S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus Review: Upgraded CCW Contender

Today we have a treat for you GU readers. We are taking an in-depth look and review of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus 9mm sub compact pistol. The Shield is one of many CCW focused handguns with features and design to benefit today’s concealed carrier.

[Update] I reviewed this gun last year, but after running a few hundred rounds through it recently, my thoughts have shifted. So, I’ve updated my gun review to reflect that experience. Let’s dive in and see what’s different this time around.

S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus Background 

The M&P series of pistols has a long history of service, and with the Shield model, Smith & Wesson brought that reputation to a micro-compact pistol. As a true gun nut who loves sharpshooting, I’ve always been drawn to firearms that blend performance with portability, and the Shield does just that.

The Shield incorporates the handsome cuts and rugged features familiar to all pistols in the M&P line. It compresses these prominent features into a narrow and small polymer-framed pistol to give its owners an edge when they need it most. 

M&P pistols have been around for a long time, but the Shield is a much newer development. The first M&P pistol goes back as far as WW2, a revolver chambered in the .38 Special. The lines focus on military and police service seem more like a tradition now than anything. Selling weapons to law enforcement and not the public is scandalous at best. Let’s hope firearm manufacturers don’t need to relearn that lesson. 

The Smith & Wesson Shield has an incredibly narrow design, which makes it a particularly good choice for a carry pistol. The engineers at S&W worked some impressive magic, fitting all the M&P goodness into this slim and sexy, striker-fired pistol.

S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus Features

1 Armornite finish

Metal finished with Armornite® durable finish

2 Flat face trigger

New flat face trigger replaces the hinged trigger commonly found in M&P handguns

3 Chamber indicator

Chamber indicator is both tactile and visual

4 Take down lever

Patented take-down lever for easy disassembly and cleaning.

5 Striker fired

Striker fired action with sear deactivation system.

6 18 degree grip angle

18 degree grip angle aids in natural aiming comfort.

Models and Variations of the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus

The M&P Shield Plus comes in several configurations. They offer it in 9mm and 30 super carry. You can also get it with or without a thumb safety. In addition, they have optics ready and performance center options.

S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus – Review

To test the Shield, I grabbed several boxes of ammunition and headed into the mountains to give it a good thrashing. Both my son and I spent several hours shooting, loading, and shooting some more with the little Shield.

Shootability

The small size of this pistol is impressive. When you hold it in your hand, it is surprisingly narrow.

It might almost even be too narrow if you are a person with really large hands. With a full magazine, the pistol still felt quite lightweight. 

With all that in mind, I anticipated a pretty good snap when the little Shield went off. But to my surprise, it was much easier to control than I expected. This surely had something to do with the ported barrel. The muzzle blast created a visual V of flame and kept the pistol from rocking excessively in the hand. 

Ergonomics

The trigger is just the right amount of length, in my opinion, for a CCW pistol. It breaks nicely and predictably. This made shooting the Shield very pleasant and also allowed me to shoot it quite accurately. 

The narrow grip that I initially thought might be too thin was actually very comfortable, thanks in part to the grip texture, which provided a secure hold without being overly aggressive. The very low-profile safety seemed almost too low profile, but disengaging it was just fine. It took a little more deliberate effort to engage the safety, but using my thumb to move it to the fire position was flawless.

The magazine release also took a little more deliberate effort, which is probably a good thing for a CCW. The only thing I disliked about the magazine was the spacer at the bottom of the floor plate. It had a little play that could cause some fumbling when seating the mag. 

Accuracy

The fiber optic sights were fantastic, the red rear sights contrast beautifully with the green front sight. The sights popped even in the lowlight of a cloudy evening. And made for one hit after another. 

Hitting targets within 20-30 yards was very doable. The short stature of the Shield did not seem to inhibit my ability to shoot it well. This is a big plus, in my opinion.

Drawing the pistol from a holster was clean and smooth. The edges of the pistol have just the right amount of softening to avoid snagging on clothing. The grip angle kept the pistol on target every time I presented it on target.

