This comparison will be for Smith and Wesson lovers. The SW M&P 2.0 Compact is significantly smaller than the Shield. They are still small enough to serve a similar purpose for most people. We’ll discuss the differences between both guns and give you all the pros and con of each gun.
Table of contentsSizeSW M&P 2.0 Compact vs Shield Concealed CarryErgonomics FrameTextureSlideSightsStockAftermarketRed Dot OpticsControlsSafetyTrigger Shield TriggerSmith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Series TriggerSlide Lock SW M&P 2.0 Compact vs ShieldMagazine ReleaseQualityAftermarketAesthetics Shooting SW M&P 2.0 Compact vs ShieldPrice/ValueRelated ArticlesPros/ConsSW M&P 2.0 Compact ProsM&P Shield ProsSW M&P 2.0 Compact ConsM&P Shield Cons
Size
MetricsM&P 2.0 CompactSW M&P ShieldWeight No Mag(Oz)24.318.4Weight Empty Mag(Oz)27.120.4Weight With A Full Mag(Oz)32.623.4Height(top of Slide to bottom of Magazine Baseplate)(Inches)4.94.45Length (Inches)7.016.13Width of Grip(Inches)1.230.95Width of Slide(Inches)1.110.09Width Across Controls(Inches)1.291.03SW M&P 2.0 Compact vs Shield Concealed Carry
When you look at concealed carry guns, you will see two completely different types of firearms. The Smith and Wesson shield is a single-stack firearm that holds seven rounds. It will be much smaller than the M&P2.0 compact. It’s about a half inch shorter than the M&P 2.0 compact in terms of height. It is also six ounces lighter. The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact is a great gun for concealed carrying. You can also carry a slightly larger firearm.
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It’s clear that Smith and Wesson Shield will be easier to conceal. The 2.0 Compact can still be concealed, it all depends on the size gun you have. Daily, I carry a Glock 19. It is exactly the same size as the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact. It’s easy to conceal, provided I use a good holster. The Smith and Wesson M&P Shield will be easier to conceal. The Smith and Wesson Shield is a great concealment option, but it can be a loss of firepower and shootability depending on your needs.
Ergonomics
Frame
The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact frame will give you many more benefits. The M&P 2.0 compact’s removable backstraps allow you to adjust to three sizes. The trigger reach is also increased by the largest size. So, if your hands are larger than normal, it’s a big advantage.
SW ShieldIn Stock ShieldsNew & Pre-OwnedGuns.com
Both guns feel great in the hand. However, I will have to admit that the larger gun has the better ergonomics. It feels heavier and gives you more control over the firearm. The Smith and Wesson shield is a bit like a 1 x 4 in your hand. It is very slim, almost too thin. It doesn’t even fill the hand. It’s just not as comfortable.
The grip length is a major advantage of the S and W M&P2.0 compact. Half of my pinky finger were hanging off the grip of the Smith and Wesson Shield. With the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact, my entire hand can be gripped by the gun. This makes a huge difference in controlling recoil leverage.
Texture
There are still two Smith and Wesson variations. The Smith and Wesson 2.0 compact and the original Smith and Wesson. They also have very different textures. The original Smith and Wesson shield pistol is very smooth and has very little texture. The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 shield is extremely aggressive and it’s almost identical to the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact.
SW 2.0 CompactIn Stock 2.0 compacts
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Both have very aggressive texturing, and if the pistol is concealed, it can be quite harsh on your skin. This is not an issue for some people, but it can be for others. The texture of these pistols feels almost like 200 grit sandpaper in your hand. It works great when you shoot, but it doesn’t work as well when it’s in your hand. It would have been nice if Smith & Weston had removed the feature from the sides. It was still attached to the firearm’s backstrap and front strap.
Slide
These slides are easy to use. There are four serrations on the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact and shield. These four serrations measure only an eighth of an inch high. They might as well be ineffective. The serrations at the gun’s rear are identical between the shield version and the 2.0 compact. The 2.0 compact has a wider slide, so I can’t really tell much difference. Although it makes the gun easier to hold and rack, they are still very similar.
Sights
Stock
Both guns come with identical sight images. They have three-dot sights and are made of metal. The Smith and Wesson shield2.0 performance center guns can be upgraded with fiber optic sights. They offer a green fiber optic rear and a red fiber front. Personally, I don’t like their websites. They’re too bright for me. You can also get night sights on the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0. It will have the same sight picture as the standard three dots sights, but with tritium vials instead of the painted white holes.
SW ShieldIn Stock Shields
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Aftermarket
Both pistols have a similar aftermarket, and there are many good sites. This is what I recommend. Sites from companies like Trijicon, Dawson Precision, and AmeriGlo are all options. These guns are available from a variety of sites.
