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American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach takes a look at the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield, detailing several features that distinguish it from the earlier 9 mm and .40 S&W models. Among these changes are a barrel that is two tenths of an inch longer than its predecessors, front fish-scale serrations and a more aggressive grip texturing to better help control the strong recoil of the .45 ACP cartridge. For more information, check out this "Rifleman Review" from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.
Despite the incredible array of polymer-frame, striker-fired, semi-automatic handguns on the market, the classic revolver not only refuses to die, it has seen something of a resurgence in recent years.
For 2026, the semi-automatic shotgun market has seen even more growth, with some manufacturers expanding their current offerings and other makers entering the marketplace with novel designs.
For the past 100 years, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI) has established the standards that ensure our safety when using modern shotshells, cartridges, firearms and more.