The Smith and Wesson M&P Shield is a very popular and high-demand pistol. It has a perfect size, the perfect weight, and Smith and Wesson is a brand that many gun owners can rely on. However, there are plenty of M&P Shield 9mm accessories you can get to make the experience even better.
I’ve put together this review of our favorite M&P Shield 9mm accessories, and I’ll let you know which one I think is the accessory everyone should have. In most cases, gun owners use the M&P Shield for self-defense situations. In addition, there are many accessories you can purchase to make sure you’re the one walking away alive. A holster would be the first obvious accessory to purchase.
Honestly, if you don’t already have one for your pistol, then get one. The other two accessories that could be truly life-saving are a laser and a set of night sights. You’ll probably be more likely to require your M&P Shield during late nights or darkened areas, so anything to enhance your accuracy could really come in handy. Whichever M&P shield upgrade you choose, you’ll only be improving your handgun.
Best Budget Buy
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Amberide IWB KYDEX Holster Fit: S&W M&P Shield |
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$34 Shop NowClick to read my review |
Galco Ankle Lite |
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$98 Shop NowClick to read my review | |
LaserMax Centerfire Lasers for S&W M&P Shield |
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$126 Shop NowClick to read my review | |
Top Pick
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Streamlight TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight |
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$101 Shop NowClick to read my review |
Trijicon M&P Shield HD Night Sight Set |
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$119 Shop NowClick to read my review |
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Best M&P Shield Accessories
Amberide IWB KYDEX Holster Fit: S&W M&P Shield
Materials – The Amberide IWB Holster outfits itself with .08-inch thick Kydex material. Which is both durable and light, making it ideal for everyday use. This holster is waterproof and washable, so you may confidently carry it in any condition. It also has a sweat guard that runs the length of the slide to keep your sidearm in pristine condition.
Moreover, this holster can withstand both daily use and intense physical encounters. This sturdy holster protects your handgun while allowing discreet and safe carry. It’s also made to fit the S&W M&P Shield.
Performance – This holster includes features that allow you to adjust the cant of the 1.5-inch standard belt clip. It includes a Phillips screwdriver for faster draw speeds and better concealment under clothing.
In addition, the black powder-coated stainless steel hardware is sturdy and can be adjusted from 0 to 15 degrees. It also has an adjustable retention pressure. You can tighten the retention screw before going for a stroll and loosen it afterward, making this holster adaptable.
What we say – The Amberide IWB Holster is fairly reasonable and provides excellent value. This is ideal for those looking for a holster that’s flexible and comfortable to use. It’s also suitable for concealed carry.
- Made of high-quality materials
- Comfortable to wear
- With full-length sweat guard
- Adjustable head drawstrings
- Affordable
- The screws may come off easily
Galco Ankle Lite
Materials – The Galco Ankle Lite is a development of the Galco Ankle Glove, which itself is one of the most popular and successful ankle holsters ever devised. In addition, Galco is one of the most reputable holster manufacturers on the market today.
The Ankle Lite is based on the Ankle Glove. However, there are still some key differences. The Ankle Lite utilizes the same Velcro closure and wide neoprene ankle band as the Ankle Glove, while the holster itself is constructed out of Center Cut Steerhide.
Performance – This holster is very comfortable thanks to the sheepskin padding. Additionally, this ankle holster will simply melt around your ankle in contrast to many other ankle holsters that are scratchy.
This holster features the reinforced thumb break retention strap that ensures your pistol remains secure throughout the day. Additionally, an ankle holster without a thumb break of some kind would be a huge red flag.
One downside of this holster is the lack of a top strap above the holster to wrap underneath the knee for even greater security. However, it’s not a deal-breaker. As an added bonus, in addition to the Smith & Wesson Shield 9mm or .40 S&W pistols, this holster can also fit the Honor Guard 9mm and .40 pistols, as well as the Taurus PT709.
What we say – When you buy one from Galco, you always know that you’re buying quality. The Galco Ankle Lite is no exception to that rule. This holster is high quality, long-lasting, and very comfortable. It’s also expensive, and the lack of a top strap beneath your knee means that the holster may not be quite as secure as it otherwise could have been.
- One of the most reputable companies when it comes to holsters
- Gun will stay seated without the cap
- Strong velcro closure keeps the holster tightly wrapped around your lower leg
- Sheepskin padding greatly aids on comfort
- Accommodates ankles up to 13 inches in diameter
- High quality and premium steerhide construction
- Made in the United States
- Also fits Taurus PT709 and Honor Defense Honor Guard pistols
- Very expensive for an ankle holster
- No top strap
- Active movement could loosen the velcro strap
LaserMax Centerfire Lasers for S&W M&P Shield
Materials – The LaserMax Centerfire Laser is an all-black M&P Shield upgrade made of nylon. Each Centerfire Laser is designed to mimic the appearance of the pistol. In this case, it features the same textured grip pattern as the S&W M&P Shield.
