Compact and decked out, the M&P Shield remains a top choice for concealed carry.
Smith & Wesson came somewhat late to the striker-fired pistol game. Nearly all the big names already had staked their claims by the time the historic American gunmaker jumped into the market. But taking their time joining the herd hasn’t equated to playing catchup. Not with what their line of polymer-framed pistols bring to the table.
Arguably, the company’s M&P line has become a trendsetter in the popular style of pistol and among the top choices in a self-defense gun. This especially goes for the M&P Shield, when talking concealed carry. The demure single-stack pistol offers the same excellent performance of its larger kin, but in a smaller, easier-to-conceal package.
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Take the M&P 9 Shield, for instance. The 9mm pistol measures at less than 1-inch in width and tips the scales at around 20 ounces, unloaded. By most accounts, that’s a fairly light and tidy load to carry. Even if the sub-compact surrenders some capacity, boasting a 7-round flush-fit magazine.
Smith & Wesson has kept shooters well-armed with the M&P Shield, offering a host of configurations, including some fairly decked out models as well. The Performance Center Shield is among the tops. Its features include Hi-Viz sights, factory installed Crimson Trace red dot, Performance Center tuned action and ported barrel and slide to control for muzzle flip. Quite a rig.
M&P 9 SHIELD M2.0 Manual Thumb Safety Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1, 8+1
Safety: Thumb Safety
Barrel Length: 3.1” (7.9 cm)
Overall Length: 6.1″
Front Sight: Steel – White Dot
Rear Sight: Steel – White Two-Dot
Action: Striker Fire
Grip: Polymer
Weight: 18.3 oz / 518.8g
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel – Armornite Finish
Slide Material: Stainless Steel – Armornite Finish
Frame Material: Polymer
MSRP: $479
Performance Center M&P 9 SHIELD M2.0 4” Ported Barrel & Slide Specs
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1, 8+1
Barrel Length: 4″ / 10.2 cm
Overall Length: 7.0″
Front Sight: Fiber Optic Green
Rear Sight: Fiber Optic Red
Action: Striker Fire
Grip: Synthetic
Weight: 22.9 oz / 649.2g
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Slide Material: Stainless Steel
Frame Material: Polymer
Slide Finish: Armornite
Frame Finish: Matte Black
MSRP: $854
For more information on the M&P Shield, please visit www.smith-wesson.com.
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