New for 2021: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus

by
posted on March 16, 2021
** 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. **
Smith & Wesson joined the ranks of several other manufacturers in offering expanded capacity inside a micro-compact carry pistol, thanks to the launch of the company's new M&P Shield Plus. The new pistol takes many of the features that gun owners loved about the M&P Shield M2.0 and blends them with a couple of design enhancements that make the gun even better.

To start, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus features a redesigned stagger-stack magazine that ups flush-fit magazine capacity from seven rounds to 10 rounds. The extended magazine increased from an eight-round capacity to 13 rounds, making this a more capable CCW package than ever before. Despite the increase in capacity, the dimensions of the M&P Shield Plus are only slightly wider than the original M&P Shield M2.0 model, which means that it's still an easy-to-carry pistol. In fact, the Shield Plus is designed to fit all standard M&P Shield holsters currently on the market.

One of the other enhancements found on the M&P Shield Plus is the addition of an entirely new trigger assembly. S&W eliminated its traditional hinged trigger safety, opting instead to go with a blade-in trigger safety like many other models on the market. The trigger's profile has changed drastically as well, now coming with a much flatter face as opposed to the curved bow seen on past models. The trigger also offers a clean pull with a crisp break that aids in accurate shooting.

Multiple models will be available at launch, including optic-ready, Performance Center and manual-safety-equipped pistols. Each of these guns will share many of the features found on the M&P Shield M2.0 models, including enhanced texturing, serrations at the front and rear of the slide, three-dot sights and a 3.1" barrel.

Suggested retail pricing on the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus starts at $553. For more information, watch our video on the M&P Shield Plus above or visit smith-wesson.com.

Latest

Google Ai Logo
Google Ai Logo

AI Summaries Reducing Firearm-Related Web Traffic, Sharing Incorrect Information

"[T]here are increasing concerns about how frequently AI systems invent false information—AKA hallucinations—with error rates in some tests reaching as high as 79 percent.”

Preview: Rite In The Rain 25 Meter M16A2/M4 Zeroing Targets

Precipitation and humidity can render a standard paper target unusable in only seconds, which is what makes Rite In The Rain’s line of weatherproof targets such a godsend for outdoor shooters.

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Now Available In .30-30 Win.

Smith & Wesson expanded its Model 1854 series of lever-action rifles with several .30-30 Win.-chambered variants, just in time for deer season.

Preview: Making The Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket

In Making The Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle-Musket, author Peter Smithurst details the tools and processes used to produce this historically significant firearm.

Gun Of The Week: Charter Arms Double Dog

For this Gun Of The Week episode, we’re on the range with a convertible wheelgun from Charter Arms, and it’s one that goes from .357 Mag to 9 mm Luger quickly and easily. Welcome to the Double Dog.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 17, 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.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.