NRA Gun of the Week: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus

by
posted on July 2, 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 came to market with its M&P Shield pistol back in 2012, which offered citizens a micro-compact pistol that was slim and easily concealed. The design was award-winning and now the legacy maker updated its Shield by incorporating a few simple features that make the M&P Shield Plus a viable option in today’s highly competitive, concealed-carry market.

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus is a striker-fired semi-automatic design that comes chambered for 9 mm Luger. This latest iteration of S&W’s popular Shield pistol has changed little, going from slightly less than an inch wide to just slightly over an inch, boosting capacity by three rounds.

An all-new blade-in-trigger safety and flat-faced trigger shoe, similar to many popular aftermarket and custom shop trigger assemblies, comes standard on the Shield Plus. This trigger update, from our experience on the range, provides a clean, crisp, short pull. The assembly, from sear to shoe, inspires greater confidence and enables more consistent and precise accuracy.

Grip texturing, slide serrations, sights and frame contours all match those found on earlier Shield models, and that provides a few benefits. For one, the Shield Plus will fit all standard Shield holsters. Additionally, all aftermarket light and laser modules designed for the original Shield will clamp onto the trigger guard of the Shield Plus with no modifications required.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to learn more about the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus in 9 mm Luger.

S&W M&P Shield Plus Specifications
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Slide: alloy steel
Frame: polymer
Barrel: 3.1”
Sights: dovetailed steel; three-dot
Trigger: striker-fired; 5-lb., 9-oz. pull
Height: 4.6”
Length: 6.1”
Width: 1.1”
Weight: 20.2 ozs.
MSRP: $553

Latest

Gotw Bmr X Steel Web
Gotw Bmr X Steel Web

Gun Of The Week: Bergara BMR-X Steel

In this episode, the American Rifleman staff is on the range with a rimfire rifle that’s designed to excel in competition. This is the Bergara BMR-X Steel, a bolt-action that offers some match-grade features at a price that won’t break the bank.

Robert "Bob" Nosler Passes Away

Robert "Bob" Nosler, chairman of Nosler, Inc., passed away on Sept. 2, 2025, at the age of 79.

The Armed Citizen® Sept. 5, 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.

MRDS: Zenith’s American-Made Roller-Delayed Rifle For The 21st Century

While the roller-delayed blowback mechanism has proven reliable in platforms like the Heckler & Koch G3, Zenith Firearms has taken this innovative operating system and paired it with a modern, AR-style feature set in its MRDS.

Remington Announces 4th Annual Shoot To Cure Fundraiser

Now in its fourth year, the Shoot to Cure fundraiser is scheduled to take place on September 19 at the historic Remington Gun Club in Lonoke, Ark.

Rifleman Review: Walther Arms PD380

For its latest compact carry pistol, the PD380, Walther Arms combined elements of its Performance Duty Pistol series with its legacy PK380 platform.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.