Guide to Choosing the Best S&W M&P Shield Holsters
Apr 8th 2020
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is a short recoil-operated semi-automatic polymer-framed pistol made in 2005. M&P stands for Military & Police and is obviously aimed at law enforcement agencies, but is commonly available in the commercial market. The M&P uses a striker-fired trigger system that prevents the weapon from being discharged unintentionally. The trigger must be fully pressed to fire, so the gun is less likely to go off if dropped or by accident.
The original Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm is one of the most widely carried and popular handguns on the market. It is available in 3 caliber sizes, 9mm, .40, and .45.
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2.0 gives the original model a nice facelift and upgrade. Additionally, there are a number of factory and aftermarket options to upgrade and modify.
The gun measures 6.1 inches long and 4.6 inches tall, with a barrel length of 3.1 inches and weighs 20 ounces unloaded. The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield supports two types of magazine, flush-fit and extended.
The 9mm version of the gun holds 7 or 8 rounds for each type, respectively. The .40 and .45 version support 6 or 7 rounds each, respectively. 10 round magazine versions of each are not available in California, Massachusetts, New York, Australian, and Canadian markets.
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield was originally meant to compete with the ever-popular Glock, A small, powerful, and accurate handgun, it is one of the most commonly carried sidearms by law enforcement officers and for people who carry guns for self-defense. Having a top-quality Kydex holster will let you holster your Smith & Wesson M&P Shield either as open carry or concealed carry.
Types of Holsters
There are different types of holsters, depending on your purpose for the firearm. For open carry, any style is suitable, with outside-the-waistband options available for this purpose. Any option can also be used for concealed carry, but some are better than others for this purpose. This Smith & Wesson M&P Shield holster list will provide you with the right information to make the correct choice for your holster.
All our holsters at Incognito Concealment have right and left-handed options and provide safe and reliable holstering options for your Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.
Inside-the-Waistband Kydex Holsters
Inside-the-waistband (IWB) Kydex holsters are the best option for concealed carry. They are comfortable, secure, and are tucked inside the waistband for added concealment. When you concealed carry with an IWB holster, a loose-fitting shirt can provide enough coverage. The holster is equipped with metal belt clips that work best with a sturdy tactical belt which will help secure your weapons better.
All our Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Kydex holsters support both versions of the M&P Shield. Made out of Kydex, a durable thermoplastic, these holsters protect the handgun from temperatures, spills, and falling. Using an IWB Kydex holster is the safest way to concealed carry.
Outside-the-Waistband Kydex Holsters
Outside-the-waistband (OWB) Kydex holsters are designed to fit outside the belt. While they can be used for concealed carry, they are not as effectively hidden as IWB holsters. When wearing a jacket or some loose clothing, a gun in an OWB holster can be concealed.
For open carry, however, OWB holsters provide quick and easy holstering and re-holstering and can feel very comfortable when carried. Because OWB holsters are outside the pants, they provide quicker access than IWB holsters.
OWB belt holsters feature two secure loops for a belt, to provide a tight fit. Make sure you use these holsters with a strong, sturdy belt that doesn't sag. This will assure that your firearm is safely and snugly fit on your person.
A paddle holster is also a type of outside-the-waistband holster. Unlike the standard OWB holster, paddle holsters fit over the waistband. A spring-based mechanism holds the entire holster in place so that your holster doesn't come off when drawing. Simply put, the paddle holsters clips on similarly to how the IWB does, but the holster is on the outside.
Made out of a large piece of Kydex backing, the contoured holster sits securely on your waist. Paddle holsters allow a carrier to keep the gun away from the hip, making for a good grip and easy draw. These holsters are probably the quickest and easiest to draw. As a result, they are often used by on-duty police officers, at shooting ranges, and for competition shooting.
Picking the Right Holster
Each of these types of holsters has advantages and disadvantages. Some of these might be important to you, depending on your carry purposes.
For concealment, IWB Kydex holsters are the best option, as they provide a snug, inside the pants fit for your firearm, and can be concealed easily with normal everyday clothing. This makes it a popular option for self-defense concealed carriers, undercover law enforcement officials, and any other situation where not drawing attention to the firearm is key.
With these holsters, however, make sure you have it secured to you in a way that allows you to be comfortable sitting down, standing up, and driving. Our holsters use strong clips, that allow for easy removal of the holster when needed.
For comfort, either the belt or paddle OWB holsters are great. While it is still possible to use either of these for a concealed carry with a jacket or loose shirt, these Kydex holsters are designed for comfort and easy access. They are popular with on-duty police officers or professional and competitive shooters, where grip, speed, accuracy are not important.
Each belt and paddle OWB holsters have their own advantages and disadvantages. Belt holsters are much more secure than the paddle holsters, as they fit onto the belt, making it very difficult for the holster to be removed, either by accident or by someone else.
The paddle holsters are more easily removable, which can be an advantage for those who do not need to wear their firearm all the time, or police officers who drive. Its spring-loaded mechanism keeps it secure when you are wearing it, but not as secure as its belt counterpart.
Final Thoughts
When picking the right Kydex holster for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, it is important to take a number of factors into consideration, including purpose, comfort, and whether you plan to open carry or concealed carry. While all of the different types of holsters can be used for all carriers, some serve specific purposes better than others.
Incognito Concealment carries high-quality Kydex holsters that provide a safe, secure, and reliable fit for your gun. Call us today at 586-257-1686 to find the right fit for your sidearm.
