Rifleman Review: Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield

by
posted on July 1, 2020
** 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. **
American Rifleman examines the Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield pistol in the Rifleman Review video segment above.

Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield title screen.

Interest in mid-size .45-cal. pistols that use single-stack magazines led to the release of Smith & Wesson’s M&P45. The striker-fired, recoil-operated pistol sports a polymer frame and provides capacity for seven rounds. The 22.7-oz. package is a solid choice for daily carry.

Man wearing a ballcap shooting a pistol on a shooting range.

The polymer frame pistol measures 4.8”-tall by 6.45”-long and is fitted with a stainless steel slide topped with three-dot pattern sights. An Armornite finish covers the pistol. Smith & Wesson provides barrel length options up to 4” and our .45 ACP-chambered test sample measured a scant 3.3”.

On the front and rear of the slide, both left and right sides contain sections of fish-scale cuts to help in manipulation. Contours on the slide’s exterior were also sculpted to smooth the process of holstering the pistol.

Smith & Wesson black polymer pistol disassembled on white background.

Safety features include an articulated trigger safety and an internal mechanism to prevent misfire when the pistol is accidentally dropped. Purchasers may opt for a additional manual thumb safety, which is found on the gun’s left side where the frame and slide meet.

Pistol on cinder blocks.

The black polymer frame of the M&P45 Shield pistol contains an internal stainless steel chassis and sections of wrap-around texturing at its grip. The magazine release provides texturing as well. Six- and seven-round magazines come standard with the M&P45 Shield and each provides marked witness holes.

Specification table for Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield pistol.

To learn more about Smith & Wesson’s M&P45 Shield pistol, please visit the company's website HERE, and be sure to watch our American Rifleman TV segment above.

Latest

Army 250Th Part 4 6
Army 250Th Part 4 6

250 Years of the U.S. Army: From Vietnam to Today

For more than half a century, the U.S. Army's standard infantry rifle has undergone a remarkable transformation, from the battle rifles of World War II to the compact, modular carbines carried by soldiers today.

The Alpha Foxtrot Attila: Not Just Another 2011

In a marketplace filled with 2011-style pistols, Alpha Foxtrot decided to go a different direction with its Attila handgun design, which is built to use Shield Arms S15 magazines.

JP Morgan Rescinds Discriminatory Policy Against Gunmakers

In January, JPMorgan Chase joined Citigroup and Bank of America in rescinding policies discriminating against lawful businesses in the firearm industry—in this case, reversing their policy against lending to rifle manufacturers.

Remembering Past NRA President David A. Keene

David A. Keene, a prominent conservative leader and NRA President from 2011 to 2013, died on March 8, 2026, at 80 years old, from pancreatic cancer.

Semi-Automatic Bans Are Unconstitutional

If the logical application of the rule of law means anything in this constitutional republic, bans on massively popular semi-automatic firearms will be found unconstitutional.

New Handloading Helpers: The Latest Reloading Gear From RCBS

When Hodgdon Powder Company took over RCBS in 2024, company leaders said positive change was coming. By looking at the new products RCBS introduced in 2026, it’s clear they were right.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.