The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus is a compact 9mm striker-fired pistol with a 3.1-inch ported barrel, manual thumb safety, and fiber optic sights. It ships with two magazines -- 10-round and 13-round -- which gives it more capacity than most similarly-sized single-stack compacts. At 20.2 oz. it's light enough for daily carry without being so light that recoil becomes difficult to manage. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Smith & Wesson 
• Model: M&P9 Shield Plus 
• Caliber: 9MM Luger (9X19 Para) 
• Action: Semi-Auto Striker Fire 
• Capacity: 10/13 rounds +1 
• Barrel Length: 3.1 inches 
• Weight: 20.2 oz (1.2 lbs) 
• Sights: Fiber Optic Green Front / Red Rear 
• Grip Material: Polymer 
• Frame Finish: Matte Black Armornite Stainless Steel 
• Safety Features: Manual Thumb Safety 
   

Detailed Features 

1. Ported Barrel: Ports reduce muzzle rise and allow faster target reacquisition between shots. 
    
2. Fiber Optic Sights: The green front / red rear pairing gives high-contrast sight alignment in varied lighting. 
    
3. Manual Thumb Safety: Provides an additional mechanical block against unintentional discharge. 
    
4. Polymer Frame with Contoured Grip: Shaped to provide a secure hold without aftermarket grip tape.

The Shield Plus gets favorable marks overall among compact carry pistol users. The slim profile combined with the higher capacity over the original Shield is the most frequently praised aspect -- most owners find 10+1 or 13+1 rounds a meaningful improvement for a gun this size.

The fiber optic sights earn consistent positive feedback for visibility. The ported barrel is generally appreciated for reducing muzzle flip, though a few shooters note it can be loud in an indoor environment.

The trigger draws mixed responses. Most users find it functional with a decent reset, but some find the factory pull heavier than they'd prefer and look to aftermarket options. Recoil is described as snappier than a full-size gun at this weight, which is expected for a 3.1-inch 9mm.

Aftermarket support is the most common criticism relative to competing platforms -- not absent, but not as developed as for some other popular compacts. Occasional reports of sight and finish issues after extended use appear in some reviews but don't seem to be widespread.

Buyers generally come away satisfied with the Shield Plus as a daily carry option.