Value

While I prefer more than 10-rounds for my CCW pistol, the Shield really seems to be a valid contender in my estimation. It actually surprised me to see the MSRP of $499 after playing with this pistol for a day. It really did impress me more than I had expected. 

Conclusion

Shooting the M&P Shield was a surprisingly pleasant experience, not that I expected it to go poorly. I just liked it much more than I anticipated. The compact size of the Shield makes it an excellent choice for concealing. And with the reliable function and heritage of the M&P line, it will stand up to daily carry. 

The bright sights and grip angle make it easy to get on target quickly. The only drawback I could come up with really is that it holds fewer rounds than other options. There are several great models in the M&P Shield Plus line. Surely you can find one that fits your needs best. 

S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus Pros and Cons 

S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus – FAQs

Does the Shield Plus have a safety?

The Shield Plus is available in both thumb safety and non-thumb safety models. The thumb safety is low-profile, making it less likely to snag on clothing but still easy to engage and disengage when needed.

Can I use an extended magazine with the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus?

can use an extended mag with the Shield Plus to boost its capacity beyond the standard flush fit magazine. This gives you a few extra rounds, which can be handy for self-defense or when you want to spend more time at the range without reloading.

Are night sights available for the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus?

Yes, night sights are available for the Shield Plus. They’re a great upgrade for carry guns, offering better visibility in low-light conditions. Some models even come with night sights already installed, or you can easily add aftermarket options to improve your shooting experience.

Is the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus optics-ready?

The standard Shield Plus model is not optics-ready. However, there are variations within the Shield Plus line, including optics-ready models for those who prefer to mount a red dot sight.

How does the Shield Plus handle recoil?

Despite its small size, the Shield Plus handles recoil quite well. The ported barrel helps reduce muzzle flip, making it more controllable than you might expect from a subcompact pistol.

S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus Starter Pack

These items are must haves for all firearms owners and range trips:

• Eye Protection: Upgrade your eye protection with one of our picks for the best shooting glasses!
• Hearing Protection: Don’t head off to the range without some good hearing protection.
• Gun Cleaning Kit: A good gun cleaning kit will make maintenance easier.
• First Aid Kit – Keep a good first aid kit on hand for your range trips.

Upgrades and Accessories for the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus

A good holster is an absolute must for the Shield. There are so many good Kydex holsters you can surely find one that fits your needs.

The ETS Shield magazine gives you a bit of additional magazine capacity over some of the smaller capacity mags. With room for twelve rounds and the ability to see how full it is, it adds an additional level of security to your favorite concealed carry pistol.

And if twelve rounds aren’t enough for your daily carry, carrying an extra magazine in this Comp Tac magazine pouch is a great option. It attaches to your belt as an outside the waistband accessory, so you can carry an additional magazine for added security. This way, you can always have a few more rounds at your disposal.

Upgrades and Accessories for the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus

Holster DeSantis Uni-Tuk Gun Holster		Kydex front with padded and breathable synthetic backing Multiple tension points Tuckable 360C clip	Buy on Amazon
Magazine ETS S&W M&P 9 Shield 12 Round Magazine		Translucent carbon smoke finish 12 round capacity UV and impact resistant	Check Price
Magazine Holder Comp-Tac Single Magazine Pouch		1.5in belt clip Kydex material Retention screw for adjustment	Buy on Amazon

Best Ammo for the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus

Federal Champion 115 brass is what we shot most of. It functioned great and did not leave significant carbon fouling on the gun. The short barrel of the Shield definitely resulted in some fireballs while shooting. 

Speer Gold Dot 124 HP is what I normally carry in this pistol. It functions well and shoots accurately from the Shield.

Other CCW Handguns to Check Out

Check out our best CCW handgun article to see some of our favorite concealed carry handguns all in one place. Below are two guns similar to the M&P 9 Plus that you may want to check out.

How to Care for Your S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus

Here is a video showing you the disassembly of the M&P Shield for maintenance.

Important Links and Manuals for the S&W M&P 9 Shield Plus

Check out the links below for the manufacturer’s website.

• M&P Shield Plus by Smith & Wesson
• S&W M&P Shield Plus User Manual