Even in hand, if you hadn’t just been holding a single-stack Shield, you’d never notice the slight swell of the Shield Plus’ grip. It is virtually the same size, is identical in profile, and all the features and controls are familiar.
#Smith and wesson 9mm plus#
The M&P9 Shield Plus could be mistaken for a standard M2.0 Shield, so look for the mark on the slide at the gun counter and be sure to check the magazine capacity before you buy. With both magazines loaded and one more in the chamber, the Shield Plus can be carried with nearly a full-box worth of defensive ammunition. S&W’s flagship carry pistol has been upgraded with 10- and 13-round plus-sized magazine capacity. I’ve wondered, “ When will Smith & Wesson respond?” That response has come. It’s the advancement in magazine design that has allowed for near-full-size capacity in micro-compact pistols. These awesome double-stack-single-feed magazines, incredibly, are only a touch wider than the single-stacks of similar size. The new breed of so-called “stack-and-a-halfs,” led by the P365 and Hellcat, offered flush-fit magazines holding 10 or 11 rounds and extended mags capable of holding up to 12 and 13 rounds, respectively. The Shield’s subcompact design was made possible by a single-stack magazine that allowed cartridges to stagger just enough to squeeze a seventh or eighth round into an approximately 4-inch body. In fact, the new entrants from SIG Sauer and Springfield Armory have been dictating the tempo for the last two years. Now, though, the landscape is shifting again. Most notably, I was impressed by the power of S&W’s two-story hammer forges that rhythmically pound red-hot metal blanks into revolver frames. It was, and is, hard not to be awed by the banks of computer-controlled machine stations working in concert with assembly cells, skilled gunsmiths and pre-modern manufacturing techniques. I vividly remember my first tour of S&W’s factory, something I’ve done several times since. The launch of the Shield, and the enjoyment of being on the forefront of new ballistic introductions, hooked me on the outdoor industry. I also added Talon Grip’s stick-on texturing ($20, ), which greatly improved purchase compared to the semi-smooth texture molded on original M&P models. I sourced a HD night-sight set from Trijicon ($165, ), and installed Apex Tactical Specialties’ Action Enhancement Kit and flat-faced trigger ($160, ). I made some minor changes to the gun as I shot it more, trained with it, and pursued more information about armed personal defense. That pistol became a trusted companion of mine and was carried every day for at least the next 5 years. I purchased the original evaluation model that I tested in 2011, which was sent to NRA from Smith & Wesson. These, and certain other factors, allowed the M&P9 Shield to pioneer the market (and aftermarket) for subcompact defensive pistols, now termed by some as “micro compacts.” (Michael Anschuetz photo) was experiencing a dramatic rise in interest and participation in civilian carry fueled by legal and legislative efforts to open more states and locales to armed citizens choosing to exercise their Second Amendment rights. 40 caliber was beginning to ebb in duty and defensive circles, and the resurgence of 9mm was set to commence. Most importantly, S&W enjoyed perfect timing. But Smith & Wesson had a more recognizable name, and a trusted brand in the M&P line. KelTec’s P-11, for example, which was produced from 1995 to 2019, predated the Shield.
The Shield wasn’t the first gun to follow this pattern, though. Only the slide engraving, flat-faced trigger, and 10- and 13-round magazines reveal the new pistol’s upgraded identity. Outwardly, the new M&P9 Shield Plus would be hard to distinguish from a single-stack Shield in terms of appearance, feel and size. And its slim design allowed it to ride closer to the body and more comfortably than stalwart double-stacks such as the Glock 26. Its polymer frame offered weight savings over trim metal guns like the Commander- and Officer-frame Model 1911s. With a 3.1-inch barrel, 7- or 8-round capacity, and sub-1-inch width, it was easy to shoot and carry concealed. Like many, I was impressed with the original M&P9 Shield. We now know that the Shield was a new subcompact pistol destined to redefine the personal protection firearms landscape. I remember that guesses ranged from tactical shotguns to body armor. S&W released the name of the new product prior to its 2012 SHOT Show launch, which kicked up a hornet’s nest of speculation in the online gun forums.
0 kommentar(er)