Red Dot Optics
Smith and Wesson seem intent on expanding this on shield offerings.
The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact now comes with a red dots cut. I’d recommend that you choose this over the shield dot. It’s great to know that Smith and Wesson offer this option directly from the factory. The Smith and Wesson 2.0 compact will accept multiple types of red dots, including your hollow sons, treasure cons, and little polled optics.
SW 2.0 CompactIn Stock 2.0 compacts
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Controls
Safety
Both of these pistols can be purchased with or without safety features. This Smith and Wesson shield has the same safety features as the 2.0 variant. It’s a small piece made of folded sheet metal that is mounted on the pistol’s left side. You can use your thumb to swipe it down. It is very discreet and keeps it out of the way. It’s almost too out of the way.
It could be a bit wider. It would be nice if you could keep your thumb up on top of it when you fire like a 1911. I feel a lot more secure with this safety. It would be nice to have it ambidextrous. If you ever needed to use the gun with your lefthand, you could easily slide the safety on and off.
The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact has, in my opinion a better set safety features. The Smith Wesson M&P2.0 compact’s safeties are positioned as a 1911. The gun’s rear is where they are located. They are very wide and ambidextrous. It’s natural to use these safetyties and it’s just a great design on Smith and Wesson.
Trigger
The 2.0 shields have identical triggers, but the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact has the same triggers. The original shield has a slightly different trigger. I will now cover the 2.0 series shield instead of the standard shield.
Shield Trigger
The original shield trigger feels very similar to the new triggers. It is not as good. The original Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 triggers have a slight take-up and then you’ll reach a wall. The pressure will build until you feel a very firm brake. The trigger resets back at the wall, where you will feel the break again.
SW ShieldIn Stock Shields
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Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Series Trigger
The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 series trigger has a better sear. It still uses the Smith and Wesson M&P shield hinge trigger. It does feel better. Before you reach the wall, there is some light. The brake has a similar current characteristic, but it feels lighter and cleaner once you reach the wall. It’s a vast improvement over the original Smith and Wesson shield triggers.
Slide Lock SW M&P 2.0 Compact, vs Shield
All guns have identical slide locks. The M&P 2.0 compact has an advantage: it’s ambidextrous. I think the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact has a clear advantage. It won’t make much difference if you shoot right-handed.
SW 2.0 CompactIn Stock 2.0 compacts
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Magazine Release
These are the same features between both guns. There is no difference. It might be easier to reach the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Shield magazine release if you have smaller hands. I can reach both magazine releases with no problem and my grip is not broken. You might find it easier to use the magazine release on shield if your hands are smaller.
vQuality
The 2.0 series has a slightly different feel and quality to the original. The original Smith and Wesson shield’s polymer feels slightly better than the 2.0 series. The shield and Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact have the same build quality as the 2.0 series. I prefer the 2.0 series features to the 1.0. The quality difference is noticeable. It’s unlikely to be of lower quality. It’s just that it feels lower quality.
Aftermarket
Both guns have very similar aftermarket options. There may be some additional aftermarket options for shields. There are so many guns on the market. You will find the majority of the OEM accessories for each firearm.
SW ShieldIn Stock Shields
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Aesthetics
Personally, I don’t like the Smith and Weston M&P2.0 Shield’s look. The gun’s outline is too irregular and it seems very heavy. The nose is very small. The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact is, however, a very attractive-looking firearm. It looks amazing.
It is well balanced and has many nice little features. Some of its characteristics are a bit too busy. You can see the frame’s cutouts and the details. Overall, it’s a clean gun. It’s a bit busy but still looks great. It looks like a car that has been spruced up, but it’s still attractive and people will love it.
Shooting SW M&P 2.0 Compact or Shield
There is no comparison between these guns when shooting them. The Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact is easier to shoot. The gun has a more tactile gun than the original shield. It’s also larger and has a softer recoil. The slide dampens some of the recoil. The longer barrel makes it easier to shoot.
SW 2.0 CompactIn Stock 2.0 compacts
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If you are looking for a smaller gun, the Smith and Wesson shield will be more suitable. However, in all other aspects, the Smith and Wesson M&P2.0 compact is a better choice. It all comes down to size. You have limits when you are large.
Price/Value
It is always difficult to write about the pricing for Smith and Wesson M&P products because they fluctuate so much. As I write this, we are experiencing the highest firearms market demand ever. Prices are therefore much higher than normal. Because of this, I won’t be able to give the exact prices, but only the differences.
Smith and Wesson still make the original shield generation, as well as the 2.0 version. They are approximately $70-$100 more expensive than the 2.0 version. This is a difference of about $50 between the Shield 2.0 and the SW M&P 2.0 Compact.
The shield will be more valuable if money is tight. If it’s not, it’s going down to the size gun you prefer.
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