Our latest S&W M&P9 Shield review made it clear why this micro compact pistol by Smith & Wesson ranks among the best 9mm carry guns. But we also suggested that the 9mm Shield can reach its full potential only once you match it with a well-fitting S&W M&P Shield holster. And that’s exactly what I’m here for today. I’ll show you what the best M&P Shield 9mm holsters are. Let’s start.
Best ways to carry S&W M&P Shield
Although the pistol was originally designed for Military and Police purposes (hence the M&P in its name), it has quickly become a popular pistol even among the general public. And with the CCW laws becoming stricter and stricter with each year, it’s probably best to carry the pistol in an M&P Shield concealed carry holster.
However, if you live in a state where open carry is not a problem, a well made M&P Shield OWB, shoulder, cross-draw, or even an M&P Shield SOB holster could be a great choice as well. The pistol is small, which means it can be concealed well even in holsters that aren’t meant for CCW carry.
And if you decide to carry your Shield as a secondary or back-up firearm, then you might as well have a look at M&P shield ankle holsters.
So, now that the best carry styles are off the table, let’s have a quick look at a couple of great S&W M&P Shield 9mm holsters. All of the leather holsters for M&P Shield that you can find on our list are hand made, custom built on a replica of your Shield, which means they’ll deliver a unique feel and perfect, glove-like fit. And even though we’re focusing on the 9mm version of the M&P Shield, all of these holsters will fit even the .40 S&W version!
Best Concealed carry holsters for M&P Shield
This pistol simply is designed for concealed carry. So, let's start with having a look at the best IWB holsters for M&P Shield, some of which can also be carried as M&P Shield appendix holsters.
#1 - M&P Shield IWB Holster
The first option on our list is simply the best and nicest looking leather IWB holster for M&P Shield. Built on the exact replica of your pistol, the holster offers high retention even without a thumb break strap. The two evenly spaced belt loops secure great stability on the belt and they allow for quick and convenient attachment. If IWB is how you love to carry your Shield, then you simply have to try out this M&P Shield IWB holster.
#2 - IWB Clip holster for M&P Shield
This leather holster for M&P Shield can be used for both IWB and appendix carry. It's 90 degrees cant actually makes it work best if the holster is carried in the 1 o'clock wait position. The holster features a thumb break latch, which means your Shield will be in no danger of falling out of the holster. Another great feature is the steel clip, which allows for super quick and easy mounting. So, if you like to have more carry options in one, get this Shield IWB and appendix holster.
#3 - M&P Shield Tuckable IWB holster
This holster is another great choice for S&W M&P Shield 9mm concealed carry. The holster can be carried both IWB and AIWB (appendix) style. Thanks to the tuckable design, it offers super high concealment as you can tuck a layer of clothing into the holster, completely hiding your Shield from the unwanted eyes. On top of that, this IWB Shield holster comes with a protective shield!
The best S&W M&P9 Shield upgrades
Before we continue with the best M&P Shield 9mm open carry holsters, let's take a quick look at how to upgrade your Shield. The following M&P Shield aftermarket accessories are some of the best ones you can come across:
- OLIGHT BALDR PRO for M&P Shield9 - This tactical light and laser combo for your M&P Shield is virtually the best one you can come across. I mean, 1350 Lumens, that's something, right? You can get this M&P Shield tac light here.
- ARMALASER M&P Shield 9mm RED LASER - If you don't need a tac light and you can do just with a laser sight, then you should consider getting this S&W M&P Shield red laser by ArmaLaser.
- S&W M&P Shield 9mm RED DOT PLATFORM - Do you want to make your M&P an optics-ready pistol? With this red dot sight platform by Outerimpact, you sure can.
Open carry holsters for M&P Shield 9mm
Just like mentioned before, the M&P Shield is a very compact pistol, which means it can be easily concealed even in what would be normally considered an open carry holster. So, be my guest and feel free to get yourself one of the following S&W M&P Shield open carry holsters.
#4 - M&P Shield Leather shoulder holster
If you're looking for a shoulder holster for M&P Shield, then there's no better option than this Vertical Roto Shoulder Holster System. The rig features a double mag pouch, the holster is equipped with a safety strap and it comes entirely assembled. And although your Shield is carried in a vertical position (which is great for concealment), the roto features allows for horizontal draw.
#5 - M&P Shield pancake OWB holster
You simply won't find a better outside the waistband M&P Shield holster than this one. It's called Panther and it's an excellent M&P Shield pancake holster. The holster comes with an open-top design, which allows for easy access and super quick draw. This holster works best if carried in the 4 o'clock waist position. Thanks to its low profile, you'll easily conceal your Shield inside, even though the holster primarily designed for open carry.
#6 - M&P Shield cross-draw holster
This leather cross draw holster for S&W M&P Shield is excellent for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. At the same time, cross draw carry is one of the best options for those with office jobs. As your Shield will sit high inside the holster, it can be easily concealed and it offer great retention thanks to the attached thumb break strap. So, if you're in market for a solid M&P Shield cross draw holster, just try out this one.
CONCLUSIOn - the best holster for S&W M&P Shield 9mm
So, this was our list of the best leather holsters for the S&W M&P9 Shield. If you're looking for a great concealed carry holster, then any of the first 3 on the list will allow you to get the max out of your Shield's potential. On the other hand, if you're looking for an open carry M&P Shield holster, then pick any of the last 3 options.
And if our list doesn't include enough options, then feel free to pick from the rest of our Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm holsters, available here. Happy carrying!
