I traded in my M2.0 Performance Center Optics Ready 9mm Shield (SKU11786) for the new Plus Performance Center Optics Ready 9mm Shield (SKU 13251 MSRP $896) earlier this month. This is the fifth Shield I have owned since 2016. The one I traded, I had only had for four months. If the announcement of the Plus version had been made in January instead of March I would have passed on the M2.0 PC OR version.
In February I was still able to get the PC OR Shield M2.0 under MSRP. Not so the Plus in June. Demand is high and a premium had to be paid. I was willing to pay it to get the Shield that checks all my boxes for concealed carry. 4″ barrel – check. Fiber optic sights – check. Fits the LaserGuard LG-489G – check. Flat face trigger – check. Optics Ready slide cut – check. Magazine capacity greater than 10 rounds 9mm – check. American made – check. The Plus gave me two checks the M2.0 could not, the capacity and the trigger. Yes, aftermarket triggers are available, but I am one who thinks it is prudent not to make changes to a gun intended for self-defense.
There is about .39″ of take up before the wall. The break and full retraction of the trigger is about .118″. Reset is about .12″. The average of 5 trigger pulls with my Lyman Digital trigger pull gauge was 4 pounds, 4.4 ounces.
Capacity can also be increased on the M2.0 by using magazine extensions. The lucky purchaser of my trade-in will get an original 8 round with two 9 round magazines. 26 rounds in three magazines. The Plus gets me 23 rounds in two magazines. The Plus magazines are 1/8″ wider than the original and the grip is consequentially also an eight of an inch wider. I like the little extra as it fits in my hand better.
The original and Shield M2.0 magazines are .653″ measured above the base. The Shield Plus magazines are .780″. The “full size” magazines are .853″. That’s a little more that 5/64″ of an inch wider for the standard magazines. No interchanging magazines among the S&W M&P semi-auto families. No aftermarket grip extensions or capacity extensions for the Plus magazine yet. What I said earlier about modifications for self-defense, doesn’t apply to magazines. The gap filler on the 13 round magazine is fixed at the base. This is another enhancement from the M2.0 Shield.
Smith and Wesson backed off the texture pattern from the M2.0 to the Plus. I prefer the M2.0 texture but it is closer to the M2.0 texture than it is to the original. The slide dimensions seem to be the same. My holsters all fit the Plus with the LG-489G and the added width in the grip is easy to accommodate in my preferred underarm carry.
I do feel like I had to apply more pressure to get the LG-489G mounted on the Plus than I did with the original or M2.0. But I was able to get it fitted and it is functioning perfectly. I still have the option of putting the included Crimson Trace red dot sight on the slide if I choose to do so later. This will require modifications to holsters however.
I think I’ve got the gun I’ve been wanting for 5 years so I anticipate I”ll be holding on to this one quite a while.