New High Capacity Shield

[GJM]

I got to shoot my Plus lower with a 2.0 four inch upper today. The combo ran reliably and had no POI shift with the new lower. I have a mild preference for a 43X over a 48, but pretty strong preference for the four inch slide on the Shield. The four inch Shield defaults to a go fast mode for me if I don’t pay attention, which is different than with some other slim line pistols where I need to push. With the caveat that I don’t shoot irons much these days, this is the four inch slide on a Plus lower shooting an array of paper and steel.

[Hot Cereal]

This is stupid, but S&W needs to reevaluate their nomenclature decisions. ‘M&P 9 Shield Plus’ is a mouthful. I don’t know why, but I think people like numbers better. I understand why they started using the “M&P” brand again, but why couldn’t we get “M3.0” or something like that? I feel like I’m going to have to visit Lane Bryant or DXL men’s to buy stuff for it.

[backtrail540]

This is stupid, but S&W needs to reevaluate their nomenclature decisions. ‘M&P 9 Shield Plus’ is a mouthful. I don’t know why, but I think people like numbers better. I understand why they started using the “M&P” brand again, but why couldn’t we get “M3.0” or something like that? I feel like I’m going to have to visit Lane Bryant or DXL men’s to buy stuff for it.

I felt the same way when telling an inquiring person that i was shooting a Wilson Combat Brigadier Tactical Beretta 92, back when.

[Greg Bell]

As soon as these have been out about 4-6 months and I haven't heard any consistent horror stories I am all over this. The Shield has always been my favorite micro-9. Too bad ammo is so pricey because I doubt we will have many high round count reviews.

[GJM]

As soon as these have been out about 4-6 months and I haven't heard any consistent horror stories I am all over this. The Shield has always been my favorite micro-9. Too bad ammo is so pricey because I doubt we will have many high round count reviews.

The only thing that has materially changed is the lower is larger and takes MecGar magazines — the top end is vintage 2.0 Shield technology.

[WobblyPossum]

The only thing that has materially changed is the lower is larger and takes MecGar magazines — the top end is vintage 2.0 Shield technology.

A completely new magazine design is a pretty substantial change. Aren't magazines the primary failure point of semi-auto firearms?

[GJM]

A completely new magazine design is a pretty substantial change. Aren't magazines the primary failure point of semi-auto firearms?

Sure can be, but I would take a MecGar magazine over what Sig uses in the 365 family, the Shield Glock mags and even the legacy old M&P Shield mags. The new MecGar Shield mags feel very high quality — just like other OEM mags made by MecGar. Like HK mags, MecGar is top of the magazine food chain.

[GJM]

Here are some close ups of the new magazines. I am using a 2.0 upper on the Plus lower, but still have my legacy lower and magazines for back up, which is a neat feature of the Shield Plus.

[WobblyPossum]

Mec-Gar being the OEM for the mags definitely gives me the warm and fuzzies as opposed to other potential options. I look forward to hearing about your continued experiences with your example.

[Greg Bell]

Sure can be, but I would take a MecGar magazine over what Sig uses in the 365 family, the Shield Glock mags and even the legacy old M&P Shield mags. The new MecGar Shield mags feel very high quality — just like other OEM mags made by MecGar. Like HK mags, MecGar is top of the magazine food chain.

I am with you. I am just paranoid. H&K is really the only company I will buy a product from day one. I lump Beretta, Glock and Smith in the second batch (6 months or so). I lump Springfield and Ruger in the third batch (1 year). I lump SIG, High-point and Rogak in the fourth batch (2-3 years)