Left Handed Holsters for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

The Smith & Wesson’s M&P Shield 9mm is one of the best known and best selling subcompact pistols currently on the market. The M&P9 Shield is a striker-fired, short recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol with a Browning-type locking system. The pistol was first introduced in the year 2005 and is still used and beloved by thousands of people all around the globe. This is thanks to its compact size, durability and overall construction. Today it is in service in countries such as the United States, Canada, Belgium or Australia. This serves as a true testament to the quality and reliability of the M&P. If it is good enough for our boys in the green then it for sure will be good enough for any of us.

Speaking of construction, the pistol is polymer-framed with a steel slide to create a durable, yet still not a heavy handgun. The polymer is of Zytel type which is reinforced by a steel chassis. The pistol is also very modular right out of the box. It comes with 4 changeable grips to better suit your hand as well as a Picatinny rail on the bottom front part of the pistol. This makes the Smith & Wesson M&P modular ready right out of the get-go. Do you want to put a flashlight on? You can. You would like to put a laser on? You sure can. The pistol grip is not thick enough for you? You can make it bigger by yourself in a matter of minutes without buying anything extra. If you would like to read more about the best possible modifications for your S&W M&P9 shield, I would advise you to check out our article about the best lasers and light for S&W M&P9 Shield.

The pistol can be also chambered in calibres ranging from .22LR and .380 ACP through the 9mm all the way to the .45ACP under different designations. But today we will only be focusing on the 9mm model. In terms of capacity, the 9mm version can hold 8+1 rounds in its detachable magazine. The Shield houses a 3.1” barrel which clearly shows that this pistol is 100% intended for concealed carry and not long-distance or accuracy shooting. This of yours does not mean that the pistol is inaccurate or that you cannot score a good hit beyond 20 feet but for that purpose, there are other pistols that will do that particular job much better than a small compact-sized Smith & Wesson M&P. But in case you are looking for something similar to the M&P9 Shield but not exactly it, I would recommend reading our article where we compare the M&P9 Shield and its main competitor.

The total weight of the S&W M&P9 Shield comes at 20.8oz which is excellent for an EDC, concealed carry pistol. The total length of the S&W M&P9 Shield is 6.1”, total height is 4.6” and width is under an inch at 0.95”. This combination of lightweight, good capacity and small dimensions make the M&P9 Shield an ideal EDC, concealed carry pistol. It is powerful enough to take on any potential threat that you might face and yet small enough that you might even forget that you are carrying one. In case the 9mm will not cut it for you and you want something with a bit more power, you can still get the .40 version but you will sacrifice one bullet from your total round count. This means that you will not have 8+1 but 7+1 rounds ready to go. This is not a big difference but because the capacity itself is not that great you might want to spend a bit of time weighing the pros and cons of the bigger calibre version.

In terms of carry, the S&W M&P9 Shield is intended to be carried concealed as mentioned before. This means that the best way of concealed carry is most definitely is an M&P Shield IWB holster. For this you will of course need a good fitting and well made holster. Because of this I would suggest you browse through our wide selection of the best S&W M&P9 Shield holsters so you can get the best there is. If you live in an are that allows for open carry and want a holster for that purpose, we got you covered with our top of the line series of S&W M&P Shield OWB holsters, which will not only be pleasure to use but also for others to look at. If you are looking for a holster for your S&W M&P they do not hesitate and check out our latest article on the best M&P9 Shield holsters for 2021.

Wesson M&P9 Shield is for sure one of the best concealed carry pistols currently on the market and we hope that this quick summary gave you an idea why. But if you are still interested and would like to read some more information on this pistol, check out our S&W M&P9 Shield review or our list of the most common S&W M&P9 Shield problems. In case you are deciding to buy the M&P9 Shield, I would also suggest, besides our review, check out our list of the best M&P9 Shield reviews. You can also take a look at the official Smith & Wesson website, this Wikipedia article, Smith & Wesson M&P Facebook group or forums such as the Smith-Wessonforum.com or mp-pistol.com.

DOES THE S&W M&P SHIELD 9 HAVE A SAFETY?

The S&W M&P Shield 9mm comes with a thumb-operated safety switch located on the left-hand side of the firearm that allows the user to manually engage or disengage the safety. Moreover, the MP Shield 9 features a CA Compliant Tactile Loaded Chamber Indicator and Magazine Safety.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN M&P SHIELD AND M&P SHIELD PLUS?

The M&P Shield Plus is an updated version of the M&P Shield, and it has a few key differences compared to the original Shield model. The M&P Shield Plus has an increased magazine capacity compared to the original Shield, an upgraded trigger, an improved sight picture, and Optional manual thumb safety.

IS SMITH & WESSON M&P SHIELD 9 GOOD FOR CONCEALED CARRY?

The SW M&P Shield9 is a popular choice for concealed carry due to its compact size, safety features, and reliability. The M&P9 Shield is a single-stack 9mm pistol that measures 6.1 inches in overall length, 4.6 inches in height, and has a width of just under an inch. It’s also lightweight, making it a very manageable and comfortable firearm, and inside the right SW M&P9 Shield concealed carry holster is ideal for everyday carry. 

