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When the idea of a concealed carry came full circle with the need for one, I found myself the new owner of a 9mm semi-automatic. I quickly learned that I was not near as accurate with a pistol as I was with my other firearms. I struggled with my marksmanship with my new concealed carry.
I carried that pistol for two years, not confident, but I knew how to load it, chamber a round and I figured that for personal protection it would be likely that my target would probably be less than 20 feet of me; surely I could hit my mark. I could only hope. It was not until I attended a shooting clinic where my instructor was not bashful in letting me know that my handgun was not a proper fit for me. The problem was that my handgun had a double stack magazine, making the grip thick, and it did not allow me to hold the gun and properly reach the trigger. I was using the very tip of my finger. Fortunately, there were several handguns for use at the shooting event.
The first pistol the instructor handed me was the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380; a sub-compact that seemed perfect for my idea of a concealed carry. I liked the size of the pistol, but I still did not feel comfortable with the grip. I shot several rounds down range, but I just didn’t get that “AH, I like this one!” feeling. The second gun the instructor handed me was the M&P 9 ProSeries. I felt I had more control with a comfortable grip, a better aim, and I could easily place my finger properly on the trigger. However, the M&P 9 ProSeries had a larger frame on it than I was looking for in a concealed carry weapon.
As the old cliché goes, “The third time is the charm.” That held true for me on the range that day. My instructor handed me the Smith & Wesson M&P® Shield 9mm, and as I gripped the pistol, aimed it down range, and before ever squeezing off the first round, I got that “AH, I like this one!” feeling.
The lightweight, extremely thin polymer frame and stainless-steel chassis system of the S&W M&P® Shield 9mm afforded me all the power and features of a full sized gun but in a compact sized frame for comfortable, easy concealment. The barrel length of the pistol is 3.1” with an overall length of 6.1” and weighs 20.8 ounces unloaded.
The Striker-Fired Action system results in firing the pistol with a short, smooth trigger pull. The White Dot sight system incorporates a two dot rear and one dot front sight for high visibility and accurate aiming even in low light. I added a Crimson Trace laser aiming system to my pistol for further confidence for reliable performance day or night. A feature that my previous pistol did not have that was important to me is the thumb safety.
The Shield comes with two magazines; the flush magazine capacity is seven in the magazine and one in the chamber and the extended capacity magazine is eight in the magazine and one in the chamber. M&P’s patented take-down lever and sear deactivation systems allow for easy and quick disassembly for cleaning. The matte black stainless-steel barrel and Armornite® finish stainless-steel slide are durable and easy to clean.
The Smith & Wesson Shield M&P® Shield 9mm is affordably priced and is backed by the Smith & Wesson Lifetime Service Policy, making it the perfect solution for personal protection for anyone. The professional grade, easy to conceal, simple to operate pistol has proven to be a great solution for female concealed carry.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the product(s) reviewed or mentioned within this writing is an endorsement, and the writer may or may not have been compensated by “in-kind” exchange or remuneration to review the product. Logos and photos are the sole property of the rightful owner(s) and used within this writing solely for the promotion of the product(s) herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer/representation, or in efforts of product exposure for the manufacturer(s).
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