The Shield Plus is a safe, sensible carry pistol: it keeps the slim Shield frame that made the original popular, adds a 13-round magazine and a much better trigger, and sells with or without a thumb safety. Pick the no-safety version unless you specifically want one, buy the optics-ready slide if a dot is in your future, and expect it to be the pistol you recommend to a first-time carrier.
What the Plus Changed
The original M&P Shield sold in enormous numbers because it was thin, reliable, and cheap to feed. Its limits were a 7 or 8-round single-stack magazine and a hinged trigger nobody loved. In 2021 the Shield Plus kept the slim frame and slide, widened the magazine well just enough for a stack-and-a-half magazine (10 or 13 rounds), and replaced the trigger with a flat-face design that breaks cleanly. Same holsters, roughly the same width, nearly double the capacity of the first Shield.
| Spec | Shield Plus (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Capacity | 10+1 flush, 13+1 extended, per listing |
| Barrel | 3.1 in |
| Safety | Thumb safety on the listed version (no-safety versions exist) |
| Trigger | Flat-face, striker-fired |
| Optic-ready | Not on the listed SKU; OR versions exist |
The Thumb-Safety Decision
The linked listing includes the manual thumb safety, per the listing. S&W sells the Shield Plus both ways, and the choice is personal. A thumb safety adds a step to the draw that must be trained until it's automatic; it also reassures some carriers, especially those who pocket-carry or carry off-body. If you've never trained with one, the no-safety version is simpler. If you have, the Shield's safety is small and stiff enough that it won't disengage in a holster. Either way, the pistol still has a trigger safety and a striker block.
Shooting It
The Shield Plus is easy to shoot for its size because the grip, while slim, is long enough with the 13-round magazine for a full hold, and the flat trigger has a short, distinct reset. Recoil is snappy in the way every 3-inch 9mm is snappy. Sights are white three-dot on the base model, adequate and easy to replace. The easy-rack guide notes that the Shield family's slide is on the stiffer side; if that's a concern, S&W's Shield EZ line, covered in the Shield EZ 9mm review, is the answer.
Strengths
- 13+1 in a slim frame
- Much improved flat-face trigger
- Huge holster and accessory market
- Offered with or without a thumb safety
- S&W lifetime service policy
Weaknesses
- Stiff slide for some shooters
- Listed version isn't optics-ready
- Basic sights on the base model
- Narrow grip can twist under recoil for large hands
The Pick and Two Alternatives
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus, thumb safety
The pick9mm · 3.1 in · 10 and 13-round magazines, per listing
Slim, proven, and better than the original in the two places that mattered. The listed configuration includes the thumb safety; S&W sells no-safety and optics-ready versions if either matters to you.
Canik Mete MC9 9mm
More capacity, more gun9mm · 15+1 per listing · optics-ready
The MC9 gives you 15 rounds, an optic cut, and Canik's trigger for similar money, in a slightly wider frame. Our MC9 review covers it in full; it's the pistol to choose if capacity beats slimness for you.
Taurus G3XL 9mm
Budget9mm · 4 in · 12+1
A 4-inch slide on a compact grip at the bottom of the price range. Wider than the Shield and not optics-ready, but soft-shooting and accurate. The G3XL review has the details.
Setting It Up
- Magazines. Carry the 13 if it conceals; carry the 10 with a pinky extension if it doesn't. Buy at least one spare of whichever you carry.
- Sights. A tritium front sight is the first upgrade. The Shield Plus shares the Shield's sight dovetails, so options are everywhere.
- Holster. Most original Shield holsters fit; confirm with the maker. The holster positions guide covers where a slim pistol carries best.
- Verification. Two hundred rounds of practice ammunition and a box of your carry load, per the checklist.
Who It's For
The Shield Plus is the pistol for someone who wants a slim, proven 9mm with real capacity and a trigger they won't have to apologize for, from a maker with a service department. It's the default recommendation in the beginner's guide for a reason, and it sits comfortably in the micro-compact 9mm class against the P365 and Hellcat.
Key Takeaways
- The Shield Plus keeps the original Shield's slim frame and adds a 13-round magazine and a flat-face trigger.
- The listed version has a thumb safety; no-safety and optics-ready versions exist. Choose deliberately.
- Alternatives: Canik MC9 for 15 rounds and an optic cut; Taurus G3XL for the lowest price.
- A tritium front sight and a spare magazine are the first upgrades; verify with 200 rounds before carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rounds does the Shield Plus hold?
Ten in the flush magazine and thirteen in the extended magazine, plus one in the chamber, per the listing.
Should I get the Shield Plus with or without the thumb safety?
Without, unless you've trained with one or specifically want it for off-body or pocket carry. The listed SKU includes the safety; S&W sells both.
Do original Shield holsters fit the Shield Plus?
Most do, since the slide and frame dimensions are very close, but confirm with the holster maker for your specific model.
Is the Shield Plus optics-ready?
The listed configuration is not. S&W sells an optics-ready Shield Plus cut for micro-footprint red dots.