The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield is a popular choice for concealed carry. But there are many variations among the Shield family, and not all of them fit the same holsters. How can you tell which model of Shield you have, and which holster will fit?

This article will help explain which Shield models fit which PHLster holsters. It can be confusing! This guide will help you choose the correct size holster for your Shield, Shield Plus, Performance Center Shield, Shield 1.0, Shield 2.0, and more. We’ll also discuss the differences between other Shield models that do NOT fit PHLster holsters, such as the Shield EZ and the Smith & Wesson Equalizer.

Note that this guide is for polymer (plastic) framed Shields only, without lights or lasers attached. We do not make holsters for metal frames or aftermarket frames.

The first step in finding a holster for your M&P Shield is to determine which model you have. Most pistols have engraving on the slide that tells you the model, HOWEVER, many Shield models have similar names, even though they are different sizes. Naturally, this leads to a lot of confusion, as they will not fit the same holsters.

If you’re not sure, the best way to know for sure which model you have is to contact Smith & Wesson’s customer support. Have your serial number ready, and they will be able to tell you your exact model.

If you have the original box for your gun, you can also check the manufacturer’s sticker.

Both of these guns are in the M&P Shield family, but they are two totally different models, and do not fit the same holsters. Confusing! The gun on the left is the original Shield 1.0, and the one on the right is a Shield EZ. Holsters for these two cannot be switched – they are not interchangeable.

Within the Shield lineup, there are three main holster families. These are the Shield 1.0/2.0, The Shield Plus, and the Shield EZ/Equalizer.

Each Shield family has sub-variants: for example, California compliant versions, or Performance Center versions. Performance Center Shields have some upgraded parts, and may have longer barrels. Generally speaking, most Performance Center variants will fit the same holsters as their base model, UNLESS they have longer barrels, in which case a longer holster is required.

At the time of writing, there are over 50 different variants in the Shield lineup. So it’s understandably confusing trying to find the right holster! Read on to learn about the three holster families.

While similar in overall size to the Shield 1.0/2.0, the Shield Plus has slightly different dimensions and will only fit our Shield Plus holsters. We know Smith & Wesson advertised that the Shield Plus would fit regular Shield holsters, but unfortunately they changed some critical dimensions, so the fit and retention are very poor. For safety reasons, we do not recommend using a Shield Plus in a Shield 1/0/2.0 holster, or vice versa. We have a separate holster mold for the Shield Plus that fits perfectly.

The Shield EZ and Equalizer will NOT fit holsters made for any other Shield family. They are much larger guns, and have completely different dimensions than the original Shield and Shield Plus (scroll up to see the picture above).

Note that the Shield EZ and the S&W Equalizer have the same frame size. So you can put a Shield EZ into an Equalizer holster, and vice versa. But they will NOT fit other Shield holsters.

Just a reminder, the M&P Shield M2.0 and the M&P M2.0 are completely different guns, and the holsters are not interchangeable. Smith & Wesson’s naming convention makes it very confusing, but you can contact them with your serial number if you’re not sure. In the picture below, the Shield 2.0 is on the left, and the M&P 2.0 is on the right.

Sometimes two guns in the same family, with the same frame size, will have different barrel lengths. In this case, you can usually fit the shorter barrel in the longer holster, but not the other way around.  

For example, you can fit a Shield Plus with a 3.1″ barrel into a holster made for the Shield Plus with a 4″ barrel. It will fit and retain the gun correctly, you’ll just have a little extra holster length below the muzzle. But if you try to put the longer gun in the shorter holster, it will not fit. Remember, this trick only works for guns in the same family, with the exact same frame dimensions.

The Shield 1.0 and Shield M2.0 are the smallest pistols in the Shield family.

(Note that the “M&P Shield 2.0” and the “M&P 2.0” are completely different guns. This listing is for the M&P Shield 1.0 and 2.0 only.)

The following variants will all fit our Shield 1.0/2.0 holster:

• M&P 9 Shield
• M&P 40 Shield
• M&P 9 Shield Hi Viz Sights
• M&P 40 Shield Hi Viz Sights
• M&P 9 Shield M2.0
• M&P 40 Shield M2.0
• Performance Center Ported M&P 9 Shield Every Day Carry Kit
• M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Tritium Night Sights
• M&P 40 Shield M2.0 Manual Thumb Safety
• M&P 40 Shield M2.0 No Thumb Safety
• M&P 40 Shield M2.0 Tritium Night Sights
• Performance Center Ported M&P 9 Shield M2.0 Hi Viz Sights
• Performance Center Ported M&P 40 Shield M2.0 Hi Viz Sights
• Performance Center Ported M&P 40 Shield M2.0 Tritium Night Sights

While similar in overall size to the Shield 1.0/2.0, the Shield Plus has slightly different dimensions and will only fit our Shield Plus holsters. This listing is for the 3.1″ barrel only. For 4″ barrel versions, scroll down to the next section.

Note: For safety reasons, we do not recommend using a Shield Plus in a Shield 1/0/2.0 holster, or vice versa. Use the correct holster for each model for correct fit and retention.

The following variants will all fit our Shield Plus 3.1″ holster:

• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS CA COMPLIANT
• S&W SHIELD PLUS OR 30 SUPER CARRY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS THUMB SAFETY
• S&W SHIELD PLUS OR THUMB SAFETY 30 SUPER CARRY
• PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS THUMB SAFETY 3.1″
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY THUMB SAFETY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY 10+1 ROUND
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY THUMB SAFETY 10+1 ROUND
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS THUMB SAFETY 10RD COMPLIANT
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS 10RD COMPLIANT

While similar in overall size to the Shield 1.0/2.0, the Shield Plus has slightly different dimensions and will only fit our Shield Plus holsters. This listing is for the 4″ barrel length. You CAN fit a smaller 3.1″ Shield Plus in this holster; it will have a little extra holster length at the muzzle.

Note: For safety reasons, we do not recommend using a Shield Plus in a Shield 1/0/2.0 holster, or vice versa. Use the correct holster for each model for correct fit and retention.

The following variants will all fit our Shield Plus 4″ holster:

• PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS 4″
• PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS CRIMSON TRACE PORTED 4″
• PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS CRIMSON TRACE 4″
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS CA COMPLIANT
• S&W SHIELD PLUS OR 30 SUPER CARRY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS THUMB SAFETY
• S&W SHIELD PLUS OR THUMB SAFETY 30 SUPER CARRY
• PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS THUMB SAFETY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY THUMB SAFETY
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY 10+1 ROUND
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS OPTICS READY THUMB SAFETY 10+1 ROUND
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS THUMB SAFETY 10RD COMPLIANT
• M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS 10RD COMPLIANT

Both the M&P Shield EZ and the S&W Equalizer have the same frame size and can share holsters. However, they are BOTH very different from the rest of the Shield lineup. The Shield EZ and Equalizer will NOT fit holsters made for any other Shield model. They are much larger guns, and have completely different dimensions than the original Shield and Shield Plus (see the picture below).

• • The M&P Shield (left) and the M&P Shield EZ (right) are two totally different guns. The Shield EZ is much larger, and can be difficult to conceal for small-framed people. Read more here.

Because the Shield EZ and the S&W Equalizer have the same frame size, you can put a Shield EZ into an Equalizer holster, and vice versa. But they will NOT fit any other Shield holsters.