This laser features a constant, red beam, powered by a Lithium battery. It replaces the stock trigger guard, and it is adjustable for windage and elevation. The LaserMax Centerfire Laser also has an ambidextrous power button, which simply taps on and off. All Centerfire Lasers also come with a 1-year warranty.
Performance – The LaserMax Centerfire Laser for S&W M&P Shield is a very affordable and practical accessory to install on your pistol. The more compact your handgun gets, the more difficult it becomes to zero in on your target. So a laser is a great way to enhance your shooting accuracy. I also love the fact that all of LaserMax’s pistol lasers mimic specific designs and patterns. A streamlined look will help keep accessories discrete and low profile. My one complaint is that it can really drain the battery, and the battery is pretty expensive. Just be sure your laser shuts off when you’re done using it.
What we say – The LaserMax Centerfire Laser costs less than $90 online. That’s a fantastic price for a laser with its great features.
- Matches the look of the M&P Shield
- Constant red beam is bright even in daylight
- Enhances accuracy
- Battery is expensive and drains quickly
Streamlight TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight
Materials – The Streamlight TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight is another M&P Shield 9mm accessory that replaces the stock trigger guard of your S&W M&P Shield. This one is a combination of both a laser and a flashlight. It comes in all black, and it keeps a discrete appearance.
An ambidextrous button can be used to turn the attachment on, and it features three settings: laser only on, laser/LED light on, and LED light only on. The LED flashlight provides 100 lumens, and it also has a reflector to balance out peripheral illumination. The entire flashlight and laser combo add hardly over one ounce of additional weight to your pistol.
Performance – The Streamlight TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight is another very handy 9mm accessory, and it gives us the best of both worlds. Depending on which light setting you’re using, you’ll get about an hour of constant use from the flashlight battery. Batteries are also included with this option, but they’re also incredibly cheaper than the lithium batteries required for the previous laser option, costing only a few dollars online.
As far as practicality goes, despite being a compact accessory, adding that much extra to the trigger guard makes your pistol a little bulky. You probably won’t be able to keep it in a regular holster. It will just take a little adjusting to get used to.
What we say – The Streamlight TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight costs between $100 and $105 online, depending on where you purchase it from. Combining a laser with a flashlight makes this a great bargain.
- Laser and flashlight combo
- Batteries are very cheap to replace
- 100 lumens and LED very bright
- Won’t fit in most holsters; a little bulky
Trijicon M&P Shield HD Night Sight Set
Materials – The Trijicon M&P Shield HD Night Sight Set is a pair of both front and rear sights, with two dots in the back and one in the front. Each dot uses a green Tritium insert to illuminate and guide your targeting during low light situations. The tritium inserts are also warranted for 12 years of use.
Additionally, the rear sight has a serrated face to help reflect any peripheral light. The front dot can be purchased with either an orange or yellow painted ring to create contrast and reflect the tritium. Trijicon advises that gun owners seek professional installation of their M&P Shield HD Night Sight Set.
Performance – Whether you walk to the streets alone at night frequently, or you get a lot of tactical use out of your M&P shield, a set of night sights is a wise investment for you. In addition, the Trijicon is a renowned brand, and their M&P Shield HD Night Sight Set is one of the most popular and highly rated products on the market. Every part of the design enhances your shooting abilities in low lighting, and Tritium inserts last for many years.
I personally suggest choosing the orange front sight, as we think the orange color contrast with the green Tritium better than the yellow. It will cost you extra money to have them installed. Even the tooling required to install them yourself is also pretty expensive. It could be very worth the investment down the line.
What we say – The Trijicon M&P Shield HD Night Sight Set costs a little under $150 online. You’ll also have to factor in the cost of getting the sights installed. However, this investment should last you at least a decade.
- Highly contrasting painted rings and Tritium inserts
- Lasts for at least 10 years
- Serrated rear sight to reflect exterior light
- Expensive
- Needs professional installation
Our Favorite M&P Shield 9mm Accessory
Our top pick for the best M&P Shield 9mm accessory goes to the Streamlight TLR-6 Tactical Pistol Mount Flashlight. It combines both a flashlight and a laser, which I find to be a very practical accessory you would want to add to your handgun. For a combo such as this, I also think the price is very reasonable. At just around $100, you’re basically getting two essential M&P Shield upgrades for the price of one.
Meanwhile, our top budget pick is the Amberide IWB KYDEX Holster Fit: S&W M&P Shield. Despite its affordable price, it has high-end features. Overall, the handcrafted sturdy Kydex material and the exceptional comfort it offers make it an excellent deal for its price.
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