The Best M&P Magazine Extensions (2021) – The Ultimate Guide

The M&P Shield is a popularly used sub-compact weapon, especially for your daily concealed carry. One of the most popular improvements to the best M&P magazine extensions. However, people often seem tangled about the benefits and drawbacks of using a magazine extension. 

To help clarify this confusion, we will talk about some of the pros and cons of using an extended magazine with your Shield best M&P magazine extensions. We will also learn about the features of a good mag extension and review the best ones on the market (as of this writing) based upon those characteristics to help you with your buying decision.

Pros & Cons of Using Extended Mags on the M&P Shield 

Using an extended magazine with the M&P Shield has its own pros and cons, its own ups and downs. Although when you purchase an M&P Shield, it already comes with one flush and one extended magazine. That means you will still quite likely want to have some extras type last or some with larger capacities for the required best M&P magazine extensions need. 

Advantages

First, let’s look at some of the advantages and benefits of having an M&P Shield magazine extension. 

Extra Capacity: Using an extended magazine allows you to carry more ammunition (at least one extra round) in a single M&P Shield magazine. This may not seem much at things, but it still provides you an edge for sure. The Shield is a small-sized weapon and it may take time to properly acquire a target (especially if you don’t have a laser or you are in a panic mode). This simply means that you can miss. Having an extra round can give you at least one extra shot before changing the mag. 

Tackling Multiple Assailants: The Shield is generally taken on for self-defence purposes and you may end up in a situation where you come across multiple attackers, with things escalating quickly if they are also armed. Having some extra rounds in your mag will allow you to handle multiple targets at a time without having to change any mags. Extended magazines are more tactical than your regular magazines, as they add to capacity and money control you never need. 

More Backup Rounds: Using Extended Magazines allow you to carry more round for backup you never need. At the same time they do not increase the number of magazines you carry. That’s probably the spring leading reason why S&W sells the Shield with an extra extended magazine. This will also allow you to save on some extra factory spring grip weight if you tend to carry many magazines for good machined work. Furthermore, if you are not in a situation to carry extra grip magazines, having an extension will most likely help (like a home defence situation at night in your pajamas). 

Finger Rest/Better Grip: The M&P Shield is a compact weapon and proper grip has always been a problem for some users, especially for people with huge palms. Furthermore, when you grab the weapon grip, your finger has no good machined place or area to rest. An extended magazine serves as a finger rest and also enables a better grip over your weapon grip add. 

Disadvantages

Now, let’s have a look at some of the disadvantages and downsides of having a magazine extension. 

Weight: Extended magazines improve and advance the ammunition carrying capacity. However, it comes at the cost of extra weight. Using extensions increases and escalates the weight of the magazine, which may be a bit uncomfortable for some gun owners works and design control design. 

Balance: Due to the added weight under the grip, extensions can also inhibit with the balance of the pistol as you control and design shoot. However, with proper and sufficient practice, you can overcome this. 

Concealment: Mag extensions increase and grow the length and size of your M&P Shield. It may also promote printing and cause concealment issues. Furthermore, some overly large extensions can also hitch onto your access holster, clothes, or other items give or for you to buy perfectly accuracy way. 

Damage the Slide: A low-quality magazine extension can inhibit the ejector and the might of your pistol, causing it to malfunction or breakdown. Some extensions are not properly sized or engineered to naturally accept the free access factory made might spring a pistol. 

The Criteria: Characteristics of our Top Picks 

Based on the pros and cons of using a magazine extension for the M&P Shield, we crawled through the internet to choose the ones with ideal characteristics. You must have an eye out for these features, give and buy whenever you are looking to purchase an extension. 

Prevent Over Insertion 

A good magazine extension should appropriately replace the floor plate of the magazine so it does not cause over insertion, jamming, or any other sort of breakdown due to incompatibility since this will cause the magazine might to inhibit with the slide which will result in serious damage. 

Material 

A mag extension should preferably be made of durable material to withstand spring tension and also rugged use. Magazine extensions are usually made from metal since they replace the magazine floor plate which, at the same time, is also made from metal. Magazines tend to be dropped and dragged a lot, especially at the shooting range, so your extension needs to be tough. 

Maintain Balance 

A good mag extension should preferably not add too much weight to the weapon. It then maintains the equilibrium. All of our choices are made from lightweight and durable material, so they will not add a considerable amount of weight to your weapon. 

Proper Finger Placement 

A mag extension should offer a proper rest for finger placement while you take aim and shoot. This helps with opposing the recoil of the weapon, by improving and refining your grip over it. 

Aesthetically Pleasing 

The extension should blend in with the weapon looks and should not look like a vague addition. Whether or not you are worried with the looks of your M&P Shield, a chrome-coloured extension on a black pistol will discourage the sleek, professional look of the weapon. Furthermore, it should also not affect the weapon’s concealability. 

Review of the Best M&P Shield Magazine Extensions 

You now know the pros and cons, the advantages and disadvantages and the ideal characteristics to look for in a magazine extension for your M&P Shield. Now it’s time to have a look at some of the best magazine extensions on the market (as of this writing) and evaluate their features according to the above-mentioned norms. 

1. Tyrant Designs S&W M&P Shield Plus 2 Magazine Extension 

Tyrant Designs is a firearms company out of Illinois, USA that focuses on CNC-machined tactical products. All of their products are manufactured in the U.S.A. and are covered by a lifetime warranty. This S&W M&P Shield mag extension functions well with either 9mm or .40 S&W mags. For 9mm it increases the capacity to 9 rounds and with .40 S&W it provides you with a total of seven rounds. 

