M&P Shield Plus

[Cphobes]

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.

Good point about the AIWB, the holster I bought was "longer" than the usual 3.1" length for that purpose.

I'm in MA so we don't have to "worry" about 13 & 15 round mags. The 10 rounders with the pinky extension work just fine.

I purchased more of the S&W pinky extensions, they're slightly different than the Pierce ones and I like them better though either works just fine. They don't list them on the web site but you can call and they can place your order for them.

If you're interested - Part Number: 3015715 "Buttplate, Finger Rest"

 

[tnhawk]

My only complaint is you pay the premium price for the PC model and you still get the cardboard box!

An excellent pistol but I never carry the cardboard box.

 

[toddstang]

I picked this up yesterday from a local gun shop.
They took my 4006 TSW CHP gun as an even trade. I think I may be getting a Vortex Defender CCW for Father's Day to top it off. Raining today so I'm hoping to make it to my property tomorrow or Sunday to try it out.
Looks like the Glock 19 may spend time in the safe.
I really love how this gun feels in my hands.

 

[WESTSIDE]

I've had no problem with mine, and it might be my favourite pistol to shoot. The 13 rnds magazine are tight and i just load 12 for now even with a Maglula. They will probably loosen up a little after use. The 10-rnds magazine aren't tight.

Three of my grandsons each have one and they like theres, too. One of them also have some kind of little kimber 9 and he says he is more accurate with the shield plus and he likes it better. On one of the other, the pin near the takedown lever worked down a little bit but he tapped it back in. I don't know if it's done it again or not. No problems at all with the other one. No malfunction with any of them.

 

[Warf61]

Shield plus 10 rds. Flush fit mag for edc. Apex hard sear and hundred% reliable.
Slim, easy to carry and lite weight. Comes with Steel sights even! Lol

 

[Trebor357]

Been a long time revolver guy and eventually decided to go to a compact semi auto...I had friends that had various compacts such as the Glock 43, Sig P365, Taurus GX4, Hellcat, Shield Plus, M&P 9c and a few others. Over the course of a month or two, I was able to shoot them all...Of all those I tried, the Shield Plus was the hands down winner for me at least. I am 6'4" with large hands, and even though the Shield Plus grip is thin, it fit my hand perfectly. Minimal recoil, great trigger, short reset and point of aim...only negative was the fiber optic sights (I am not a fan) especially in bright conditions. Bought a Shield Plus Performance Center 3.1" and installed Tru Glo TFO sights and could not be happier...It checks all the boxes for me and is now my exclusive EDC....OWB leather holster or IWB Kydex...very happy with my choice! I would recommend this one to most anyone.....

 

[Technocircus316]

switch between this and my kimber ultra. All factory plus with defender optic

 

[George_P_Burdell]

Shield Plus is my EDC .. in an IWB leather-wrapped kydex holster from versacarry. I run mine with green & red sights, no optic. My carry ammo is Hornady Critical Defense and the gun handles it just fine. The 10-round factory mag sits in a drawer. I carry with a 13-round mag in the gun and a 15-round as the backup. I'm quite happy with the purchase.

 

[sotexas]

No complaints with the plus. Have the 4" & 3.1". Reliable and accurate

 

[jammer216]

The Shield Plus started my journey with the SW line.
About 2 years ago I did some research and testing to downsize my edc from a Glock 45. Tried a few brands and models:
Glock 43x, Sig 365, SW EZ, SW Shield Plus.
Ended up with the Shield Plus 3.1", just feels right in my hand. Around 2k+ rounds of various types of bullets.
No issues whatsoever, my son enjoys it also.
In fact, during our range trips, we always have a little competition.
95% of the time yours truly comes out on top. I do shoot it better one handed, my son says I must have been a cowboy in my previous life.

 

[Rocketmedic40]

I picked this up yesterday from a local gun shop.
They took my 4006 TSW CHP gun as an even trade. I think I may be getting a Vortex Defender CCW for Father's Day to top it off. Raining today so I'm hoping to make it to my property tomorrow or Sunday to try it out.
Looks like the Glock 19 may spend time in the safe.
I really love how this gun feels in my hands.

Interesting- can you share the shop if possible? I’m looking for a TSW 4006 lol

 

[toddstang]

Interesting- can you share the shop if possible? I’m looking for a TSW 4006 lol

Kygunco.com, Louisville store.

 

[DartonJager]

I own a Gen-1 9mm Shield I bought when they first came out in 2012. Trigger was OK but had a little more creep and grittiness than I liked. Did a DIY install of a Apex Tactical Duty/Carry on it and it worked absolutely awesome I do not recall the cost but it was way less then $100. Carried that G1 Shield for 13 years and countless 1000s of rounds and I would judge it as having been 100% reliable and far more accurate at 12-15 yards than anyone has a right to expect from a 1" wide grip, 23oz 3" barreled pistol.

