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Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Magazines: The Best For Every Occasion
The sub-compact and micro-compact market has been exploding over the last decade or so, and I’m all for it! While your compact and full-size pistols will always have their place, it’s nice to have slightly smaller options to carry in lighter clothes or in scenarios where you have to be ultra-discreet.
The original Smith & Wesson M&P Shield was released in 2012 and quickly gained popularity for its thin single-stack profile. Fast-forward to 2017, when S&W released the M&P Shield M2.0, which gave shooters a refined trigger, new stippling, and some forward slide serrations.
The M2.0 in its not so natural habitat. Source
While the new and improved M&P Shield Plus has since been released, boasting a 15+1 capacity, an optics-ready slide, and a flat face trigger, plenty of original Shields and Shield M2.0s are still out in the wild, being carried by their beloved owners.
So, for those of you who still love to take your older Shields out on the town or to the range, here are some of the best magazines for you to consider. Whether you have one chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP, we have you covered!
Everyday Carry / Home Defense
When you rely on any firearm to protect yourself, you need to ensure you have the most reliable magazine(s). Typically, those wind up being factory magazines, as they’ve been extensively tested with the firearm. When it comes to M&P Shield magazines, there happen to be plenty of options to choose from, whether you want a flush fit or an extended magazine.
Never leave home without it. Source
Most Concealable (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP)
9mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
For maximum concealability and reliability, look no further than the flush-fitting magazines straight from the Smith & Wesson factory.
These stainless steel magazines feature anti-fatigue steel springs and anti-tilt polymer followers that work in tandem to provide superior reliability. You’ll even find numbered side-facing witness holes to help you keep track of your remaining rounds.
If deep concealment is what you need – these are your magazines.
Extended Options (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP)
9mm (Grip Extension Without Aggressive Texturing)
9mm (Grip Extension With Aggressive Texturing)
.40 S&W (Grip Extension Without Aggressive Texturing)
.40 S&W (Grip Extension With Aggressive Texturing)
.45 ACP
It’s never a bad idea to have an extra round or two, especially when you’re dealing with single-digit round counts. Each of these factory magazines will provide you with an extra round without adding too much length or losing any reliability.
Like the flush-fitting magazines we discussed, these factory magazines are constructed from stainless steel and feature anti-tilt polymer followers. This means you can rest easy knowing you can count on your magazine if you ever need it.
Range Use
Hitting the range is extremely important, as you need to train with your firearm(s) of choice. However, it’s no fun wasting time reloading at the range. That’s where these aftermarket extended and drum magazines come in handy.
Don’t forget your hearing protection! Source
Extended Option (9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP)
9mm
.40 S&W
.45 ACP
ProMag is one of the largest names in aftermarket magazines and has grown quite the following over the years. Why? It produces quality and affordable magazines for the masses.
These steel magazines feature anti-tilt polymer followers just like the factory ones and even have similar side-facing witness holes. However, the extended base pads give you a couple of extra rounds.
A few more rounds per magazine can add up when you’re going through dozens of magazines in a range session. These are well worth checking out as a reliable and slightly extended alternative to your factory S&W mags.
Fun Options
Translucent Magazine:
A little extra fun can be had with these 9-round translucent magazines from ETS.
The all-polymer design provides a lightweight yet durable magazine that you can hit the range with without worry. You’ll get an extra round or two over your standard magazines, and you can keep track of those extra rounds thanks to the translucent body.
Drum Magazine:
Are you planning an extended-range session with your friends, or need to break in your new Shield? If either of those is true, this is the magazine you need!
With an impressive 50-round capacity, you’ll be able to focus more time on shooting and training, which is always a positive. Despite holding 50 rounds, it’s not excessively heavy, thanks to the proprietary DuPont Zytel polymer drum. But don’t worry—the magazine’s upper tower is steel for maximum durability.
A trusty light is always a good idea to have on hand. Source
Magazine Loader:
Arguably the most popular mag loader on the market, the Maglula UpLULA is a universal loader that helps save time and thumb pain while loading your mags!
It’s lightweight thanks to its polymer construction, affordable, and, best of all, works with calibers between 9mm and .45 ACP, so it can be used with a wide variety of pistols.
Consider it an investment.
Magazine Pouches/Carriers
Single Pouch:
Whether you’re practicing reloading drills at the range or like to carry a spare magazine, the Gen 2 Universal Pistol Mag Carrier from Pitbull Tactical will help you accomplish the task at hand.
You can carry all types of magazines from your single-stack 9mms to double-stack .45 ACPs. As long as you have a 1.5-inch belt, you’ll be ready to go straight out of the box!
Double Pouch:
The High Speed Gear TACO is great for organizing your range bag or carrying spare mags or gear on your plate carrier.
It’s constructed from a proprietary 1,000D Cordura nylon laminate and easily adjusts to fit whatever type of “goodies” you want to place in it. Available in a variety of colors, you can match it to almost anything to blend in.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is no shortage of magazines and accessories for your older M&P Shield and M&P Shield M2.0. We’re here to make sure if you want to continue using and carrying your Shields, you can!
If you have questions about any of these, feel free to reach out to our magazine experts for help and advice!
