry but love the Shield.
Kp321
Member
I have a first gen Shield with an Apex trigger and a Shield +. Both are 100% dependable and very accurate, more so than the 365 I had for a while. Never shot a G 43 but I really don’t do well with Glocks. The trigger on the Plus is as good as the Apex upgrade on the first gen.
Here is the list of discontinued S&W models....some Shield models are included but not the Sheild Plus.
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The Shield 9MM I bought my wife shot so well I had to buy one for myself. The Shield Plus I bought a couple years later shoots as well as the Shield 9MM pistols. Now I have four of them, the Shield Plus pistols I mean. Two 4" OR models with thumb safety. A 3.1" OR with thumb safety. And one I'll be experimenting more with. Won't go into it here but it's has a .357 SIG, or .40 S&W slide for it with some modified 9MM Shield Plus mags. Gotta have fun.
My Shield and Shield Plus pistols shoot better groups for me than my 1.0 5" M&P PC 9MM or my 2.0 5" FDE 9MM. No reliability issues with the two 4" guns (started as 3.1" with the 4" Shield slides/barrels added later). No reliability issues with the 3.1" either.
As much as I like my "big" M&Ps the Shield Plus just shoots better and carries better.
My Shield and Shield Plus pistols shoot better groups for me than my 1.0 5" M&P PC 9MM or my 2.0 5" FDE 9MM. No reliability issues with the two 4" guns (started as 3.1" with the 4" Shield slides/barrels added later). No reliability issues with the 3.1" either.
As much as I like my "big" M&Ps the Shield Plus just shoots better and carries better.
let us know if you decide to go with the Shield.....really can't go wrong with that choice....but if you do get the Shield Plus be warned...........It will spoil you....and your assessment of of the Big G and Sig with change.........
McChemist
Member
That is quite a list. I understand why some are on the list as new models replace them (e.g., MP15 Sport II vs Sport III, Shield vs Shield Plus). Some probably have underperforming sales or too expensive/exotic/specialized. Not to worry, S&W is a little like that old Lay's potatoes chip ad, "we'll make more".
oworthsr
US Veteran
I have two Shield 2.0s (9mm) and a Shield Plus 9mm. One of the 2.0s has the shorter 3.1" barrel, the other 2.0 and the Plus have 4" barrels. The Shield Plus's extra ammo makes the Shield Plus a much better option for carry purposes and, for me, relegates the 2.0s to "occasionally shoot for fun" weapons. One of the 2.0s is "on loan" to my granddaughter while she is away at college (Texas A&M). She'll likely get it as a gift once she completes her master's degree (architecture).
I prefer 4" barrels. They aren't much more difficult to carry than shorter barreled pistols (open or concealed). But their longer barrels inspire more confidence about accuracy. I know...practice can overcome that. But the perception of greater accuracy remains.
My Shield Plus 4" barrel version is optic ready and came with a Crimson Trace red dot. All of the Shield Plus 4" barrel versions (with or without a red dot) are very difficult to find. If S&W is, in fact, going to eliminate a Shield Plus 9mm, my guess is it would be the 4" version. Glad I already own one.
I prefer 4" barrels. They aren't much more difficult to carry than shorter barreled pistols (open or concealed). But their longer barrels inspire more confidence about accuracy. I know...practice can overcome that. But the perception of greater accuracy remains.
My Shield Plus 4" barrel version is optic ready and came with a Crimson Trace red dot. All of the Shield Plus 4" barrel versions (with or without a red dot) are very difficult to find. If S&W is, in fact, going to eliminate a Shield Plus 9mm, my guess is it would be the 4" version. Glad I already own one.
Shield Plus carry comp owner here. It’s my EDC… I’m a big guy and it carries very well.
Shoots outstanding as long as you do your part, grip it and fire.
I’ve got a Ceyelee Cat Pro up top that I’ve been very impressed with so far as well, along with an overwatch trigger and polished bar/striker.
Shoots outstanding as long as you do your part, grip it and fire.
I’ve got a Ceyelee Cat Pro up top that I’ve been very impressed with so far as well, along with an overwatch trigger and polished bar/striker.
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While I had it, I enjoyed my Shield Plus. Recently sold it mainly due to buying another brand I wanted to try out and the wife likes to see one go out if one comes in. I probably should have gone for the 4" version is my only regret and I bought it before the optics ready version was release. I had to get mine milled.
I debated the carry comp vs. regular as a second EDC but stayed with the regular one. Just didn't see the extra $140 of value in it. Course it does look cool and I hear it shoots very well. I'm not a fan of fiber optic sights but its a moot point with the red dot mounted.
I've had a PC M&P9 Shield Plus for a few years now, and it's one of my EDCs (either pocket carry or AIWB). I've never had any issues with this pistol...it's easy to carry, accurate, holds plenty of ammo, and allows for quick follow up shots.
Hoosierville IRN
Member
By my count, it's 136 models discontinued, with a lot of compact and micro-compact autos and a smattering of rifles and revolvers. Some of them really surprise me. It appears if you like autos with thumb safeties or the Pro series, you'll going to be out of luck. Streamlining is one thing, but this is a "slash and burn."
I have both.
Shield Plus Carry Comp and 2.0 carry comp. I like shooting the non-shield better, with big hands, easier to grip and a few more ounces.
But the weight and size of the shield, making it an easier carry/easier conceal, outweighs the other, but not by much.
Because barrel length is identical in both, they both shoot very, very similar. But the shield plus is snappier just due to less weight AND it is oversprung compared to the non-shield model.
A Shield Plus may fill a nice sweet spot between the P365 and the 43X. Not as easy to conceal as a P365, but a shorter grip for a given capacity than a G43X/G48.
I have a P365XL and a Shield Plus, and used to own a Shield 1.0. I, and others who have shot the Shield pistols back-to-back with the P365XL, thought that the Shield has a flatter recoil impulse. I haven't shot 4.0" examples of the Shield/Shield Plus, so I can't comment on those.
I have shot early examples of the G43X and G48, but it's been too long for me to remember how they shot besides one had a notably worse trigger (Monday morning/Friday afternoon gun, perhaps).
When it comes to AIWB carrying, I do find that my 3.1" Shield Plus has more of a 'keel' effect with the 13-15 round mags than the 3.7" P365XL. This can be mitigated by using a 4.0" model holster or attaching a wedge.
I have a P365XL and a Shield Plus, and used to own a Shield 1.0. I, and others who have shot the Shield pistols back-to-back with the P365XL, thought that the Shield has a flatter recoil impulse. I haven't shot 4.0" examples of the Shield/Shield Plus, so I can't comment on those.
I have shot early examples of the G43X and G48, but it's been too long for me to remember how they shot besides one had a notably worse trigger (Monday morning/Friday afternoon gun, perhaps).
When it comes to AIWB carrying, I do find that my 3.1" Shield Plus has more of a 'keel' effect with the 13-15 round mags than the 3.7" P365XL. This can be mitigated by using a 4.0" model holster or attaching a wedge.
I have had a Shield+ for 3 or 4 years now, it's my EDC. Reliable, accurate and easy to conceal. I also have a Glock 48 that I've owned for about 3 years. If my Shield didn't exist I would happily carry the Glock.
