The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus is a micro-compact striker-fired 9mm built for concealed carry, and it has an MSRP of $499. Two magazines come with it and they are different lengths, a flush 10-round and an extended 13-round, so the grip is either flush with the hand or extended below it.

The trigger is flat faced with a tactile and audible reset. The grip texture is deeper than the original Shield carried, and the grip sits at the M&P line's 18 degrees. A thumb safety is fitted on this version. The slide and barrel wear Armornite, and S&W's patented take-down lever and sear deactivation let the pistol come apart without pulling the trigger. This version is not optics ready, and S&W catalogs an Optics Ready Shield Plus as a separate pistol.

If you're cross-shopping, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X has an MSRP of $599, holds 13 rounds in a flush magazine on a longer 3.6-inch barrel at 20.8 oz, and comes with the optic cut this one lacks. The Sig Sauer P365 matches the flush count on the same 3.1-inch barrel at 17.8 oz and 5.8 inches overall against the Shield Plus's 6.1, with tritium sights instead of white dots.