06/05/2022 – I have been trying to come up with an original thought, but I have not had much luck. I guess I have resigned myself to the fact I am a composite of my life’s relationships and experiences and no more capable of an original thought than I am in thinking of a sequence of truly random numbers.
Two days ago, I thought I made a breakthrough with, “You hit me in the head with a mallet”, then remembered I had to attribute that assertion my cousin Pete and our effort to play Croquet in the basement of my then NJ home. Ages 11 and 10, him, then me, that was the first in a series of accidents that spanned a decade or so and resulted in bipartisan injuries.
Even if the mallet declaration was not discounted as one of life’s plagiarisms, I could not find a way to work it into a firearm review, other than feigning a Tourette’s event…
An original product – The Smith & Wesson Shield Plus in 30 Super Carry
|
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus |
|
| SKU # | 13474 |
| Manufacturer | Smith and Wesson |
| Point of Origin | Springfield, MA |
| Type | Internal Hammer |
| Caliber | 30 Super Carry |
| Magazine Capacity | 16 and 13 Included |
| Barrel |
3.1″ Stainless |
| Rifling | 1:10″ |
| Overall Length ” |
6.1 |
| Overall Height ” |
5.0 / 4.6 |
| Overall Width ” |
.930* |
| Weight Oz |
19.3 |
| Sight Radius ” |
5.35 |
| Trigger Pull – Actual | 5 Lbs. 9 Oz. |
| Front Sight |
Orange Tritium |
| Rear Sight |
Two Dot Green Tritium |
| Slide Material | Stainless Steel |
| Slide Finish |
Black Armornite |
| Frame | Black Polymer |
| Thumb Safety | None |
| Magazine Disconnect | No |
| Chamber Check | Top Port |
| MSRP | $595 |
The M&P Shield Plus falls into the S&W frame size classification Micro-Compact. That size designation is shared with members of the M&P Shield M2.0 Series, M&P Shield Series, CSX Series, and M&P Shield Plus Series.
As is the case with most manufacturers, size designations are not industry standards, they are Smith & Wesson designations that apply to their product lines and offer a useful indication of comparative size.
It may help to say that the Shield Plus is bracketed in size by the Micro frame M&P Bodyguard Series as the next smaller and the Subcompact M&P 2.0 and their Officer’s size 1911 models as the next larger.
Unlike the Shield EZ with preset hammer, the 30 Super Carry Shield Plus is striker fired. Its trigger pull has a bit of take up, but the active pull is short, crisp, and clean breaking.
The S&W Shield Plus is yet another example of the world coming around to my way of thinking. Where brazen bare stainless once occupied gun store retailers walls and counter spaces, Armornite® blackened stainless is now on deck.
With the exception of a riverboat gambler or other form of dandy, everyone knows firearms should not be visually obvious, or represent a desperate cry for attention. Armornite® provides the best protection and appearance in accomplishing those objectives.
Finally, the S&W M&P Shield Plus it is manufactured in the U.S.A. and backed by a S&W Lifetime service policy.
Not many controls to consider
Anyone using a firearm for self defense wants simplified operation. The Shield Plus provides drop and trigger safeties, but… this particular model, omits a manual actuated safety. For those with a preference for a manual safety, the SKU 13473 Shield Plus version has a left side thumb safety.
Pictured above, the S&W Shield EZ, which has the additions of a grip safety, which must me compressed to permit internal hammer release, and a loaded chamber indicator that rises slightly above slide level when a round is in the chamber. The EZ also has an equipment rail, but lacks accommodation of optical sights. The EZ grip feels very 1911 like, whereas the Shield Plus has a more contoured 18° angled grip. S&W indicates this results in a more natural point of aim and improved recoil management. I would agree.
The S&W Shield Plus has a deeply cut ejection port and a large external extractor. Without challenging the followers of John Browning’s 1911, I have found the S&W external extractor to be more reliable and more tolerant of ejector wear and tear and variations in ammunition rim dimensions. The S&W extractor has a larger rim gripping surface and does not rely on stress formed metal to maintain gripping tension, as is the case with an internal extractor. I can only anticipate “You suck” email.
Above, the Shield Plus is very narrow, less than 1″ at its widest point. Always a plus for concealed carry. The chamber view port is handy, but not a replacement for a legit chamber check. I would use it to indicate if I had a round in the chamber, but I would not use it to indicate the chamber is empty.
Another view of a narrow pistol with the 16 round magazine in place. The extra quarter inch or so of floorplate space makes an acceptable home for a pinky and improved support and control. The stippling all over features is a good one, as movement between grip and hand can only be deliberate and not a slip. I like the clean back and the absence of a grip safety.
With 16 round magazine inserted, the 13 round magazine in the foreground, the difference in finger support from the extended magazine is obvious. However, even in compact form, the S&W Shield Plus still has a 13 round magazine capacity.
