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

Benelli M4 EXT shotgun
Benelli M4 EXT shotgun

Gun of the Week: Benelli M4 EXT Tactical Shotgun

Benelli's semi-automatic workhorse shotgun continues to evolve and improve.

The Armed Citizen® Feb. 6, 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.

New for 2026: Tool Collections from Real Avid

Real Avid just released some new tool collections to help with cleaning, optics mounting and other firearm-related chores.

Review: Bersa M2XI Pistol

The M2XI represents a new area for Argentinian firearm manufacturer Bersa, and this budget 2011 shoots above its price point.

Great American Outdoor Show Opens Feb. 7

America's largest gathering of outdoor enthusiasts opens Feb. 7 and runs through Feb. 15.

New for 2026: CCI Blazer Brass Clean-Fire Ammunition

With the huge boom in suppressor sales, CCI has ammo designed for suppressed firearms.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.