52 G&A october 2019 |shields up
A Look Back When released in 2012, the
Smith & Wesson Shield took the market
by storm. Demand was so high during the
first couple of years that supply couldn’t
keep up. As an M&P fan, I wanted a Shield.
However, by the time a Shield became readily available, I had
already shot several and lost interest in them.
To me, the grip was too short and slippery for such a snappy
little pistol, so I looked to other single-stack strikers. Despite own-
ing many full-sized M&P handguns,
the first-generation Shield didn’t work
for me. It wasn’t until the M&P Shield
M2.0 hit gun stores in 2017 that I took
a second look. With an enhanced trig-
ger and improved rough-texture grips,
the Shield M2.0 piqued my interest.
A Look Ahead I jumped at the chance
to review the latest Shield M2.0. This
new-for-2019 model features a 4-inch
barrel, is optics ready and comes from
Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center.
I like the recent changes made to the
M&P family, especially to the Shield
line. What I wondered was, What do
you get from a Performance Center gun?
The PC Difference The rough-texture grip
on the M2.0 Shield makes an enormous dif-
ference in control. The textured grip panels,
as on all M2.0 pistols, elevate the previously
light pebble-texture feel of the original. The
M2.0 is still not overly aggressive, and the pattern helps to keeps
your hand high in the backstrap while firing. The new gritty texture
functions as it should.
The Shield M2.0 maintains the standard M&P articulated
trigger design. The lower hinged part of
the trigger acts like a trigger safety, one
of three passive safeties on all M&P pis-
tols. The trigger feels a little lighter and
smoother than previous generations,
too. This is credit to the Performance
Center’s tuned action, which is more
than just a revised sear. You’ll find trig-
ger control is also improved by a tactile
and audible reset that lets you know
the trigger has returned to its forward
position, allowing the next shot.
M&P 2.0 series pistol frames are
different from the first generation’s.
The M2.0 is reinforced with additional
strength inside the dust cover to prevent
flex. An extended, embedded stainless-Machine work is expensive. While the for-
ward cocking serrations may look good,
the author found them to be less about
functionality and more about aesthetics.performance Center-tuned
actions are something you can
feel the difference with. With a
trigger pull of 5 pounds, over-
travel of the trigger is mostly
limited by the molded hump
behind the trigger.The embedded steel chassis is new and
keeps this single-stack slim and strong.
Frame rails provide plenty of steel-on-
steel contact with the slide. Though the
magazine release is reversible, this is not a
fully ambidextrous gun.Texturing on M2.0 pistols is not too
aggressive, but it feels tacky. A conceal-
ment pistol needs to be smooth so as not
to snag on cover garments. if you felt that
the first-generation shield’s grip were too
slippery, you’ll enjoy the shield M2.0.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield M2.0 4 in.
Type: Recoil operated, striker fired,
semiautomatic
Cartridge:9mm
Capacity:7+1 rds., 8+1 rds.
Barrel:4 in., stainless steel; 1:10-in. twist
Overall Length:7 in.
Weight:1 lb., 6.8 oz. (tested)
Height:4.4 in.
Grip:M2.0, textured polymer
Finish:S&W Armornite
Trigger:5 lbs., 8 oz. (tested)
Sights:Fiber optic, green (front);
fiber optic, red (rear);
optics ready, red dot (optional)
Accessories:PC Cleaning Kit
MSRP:$834 (w/ red dot sight);
$532 (w/o red dot sight)
Manufacturer:Smith & Wesson, 800-331-0852,
smith-wesson.com