NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Shield v. Shield—Concept

by
posted on July 23, 2017
** 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. **

Since its introduction, Smith & Wesson’s single-stack, striker-fired semi-automatic M&P Shield has been among the most popular options for personal defense and concealed-carry firearms. American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach has covered, and carried, a 9 mm Shield since the gun’s 2012 debut, and has recently been testing an enhanced Performance Center model. Comparing the original Shield to the newer gun had Kurtenbach wondering if, with a few relatively easy upgrades, he could enhance the base model’s performance to a level of parity.

Additional Reading:
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Shield v. Shield—Sights
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Shield v. Shield—Trigger
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Shield v. Shield—Recoil
NRA Gun Gear of the Week: Conclusion

Latest

Concealedcarry 1
Concealedcarry 1

Surprising Concealed Carry Statistics

A survey conducted by the Crime Prevention Research Center studied how many likely voters regularly carry concealed handguns, and the results defy expectations.

I Have This Old Gun: Universal Model 1000 Carbine

To meet the domestic demand for M1 carbines while the original guns were still in government service, several manufacturers emerged, and one of them was Universal Firearms of Florida.

FN Browning Group to Acquire Accuracy International

Accuracy International will join a roster of companies that includes FN America, FN Herstal, Browning firearms and Winchester firearms—among others—in FN Browning Group’s Defense & Security and Hunting & Sports Shooting divisions.

The CZ 75 Legend: Rebirth of an Icon

If you make a short list of the most influential handgun designs of the 20th century, the CZ 75 would make the cut. A half century since its introduction, CZ is honoring that legendary status with the CZ 75 Legend.

39 New Rifles for 2026

Today's new rifles run the gamut from the latest and greatest packed with the most up-to-date features money can buy to retro-inspired models that give us a glimpse of the way things used to be if you wanted to send a bullet "over there somewhere."

The Armed Citizen® June 1, 2026

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.