Top 5 Holster Choices for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield
Apr 27th 2021
The M&P Shield is a highly-respected firearm among civilians and uniformed officers. It is a great option to consider for self-defense and as a home-defense pistol. However, every gun owner knows that a great pistol is made better by a great holster. In this Smith & Wesson M&P Shield holster list, you will find the top five Incognito Concealment holsters for your M&P Shield pistols.
What Type of Holster is Best for You?
Holsters come in several styles and have differing benefits. When choosing your holster, it is best to consider how you intend to carry your holster. Certain options will lend themselves inside the waistband to concealed carry, while others are primarily used for open carry.
There are two primary kinds of waistband holsters. IWB stands for inside the waistband, while OWB stands for outside the waistband. IWB holsters are better for concealed carry purposes. You can still conceal carry with outside the waistband holsters if you have a long coat or shirt, but they are not optimal.
Another holster option is the paddle holster. The paddle-style holster features a small plate that rests between the actual holster and your body. The paddle contours to your frame, making it a comfortable fit and a reliable option.
There are a variety of Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm models available. Depending on the model of your pistol, you may want to consider whether an IWB holster or OWB holster will be best for you.
Shop Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 45
What is the Best Type of Holster Material?
Pistol holsters are typically made using one of three materials: Leather, nylon, and Kydex. All three materials have unique advantages and many gun owners will expressly swear by one or the other. However, most modern holster manufacturers have taken to using Kydex to create their holsters.
Kydex holsters are by far the sturdiest and most reliable holsters available on the market. A top-quality Kydex holster protects your guns from strong impacts and damaging elements, allowing your weapon to fire accurately and efficiently.
Kydex is an ultra-tough thermoplastic synthetic. Due to its incredible durability and lightweight properties, this synthetic has been used in the construction of airplane bulkheads. While its most common application is in holster manufacturing, it is also used for knife sheaths.
The classic material used for holsters is leather. Since leather sidearm holsters were popularized in the 1830s, they have been a conventional choice for carrying a gun. Leather provides a smooth and easy draw, but it is not very structurally protective, and there is a lengthy break-in period. Leather also tends to hold moisture, which can damage the steel components of a firearm over time.
Nylon is the third most popular material for constructing holsters. While not as prevalent as Kydex and leather, Nylon holsters do have some advantages. They are generally reported as being comfortable to wear and make drawing your weapon very quiet. However, nylon holsters are not protective of hard hits, and over time, the nylon fibers wear down.
Which M&P Shield Models are the Best?
M&P Shield models produced by Smith & Wesson are fantastic firearms. This range of 9mm pistols is truly a leader in quality self-defense firearms. Specific models excel in different areas, however.
The M&P Shield 45 is a compact 9mm pistol that is ideal for concealed carry. It packs all the power of a full-sized 9mm pistol in a slim and easy-to-handle frame. Due to its size, the 45 is very easy to conceal, and having a great holster to pair with the gun helps you ensure the pistol is secure.
The M&P Shield 9 is a compact-sized 9mm pistol. This gun is very thin and lightweight, making it easy and comfortable to carry for prolonged periods. It also features an aggressive design that allows the shooter to get a higher and firmer grip on the weapon for better accuracy. It features a seven-round magazine as well as an eight-round magazine. The extended eight-round magazine gives the pistol a full-sized grip.
Incognito Concealment Holsters
Incognito Concealment provides the best holsters for M&P Shield pistols available on the market. At Incognito Concealment, we make custom holster shells that are molded to the exact specificities of different firearms. This way you know exactly what will fit your weapon, ensuring that your holster is comfortable and reliable.
We only use the best material to construct our high-performance pistol holsters. We use Kydex frames to construct our holsters, meaning that they are extremely resistant to blunt-force contact and protect your gun from moisture and chemically corrosive agents. There is no safer place for your firearm than inside an Incognito Concealment Kydex holster.
We provide a wide variety of holsters and holster attachments, including OWB, IWB, and paddle holster variants. We offer magazine holsters to keep your extra ammunition safe. We also provide additional belt clips if you require additional security for your holster.
There are up to 30 different colors to choose from on all of the holster variants. The standard Kydex sheet color is Tactical Black, but other options include Armour Black, Standard Camo, Police Blue, Hunter Orange, or Blood Red, to name a few. Even colors like Hot Pink and Purple Haze are available, so there is a holster color for every unique style.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Holster List
For the two best Smith & Wesson M&P Shield models, here are the best holsters for your 45 and 9.
1. M&P Shield 45 IWB Holster
This is a fantastic holster for the M&P Shield 45. The IWB model is perfect for concealed carry and comfortably inconspicuous. The holster is fitted with a secure metal belt clip so you won’t have to worry about your gun being insecure.
Thanks to the Kydex frame, this holster is resistant to extreme temperatures and chemical corrosives, ensuring that your firearm is safe at all times.
The holster features a trigger guard so that the trigger doesn't accidentally become bent or depressed during carry. Your pistol will function to its maximum efficiency.
2. M&P Shield 45 OWB
Some simply find it more comfortable to carry outside of the waistband, or it is legal to do so in their jurisdiction.
The OWB M&P Shield 45 holster provides extra belt clips and security for your gun, as well as a comfortable fitting carrying experience.
Just because it is OWB doesn't mean that the holster cannot be concealed carry. Wearing a long shirt or jacket can easily conceal this OWB holster, providing a concealed carry option that may be more comfortable for some than an IWB holster.
3. M&P Shield 45 Paddle
The paddle holster provides maximum comfort while carrying. Featuring a paddle that seamlessly contours to your body, this holster is easy to wear. The paddle holster is the chosen holster by most law enforcement officials.
This holster features the same awesome qualities as the other M&P Shield 45 holsters, including an easy draw for getting a better sightline on assailants.
The Kydex build is also sturdy as ever, protecting your gun from damage from day to day. A gun that is properly protected means that you will be too.
4. M&P Shield 9 IWB
The M&P Shield 9 is one of the best compact-sized pistols on the market, so we made our holster live up to the gun’s standard. The IWB holster fits your 9 like a glove and guards the trigger, barrel, and slide.
This IWB holster is easy to conceal as it clips on comfortably to your belt or waistband and sits easily inside the waistband.
At Incognito Concealment, we also include the option for our holsters to accommodate lights and laser targeting attachments, even on our IWB holsters.
5. M&P Shield 9 OWB
The OWB is an effective option for M&P Shield 9 owners who are looking for a holster to open carry. If your state allows open carry and you feel more comfortable carrying OWB, then this is the holster for you.
This holster features different belt size options and caters to different hand orientations so you can draw your gun with either hand.
If you want to open carry to show off your high-quality holster, you’ll be happy to know that the M&P Shield 9 OWB comes in all 30 of the available Incognito Concealment colors and patterns.
Final Thoughts
If you own an M&P Shield 9mm pistol and you need a high-performance holster to match your high-performance gun, don’t wait to contact us. At Incognito Concealment, we offer the best IWB holsters on the market. Browse our extensive online inventory today.
