![]() ![]() With the flush-fitting seven-round magazine, the Shield fit nicely in my pants pocket. My preference was to use it with its eight-round magazine to get a solid grip on the draw. This pistol carries very well and is perfectly suited for traveling inside the waistband-the pistol’s slim design really shines here-and as an off-duty weapon, the Shield will be very comfortable. This safety fits very close to the slide and could be disengaged in a typical carry rig without anyone even knowing it was there-put it in your pocket, and it will stay in place until removed. All of the controls are in the same place with a small, single-side safety in the same spot where a typical 1911’s would ride. With the flush magazine, my little finger had to rest under the grip. With the extended magazine, a full grip is not only possible but also easy to accomplish. My test pistol reminded me of the HK P7: slim, lightweight and easily concealed while still feeling very solid in my hands. The remaining controls are in exactly the same places as found on other M&P pistols. Given its small size, the pistol also comes with a safety that can be activated when carried in a pocket, purse or other conveyance. Two magazines are provided: a seven-rounder that fits flush and an eight-rounder that uses a small extension. The Shield has a 5.3-inch sight radius and usable white-dot sights for better aiming. In fact, weighing in at 19 ounces empty with a 3.1-inch barrel, it just may be the next Chief’s Special. With a frame-width of 0.95 inches, it is very easy to conceal. It is truly a slimmer version of the larger pistol, sharing its grip angle and fire control system while showcasing a new and improved trigger. 40 caliber, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is a slim and compact M&P pistol. It seems Smith & Wesson has done just that.Īvailable in both 9mm and. All of my pistols are full-sized with 4-inch barrels or longer-what I needed was a single-stack M&P with a shorter barrel. My M&Ps have all been reliable and accurate, weathering the test of time. The grip angle, trigger and overall ergonomics allow me to easily transition between the M&P system and my long-standing collection of 1911 pistols. I should note at this time that my affinity for the M&P line of pistols is well-documented and anything but a secret: I own one in every caliber (the overall design fits me) and while some are stock, most have been modified. Several 9mm guns have passed through my hands, some good and some bad, and the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield may be the best of them to date. Smaller pistols are more accurate, reliable, controllable and better-suited for fighting than ever before. Terminal ballistics are in a dead heat, but recoil, capacity and the ability to put multiple hits on target have increased significantly. With advancements in bullet design, the 9mm pistol is gathering momentum. For most of my life my mantra, as taken from Clint Smith, has been, “Carry pistols are not supposed to be comfortable, but comforting.” While my sentiments haven’t changed, the availability of pistols that are both “comfortable” and “comforting” has. There is little doubt that small firearms are convenient, but carrying a large pistol has never been an issue for me. In such instances, that backup gun better work and you better be able to fight effectively with it-ease of carry is a non-issue. Maybe my thoughts on the matter are simple, but it’s a sign that things aren’t going well when your life now depends on your second (or third) gun. Many contend that your backup gun is only for emergencies and can thus be smaller. ![]() The ability to use and not just carry a weapon is critical for police officers, and this is true whether they’re on duty or off. Because of this and the lack of firepower of many small automatics, the five-shot Chief’s Special remains a favorite among police officers-it’s one of the most popular backup and off-duty guns in law enforcement. Larger calibers in small pistols weren’t much better as they added problems of reliability to the equation. The idea of carrying a small pistol has moved in and out of my radar over the years, but after intensely studying the performance of smaller calibers, the idea just didn’t do it for me. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm – Magazines ![]()
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