Description

The S&W Shield Plus is Smith & Wesson’s answer to the demand for higher-capacity micro compact pistols without sacrificing concealability. For years, the original Shield dominated the concealed carry market due to its reliability, ergonomics, and slim profile. Now, the Shield Plus takes that winning formula and adds extra rounds, improved ergonomics, and modern features like an optics ready slide and flat face trigger.

In this in-depth S&W Shield Plus review, we’ll break down everything you need to know—from the trigger and grip texture to magazine capacity, sights, and how it stacks up against other carry guns like the Springfield Hellcat and Sig Sauer P365. Whether you’re new to concealed carry or upgrading from the standard Shield, this gun review will help you determine if the Shield Plus is the new pistol for your EDC rotation.

A Legacy Upgraded: From the Original Shield to the Plus Model

Smith & Wesson released the original Shield in 2012, and it quickly became a best-seller. Both the original Shield and the standard Shield were lauded for their slim design, ease of use, and reliability. But in a world where competitors were offering a few more rounds in similarly sized pistols, Smith Wesson had to adapt. Thus, the P Shield Plus was born.

The plus model offers a significant increase in magazine capacity—from 7 or 8 rounds to 10 in the flush fit magazine and 13 in the extended magazine. That’s a game-changer for those worried about lower capacity in self-defense situations.

First Impressions and Features

Dimensions and Ergonomics

The Shield Plus maintains the same width as the original (approximately 1 inch), making it ideal for concealed carry. Despite the increase in rounds, it still feels slim and snag-free when carrying IWB (inside-the-waistband) or appendix style.

The grip is slightly wider to accommodate the staggered-stack magazine, and the enhanced grip texture is notably more aggressive than the original Shield. This new shield plus grip provides excellent traction, even during sweaty range sessions or extended range time.

The front strap and backstrap texture offer superior control without chewing up your hands—a nice compromise between comfort and control, especially for those with large hands.

Trigger and Fire Controls

The Flat Face Trigger Upgrade

One of the most celebrated upgrades in this plus review is the flat face trigger. Compared to the hinged trigger of the original, the Shield Plus’s flat-faced design offers a smoother pull and a cleaner break. During our range trip, the trigger consistently broke at around 5 pounds with minimal take-up.

The trigger safety blends cleanly into the face, offering added protection without interfering with the feel. Overall, it’s a great trigger for a striker fired pistol in this class.

Manual Safety vs. No Safety

The Shield Plus is available with or without a thumb safety, which is a matter of personal preference. For those transitioning from a 1911 or preferring an extra layer of safety, the manual safety is well-positioned and easy to manipulate. For others, the lack thereof keeps things simple—especially under stress.

Other controls, such as the magazine release and slide stop, are intuitive and responsive. The magazine release is ambidextrous and easy to reach, even with large hands, and the slide stop operates smoothly during press checks or reloads.

Magazine Options: Capacity and Practicality

The P Shield Plus ships with two magazines: a 10-round flush fit magazine and a 13-round extended magazine. These options allow users to prioritize concealability or extra rounds depending on the situation.

• The flush fit magazine is ideal for deep concealed carry and minimizes printing.
• The extended mag provides a full grip and much room for those with large hands, enhancing control and reducing more recoil during rapid fire.

Having the ability to carry with one mag and a backup gives users flexibility—especially if you’re running defensive ammunition that tends to be heavier.

Optics and Sights

Optics Ready Slide

One of the best modern upgrades is the optics ready option available in several P Shield Plus models. Mounting a red dot—like the Crimson Trace CTS-1500 or Holosun 507K—adds quick target acquisition and enhances low-light performance.

If you’re not ready for a red dot optic, the Shield Plus comes standard with white dot sights, and some variants offer upgraded night sights or fiber optic sights. In our range testing, the night sights were particularly effective during dusk scenarios and gave a clear sight picture.

Range Performance

Accuracy, Recoil, and Reliability

During our range time, we ran a few hundred rounds through the Shield Plus—including FMJs and defensive ammunition. The pistol cycled flawlessly with zero malfunctions.

The grip and flat face trigger played a major role in controllability, even with +P loads. While the micro compact pistol does have more recoil than a larger pistol, it remains very manageable with a firm grip.

The barrel, measuring approximately 3.1 inches, provides respectable accuracy out to 25 yards. Groupings were tight and consistent, making it a joy to shoot during extended range sessions. We really did enjoy shooting this new gun.

Concealed Carry Comfort and Practicality

Everyday Carry Experience

Whether you’re a seasoned carrier or new to concealed carry, the P Shield Plus fits seamlessly into most IWB holsters designed for the Wesson Shield lineup. Despite the added magazine capacity, it doesn’t feel bulky or difficult to conceal.

The slim slide, smooth trigger guard, and short overall length make it ideal for carrying under a T-shirt or jacket. Some users report needing a wardrobe tweak with the extended magazine, but that’s a nice compromise for extra rounds.

Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Hellcat

The Shield Plus enters a competitive space shared with the Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Hellcat—both dominant micro compact pistol options.

• The Sig Sauer P365 offers a similar magazine capacity and optics-ready variants, but some shooters find the Shield Plus has a better trigger out of the box.
• The Springfield Hellcat features more aggressive texturing and slightly more rounds in some configurations, but the flat face trigger and grip texture of the Shield Plus offer better shootability for many.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference in ergonomics and trigger feel, but the Shield Plus holds its own—and often exceeds—in reliability, comfort, and value.

Maintenance and Longevity

Cleaning and Durability

Like most Smith Wesson firearms, the Shield Plus is easy to disassemble. Simply remove the magazine, lock the slide to the rear, rotate the takedown lever, and the slide comes off cleanly. The recoil spring, guide rod, and barrel lift out easily.

Cleaning is straightforward, and the finish on the slide and internals shows minimal wear even after a few hundred rounds. Users report thousands of rounds fired with minimal parts replacement needed.

Final Thoughts: Is the Shield Plus Worth It?

After spending extensive range time and multiple range trips with the Smith Wesson P Shield Plus, it’s safe to say this new shield is a strong contender for best concealed carry handgun in 2025. From its great trigger, reliable feeding, and expanded magazine capacity to optics ready features and night sights, this new pistol ticks nearly every box.

It’s ideal for shooters who want the proven reliability of the Wesson Shield, but with a few more rounds, a better trigger, and modern upgrades. Whether you’re carrying every day, heading to a range session, or relying on it for self defense, the Shield Plus is built to deliver.