WHAT IS THE BEST SMITH AND WESSON M&P SHIELD 9MM APPENDIX HOLSTER?

The best everyday carry holster for your CCW would be definitely an appendix M&P Shield holster due to its compact size and ease of concealment. The absolute best S&W M&P Shield concealed holster is this MP Shield 9mm appendix holster. This leather holster features a steel clip and a reinforced thumb break strap, which makes it very durable and increases the holster's already high natural retention.

WHAT IS THE BEST KYDEX HOLSTER FOR SMITH & WESSON M&P SHIELD 9MM?

The durability, customization, retention, ease of cleaning, and lightweight nature of Smith & Wesson Shield 9 Kydex holsters have made them a popular choice among gun owners, particularly for concealed carry and self-defense applications. A unique and one of the best kydex holsters for M&P Shield is this SW M&P Shield 9 IWB holster kydex. The holster features a leather platform with wide-spread belt clips as well as a sweat guard for extra protection.

SMITH & WESSON M&P SHIELD 9 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW MUCH DOES S&W M&P SHIELD 9 COST?

The MSRP of the Smith Wesson M&P Shield 9mm varies depending on the specific model and features. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for a standard SW M&P Shield 9mm is $512. However, the actual prices of this firearm can alternate also based on factors such as location, supply and demand, and any promotions or discounts that may be available.

WHERE IS S&W M&P SHIELD 9 MADE?

The M&P9 Shield is manufactured in the United States at the Smith & Wesson manufacturing facility located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Smith & Wesson is one of the largest firearms manufacturers in the United States and produces a wide range of firearms for law enforcement, military, and civilian use.

WHAT IS THE BARREL LENGTH OF S&W M&P SHIELD 9?

The barrel length of the S&W M&P9 Shield is 3.1 inches. The overall length of the pistol is 6.1 inches. 

WHAT IS THE CALIBER AND CAPACITY OF S&W M&P SHIELD 9?

The SW MP Shield is a 9mm caliber handgun, meaning that it fires 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition. The capacity of the M&P Shield 9 can vary depending on the specific model and configuration. The original M&P Shield 9mm model has a standard magazine capacity of 7 rounds, with an 8-round extended magazine available as an option.

IS S&W M&P SHIELD 9 BETTER THAN TAURUS G2C?

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 and Taurus G2C are both popular compact handguns. In terms of reliability and reputation, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 has a long-standing reputation for quality and reliability in the firearms industry. It is a popular choice for concealed carry due to its compact size, reliability, and accuracy. The Taurus G2C is also a popular choice for concealed carry due to its compact size, affordability, and good performance. It has a decent trigger, adjustable rear sights, and a capacity of 12 rounds in the magazine. Ultimately, it all falls down to personal preference. You can find a more detailed comparison of these carry guns in our M&P Shield 9mm vs Taurus G2C review. 

WILL A S&W M&P SHIELD 9 HOLSTER FIT M&P SHIELD PLUS?

The Smith Wesson M&P Shield 9 and M&P Shield Plus are similar in size and shape, but the MP Shield Plus has some updated features that may affect the fit of holsters designed for the original MP Shield 9. Consequently, for the Plus model, it’s recommended to get a custom SW M&P Shield Plus holster. Also, you can find a selection of great holsters in our article on the best SW M&P Shield Plus CCW holsters. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST S&W M&P SHIELD 9 UPGRADES?

There are a wide variety of aftermarket accessories available for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9. Among the best ones are SW M&P9 Shield extended magazines, MP Shield 9mm night sights and S&W M&P9 Shield lights and lasers. Also, a good leather MP Shield 9 holster is essential for concealed carry and another great way to upgrade this exceptional weapon.

HOW TO BREAK-IN A S&W M&P SHIELD 9 HOLSTER?

If you buy a custom molded holster for Smith Wesson MP Shield, it’s very likely you won’t need to do any holster break-in. However, in case your new holster feels a bit too tight, just follow our M&P9 Shield break-in guide. 

SMITH & WESSON M&P SHIELD 9 PROS AND CONS

Benefits of M&P Shield 9:

Compact and lightweight

Accurate

Reliable

Good Sights

M&P Shield 9 problems:

Limited magazine capacity

Limited modularity

Shorter grip than some other handguns

Rare failure to feed

S&W M&P SHIELD 9 SPECS

Gun type - semi-automatic pistol

Production year - 2012

Barrel size - 3.1’’

Overall size - 6.1’’

Gun Width - 0.95’’

Gun Height - 4.6’’

Caliber - 9mm

Magazine - 7, 8 rounds, single-stack

Firing mechanism - striker-fired

Action - recoil operated semi-automatic

Material - zytel polymer

Sights - white 3-dot

Use - concealed carry, self-defense, home-defense, back-up firearm