Smith & Wesson has announced the introduction of a new M&P Shield without a thumb safety. The guns are in production now, and the first guns should start shipping next week. The new Shield variants will be available in both 9mm and .40 S&W. Other than the deleted safety, the guns will be identical to the originals. All of the carry rigs I have included in my Shield holster list will fit this pistol.
Background
Recently, there have been partial images of a Smith & Wesson sales sheet floating around the internet that purport to show a new M&P Sheild pistol that does not have a thumb safety. There has been some degree of debate on the accuracy of the information, or if they were complete Photoshop fabrications. I am happy to report that the images are authentic, and the pistol is real. It would seem a dealer mistakenly released the information a few days ahead of schedule.
According to a source I spoke with, the company received a lot of requests for a M&P Shield without a thumb safety. This is not surprising, as many people I have spoken with have expressed the little lever as being the only thing that they do not like about the gun.
New Pistol Details
The new Shield handguns will be very similar to the originals. Externally, the new guns will be identical other than the missing safety lever.
Current Shield owners may be disappointed to learn that older guns cannot be upgraded by the company to remove the original safety. I suspect there are a variety of reasons for this, not the least of which is demand by current Shield owners might overwhelm the S&W gunsmithing crew. If there are not already gunsmiths who offer a safety removal service, there should be.
A Massachusetts compliant model is expected to be released in the near future.
Specifications
- caliber: 9mm and .40 S&W
- magazine capacity, 9mm: 7 rounds (8 round extended available)
- magazine capacity, .40 S&W: 6 rounds (7 round extended available)
- barrel length: 3.1″
- weight (unloaded): 19 oz
- sights: three-dot, dovetailed
- MSRP: $449