After 500 Rounds the S&W Shield Plus is Still Impressive

It’s been over two months since I put the first 100 rounds through the S&W Shield Plus. My round count is now pushing north of 500, that’s about the minimum I’d like to give before recommending a gun for concealed carry. There are features that continue to impress me about this latest handgun from Smith & Wesson. Let’s dive in to see what is still impressing me and what could use some work.

[@stonecold313]

Had mine FOR 3 mounts, S&W has been around longer then FORD & GM, And if you have a problem with your firearms S&W WILL fix it FOR FREE! I wish I could work there just for the employee discount

[@richb.4374]

I bought a Shield Plus back in December of 21. First time to the range it shot beautifully right out of the box. No malfunctions and very good accuracy. The trigger on this pistol is very nice for a striker fired gun. Very little take up and a crisp break. These are very nice pistols for carry and home defense.

[@user-iyyyy]

I just bought the optic ready shield plus with a 3.1 inch barrel and put an HS507K on it. The trigger is so very nice. The grip is awesome. I highly recommend.

[@tereztiago9133]

does 507 k bolt right on with no plate?

[@heliumthree1682]

@@tereztiago9133 No.

[@Me2Lancer]

I had no issues with the original M&P Shield 9 but that said, the magazine capacity alone is worth the upgrade. Love the Shield Plus.

[@muteehall]

I love the fact everything on the Shield Plus is very tight until its broken in..I don't want a loose gun right out the box.....

[@alanb70]

I love mine…I had the original as well. Great improvements!

[@twincitiesdashcam9119]

I have the original Shield, the M2.0 and just recently picked up the Plus. Never had any issues with any of them, and I never had a problem with the trigger on any of them. Great video.

[@TXLoneStar_]

My 9 Shield Plus had a tendency to group slightly to the left at 15 yards. It was verified by a friend that shot from the bench. A quick 3/64" sight drift and now it's a tack driver. Runs like a champ.

[@BrandensOutdoorChannel]

I upgraded from the original to the 4" Performance Center Shield Plus. Big improvement.

[@AJ-gk7bn]

4” is slept on. If you want a upgrade your older shield to a 4” cdnn sells a stripped optic ready slide for only like $55. I did it just for shits and giggles. Plus my 4” shield plus isn’t cut for an optic so now I can switch the slides around for if I want to use one.

[@nonyabiz2777]

The shield one was great for me after I changed the trigger. 2000 plus rounds without any problems. Bought the shield two and liked it just as much. The gray color is my favorite. The plus is the last one I’ll by I guess but got to have the optic cut. Nice work.

[@Elyau1987]

I debated a lot between the glock 43x and the shield plus the performance center and I want to say that I chose the performance center and I don't regret it for a second, an amazing gun that is beautifully accurate and upgraded in my opinion better than the 43x

[@JBall-hd8bw]

My biggest complaint with the shield plus is that as of mid-September the 13rd mags are damn near impossible to find.

[@suburbanmoose8681]

I think they are slow rolling them out now. Found two at my local gun store.

[@jariya13]

I've heard they are being allocated to new weapon packages for the time being, took me about 3 months to find the 7x13rd mags I have.

[@powernoodle1224]

@Jack's beautiful shirt It may not be about need. 👍

[@almartis6264]

@Buzzard_Bill 👍 my range is 15$ for as long as you want to shoot and you don’t have to buy there ammo. I’ll shoot a full mag cold and then only load 3 rounds at a time. It makes me think about what I’m doing right or wrong. When I’m ready to leave I’ll load up 2 or 3 mags and let it fly or until the range master decides I’m having to much fun.😎👍

[@YouLookinAtMe-Bro]

@@jariya13 Exactly. I got one of those...1 ten round mag and 3 thirteens. Optic cut and night sights, bug out bag and small emergency medical kit. $549 at PSA

[@quoththeraven7]

I have the first Gen & the 2.0 Shield. I also have the FDE Hellcat.. I bought the 2.0 3 months before I knew about the shield plus otherwise I would've waited for the Plus but I don't see myself upgrading to the Plus because I think the Hellcat already covers what I would want from the Plus

[@heliumthree1682]

Nice review. Talon grip slide tape helps conciderably.

[@rsl82568]

I first bought a M&P Shield. I upgraded the trigger. I Later bought A M&P Shield Plus. I am keeping Both.

[@Yahweh-Chase-Bella]

Good video. I'm new to Pistols. I went with a Canik rival for my first one and just got a shield plus performance center for carry. I found the 4" performance center for $250 off so I couldnt pass it up. I'm hoping I dont regret the 4" barrel lol

[@wizardofahhhs759]

I don't worry so much about capacity as much as getting shots on target, which with a little practice can be accomplished easily enough.

[@j.rashid8257]

I purchased magguts +2 magazine springs which made her relevant again. We don't have access to the plus. Still thinks it's the best carry gun. I do wish we had that upgraded trigger.

[@lindseytrentonmoore7493]

I love it and it haven’t jammed or let me down yet s&w is my favorite gun I pick it over the Glock

[@kenhoward3512]

"It takes a bit of effort to get through that wall" - I'd say that's good, for a self-defense weapon.

