NRA Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield Pistol

American Rifleman Staff

posted on July 30, 2016

Videos News Reviews Handguns Semi-Auto Handguns NRA Gun of the Week

Support NRA American Rifleman DONATE

** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

The Smith & Wesson M&P line of striker-fired, semi-automatic, subcompact pistols in 9 mm and .40 S&W was a huge success. For 2016, the company upped the ante. Recognizing market demand for a concealable .45 ACP, Smith & Wesson has incorporated the chambering into its M&P Shield series. The single-stack pistol has a 3.3” Armornite-finished stainless steel barrel that provides excellent accuracy especially for a small defensive handgun. Lying comfortably in the hand and anchored by aggressive stippling in the grip area, the polymer-frame pistol has an overall length of 6.25” and is just less than 1” in width. Fine three-dot sights and a great trigger, combined with quality manufacturing, make for a capable and reliable defensive pistol.

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: M&P45 Shield
Caliber: .45 ACP
Action: recoil-operated, striker-fired, semi-automatic center-fire pistol
Frame: polymer
Finish: black Armornite
Slide: stainless steel
Barrel: 3.3”, stainless steel
Magazine: detachable box; six- and seven-round capacity
Sights: dovetailed three-dot configuration
Trigger: 5-lb., 11-oz. pull
Weight: 20.5 ozs.
MSRP: $479

Latest

Gun Of The Week: Armscor TM22-S-18

We're on the range in this video to get a closer look at an affordable plinker imported by Armscor. Whether you’re training on a budget or just want a rimfire for plinking, the TM22 is a proven platform worth investigating.

NRA Gun of the Week, Video

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 22, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Armed Citizen, News

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

News, Historical

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

News, Guns

I Have This Old Gun: Polish Vis 35 Radom

One of the lesser-known designs from the 1930s, the Vis 35 Radom is widely considered to be one of the best of the pre-World War II handguns.

News, ARTV

Rifleman Q&A: Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion

"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"

News, Historical