I’ve been a fan of the Smith & Wesson M&P® Shield™ since its introduction several years ago. Chambered in 9MM, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP, it is a very controllable and concealable handgun. I’ve read numerous reviews by some of the very best writers and self-defense experts and almost unanimously all agree that the Shield™ is the premier compact self-defense pistol, especially in 9MM. Glock® has introduced a great competitor with the new G43, but the Shield™, in my opinion, still reigns supreme.

There are several Shield™ models available including the new Shield® 2.0, and PC Shield® 2.0. Some of the features common to all Shields are a 3.1 inch barrel, stainless steel slide and barrel, low profile sights, polymer frame, and articulated trigger. All Shields come with two magazines, one flush fitting and an extended finger groove model that holds 1 more cartridge and gives better purchase on the grip. All guns come in a very nice plastic case.

The M&P® Shield™ can be had with or without a manual safety, tritium night sights or Crimson Trace® Green Laserguard®. A limited edition Talo Kryptek® Typhon™ model is available. Kryptek® Typhon™ is a style of camouflage. The S&W Performance Center® has a Shield™ of its own. Here’s the scoop on this model.

The PC Shield™ comes with Hi-Viz® fiber optic sights, green front and red rear. I really like this combination as it makes front sight acquisition much quicker. S&W claims that the PC guns have an enhanced trigger; I always found the Shield™ triggers a bit better than the original M&P® triggers and if they made them even better, wonderful. Finally, the biggest news with the PC Shield™ is the addition of a ported barrel and slide combination. This should aid the shooter by reducing muzzle jump and recoil, enabling a quicker return to the target. The best news is the PC Shield™ version is only $ 41.00 more suggested retail than the standard gun.

Now is this a better “mouse trap” than the original? I now own a PC Shield® in 9MM and I am really very happy with it. I was a bit apprehensive about the ported barrel and the possibility of flash blindness in low light or dark conditions. I tested my gun in a safe and controlled environment in both low light and near total dark conditions. I found that with practice ammunition, both factory new and reloads, and with factory new self-defense loads, I suffered no loss of vision. While there was some flash, it did not impair my ability to focus my vision on the target, and in fact the self-defense loads exhibited very little flash from the ports as well as the barrel.  My PC Shield™ has become my go to carry gun.

Be safe and good shooting.

Colonel Smoothbore

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