Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus

The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus is one of the best-selling concealed carry pistols in America, and for good reason. It packs 13+1 rounds of 9mm into a frame barely wider than a single-stack, making it one of the highest-capacity slim carry guns available. The Shield Plus improved on the original Shield with a redesigned trigger featuring a flat face and crisp tactile reset, improved grip texture, and an optimized 18-degree grip angle.

At just 1 inch wide and 20.2 ounces unloaded, the Shield Plus practically disappears in an IWB holster. The 3.1-inch barrel keeps the overall length compact at 6.1 inches while still delivering reliable 9mm terminal performance. Both flush-fit 10-round and extended 13-round magazines are included from the factory.

The Performance Center OR (Optic-Ready) variant adds a slide cut for direct-mount micro red dots, a ported barrel and slide for reduced muzzle rise, and a fiber optic front sight. For shooters who want a proven, affordable carry gun with excellent capacity-to-size ratio, the Shield Plus is hard to beat at $499.