S&W M&P Shield 2.0 45acp… anyone have or carrying one?

specops56

specops56

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I’m seriously thinking of getting one for carry. How well does it carry and conceal? How does it shoot? What’s the recoil impulse like with SD ammo compared to a 1911. I’m also interested in the difference between the regular and Performance Center version. Is it worth the price difference?

Terry
 
It’s nice and skinny. Carries well for me in a leather pancake OWB which is my preferred method of carry for any handgun. Surprisingly light recoil impulse for .45 in a small frame. No thumb safety on all striker fire guns is my personal preference.
 
I've been interested in the 4 inch version for some time now, but they don't seem to get nearly as much love as the 3.x version
 
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Buds has them from 425 to 450, w/safety & w/o safety respectively. Nite sites like $100 more
 
I am not a major fan of M&P pistols nor 45 auto for carry, but the shield 2.0 in 45 is just magical. It’s the only M&P I still own. Just shoots too nice and utterly reliable for me to sell. If looking for a small 45 auto pistol to carry, it’s a strong recommend! Some recoil but it’s a small 45 so that must be expected. If you can comfortably shoot a 1911 it shouldn’t be a problem.
 
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With the 7 round mag inserted, the grip fits a large hand very well.
 
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Frack N Cylons said:
I saw that earlier today actually. Thumb safety is whatever I guess, just leave it off.

This appears to be 1st Gen. Is the 2.0 that much better?

One mag kinda stinks.
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Much grippier grip, and moah better trigger.
S&W got it right with the 2.0’s.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
I saw that earlier today actually. Thumb safety is whatever I guess, just leave it off.

This appears to be 1st Gen. Is the 2.0 that much better?

One mag kinda stinks.
Click to expand...

If my memory serves correctly, the shield 45 came out just before the 2.0 designation on the shield 9 and other M&P models. My shield 45 doesn’t have 2.0 on the slide. However it’s functionally a 2.0 with the updated grip texture and sear design.

agree the price of $425+ for a new shield 45 is high. My guess is the pistol was not manufactured in huge numbers given the smaller market, whereas the 9mm models are literally everywhere.
 
92G said:
I am not a major fan of M&P pistols nor 45 auto for carry, but the shield 2.0 in 45 is just magical. It’s the only M&P I still own. Just shoots too nice and utterly reliable for me to sell. If looking for a small 45 auto pistol to carry, it’s a strong recommend! Some recoil but it’s a small 45 so that must be expected. If you can comfortably shoot a 1911 it shouldn’t be a problem.
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I've owned, carried and shot light weight Commanders and Officers Model before with no problems. However, I was younger and had more forearm muscle then. Hence the reason I asked about the recoil impulse. I will try to find one to rent and shoot before making my final decision. Honestly, I may just be pining away for my younger days when I carried full size 1911s. 😥

Terry
 
specops56 said:
I've owned, carried and shot light weight Commanders and Officers Model before with no problems. However, I was younger and had more forearm muscle then. Hence the reason I asked about the recoil impulse. I will try to find one to rent and shoot before making my final decision. Honestly, I may just be pining away for my younger days when I carried full size 1911s. 😥

Terry
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For what it’s worth, I sold my 1911’s, but kept the Shield 45. First because I had a stockpile of .45, which I later sold/traded to a family member who had a bunch of 9mm to unload.

But also to be at least slightly diverse in my carry calibers so if one caliber gets really hard to find in a scare, then maybe I can find some of the other.

I’ve owned some other compact polymer blasters in .45, but being double stacks I just found them bulkier than I wanted to carry.
 
I have had a Shield 45 for many years. Today at the range I got a confirmation why it is one of my favorite EDC :) It is simply insanely accurate and one can be very consistent with quick shots and follow up shots. I was ringing steel at 15 yards easily and hitting steel targets at 100 yds fairly well (pull trigger sip coffee and then hear the hit, lol hard to realize how slow 45 is until one waits for the steel to talk to ya)

I also shot my 642 and my snub model 10 and the recoil of the 45 Shield seems a lil bit less than the 642 with 38 spl and a lil bit more than the model 10 snub with 38 spl. All three hit the 100 yard steel, but it did seem like the Shield was almost as easy to shoot as the model 10... the 642 trigger is smooth but 100 yards is a bit tough for me.