[@granthenderson696]

Great review! I agree with your sentiments. Only other compact that shot so well (for me) was the GX4. I’d love you to do a review and give your thoughts?

[@Gunscom]

Will do! Thanks for the comment Grant!

[@TatoDwisusanto]

Like no.1, top markotop Muantabe from Jakarta Indonesia 👍.

[@gsb5w291]

Yeah the front serrations are a joke. Also they should come standard with night sights like some of the competition

[@ChrisHirner]

Feels like you cant miss after ahooting the 2.0. Great trigger

[@speedmaster001]

Can’t wait for them to release the 40 plus version.

[@eddiecrow9133]

Get a Glock 27 and run 135gr Underwood, and ghost inc small magazine extension gives you plus 3 to your 9 round mag, 13 shots of .40 😂🤷🏾‍♂️

[@SoWavvyy]

They’re not going to make a plus version in the .40 they don’t have enough width for the magazine loaded in .40 in double stack.

[@speedmaster001]

@@SoWavvyy - you’re right right. I already picked up a Shield plus in 3.1 barrel performance center. Had it custom slide milled for the Holosun 407k green. Sweet piece.

[@SoWavvyy]

@@speedmaster001 that’s cool. I’m planning on picking one up this week if I don’t catch my eye onto something else.

[@3Pillers]

M&P Shield Plus 👍

[@lrr8142]

Only thing I changed with mine was blacking out the back sight

[@brittanyjackson1718]

Why do that?

[@mtharri]

Can't wait for the shield plus 40.cal

[@petterblade]

I like that holster but is 100$ dollars plus shipping how good is it cause to drop that kind of cash for a holster is kind of too much 112$ just for the holster

[@jessebailey5962]

How weak is your trigger finger? The trigger pull is literally 5 lbs.

[@rustypugh123]

KZbinr guy at the range: "Love the trigger! Flat wall, crisp clean break, audible reset. Blah blah blah." Guy who just had to pull the trigger in real life self defense: "I didn't notice all that BS about the trigger because I was too busy squeezing the hell out of it to save my life."

[@ripcanadams]

99.9999% percent of hand gun owners will never fire them in a “life and death” situation…better triggers are preferable to build confidence and accuracy. 👌

[@FenderFingers72]

Got one in 40 cal. Snappy but a blast to shoot.

[@SoWavvyy]

They don’t make the plus in .40

[@theoriginaltylerdurden]

Wish you had a trigger scale to give us a idea what the weight of it is.I never trust what the manufacturer says it is.

[@boblaws9851]

It's right at 5 - 5.25 lbs.

[@charleyharlan979]

Damn it.. I really would have prefered that this firearm was the one I purchased years ago.. S&W was more than capable of producing a 1st gen. gun deserving of such compliments you iterated here, .. Now,.. If I can only find someone unfamiliar with what a trigger should feel like..and how to not panic when your recoil spring and guide come out of proper engagement during reassembly.. Damn it again.. I say.

[@charleyharlan979]

@UCtO4165tSxPG_Y8n0FgGsaQ readily available here in Michigan as well .. At a pretty reasonable price.. (Thank you Dunhams) But I have no monies available for plastic guns.. (Not until I find the aforementioned sucker)... For now it's 38 special, feeding steel and wood. (Re: 686 / vaquero)

[@charleyharlan979]

@UCtO4165tSxPG_Y8n0FgGsaQ uh oh..it appears the U tube is on to me again.

[@bigdog2.016]

Great review. Just ordered that one. What ear protection do you recommend for shooting my AR and my pistols

[@bigyoppa3403]

Goes on my hip before I leave the house every day

[@AOD-tr7nd]

My shield plus doesn’t have a manual safety 😁

[@mattleinberger7220]

Why didn’t they put a rail on front for a light? Everyone else is…..

[@lrr8142]

They have a light for it

[@SoWavvyy]

TLR6 makes great lights/lasers that clip on the front of the trigger guard.

[@pastorjeff4834]

Just got a brand new one for 350 out the door.

[@JamesPiccone]

Everyone's trying to compete with Sig now.

[@Plysomack]

...and it's working! Competition is great!

[@JamesPiccone]

@@Plysomack keyword is "trying" 😉

[@Plysomack]

@@JamesPiccone I've shot both. I prefer my Shiled Plus 9mm Performance Center. It's all about preference. Everyone is different. If you don't like the M&P line, then great. You're free to choose so. I'd rather have that freedom of choosing which works best for me.

[@JamesPiccone]

@@Plysomack I was referring to the sales numbers not opinions.

