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

Freedom Ordnance FM9D 1
Freedom Ordnance FM9D 1

Review: Freedom Ordnance FM-9D

New small arms with groundbreaking designs are rare in an industry where new products tend to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Fortunately, Freedom Ordnance marches to the beat of a different drum and invested its creative energy into developing the unique, innovative FM-9D. 

Number of Retail FFLs Dwindling

The number of retail outlets with an FFL Type 01 license to sell firearms has declined by more than 13 percent in just the last five years.

Ammunition Depot and NRA Partner to Expand Support for Second Amendment Litigation

The NRA has invested more than $3 million in California Second Amendment litigation since 2021 and has provided support for Rhode v. Bonta; Ammunition Depot is launching a checkout donation option to help fund ongoing legal efforts.

The Murdoch & Co. EM85: An SA80 for America

Most modern service rifles are sold in the U.S. in semi-automatic form. There is one glaring exception, and that is the British L85. Murdoch & Co., an American company, is changing that reality with its EM85.

I Have This Old Gun: The British Brown Bess

One of the most iconic military longarms ever made, the British Land Pattern musket, more commonly known as the "Brown Bess," equipped British infantrymen across the world for more than a century.

Rifleman Interview: CCI Rimfire Ammunition

CCI’s rimfire offerings were part of the Plinkapalooza event in May.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.