First Look: Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X Series

Smith & Wesson has just announced the M&P Shield X, a new subcompact iteration of the Shield series.
For the last few years, almost every new concealed carry pistol released was a 9mm micro-compact, but it seems that sub-compact 9mms are now experiencing a bit of a resurgence. The latest example is Smith & Wesson’s recently announced M&P Shield X with its 3.6-inch stainless steel barrel.

The M&P Shield X has all the modern features shooters have come to expect of modern carry pistols. Namely, it’s optics-ready (RMSc/K footprint), features an accessory rail and has an impressive 13+1 capacity of 9mm with flush-fit mags or 15+1 rounds with the included extended mag. A 10-round compliant version is available as well. The Shield X frame also boasts ergonomic improvements like a lengthened grip, undercut trigger guard, and extended beaver tail. Other features include aggressive front and rear slide serrations, an Ameriglo Trooper LumiGreen front night sight and a blacked-out serrated u-notch rear sight. The Shield X also has Smith & Wesson’s ClearSight Cut, a feature designed to prevent red dot optic windows from becoming fouled.


Grant Dubuc, Director of Product Innovation at Smith & Wesson, said this about the new carry pistol:
When designing the Shield X, a key focus was enhancing ergonomics to deliver a superior fit and feel across all hand sizes. Drawing inspiration from the Bodyguard 2.0, we introduced several refinements to the frame including undercutting the trigger guard, adding a slight beaver tail, and slimming specific areas at the back of the frame. These changes allow the shooter’s hand to sit higher on the frame, improving control and comfort without compromising concealability. Combined with added features like a rail, extended barrel, aggressive serrations, and upgraded sights, the Shield X is the ideal everyday carry 9mm.
The Smith & Wesson Shield X is available with or without a manual thumb safety and has an MSRP of $599.
For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.
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