Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus Review: A Capable Concealed Carry Contender

When it comes to considering a pistol for concealed carry, there are a few key characteristics I look for. Of course, the gun has to be reliable, but it also has to provide sufficient capacity, be customizable (have aftermarket support), and be compact enough to carry discreetly and comfortably.

The M&P9 Shield Plus by Smith & Wesson checks all of those boxes for me, and I’ve been carrying it for the better part of two to three years now. In that time period, I’ve tried many different accessories and holsters and have easily put 1,300+ rounds through it. 

It may not be super fancy or expensive, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, right? Let’s take a closer look at the M&P 9 Shield Plus.

Favorite Features

As the years have gone by, we’ve seen a few “generations” of the Shield. While each one was an improvement upon the previous, the Plus easily takes the cake, as you’d expect. 

My two favorite features of the Shield Plus are its capacity and flat face trigger.

The previous model (M2.0) offered a measly 7+1 round capacity with a flush magazine and an 8+1 capacity with an extended magazine. Now, you’ll have almost double the capacity with the Plus, as it comes with a ten and a 13-round magazine. You can also purchase a factory 15-round extended magazine for an even larger capacity.

The trigger is also a huge upgrade from the prior model, which left a lot to be desired. The previous curved hinge trigger was replaced by a flat face trigger, which is extremely clean and crisp. It makes it much easier to maintain similar finger pad placement during quick follow-up shots.

Even though those two features are my favorite, there are still others that are well worth discussing. 

Let’s talk about the slide. It comes optic-ready from the factory and includes night sights. I personally run a Holosun EPS Carry most of the time on my Plus and would highly recommend it!

While the grip itself doesn’t look like much, it has an optimal 18-degree grip angle that is supposed to give you a more natural point of aim. The texturing is great, too. It’s semi-aggressive for solid control but isn’t bothersome when shooting for long periods.

Features to Fine-tune

I know there were a lot of features I mentioned above that were all good and dandy, but the Shield Plus isn’t without a couple of drawbacks. 

You know that grip I mentioned that has great texturing? Well, given the micro-compact size of the Plus, there naturally isn’t much grip space. If you have extra large hands, you’ll basically have to use the extended magazine to secure all of your fingers on the grip. Even then, you may be cutting it close.

Then there is the accessory rail, or I guess I should say the lack of an accessory rail. You’ll find yourself limited in the light and laser department. 

I always recommend having a weapon-mounted light for concealed carry or home protection, so having only a couple of options isn’t ideal. My favorite light, which is compatible with the Plus and attaches via the trigger guard, is the Streamlight TLR-6. Thankfully, plenty of holster companies accommodate this configuration. 

Overall, those two drawbacks are not dealbreakers and are somewhat expected from a micro-compact pistol of this size.

Specifications

Caliber	9mm
Capacity	13+1
Barrel Length	3.1 Inches
Overall Length	6.1 Inches
Weight	17.9 Ounces

Range Report

With roughly 1,300 rounds through my Plus, I’m happy to report that I probably don’t even need one hand to count the number of malfunctions I’ve had, all of which can be attributed to ammo or operator.

Despite its micro-compact size, it shoots more like a sub-compact pistol when it comes to felt recoil. I usually shoot it within defensive distances between seven and 15 yards and come away with tennis ball-size groupings or smaller, depending on the drill I’m running. Out towards 25 and even 50 yards is still doable, of course, with wider groupings, but I have no problem hitting medium to larger steel gongs at those distances. 

With those results, both from a reliability and accuracy standpoint, I’m confident in carrying the Plus. 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 13+1 capacity (15+1 with optional extended magazine)
• Optics-ready slide
• Crisp flat face trigger
• 18-degree grip angle
• Semi-aggressive grip texture – comfortable to shoot for extended periods
• Reliable and accurate
• Affordable

Cons

• No accessory rail
• Limited grip space for those with extra large hands

Final Thoughts

Since the pricing of everything fluctuates so greatly these days, especially firearms, I try not to talk about specific prices. However, it’s worth mentioning that at the time of writing this, I was able to find a brand new M&P9 Shield Plus for under $400 from several retailers, with the optics-ready version still under $450. That leaves some extra cash to buy ammo, accessories, and some range time. 

Given the reliability, concealability, and strong aftermarket support (aside from lights) of the Shield Plus, it’s a strong concealed carry contender. If you haven’t had the opportunity to shoot one, I suggest you rent one next time you’re at the range and check it out for yourself. 

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.