I now own a 4" Performance Center Carry Comp Shield Plus and a 3.1" Shield Plus.
Allow me to tell you in MY average Joe HG owners opinion the latest production version of the 13+1 3.1" Shield Plus is about as close to micro compact perfection as you can ask for. I understand my findings of my 3.1" Shield Plus is a sampling of exactly one but after at least 300 rounds out of mine I find it to be everything my Gen-1 Shield wishes it had been.
*Very good grip texture on frame
*Excellent trigger with the most minimal of trigger take up and I could detect no grittiness at all and IMO absolutely needs no aftermarket trigger improvements or upgrades and was ACTUALLY better than the trigger on my 4" PC carry Comp trigger that needed a Apex Tactical Ultimate Striker Block instal to be as good.
*Just my opinion, but so far it has produced very good accuracy staying at or below 3" for 5 and 10 shot groups at 12 yards
*Very good factory NTS but my over 50 20/30 nearsighted eyes with astigmatism needed something larger so I opted for XS F8 dot over a dot NTS.
*Been 100% reliable so far with 300 rounds fired using five different 13 round and two 15 round factory mags. I haven't used the 10 round mags as I will likely never use them.

I own Polymer HGs made by Sig, Springfield, Walther and S&W and wheel guns from S&W, Colt, Ruger and Dan Wesson so I am not a rabid S&W M&P HG ONLY fan but I can not recommend strongly enough you give serious consideration to buying a Shield.

 

[McChemist]

I own a Gen-1 9mm Shield I bought when they first came out in 2012. Trigger was OK but had a little more creep and grittiness than I liked. Did a DIY install of a Apex Tactical Duty/Carry on it and it worked absolutely awesome I do not recall the cost but it was way less then $100. Carried that G1 Shield for 13 years and countless 1000s of rounds and I would judge it as having been 100% reliable and for more accurate at 12-15 yards than anyone has a right to expect from a 1" wide grip, 23oz 3" barreled pistol.

I now own a 4" Performance Center Carry Comp Shield Plus and a 3.1" Shield Plus.
Allow me to tell you in MY average Joe HG owners opinion the latest production version of the 13+1 3.1" Shield Plus is about as close to micro compact perfection as you can ask for. I understand my findings of my 3.1" Shield Plus is a sampling of exactly one but after at least 300 rounds out of mine I find it to be everything my Gen-1 Shield wishes it had been.
*Very good grip texture on frame
*Excellent trigger with the most minimal of trigger take up and I could detect no grittiness at all and IMO absolutely needs no aftermarket trigger improvements or upgrades and was ACTUALLY better than the trigger on my 4" PC carry Comp trigger that needed a Apex Tactical Ultimate Striker Block instal to be as good.
*Just my opinion, but so far it has produced very good accuracy staying at or below 3" for 5 and 10 shot groups at 12 yards
*Very good factory NTS but my over 50 20/30 nearsighted eyes with astigmatism needed something larger so I opted for XS F8 dot over a dot NTS.
*Been 100% reliable so far with 300 rounds fired using five different 13 round and two 15 round factory mags. I haven't used the 10 round mags as I will likely never use them.

I own Polymer HGs made by Sig, Springfield, Walther and S&W and wheel guns from S&W, Colt, Ruger and Dan Wesson so I am not a rabid S&W M&P HG ONLY fan but I can not recommend strongly enough you give serious consideration to buying a Shield.

Ditto. I like my Shield Plus 2.0. Great firearm. Very concealable.⁷

 

[Amp]

I have both Sig and Smith and like them both.
The 365's have small grips for carry but Wilson makes a great replacement.
The Shield has better grips and I think triggers too.
My preference is for a safety either way and comps are not needed.

 

[Rimfire Fanatic]

Does the M&P9 Shield Plus have interchangeable grip inserts, and if not, is the grip bigger or smaller than a standard P365?

LGS has one with a nice TAC case and five mags with front night sight and manual safety for $449.00. Seems like a good deal based on the mags alone.

 

[Beju]

Shield Plus grip is not adjustable like the full/compact/subcompact M&P pistols. The backstrap is about as long as a P365X/XL, and the frontstrap is about as long as a regular P365.

The grip is slightly longer front to back and has more 'heel' to fill out your hand than the P365X/XL. I believe the Shield Plus is slightly thicker, too.

You can compare the sizes on the website Handgun Hero.

Due to the slightly larger front to back grip with more heel and the grip angle, I find my Shield Plus to be flatter recoiling than my P365XL. I thought this was true even of my original Shield.

 

[Amp]

Shield Plus grip is not adjustable like the full/compact/subcompact M&P pistols. The backstrap is about as long as a P365X/XL, and the frontstrap is about as long as a regular P365.

The grip is slightly longer front to back and has more 'heel' to fill out your hand than the P365X/XL. I believe the Shield Plus is slightly thicker, too.

Due to the slightly larger front to back grip with more heel and the grip angle, I find my Shield Plus to be flatter recoiling than my P365XL. I thought this was true even of my original Shield.

All true. Just compared my 365x and shield plus yesterday. Mostly the same with shield having a higher bore.

 

[Cphobes]

Found the shield grip better than the P365's, I wanted to like the 365 but unless I got a custom grip the stock P365 was not going to work for me.