Shooter’s choice
Always the case that magazine capacity is an individual’s determination. The 16 round magazine means increased persistence between reloads. The 13 round magazine means a more compact firearms and lighter weight in firearm and spare magazine carry.
Field stripping with the take down lever is a quick and simple process. The recoil spring set is a captive assembly with a built in guide rod and staged double springs. This allows enough preload to assure return to battery, while not making the slide overly stiff when manually racked. I had no difficulty racking the slide when loading, or clearing.
Pulling the slide back when assembling from field stripping required two hands, momentary use of one foot, followed by a nap shortly afterward. It is all part of the laws of physics and short barrel centerfire auto loaders. I would rather deal with this minor challenge, knowing how the spring tension makes for consistent, reliable operation. Additionally, I recently discovered I am very old and semi brittle.
The barrel’s ramp is smooth and free of tool marks. The slide contains the striker, and the striker safety plunger that prevents the firing pin from moving forward without a finger pulling the trigger. A chassis, set into the glass filled polymer grip, locates all of the precision fire control pieces.
Well, that’s just Super…
Pictured left to right: 380 Auto – Too short too ballistically anemic, 30 Super Carry – Just Right, 9mm Luger – Too much. The 30 Super Carry represents a major power bump over the 380 Auto; velocity, kinetic energy and useful penetration. The 30 SC out performs the 9mm Luger in penetration and velocity, falling only 17 ft lbs shy of the 9mm Luger’s kinetic energy. The smaller diameter 30 SC means more rounds in a magazine and a more narrow grip to aid concealment.
The 30 Super Carry is described by Federal as “Introducing the all-new 30 Super Carry from Federal® – the most revolutionary self- defense advancement in nearly 100-years”. An awful lot has happened in cartridge design in the past 100 years, so that is quite a statement. Federal explains that the 30 Super Carry it is based on the 327 Federal Magnum concept. So they may be discounting their own last advancement under all of that marketing modesty.
The reality is that neither the 327 Federal Magnum or the 30 Super Carry need marketing hype as they are both exceptional cartridges.
The 327 Federal, pictured left, is a rimmed revolver cartridge that drives a 0.312″ bullet with 45,000 psi of chamber pressure to exceptional velocity and exceptional terminal ballistic effect.
The 30 Super Carry’s bullet is within 0.001″ of the 327 Federal’s bullet diameter and also drives its bullet ahead of 45,000 psi to exceptional external and terminal ballistic effect.
The 327 Federal is to the 357 Mag what the 30 Super Carry is to the 9mm Luger. Each offers greater firearm capacity due the reduced diameter of ammunition and both recoil less than the larger cartridges in the comparisons.
The 30 Super Carry’s power in an auto loader of this size, with increased magazine capacity and reduced recoil, is a very big deal for concealed carry and defensive firearm advancement.
Numerically stated…
Federal’s initial 30 Super Carry releases were a combination of target and defensive ammo. Two types are pictured left, left to right American Eagle 100 grain Full Metal Jacket target ammo and Federal Personal Defense HST100 grain Jacketed Hollow Point.
There are now 7 factory loads for the 30 Super Carry from CCI, Hornady, Federal, Remington, and Speer. Bullet weight is either 100 grains or 115 grains.
Both FMJ and JHP are listed at 1250 fps MV, with the former registering 1201 fps over the chronograph and the latter 1173 fps, shot from the subject Shield Plus. I would attribute the difference in rated and actual performance to the difference between test barrel length and real world barrel length.
Accuracy was very good. The S&W Shield Plus easily put 5 shots into a palm size group with a standing, two hand hold. I did not attempt rested 25 yard groups, as little defensive shooting occurs with 75 feet of separation.
The S&W Shield Plus in 30 Super Carry has pronounced report. I would guess the result of high muzzle pressure. Recoil does not follow in kind, as it is mild. Muzzle rise is not significant and, once conditioned to the report, the Shield Plus was an shooting pistol.
Conclusions?
The Smith & Wesson Shield Plus is a quality, compact firearm. It delivers what most seek in a concealed carry pistol; compact, reliable, ease of use, power, and accuracy. There are thirteen versions of the Shield Plus in 30 Super Carry, 9mm and configurations of different barrel lengths, capacities and sight system accommodations. So the model is established and growing.
The newer 30 Super Carry chamber certainly makes a case for itself with increased capacity, manageable power and its usefulness as a firearm assigned to personal protection. There is a core of practice and self defense ammunition today that covers all critical applications.
My guess is that the success of the 30 Super Carry version of the S&W Shield Plus will rest of the shoulders of ammo producers and their ability to meet the demand for ammunition, as the pistol is clearly up to the task. Very good combination.
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