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

Red Dot Revolvers 1
Red Dot Revolvers 1

Putting Red-Dot Optics On Revolvers

The red-dot trend is so pervasive that consumers can choose from a range of semi-automatic handguns that are cut to accept optics. But what about adding red-dots to revolvers?

Quiet Trend Defies Retail Challenges

The business of protecting shooters' hearing is booming—quietly, of course.

New for 2026: Smith & Wesson Model 36 Lipsey’s Exclusive Revolver

Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson offer a Field Ethos-themed revolver.

I Have This Old Gun: Medieval Hand Cannon

It all had to start somewhere, and for handheld firearms in Europe, Genesis is what we call the "handgonne" or hand cannon, a simple metal tube lashed to a wooden tiller.

New for 2026: Heckler & Koch VPA1 X and VP9A1 Tactical Pistols

Heckler & Koch release two new versions of its popular VP9 striker-fired 9 mm handgun.

New for 2026: Blaser R8 Professional Rifle

Blaser released a modern take on the iconic straight-pull bolt-action rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.