Just my thoughts, but it eats everything and carries easily :)
 
Anybody bought one of these and can comment on the condition. I may have missed it but all the other police trade in's are "graded" fair, good, very good. These just say used.
 
I got my 45 2.0 NIB when they ran the S&W rebate, I like the grip texture, no safety. I use an Alien Gear IWB when I can carry it or my Beretta Nano.
 
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A great friend, who sadly passed a couple years ago, was a VERY serious Smith & Wesson collector and shooter. He became the go-to expert on the S&W forum for all things related to the older Smith semi-autos. He proudly proclaimed his HATRED for everything Smith made after the third generation pistols.

Eventually, a job change necessitated acquisition of a new, highly concealable carry gun. Quietly, so as to not spoil his reputation, he bought a Shield 45. After shooting it a bunch, he began to carry it and was man enough to admit S&W was currently capable of making at least one good handgun. He liked and trusted the gun, which says a lot to me. He was an ex cop and his current job was one where there was a decent chance he might have to use his gun. I believe he intended to carry the Shield when he went to work that final day.

RIP John!
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
S&W Shield in .45 ACP gets a 100% endorsement from @Michael458 and me......all the above attributes are found to be true here.
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Yep..... I concur and to add to that (pun intended), the only thing better than ONE S&W Sheild in 45 ACP (for its intended purpose) is TWO OF THEM......... One for each hand.
 
fieldgrade said:
Much grippier grip, and moah better trigger.
S&W got it right with the 2.0’s.
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Anyone looking for a Shield 45 2.0 here is one for $299. I went ahead and ordered one. $320 shipped with tax. I guess after transfer and a spare mag I’ll be into it for $360ish.

Are all Shield 45 mags the same across gen 1 and gen 2?

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield M2.0 45ACP Police Trade-In Pistol with Extended Mag

Smith & Wesson: M&P45 Shield M2.0 45ACP Police Trade-In Pistol with Extended Mag for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com
 
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Frack N Cylons said:
Anyone looking for a Shield 45 2.0 here is one for $299. I went ahead and ordered one. $320 shipped with tax. I guess after transfer and a spare mag I’ll be into it for $360ish.

Are all Shield 45 mags the same across gen 1 and gen 2?

www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com

Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield M2.0 45ACP Police Trade-In Pistol with Extended Mag

Smith & Wesson: M&P45 Shield M2.0 45ACP Police Trade-In Pistol with Extended Mag for sale at Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore.
www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com
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My mags do not differentiate one from the other. They just say S&W 45AUTO, and 7 rd is stamped on the base pad
 
Buddy of mine has a Shield 45 in his hip everyday. He swears by it.
 
Frack N Cylons said:
Are all Shield 45 mags the same across gen 1 and gen 2?
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As I recall, the Shield in 45 was introduced just before the entire line of Shield 2.0s came to market. While not marked 2.0, it actually incorporated all the “upgrades” that the other calibers would eventually feature when named 2.0. In other words, any Shield 45 not marked 2.0 is identical to one that is marked 2.0. Any Shield 45 is actually a 2.0.
 
The grip on the gun is aggressive but man is it thin. It’s pretty amazing actually how thin they were able to make it.

Any ideas to bulk up the grip a little? I’ve always thought the hogue sleeves were lame, but I’d try one. Maybe an inner tube?
 
I got my 2.0 .45 when they had the rebates, I like the texture on the grip. Shoot good, I do not carry it.
 
fieldgrade said:
My mags do not differentiate one from the other. They just say S&W 45AUTO, and 7 rd is stamped on the base pad
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Nah, here ya go sir
 
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