Best Smith and Wesson M&P Shield Holster Reviews

What’s the Best Holster for your Smith and Wesson M&P Shield?

That’s the answer you’re gonna get from us!

There are tons and tons of holsters on the market. So, finding a good holster that has both concealability and fit with your M&P Shield is tough.

But hey, we did the digging and spent hours to get you the right holster.

Almost all of these will fit a .40 or 9mm. And… in most cases, you will find that the same holster fits Shields with .45ACP.

Here’s what we have for you!!

1. Best Concealed Carry Holster for S&W Shield – Concealment Express IWB KYDEX

2. Best IWB Holster for S&W M&P 9/40 Shield – CYA Supply Co. Boltaron Made

3. Best OWB Paddle Holster for M&P Shield 9mm – Bedone Open Carry Tactical

4. Best Appendix Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Holster – Fobus APN Series

5. Best Holster for M&P Shield 9/40 with Streamlight TLR-6 – Tulster IWB Profile

6. Best Shoulder Holster for S&W M&P Shield – Galco Classic Lite CL652

7. Best Ankle Holster for S&W Shield – DeSantis Die Hard

8. Best Pocket Holster for M&P Shield – Sticky Holsters MD-4

9. Best Beginner S&W Shield Holster Pack – Alien Gear ShapeShift

Best S&W M&P Shield Holster Reviews

We tried to mix our holster review with different styles ranging from IWB to holsters that require no belts. At least one among these will fit your individual needs! Just make sure that you are comfortable with the style you choose.

1. Overall Best S&W Shield Concealed Carry Holster – Concealment Express IWB KYDEX

The Concealment Express should be best for any of your S&W M&P Shields if you want to carry IWB. It provides a lot of comfort as the sweat guard saves your skin and prevents sweat accumulation.

The retention pressure is adjustable with a click lock system. 5 to 20 degrees of cant angle gives you lots of flexibility to carry 3/9’OClock and 6’OClock. Though you can use the appendix position, it’s not that comfortable.

The holster will cover the entire muzzle and also the trigger. The trigger guard has an undercut that gives you space for a full grip. The outside edges are smooth and don’t interfere with your body.

The clip is mainly plastic but it’s super strong. Also, the rubber grommets on it ensures further security. You won’t find any logo or design on it. For concealed carry, this is what you want.

What model Shield user you are, with or without light/laser, Concealment Express have an IWB holster option for you. Moreover, If you want to attach suppressors or claw to your Shield, this holster is also for you!

2. S&W M&P Shield IWB Holster – CYA Supply Co. Boltaron Made

If you own an EDC gun, you probably know about the CYA holster. With easy adjustable retention and extremely lightweight design, it’s a great IWB for your M&P Shield.

We loved the fact that it doesn’t have any fake retention mechanisms like safety lever, decoking lever and things like that. Yay! It does what it’s made for – protect your gun!

It has two distinct screws that gives you a lot of control over your retention. And.. with a perfectly audible click, your gun will remain secure.

The adjustable cant gives you flexibility in changing the position of your Shield. But the holster works best for appendix carry especially with a sleek gun like M&P Shield.

There is a plastic clip that lets you hold the holster securely. Depending on your preference, you may or may not like a plastic clip. But based on our experience, plastic clips decreases chafing and gives you more comfort.

If you love Kydex, you will also love the Boltaron thermoplastic material of this holster also. The material is resistant to abrasion and also maintains its shape for fast re-holstering.

Why should you buy the CYA holster? For two reasons – If you want an IWB appendix carry and irritation-free experience. Wait! We haven’t mentioned how thin the holster is. It’s a perfect companion for your super CCW Shield.

3. M&P Shield OWB Paddle Holster – Bedone Open Carry Tactical

Looking for a paddle holster for your M&P Shield? Do you like the OWB style? The Bedone holster will suit you just perfect. Keep in mind this model is made for only right handers.

With quick re-holstering and secured retention, your life as a concealed weapon carrier will get easier. Check out the features!

It has an auto-lock mechanism that snaps when you re-holster. For drawing, just release the lock, which should be quite fast and easy to do. You need total safety especially when carrying OWB!

The standard version has an angle up to 30 degrees, so rotating the holster is pretty straightforward. You can get more angle on the upgraded version.

As it’s a paddle version, you can use it without the belt also. It will remain secure and perfect for wearing all day long.

The size of the holster fits an M&P Shield 9mm perfectly. Yes, it will be a little hard at the beginning but after few re-holstering attempts, it should become very smooth. No complaints considering the price you pay.

Being a OWB holster, it still keeps your gun pretty well hidden. Just the grip will be visible and you should be comfortable with that if you are using OWB.

The OWB is certainly not the best way to carry a concealed gun. But there are many people who love it this way. If you want a holster that falls in between a level 1 and level 2 retention, this is for you.