The unique design of these extensions permits you to install them in under 10 seconds without the use of any tools. It is CNC engineered from aerospace-grade aluminum and is made to integrate seamlessly with the ergonomics and looks of your M&P Shield little let. 

All edges on the mag extension have been chamfered for better and improved ergonomics and concealment. The extra weight of the aluminium mag extension gives it quicker, more rapid, and easier to drop the mag and reload. It works really well with the stock mag spring and is fully compatible with the newer Shield 2.0. 

Tyrant Designs offers brilliant quality products that are all built, designed, and assembled in the U.S.A. Their designs always have outstanding capabilities and style. The top features of this mag extension are the comfort of installation, the feel, and the quick reloading it offers. This is certainly one of the better choices on the market today. 

2. Samson Manufacturing Corp – M&P Shield Magazine Extension 

This M&P Shield magazine extension produced by Samson Corp has been manufactured from high-grade aluminum, to provide strength and durability. The extension adds one more round to the factory 7 rounds and 8 rounds magazines, hence increasing their capacity. 

The relief cuts aid in the removal of the magazine to clear Type III (double-feed) malfunctions and allows one-handed malfunction clearing. The edge of the extension is contoured and functions as a groove to rest your finger, hence improving your control over the weapon. 

The mag extension has been made to work flawlessly with the factory magazine spring. It will not interfere with your hand while you are shooting and drops freely when the release is pressed. The mag extension from Samson is a hard-wearing addition to your magazine, which it is even available at an affordable price. It offers a comfortable finger rest and also assists you in tackling the recoil of the weapon. 

3. HYVE Technologies Smith & Wesson M&P9c Magazine Extension 

HYVE Technologies is a San Diego based company that has been in the machining business for well over thirty years. Producing everything from aerospace to automotive parts, the diversified company got into firearms out of passion. This is a plus-3 mag extension meant completely for the Smith & Wesson M&P 9C. 

It comes with an innovative and creative snap-in design. For extra security, there is also a set screw to make sure that the extension cannot come off easily. The precise and fitting size of Allen wrench is included. The extension is entirely manufactured and assembled in the U.S.A. It is made of aircraft-grade 6061 T6 aluminum, which is the standard material for most (if not all) modern sporting rifle receivers. 

They are available in 8 different colours, black, grey, blue, tan, green, red, copper, and violet. The S&W M&P 9C is an exceptional concealed carry gun, however its capacity is wanting. If you are looking for a reliable and stylish mag extension for your M&P 9C, this is possibly your best option available. Furthermore, it’s always nice to buy American-made firearms. 

If you have settled for a Smith & Wesson M&P 9C, it means that you have very high standards for your concealed carry piece. This magazine extension from HYVE Technology will live up to your high standards. The best features are its snap on design and the aluminium construction. You simply can’t go wrong with this 8 round extension add made one best product. 

4. True Precision Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 2-Round Magazine Extension 

True Precision is a company out of Atlanta, Georgia that emphasizes mainly on barrels add made one best products extra, which are the heart of a lot (if not all) firearm systems. Their experience with barrels provides them expertise in precision machining, which is obvious in the quality of these mag extensions. The blueprint of these mag extensions is based on input from the U.S. military. They needed a much easier way to remove the magazine spring and follower for cleaning and removal of dirt and grime. 

Each mag extension is made to remain fixed to your magazine indefinitely without wearing out the lower edges of your mag. The sliding floor plates and locking screw provides you with easy access to the interior of the mag for cleaning or maintenance. You never really need to remove the mag extension from the mag itself again. 

Every extension comes with an improved, high-power magazine spring. This mag extension is engineered from type III anodized 6061 aluminum. It provides you with plus-two capacity in a single stack 9mm mag. The version for double stack mags provides you with plus-five round in 9mm and plus-four for .40 S&W. All the set screws are made of steel and the kit comes with the necessary Allen keys. 

This is a great mag extension because it takes a lot of your frustration out of disassembling your mag for cleaning and maintenance. The tough aluminum material that comes with it is also a nice touch. 

5. Taylor Freelance – S&W M&P Shield Extended Magazine Pad 

This M&P Shield Magazine Extension pad has been manufactured from high-grade, machined aluminium with a satin black anodized finish. It is meant to be durable and aesthetically pleasing at all times. 

The solid metal body of the extension can withstand and take on drops and stomping without compromising with its function. The base pad adds one round to the capacity of both 7 round and 8 round magazines. It is also quite easy to install, as all you have to do is to simply take away the base pad. No sophisticated tools or gunsmith skills are needed. 

The extension works really well and makes no problems with cycling. The base pad has the initials TF carved on it, along with a glossy black finish, which makes it look attractive. The mag extension by Taylor Freelance is a tough and aesthetically pleasing upgrade, which also increases its capacity by one round. It is easy to adjust and is lightweight. Furthermore, it functions flawlessly with sustained shooting sessions. 

Conclusion 

The bottom line is that having a magazine extension installed on your M&P Shield is a simple and affordable addition that improves the capacity, accuracy, and control over your firearms and weapons. This extra capacity provides you with an edge in serious situations and also allows you to carry more ammunition without adding too ensure weight adding. 

A good magazine extension should be engineered from durable material, provide a proper and complete grip over your weapon, and prevent over-insertion of the magazine. Adding an extension to your M&P Shield magazine will make an average gun even better. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs). 

Q: Does the M&P have a magazine disconnect? 

Yes it does. The Shield also comes with a trigger, firing pin, and even magazine disconnect safeties. Unlike the other M&P models, the Shield does not come with interchangeable back straps or ambidextrous slide releases. Neither can the magazine release be switched to its port side.