Shield 40 Review | For Concealed Carry or Home Protection

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 40 is an excellent choice for concealed carry. It is for this reason that the pistol has enjoyed such a loyal following. Not to mention that it's affordable, easy to handle, and capable of delivering some serious punch.

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Being a semi-automatic pistol, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 40 is a smart investment for concealed carry or home protection. Heck, it even holds its own in recreational or competition use. To help you determine if the Shield 40 is a good fit for your needs, I'm going to share my thoughts on this versatile piece of weaponry. You can also compare it to other quality concealed carry pistols, or the top home defense ones.

Build Quality & Performance

Like all firearms, there are several factors you should first consider before sinking your hard-earned money into the S&W M&P Shield. The first factor is build quality. Let's explore the ins and outs of the construction to see if it lives up to the hype.

The first thing that most people notice about the Shield is that it looks really nice. It's a sleek, stylish, and all-around attractive gun. What's more, it's incredibly stout, as well. The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is very well-made, from build-quality to performance.

This is largely thanks to its tough polymer frame. Because of the materials used in the manufacturing of the Shield 40 S&W, you needn't worry about things like rust or corrosion. Moreover, this pistol is built to take a beating.

Its frame is remarkably durable. Drops, bumps, and scuffs are of little consequence when you have this level of craftsmanship at your service. But the protection in the Shield goes even further. Smith & Wesson made sure to give the stainless steel slide an Armornite finish.

Thanks to this addition, you can look forward to the Shield having superior resistance against wear and tear. Even after extensive use, most gun owners report that their Shield 40 S&W looks just as pristine as the day they bought it.

And if you get caught in the rain or you like to get in your fair share of target practice in the elements, the weather-resistant Armornite finish on the Shield ensures that your gun stays safe.

The benefits don't end there. The coating on the Smith & Wesson Shield serves to keep pesky glare to a minimum. You can freely shoot in the bright midday sun without having to worry about fighting blinding light bouncing off of your firearm.

And if you're using the S&W M&P Shield as your concealed carry, the last thing you want to deal with in a self-defense situation is glare from your weapon.

Concealed Carry

This brings me to the next strength of the Smith & Wesson Shield. When choosing a firearm for concealed carry, you should be looking for one that is lightweight and reasonably portable. The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield meets those needs thanks in part to its polymer frame.

The frame goes a long way in helping the 40 S&W Shield keep its weight down. It's still a full-size pistol. But it boasts a comfortable weight that is sure to complement your safety and self-defense needs.

I found there to be no issues carrying the 40 S&W Shield in a holster. You know it's there, but it never becomes a bother or feels like it's in the way.

Furthermore, it's a breeze to remove the Shield from your holster. You should have no trouble quickly drawing your weapon in time of a tense situation.

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Caliber

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is available in either .40 caliber or 9mm. Your needs are what will determine the caliber you choose, so be sure to consider your reasoning for getting a gun in the first place before you jump on either option.

If using the Smith & Wesson Shield for home defense, you may want to go for the more powerful .40 caliber. But be warned, as the recoil will increase considerably. When firing 9mm, the pistol doesn't have much recoil. If you're new to guns and aren't yet comfortable with larger caliber weapons, you're probably better off sticking with 9mm handgun until you become acclimated with handling the pistol.

Let's pause for a moment to check out the full specifications of the 40 S&W Shield so you'll know what features to expect.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 40 Specifications	Header
Overall height	4.6 inches
Finish:	Armornite (black)
Caliber	40 S&W or 9mm
Overall length	6.1 inches
Frame material	Polymer
Barrel length	3.1 inches
Frame width	95 inches
Trigger pull	6.5 pounds
Capacity	6- or 7-round
Rear sight	White 2-dot
Sight radius	5.3 inches
Front sight	White dot
Weight	19.0 ounces
Action	Striker-fire

Barrel

The barrel of the Shield is nice and compact, measuring at just a little over 3 inches, while the total length of the gun is just over 6 inches. The weapon is indeed remarkably compact. But what helps make the Shield such a homerun for concealed carry is its slim construction.

Regardless of whether you choose a .40 caliber or 9mm model, you can look forward to having a low-profile gun that is ideal for self-defense.

Grip

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield features a textured grip on your hand that makes the gun easy to hold well. This also helps if you happen to be firing in wet or rainy conditions. There is a granular feel that serves to provide comfort, security, and accurate firing.

Although it's not technically a customized grip, it sure comes close to making the Smith & Wesson Shield feel like a personalized gun. I thoroughly enjoyed resetting after firing and finding my next target. It feels natural and is easily one of the better pistols I've fired.

The exceptional grip affords you easy follow-up shots without compromising comfort. It's stable, secure, and precise - all the hallmarks of a great gun.

Shooting the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 40

Best M&P Drop-In Triggers: 1.0, 2.0, & Shield - Pew Pew Tactical

The M&P Shield sports a striker-fired trigger. As such, the Shield is ideal for use as a home protection weapon. If you're concerned about manual safety, you can opt to buy a version of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield that features a thumb safety.

This manual safety provides extra protection for times when you want to make sure that you really mean to fire a shot. But if you are confident in your decision-making, the version without the thumb safety will serve you well.

The trigger pull requires 6.5 pounds of pressure. I found this to be a comfortable range and one that is sure to attract beginners. Add to that the soft recoil and you're looking at a well-rounded, full-size firearm for both veterans and newcomers alike.

Resetting after taking a shot feels efficient and easy. This is once again thanks to the trigger and its ease-of-use.

Sights

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield features a white-dot sight system. The front sight has a single white dot while the rear has two white dots.

The sights work really well in execution. As compact as this pistol is, you still have 5.7 inches to play within your sight radius. Only minor adjustments are needed to improve your accuracy and line up your shot.

Shield 40 Capacity

It can be purchased with magazines that hold either 6 or 7 rounds (the 9mm version is available with 7- or 8-round mags).

If you carry the Smith & Wesson Shield 40 as your personal weapon, you won't have to worry about the magazine getting in your way. It tucks comfortably in a holster and never causes discomfort and inconveniences while you carry.

Is the M&P Shield Worth It?

Is M&P Shield the best and right pistol for you? The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is an exceptional pistol. These pistols are ideal for concealed carrying, home defense, at the range, and more. As a striker-fire gun, you can count on a reliable shooting experience with every round fired.

Those of you concerned with concealment will appreciate the compact construction that makes up this powerful gun. Factor in the lightweight design and incredible accuracy, and you've got yourself a truly capable gun that won't let you down.

As you can tell from this review, you're definitely getting your money's worth by opting for the Shield. You're getting a gun that not only performs well across the board but one that is affordable, as well. You can pick up this gun for around the $300 price range, making it a bargain for anyone needing a reliable and well-built firearm.

Beginners will especially love what Smith & Wesson brings to the table. But even the most seasoned shooters are sure to appreciate the level of craftsmanship and quality. If you are on the fence as to whether you should invest in the Shield, I assure you that once you fire it, you'll be glad it's yours.