Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield M2.0 9mm 8-Round
In this M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Review we’ll explore this compact and lightweight firearm designed for concealed carry and personal protection. It is a popular choice for those seeking a reliable and effective self-defense weapon. The M&P9 Shield M2.0 features several key improvements over its predecessor. Including enhanced grip texture, more aggressive slide serrations, and a crisp trigger with a tactile reset. In this product review blog, we will examine the features, performance, and overall value of the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield M2.0 9mm, and provide you with a comprehensive analysis of this highly-regarded firearm.
Table of contents
About Smith and Wesson
Smith & Wesson is a well-known American firearms manufacturer founded in 1852 by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson. The company is based in Springfield, Massachusetts, and has a long history of producing high-quality revolvers, pistols, and rifles for law enforcement, military, and civilian markets.
Smith & Wesson has played a significant role in American history, providing firearms to law enforcement and military organizations nationwide. The company has also pioneered in firearm design, introducing many innovations over the years, such as the first double-action revolver and the first magnum revolver cartridge.
Today, Smith & Wesson produces a wide range of firearms. Including handguns,
Rifles and shotguns under various brands such as M&P, Performance Center, and Thompson/Center Arms. The company also manufactures and sells firearm-related accessories, such as ammunition, holsters, and cleaning kits.
About the M&P®9 SHIELD M2.0
The M&P®9 Shield M2.0 is a compact, striker-fired pistol produced by Smith & Wesson. The M&P (Military & Police) line of firearms was first introduced by Smith & Wesson in 2005 to offer a reliable and versatile gun to law enforcement agencies and civilians alike.
The original M&P Shield was introduced in 2012 and quickly became popular among concealed carry permit holders due to its slim profile and reliable performance. In 2017, Smith & Wesson released an updated version of the M&P Shield, the M&P Shield M2.0. This new version incorporated several design improvements over the original Shield, including an improved trigger and an aggressive grip texture.
The M&P9 Shield M2.0 features a 3.1-inch barrel and a 7+1 or 8+1 capacity magazine, depending on the magazine used. It is chambered in 9mm, making it a popular choice for concealed carry due to its compact size and relatively low recoil.
The M&P9 Shield M2.0 has been well-received by law enforcement and civilian markets and praised for its reliability, accuracy, and overall performance. As a result, it is a popular choice for those looking for a compact yet powerful firearm for self-defense purposes.
Unboxing
Unboxing the Smith and Wesson M&P 9 Shield M2.0 is as expected. The gun is priced right, and the packaging is practical and makes a decent 1st impression for a gun at this price point.
The Contents of M&P 9 Shield M2.0 isn’t packaged with many extras but came with two magazines (a 7-round and an extended 8-round), a gun lock, a manual, and the handgun.
Smith has started producing more and more contemporary-looking firearms. Some with a Cerkote finish, multi-color, and even the blingy look of the gold and black M&P9 PC Sheild EZ 9MM. This M&P 9 Shield M2.0 is not that; it has an old-school, workhorse look. Still appealing to me, but it’s a matter of taste.
Getting to know the M&P 9 Shield M2.0
The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield M2.0 is compact, with a 3.1-inch barrel and an overall length of 6.1 inches, making it very easy to conceal. In addition, it weighs in at just over 1 pound, which adds to its ease of carry.
The gun has a black, corrosion-resistant finish on the slide, and the frame and slide are available in several colors. So let’s jump into the gun’s specifications.
Specifications
- WIDTH 0.95
- LENGTH 6.1
- HEIGHT 4.6
- WEIGHT 20.8
- CALIBER 9MM
- SIZE MICRO-COMPACT
- CAPACITY 7,8
- ACTION STRIKER FIRED
- BARREL LENGTH 3.1
- GRIP POLYMER
- SIGHTS WHITE DOT
- OPTIC READY NO
- SAFETY NONE
- COLOR/FINISH BLACK
- STATE COMPLIANCE CO,CT,DE,HI,IL,MD,NJ,NY,OR,RI,VT,WA
- THREADED BARREL NO
- BARREL MATERIAL STAINLESS STEEL
- FRAME POLYMER
- LASER NO
- PERFORMANCE CENTER NO
- NUMBER OF MAGAZINES 2
- MSRP: $505.00
Barrel & Slide
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact features a 3.1-inch stainless steel barrel with a black Armornite finish. The barrel is cut with a 1:10-inch twist rate, which helps to stabilize the 9mm bullets as they travel down the barrel and increase their accuracy.
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact slide is made of stainless steel and has a black Armornite finish. In addition, the slide features front and rear serrations, which make it easier to manipulate the slide when chambering a round or performing a press check.
Finish
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact features a durable and corrosion-resistant finish that protects the firearm from wear and tear, as well as the elements. The finish used on the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is called Armornite, which is a proprietary finish developed by Smith & Wesson.
The Armornite finish is a multi-step process involving a special coating on the stainless steel slide and barrel. This coating is designed to enhance the corrosion resistance of the metal while also providing a hardy, scratch-resistant surface that is more durable than traditional finishes.
The finish gives the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact a sleek, black appearance that is both good-looking and practical. In addition, the finish is resistant to wear, abrasion, and chemicals, which means that it will maintain its appearance over time, even with regular use.
Overall, the Armornite finish used on the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is an excellent choice for a firearm designed to be carried and used frequently.
