There are a lot of good options for conceal-carry guns, but the M&P Shield 2.0 has been one of my favorites for some time now. Finding the right conceal carry handgun is a different challenge for each person. It must be comfortable, reliable, and of course, easy to conceal.
Because of my fascination with firearms, and working in law enforcement, I have carried a lot of different handguns over the years. I’m also a believer in having multiple options for different wardrobes. In the summer, I tend to carry smaller handguns, and in the winter, I carry larger ones because they’re easier to conceal. But even with multiple choices in caliber and frame size, I find myself carrying the M&P Shield M2.0 quite often.
The birth of the M&P line
In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced the .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899. This turned out to be an excellent revolver, and the military took notice. The name was changed to .38 Military and Police model after the U.S. Army and Navy started placing orders. The name was changed again in 1957 to the Smith & Wesson Model 10.
Smith & Wesson would not revive the M&P brand until 2005, when they released a .40 caliber semi-auto pistol. After that, Smith & Wesson continued to introduce new models under the M&P line of handguns. These have been popular with law enforcement around the country, but even more so on the civilian market.
Popular models include the full-size M2.0 and the more compact versions. The slim-line M&P Shield models have become extremely popular in the conceal carry market.
When I first saw the Shield M2.0, it didn’t stand out to me more than any other compact gun on the market. Not that there was anything I didn’t like about it, it was just another compact gun. It wasn’t until I shot a friend’s Shield 2.0 on the range that I really started to take notice. For whatever reason, I shot better with the Sheild M2.0 than I did with most other compact handguns.
It was also extremely thin which made it easy to conceal, but the frame is still large enough I can get a standard two-handed grip on it. And because this is an EDC gun for me, having multiple high-quality holsters available was a big plus.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0
The original M&P Shield was a popular pistol, but it was the improved M&P Shield M2.0 that really took off. Released in 2017, is has been around long enough to prove it’s a reliable choice for conceal carry.
The Shield M2.0 has an extremely thin grip, which is one reason I like using it for appendix carry. Overall, it’s a great size between micro-compacts and compacts. Ammo capacity is limited to 8 in this single-stack model which the only downside to the Shield 2.0.
This year, Smith & Wesson launched the M&P Shield X, which is a double stack, optics ready model. I’ve had some hands-on time with it, but not enough to make a good comparison. While it has an ammo capacity of 13+1, the grip is wider, which could be harder to conceal for some.
M&P Shield M2.0 Ergonomics
As I mentioned above, the grip on the Shield M2.0 is thin which helps reduce printing. Smith & Wesson used a grip texture that helps improve your grip without being overly aggressive. I can’t say I like having sandpaper between my hands, which is how some other handguns feel.
Because it’s a 9mm handgun, ammunition is affordable, effective, and easy to find. I’m not against other calibers at all, but when one caliber dominates all others, there is a benefit to jumping on the bandwagon.
For me, the recoil of 9mm is a good middle ground to caliber vs recoil vs capacity. If you go smaller, you get less recoil and more ammo but less stopping power. Go bigger, like a .40 or .45 and you get more stopping power but a higher recoil and less ammunition.
The trigger on the Sheild M2.0 is great for a compact gun. It has a short travel with a good crisp break and a short reset. Smith & Wesson incorporated a safety trigger in it as well.
Because it’s made to conceal, I like that it has a slim slide release, take-down lever, and slim safety. When I’m carrying a handgun on me, I don’t use an external safety. But if they are going to put one on it, I want it to be out of the way. With this one, it’s there if you ever want to use it, but you never really notice it otherwise.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0 (9mm) Specifications
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Capacity: 7+1 rounds (flush magazine), 8+1 rounds (extended magazine)
- Action: Striker Fired
- Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
- Overall Length: 6.1 inches
- Width: Approximately 0.99 inches
- Weight (Empty): Approximately 18.3 ounces
- Frame Material: Polymer
- Slide/Barrel Material: Stainless Steel with Armornite Finish
Holster Options for the Shield M2.0
Finding a good holster is just as important as finding a good gun. It’s what you trust to keep your gun secure and ready to draw when your life is in danger.
I’ve used a variety of holsters throughout my career, but Safariland is by far my go-to brand. They place a lot of focus on security, fit, and function, which is important when carrying a firearm. Here are some of my favorite Safariland holsters for the M&P Shield M2.0:
Safariland Species IWB Holster
For general purpose IWB holsters, the Species holster is probably my favorite holster on this list. It has soft lining on the inside to protect the guns finish. It also has a high back to protect your side from rubbing on the gun when holstered. You can adjust the belt clip up and down for a high or low ride and pivot it from side to side.
A soft material on the outside makes it comfortable and just to make it more fun, Safariland offers multiple finish options like multi-cam, which is my favorite.
Safariland Schema IWB Holster
The Schema is the best holster for those wanting a minimalist holster. They cut everything that wasn’t needed out of this holster to make a perfect lightweight IWB holster. Like the Species holster, it can be adjusted vertically and tilt for personal preference.
This a great holster to use in extreme heat because the there is no cloth wrap on the outside and the cutout helps it vent.
Safariland Incog X IWB Holster
For the maximum concealment, I use the Incog X holster. It has two belt clips (one on each side) to keep the holster pushed up against your body as much as possible.
It has a soft exterior cover and a slick, smooth interior. Like the other holsters, it is molded for a specific gun, giving it a perfect fit. When ordering this holster, you can select between holster only, or holster with mag caddy. Having your extra mag right next to your gun makes it easy to carry an extra mag and access it at the same time.
This holster works best for appendix carry (which is how I carry most of my IWB holsters) but I would not recommend it for side carry.
Safariland 7371 7TS ALS OWB Concealment Paddle Holster
We carry IWB for concealment purposes, not because it’s comfortable. So, in the winter when I’m wearing a jacket anyway, the 7371 7TS paddle holster is what I like to use. It’s just as easy and quick to put on as the other three, but it’s an OWB holster so it’s more comfortable for me.
It uses Safariland’s proprietary, non-abrasive 7TS material and has the Automatic Locking System (ALS). This system secures the firearm immediately upon re-holstering and must be activated to draw it.
A perfect conceal carry gun?
I won’t really call anything perfect, but this gun is pretty close. Of course each person will have their own preferences and may like a different gun a little more. There are lots of great guns out there, but for me, this one stands out because it’s accurate, reliable, slim, and affordable. Safariland makes great holsters for it, and it comes with two magazines.
Maybe someday, I’ll give the newer Shield X a little more attention and see how it compares to the M2.0. But for now, this will continue to be one of my favorite conceal carry pistols for off duty.
