SMITH & WESSON M&P 45
Posted Jun 15, 2023
SHIELD
To truly understand the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield, one must first understand what the M&P (Military & Police) series stands for. While Smith & Wesson is best known for producing hard-hitting wheelguns, they have always excelled in the production of dependable striker-fired semi-automatic pistols as well. The M&P series offers shooters a full range of handguns chambered in calibers ranging from .380 ACP all the way up to .45 ACP, and now even .22 LR. The M&P 45 Shield, in many ways, marries Smith & Wesson’s trusted history of creating reliable handguns with their innovative use of modern engineering and materials.
In terms of size, the M&P 45 Shield is a sub-compact entry into the M&P lineup. Designed to be a carry gun, the M&P 45 Shield combines a 3.3” barrel with a width of just 1” and an overall length of just 6.5”, making it an excellent choice for concealed carry. Despite its small size, the M&P 45 Shield does not skimp on features or quality. The surprisingly comfortable textured grip and short reset trigger, for instance, allow shooters to remain secure and in control of the gun, even under heavy recoil.
The M&P 45 Shield is constructed with a sturdy stainless steel slide and polymer frame, offering Smith & Wesson’s renowned reliability and durability in a small package. The M&P 45 Shield also boasts impressive accuracy and manageable recoil due to its fixed white dot sights, an extended and ambidextrous thumb safety, an extended and reversible magazine release, and the use of polymer magazines.
The M&P 45 Shield offers more than just its reliable construction though. Smith & Wesson have ensured that the M&P 45 Shield is well-suited for all types of shooters. The Picatinny rail allows for the mounting of lights and lasers, while the crisp and smooth trigger allows for accurate target acquisition. Coupled with the 8 round capacity of the standard M&P 45 Shield, meaning shooters have the ability to put rounds down range in a fast and efficient manner.
Smith & Wesson have also made personalizing the M&P 45 Shield easier than ever before. Swapping out various aftermarket parts such as glock followers, triggers, grips and extensions can be done with relative ease, meaning shooters can tailor the Shield to their exact preferences.
Overall, the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield is a solid gun that features reliable construction, comfortable handling, accurate shooting, and a short reset trigger, all at an incredibly affordable price. The impressive accuracy, combined with the 8 round magazine capacity and personalization options, makes the M&P 45 Shield a great choice for shooters looking for a reliable, concealable handgun that is suitable for home defense, target shooting, and even competition shooting. In closing, the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield delivers quality, innovation, and reliability in a handgun that is sure to impress both veteran and novice shooters alike.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
• High capacity – With magazines holding 15 rounds or 10 rounds, the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 offers a lot of firepower in a compact package.
• High stopping power – This .45 ACP pistol has a tremendous amount of power, making it great for self-defense.
• Versatile platform – The frame of the M&P 45 can be customized to fit a variety of different hand sizes, making it a great choice for shooters of all sizes.
• Low recoil – The weight of the pistol helps to dampen the recoil of the .45 ACP round, so follow-up shots are quicker and more accurate.
• Easy to maintain – This pistol is simple to take apart and clean, making it a great choice for those who want to keep their firearms in good working condition.
Cons:
• Expensive – With the MSRP at around $679, the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 is one of the more expensive handguns on the market.
• Limited aftermarket options – The M&P 45 is popular, but some shooters may find it difficult to find compatible aftermarket parts and accessories.
• Heavy – Weighing around 31 ounces, the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 is on the heavy side, making it a bit tough to carry all day.
Who Should Buy
Smith & Wesson M&P 45 should be purchased only by those with proper shooting experience and training. The M&P 45 is a powerful handgun with a high ammunition capacity, a fast rate of fire, and features for both right and left-handed shooters. It is not suitable for those who are unfamiliar with firearms or those who lack adequate experience with handguns.
Comparisons
| Feature | Smith & Wesson M&P 45 | Smith & Wesson Performance Center PC1911 | Wilson Combat CQB Tactical LE | Heckler & Koch HK 416 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .45 ACP | .45 ACP | .45 ACP | 5.56mm NATO |
| Capacity | 10 | 8 | 8 | 30 |
| Action | Striker Fired | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic | Gas Operated |
| Barrel Length | 4.5 inches | 5.2 inches | 5 inches | 9.3 inches |
| Overall Length | 8.0 inches | 9.2 inches | 8.7 inches | 27 inches |
| Weight | 24.3 ounces | 41.2 ounces | 41.2 ounces | 6.3 pounds |
Features / Specs
- Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Caliber: .45 ACP
- Capacity: 10 Rounds
- Overall Length: 7.9"
- Barrel Length: 4.6"
- Weight (unloaded): 25.5 oz
- Frame Material: Polymer
- Finish: Various
- Sights: Fixed 3-Dot System
- Safety: Manual Safety and Trigger Safety
Popular Accessories
pistol
- Holsters: There are many different types of holsters available for the Smith & Wesson M&P 45, including pancake-style, inside-the-waistband, and outside-the-waistband models.
- Magazines: Numerous aftermarket magazines are available for the Smith & Wesson M&P 45, including both extended and standard capacity models.
- Sights: Factory-standard sights are standard on the Smith & Wesson M&P 45, but many aftermarket options exist, from fiber optics to red dot sights.
- Grips: Rubberized and textured grips are especially popular for the Smith & Wesson M&P 45.
- Lights and Lasers: Lighting and laser accessories are available to help add additional accuracy for target shooting and added visibility during low-light engagements.
Accuracy
The Smith & Wesson M&P 45 is considered to be one of the most accurate handguns on the market. It has an excellent accuracy rating and consistently guarantees that shots land where they’re intended. It is a popular choice amongst competitive shooters and law enforcement agencies due to its overall consistent accuracy and the fact that it meets their strict performance standards. In addition, the M&P 45 has a great trigger pull that helps it achieve its precision. Ultimately, the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 is a reliable and accurate handgun that can be used for everything from self defence to competition level shooting.
