![\"Sheild](\"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/M-P-SHIELD-APX-BERETTA-HOLSTERS-800-600-JASON-MOSHER.jpg\")
M&P Shield 2.0<\/h2>\n
I\u2019ve been around firearms my whole life. I work in law enforcement and I\u2019m a certified firearms instructor and armorer. But like anyone else, I\u2019m still learning, and I sometimes jump to conclusions that are not true. I owned a full-size 9mm M&P nearly a decade ago and didn\u2019t like it. There wasn\u2019t anything wrong with the gun; I just didn\u2019t like the way it shot or how the grip felt in my hand. I was also a poor shot with it as well. Since that day, I\u2019ve often commented on not liking the M&P line of weapons.<\/p>\n
I like optics on handguns, but it\u2019s not a deal breaker for me. At the price I found this gun, I didn\u2019t mind it was not complete with an optics-ready slide. There is a manual thumb safety which is also a feature they offer on some models of the Sheild. You can also purchase the M&P Shield with a longer slide, night sights, or green\/red laser guard. I like options and Smith & Wesson<\/a> offers several configurations of the Sheild to choose from. I have the basic model with the option of thumb safety. I don\u2019t really use thumb safeties unless I\u2019m carrying a 1911-style gun.<\/p>\n The trigger pull and three-dot style sights were a perfect combo with this gun. Once you take up the slack in the trigger, you feel a nice clear breaking point. The trigger is nice and clean. Sometimes you can feel mechanical movement in the trigger, making it a little rough, but overall, the gun was pleasant to shoot and is now in my EDC collection.<\/p>\n Moving on to the APX Carry A1. I bought this little gun when it was on sale with a $50 factory rebate. Because of the magazine capacity, I hadn\u2019t given it much thought, but the price was too good to pass on. Another thing that appealed to me was the replaceable grip module available from Beretta, similar to the modular systems offered by Grand Power and Sig Sauer.<\/p>\n I think the grip texture is just a little too aggressive on the APX front and back straps, but that\u2019s just my preference. If you like a strong texture (like sandpaper strong) you will love this grip.<\/p>\n Overall, the slide on the APX Carry is just under an inch, according to the company\u2019s spec sheet. One thing Beretta didn\u2019t do was recess the takedown lever with the frame, so it sticks out considerably on the side of the gun. I don’t mind, though, as it makes it easy to disassemble the pistol.<\/p>\n Probably the biggest feature of the APX is the optics-ready slide, straight from the factory. The APX retails for less than the Shield but comes standard with a removable optics plate. This is a great feature for those wanting a budget-friendly optics-ready gun. Beretta uses a trigger safety only with no thumb safety. A short grip is extended with the magazine inserted. Without the extended magazine, it\u2019s a little too short for me, so I just keep the extended mag in it.<\/p>\n Both guns utilize single-stack mags, so they are not good contenders when it comes to high ammo capacity. The FN Reflex and Hellcat are both in the same size category but hold more ammo. \u00a0S&W did keep most of the frame on the Shield thinner than other models, however, which makes it easy to conceal. Both guns hold 8 rounds in the extended magazines. That\u2019s about the middle range of what most micro-compact guns hold these days.<\/p>\n As I mentioned earlier, it was on the range that I grew fond of the Shield 2.0. Not that the APX shoots badly, but I shot much better with the M&P. Others like the APX on the range and shoot just fine with it. Both guns cycled well with the ball ammo we put through them. I also fired two mags each of Hornady Critical Defense ammunition without any issues. I do like the sights and triggers on the Sheild a little more. But again, if you\u2019re looking for an affordable CCW gun, the Beretta is priced very well.<\/p>\n Out of these two compact 9mm handguns, I prefer the M&P Shield over the APX. It took a day on the range before I realized how much I like the Shield, but it\u2019s the clear winner for me. The Beretta name speaks for itself and the APX A1 Carry is a great gun for the price. Either weapon makes a good CCW gun, but for me, the M&P Shield is more comfortable to shoot. I also shot much better with the Shield than the APX. Again, this is based on my preferences. I couldn’t find anything mechanically wrong with either gun.<\/p>\n While both guns are about the same thickness (according to company specs), the Shield is thinner across most of the frame and slide. This was noticeable when carrying them around all day. Check them out and see what you think.![\"M&P](\"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/M-P-SHIELD-9MM-800-600-JASON-MOSHER.jpg\")
Features of the M&P Shield<\/h3>\n
![\"Shield](\"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/2023-11-21-06.43.37.jpg\")
M&P Shield Specs:<\/h3>\n
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Shop This Article<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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Beretta APX Carry A1<\/h2>\n
![\"Beretta](\"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/BERETTA-APX-A1-CARRY-GREEN-800-600-JASON-MOSHER.jpg\")
Features of the Beretta APX Carry<\/h3>\n
![\"Beretta](\"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/BERETTA-APX-A1-CARRY-TRIGGER-CONTROL-GROUP-MOSHER.jpg\")
\u00a0\u00a0Beretta APX A1 Carry Specs:<\/h3>\n
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Shooting and carrying the APX and Shield<\/h2>\n
![\"Need](\"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/SMITH-WESSON-SHIELD-2.0-RANGE-800-600-JASON-MOSHER.jpg\")
And the winner is…<\/h2>\n
\n\tShop This Article<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n