Frame
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact’s frame is made of a durable and lightweight polymer. The polymer frame provides a comfortable and ergonomic grip and absorbs recoil, making it easier to control the firearm during rapid fire.
The frame features an aggressive texture that provides a secure and slip-resistant grip, even in wet or sweaty conditions.
The frame of the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact also features an integrated trigger safety, which helps to prevent accidental discharges. The trigger safety is designed to be easy to use, and it won’t interfere with the shooter’s trigger finger placement or shooting technique.
Grips
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact’s grips are designed to provide a comfortable, secure, and ergonomic grip, even in wet or slippery conditions. The grips are made of a high-strength polymer material, both lightweight and durable. In addition, with the two magazines included, different size hands can be accommodated. In particular, the extended 8-round magazine allows the grip to accommodate above-average size hands.
The Smith and Wesson M&P 9 Shield, M2.0 Compact grips feature an aggressive texture that provides a non-slip surface. In addition, the texture is designed to be non-abrasive. This avoids causing discomfort or irritation during extended shooting sessions.
The M&P 9 Shield, M2.0 Compact grips, also features an extended beavertail. It helps protect the shooter’s hand from slide bite. The extended beavertail also helps to improve the shooter’s grip by providing a higher surface area for the shooter’s hand to rest against.
M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact Review Photo Gallery
Magazine
The M&P 9 Shield, M2.0 Compact magazines, are designed to be easy to load and unload, with a smooth and consistent spring tension that helps prevent jams and misfeeds. They also feature witness holes, which allow the shooter to quickly and easily check the remaining round count.
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact comes with two magazines, one with a 7-round capacity and the other with an 8-round capacity. Both magazines are steel and have a polymer baseplate, providing a durable and reliable platform for feeding ammunition.
In addition to the standard magazines, the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is also compatible with extended magazines. Depending on the magazine used, they increase the firearm’s capacity up to 10 or 12 rounds.
These extended magazines provide a higher capacity for the shooter, without sacrificing the firearm’s compact size and portability.
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact magazines are also designed to be easy to disassemble and clean, with a simple and straightforward design that allows the shooter to quickly and easily remove any dirt, debris, or other contaminants.
Safety’s
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact does not have traditional thumb safety. Instead, it has a couple of safety features to help prevent accidental discharge and ensure safe firearm operation.
One of the features of the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is trigger safety, which prevents the trigger from being pulled unless the trigger is fully depressed. This feature helps to avoid accidental discharges caused by the firearm being dropped or bumped.
In addition to the trigger safety, the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact has a striker block safety, preventing the striker from moving forward unless the trigger is fully depressed. This safety feature helps to prevent the firearm from firing unless the shooter intentionally pulls the trigger.
Sights
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is designed with durable and reliable sights that provide the shooter with accurate and consistent aim. The firearm comes with white dot sights, which are a standard sight configuration that provides a simple and straightforward sight picture.
The front sight of the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is fixed and has a width of 0.12 inches, which allows for easy and quick acquisition of the target. The rear sight is also fixed and has two white dots on either side of the notch, which helps to ensure proper alignment of the front and rear sights.
The sights are low profile, which reduces the likelihood of snagging on clothing or other objects during concealed carry. They are standard white dot sights are a simple configuration allowing quick and easy target acquisition. In addition, the compatibility with aftermarket sights will enable shooters to customize their firearms to their preferences.
Trigger
The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact features an improved trigger over the original M&P Shield. It provides a crisp and consistent trigger pull. The trigger is a striker-fired design, so the trigger activates a striker rather than a hammer to ignite the cartridge.
The trigger on the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 has a smooth and consistent pull with a short reset. It allows for rapid follow-up shots. Trigger pull weight came in consistently for us under 6 pounds. Which is in the range of typical trigger pulls for striker-fired handguns but a little heavier than I like. The trigger still has a bit of travel until the break but doesn’t seem as much as its predecessor.
In addition to the improved trigger pull. The M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact also features an audible and tactile reset. It provides the shooter with a clear indication that the trigger is ready to be pulled again. This feature can help to improve the shooter’s accuracy and speed, particularly during rapid fire scenarios.
If you prefer a different trigger configuration, the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is also compatible with various aftermarket triggers. There are flat-faced triggers and trigger kits that can further customize the trigger pull weight and reset.
Overall, the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact’s trigger significantly improved over the original M&P Shield.
M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact Review Wrap
For a carry concealed the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact size and weight make it an excellent choice. The grip texture is another area where the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact receives high marks. They are comfortable and provide excellent control over the firearm.
The trigger improvements are noticeable and add to the attractiveness of this pistol. The area that will be a detractor for some is that the magazine capacity. It is relatively low, with the standard magazine holding only 7 rounds.
Sights on the M&P are not a homerun I prefer night sights but they are definitely functional.
Overall, the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is a “win” in my book and worthy of definite consideration as a carry concealed.
M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact Review FAQs
Yes, the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is a popular choice for concealed carry due to its compact size and slim profile.
Yes, the M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is relatively easy to clean, especially compared to other firearms that have more complex designs. The disassembly process is straightforward and can be accomplished with basic tools, and the parts can be easily accessed for cleaning and maintenance. Additionally, the materials used in the construction of the firearm, such as the stainless-steel barrel and polymer frame, are resistant to corrosion and easy to wipe clean.
Yes, the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Compact is rated for use with +P ammunition. However, it’s always important to check with the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations before using any ammunition in your firearm.