[@Plysomack]

@@JamesPiccone Okay, I'll bite. Let's compare the closest platforms: the Sig P365 line and the M&P Shield Plus line. The Sig P365 platform has been out since 2017. The Shield Plus platform has been around since March 2021. At the time of me writing this, it's September 8, 2021. There are no numbers that I can find which compare sales of each respective platform from March 16, 2021 to today. So, what numbers are you drawing from? If it's by any other metric than the same timeframe, I fail to see how that is a fair comparison. But maybe you know something that I don't. Also, if people only buy things because it's the best-selling thing (as opposed to the best possible thing for themselves), that's fine. They are free to do so. It's not the approach I employ, and I'm all the more happier for doing it my way. The Dodge Caravan (and its other iterations) are the best-selling minivans of all time. I wouldn't buy one. They're made poorly. If I was in the market for a minivan, I'd buy a Toyota Sienna. But the numbers... Often in the past, I've wanted to do what everyone else was doing. Other times, I've wanted to figure things out for myself. Typically, I've been overall happier and more satisfied when I made thoughtful decisions of my own accord. Does it always work? No. Would I ever again choose to to whatever everyone else is doing? Perhaps. Ultimately, I think whatever works best for an individual (and for their own needs) is a better approach on the whole. ...not simply because of what the numbers say (which at the time of me writing this I could not find). Even so, for me, the numbers don't matter as much as the other point I made. ...but we're free to think however we want (for now). I celebrate your ability to think differently than I.

[@loganturner3895]

500 rounds just started the break in period.

[@roberthancock2563]

What 9mm hollow points do you recommend for this? 124gr. or 147gr.? Great video!

[@anthonybritten9974]

Great video lot of info

[@badbasla]

It's 100% reliable. All the time. I can't recall a failure, not to say there wasn't a failure. Just can't recall. Maan if u don’t make ur damn mind up 😂😂

[@LuisOrtiz-ty5cz]

Great video. Does it come in a non-Performance Center 4in model?

[@lividthoughts]

Why does knowone complain about not being able to load 13 rounds in the mags 😒

[@YouLookinAtMe-Bro]

I've heard a lot of people complaining about it...including myself. Lol But after about 100 rounds or so they loosened up to where I could get all 13 in.

[@marktucker3276]

I bought the shield plus with out noting any thing about I liked the way it felt in my hand and it had smith and Wesson on side of it the only broblem the thirteen round magazine I could only load twelve in them so I lelf them loaded fore a month and then I put one more in tight but it worked

[@bradhuskers]

for guys who have large hands, can you get a full grip including the pinky, with the extended magazine? it appears that the undercut is slightly more exaggerated, compared to the original shield. can anyone who has large hands, verify that?

[@heliumthree1682]

Yes.

[@TheREbelAlliance324]

Yes. I wear XL gloves, and the extended mag is perfect for my grip.

[@tylaw6173]

Yes

[@bradhuskers]

@tylaw6173 Plus, now the shield has a 15 round mag!

[@michaelgallagher6827]

Guide rod is flawed, basically its junk, I would not trust it to carry, guide rod upgrade is a must..

[@christophereger1053]

Sweet little gun.

[@midwestg4105]

I totally disagree with the Plus trigger. I have a Plus and the first two versions of the Shield. The Plus trigger is terrible compared to the earlier Shield versions; in my opinion. The Sig P365 for a micro 9 is much better than the Plus; again my opinion and the Sig comes with night sights.

[@RepentorPerish77]

Hopefully the 365 holds up…I like Sigs and own the XL and P320 AXG Scorpion…but with Sigs quality control lately you have to wonder. I was always a Shield fan but went XL b/c of capacity. But now that the Plus is out I had to have it.

[@quantumguy82]

With all due respect, your opinion is wrong. The first gen trigger was by far the biggest complaint. Apex sold a ton of triggers for the first Gen. Idk how anyone with any understanding of firearms or triggers could favor the first generation trigger over this new flat faced. Sorry

[@teelowteelow356]

@@quantumguy82 💯

[@CrazyUncleDom]

@@quantumguy82 100% agree, original commenter doesn’t know what they’re talking about. I work in a shop and I’ve handled all three side by side since the plus came out multiple times and the shield plus is objectively a better trigger and all around gun. Saying that the plus trigger is terrible compared to the gen 1&2 is simply wrong

[@lifeonmars03]

There's an edition of this that comes with night sights

[@eugenejohnson8635]

I wish they would bring a 10 mm in that pistol

[@mmafanatic-tz5or]

I rarely see 10 mm ammo at gun stores or academy. Also there aren't a lot of guns that are chambered in 10 mm so it would be a waste

[@boblaws9851]

That would be a little stout in a gun that size. Even in my G20 they are pretty hard hitting when using quality ammo. I would like to see them make one in the compact size, or even in a full size.

[@strafer8764]

I’ve been thinking about getting a kahr and the local gun store said they are poor quality and won’t carry them. Any truth to that?

[@ValorLife]

They do jam up a lot, a few coppers I worked with bought them as off duty carry guns. Just about all of them traded them in for the Glock 43 or the S&W Shield. Their customer service sucks as well 🙏🏿

[@philliplatham4256]

👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🍺🍺

[@jaredr2518]

I don’t know how more people aren’t complaining about the shitty manual safety. If you’re a dude that likes a manual safety like me, don’t buy this firearm with the safety. It fucking blows. Very bad design.

[@videogazer801]

With a 9mm, you will need all 13 rounds to stop an attacker, so it’s good it’s being offered.

[@B_R_]

😂

[@iglives4150]

@gunscom what holster do you use for iwb for shield plus