The idea of proposing a compact semi-automatic pistol in .45 ACP for concealed carry is not new, since already in the 1950s Colt realized that five-inch barrels are perhaps too much if you want to carry the gun all day, and thus created the 1911 Commander version that featured a 4.25” barrel and an aluminum frame. In the mid-1980s, Colt marketed even shorter models, such as the Officer with a 3.5” barrel, but at the time in the USA the "wondernines" craze was about to begin – that is 9mm pistols with high-capacity double-stack magazines. Years later, the .45 ACP is starting to be used as a defensive caliber in compact 1911-based guns like the Kimbers and in new concept models like the striker-fired, polymer-framed HS Precision S3.
Smith & Wesson Military & Police Shield M2.0 Performance Center in .45 ACP
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP Barrel of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-barrel.jpg?resize=1e0a5b:250x&cid=1fb6.4d0d)
The .45 ACP caliber version of this carry pistol belongs to the second generation of the Military & Police series, hence the name 2.0 with a software flavor. It is a special version of the Shield model, developed by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center. It is defined by the manufacturer itself as a micro-compact gun, with a 3.3”/84 mm barrel and polymer frame deriving from the M2 Compact model, further reduced in the grip size, but still able to accommodate a single-stack magazine with 6- or 8-round capacity. The first and most significant difference compared to the basic model is the presence of a ported barrel – some compensation cuts are on its upper part, near the muzzle, with corresponding slots on the slide top.
Another rather striking detail are the sights, consisting of rear and a front sights with HiViz fiber optic inserts in green and vermilion red respectively. The slide, made of stainless steel, has a particular nitride finish called Armornite that protects the metal from scratches and abrasion. On the rear on the slide, which rides inside the frame, there are wave-like serrations. They are rather small but still offer an effective cocking grip.
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP The vermillion red fiber optic rear sight of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-red-fiber-optic-rear-sight.jpg?cid=1fba.4cwr&resize=0385f0%3A440x295c)
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP The front sight of the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-front-sight.jpg?cid=1fbb.4cwj&resize=c7fda1%3A440x295c)
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-trigger.jpg?resize=6995a7:250x&cid=1fb9.4d0d)
The frame is polymer, at least for the most part, since it incorporates a steel chassis on which there are the slide rails. It also houses the trigger assembly, accurized by the Performance Center to make it lighter and crisper.
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP Left side of the Smith & Wesson Military & Police Shield M2.0](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-left-view.jpg?resize=abee5c:250x&cid=1fb8.4d0d)
On the frame left side we find the slide stop lever, the reversible magazine release, and the take-down lever. There is no manual safety, but the combined action of the trigger and the automatic striker safety are enough to guarantee a safe gun. The Smith & Wesson Military & Police Shield M2.0 Performance Center comes with a standard 6+1-round magazine and an extended 8-round magazine, which inevitably makes the grip noticeably bulkier. Let's take a few measurements: the barrel length is 3.3”/8.4 centimeters, for an overall length of 6.5”/165 mm and an unloaded weight of 22.5 oz/640 grams. Definitely not feather-light, but it's still a .45 caliber gun with a remarkable firepower. The price of $567 is justified by the trigger quality and the additional workmanship, which is expertly done.
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP Smith & Wesson Military & Police Shield M2.0 Performance Center with 6+1-round magazine](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-with-magazine.jpg?cid=1fbc.4cwg&resize=e551b2%3A440x295c)
![Smith & Wesson Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, micro-compact power in .45 ACP S&W Shield M2.0 with the slide locked open](https://www.all4shooters.com/en/shooting/pistols/smith-wesson-military-police-shield-m2-0-performance-center-in-45-acp-features/smith-wesson-mp-shield-m2-0-with-the-slide-locked-open.jpg?cid=1fbd.4cwp&resize=e0cb5f%3A440x295c)
Smith & Wesson Military & Police M2.0 in .45 ACP specs
Model: | Smith & Wesson Military & Police 45 M2.0 |
Caliber: | .45 ACP |
Action: | Striker-fired |
Safety: | Automatic on trigger and striker |
Sights: | High visibility with fiber optic inserts |
Barrel Length: | 3.3”/84 mm |
Overall Length: | 6.5”/165 mm |
Magazine Capacity: | 6+1 / 8 rounds |
Weight: | 22.5 oz/640 g (unloaded) |
Price: | 567 USD |