5. M&P Shield with TLR-6 Holster – Tulster IWB Profile

The Tulster is the ultimate holster for the M&P Shield equipped with Streamlight TLR-6. With customizable concealment positions, you can’t go wrong with this.

Every part of the design is carefully crafted to meet the specifications of the Shield. It’s simply one of the best IWB holsters for the M&P Shield. Let’s take a look at some of the top features.

It has a positive retention snap that provides secure retention. And the adjustable screw amps up the security further.

The holster has an appropriate size along with the quick clip that makes it fast and easy to put on or off the Shield. Absolutely perfect for deep concealment.

The internal design limits drag, so the holster will last longer and pose less wear to your gun. The downside is your gun can fall when the holster is upside down. Not much of a problem for most people who know how to handle a gun.

0-15 degree adjustable cant and trigger guard with undercut provides superior grip and customizable concealment positions. Whether you prefer the appendix or 4 o’clock position, you will love this holster.

If you own an M&P 9mm or .40 caliber Shield with the TLR-6 or you are planning to add a TLR-6, then this holster is absolutely perfect for you. Also, if you have threaded barrels, you will love the open end muzzle design of the holster. It’s a super comfortable Shield holster that will make upholstering and re-holstering a breeze.

6. S&W M&P Shield Shoulder Holster – Galco Classic Lite CL652

The Galco CL652 is one of the best shoulder holsters when it comes to carrying a 9mm/.40 M&P Shield. It also works for the Shield M2.0 and other double action revolvers.

The fit will be just perfect – not too loose and not too tight. To be precise, it has a snug fit. Once you manage to get the right fit of the harness, it should serve you for years of concealment carry.

It’s a complete shoulder holster set that comes with harness, fasteners and an ammo carrier.

You will have to carry the gun horizontally and the ammo carrier can be used vertically. The magazines are very securely held, so you can easily wear it under a loose t-shirt or jacket.

There’s a thumb break that has to be opened. It shouldn’t take you more than a second – fast and equally secured.

Getting the right fit of the rig should take you a while but nothing complicated. Just follow the instructions. Trim the excess leather and get the screws on it. Bingo!

In certain situations, carrying a shield inside the waistband can be difficult. But you still need to hide your gun, isn’t it? Galco holster gives you the soft touch of leather and also the ability to conceal your gun at an affordable price.

7. S&W Shield Ankle Holster – DeSantis Die Hard

Thinking about getting a holster for your backup M&P Shield? Though the M&P is a minimalistic gun, it still is quite big for ankle carry. Despite that, Desantis makes the best ankle holster that will give you comfort, security and good concealability.

We are a great fan of the material that the brand uses. It’s tough and equally comfortable to wear.

The inside lining is made from top grain saddle leather with PU coating. You will get great retention. Re-holstering is also a breeze as the mouth is reinforced.

The ankle rig is attached to a leg band made from neoprene. It’s nicely padded and keeps your Shield in place better than most ankle holsters. If you are a woman, you can certainly wear it much higher up near the knee.

When wearing day long, the leg band can move from side to side. You will have to adjust at some point. That’s the only issue we could find.

If you are carrying a backup gun and require deep concealment, this is the holster you would want to buy. Works good for most S&W and M&P Shield guns! And.. at this price point, you can hardly complain.

8. M&P Shield Pocket Holster – Sticky Holsters MD-4

Well. Well. Look what we’ve got here. The Sticky holsters!! If you are new to CCW, you probably don’t know about this yet. It’s a different kind of holster that requires no loops and no belts either.

It’s a great pocket holster for your M&P Shield but you can carry it on any position you like. Nothing is going to stop you!

The outer material of the holster is designed in a way that it will fit just about anywhere.

The holster will take the shape of your gun giving you almost a custom fit. It should work for the 9mm/40 Shield and .45 ACP. For better fit with the .40, you can also opt for MD-2 version.

The retention works naturally and you won’t get any locking system with it. The only issue is you need to remove it when you want to re-holster your gun.

Extremely lightweight and offer the most discreet gun carrying experience. On top of that, it manages to keep the sweat away during summer.

The Sticky Holster MD-4 is for those of you who want to conceal an M&P Shield in the most convenient and stress-free way. Even for ladies who find it hard to carry IWB will love this. Oh! You can also get a Sticky Holster Angle Rig, if that’s the position you like.

9. S&W Shield Holster Starter Pack – Alien Gear ShapeShift

The Alien Gear ShapeShift Core Carry Pack is one of a kind of package that will give you full access to IWB (Appendix & Tuck) and OWB (Paddle & Belt Slide) holsters in a single purchase. If you are just starting out in the CCW field, this is the kit to buy and see what works for you.

The modular design makes it very convenient to switch from one holster style to another. Overall, you get 4 holsters that utilizes a single shell to retain consistent feel and retention.

The paddle OWB is the one that has the active security lock. The lock is pretty stiff to use at the beginning and not great for concealed carry. You can find its use in competitions or open carry situations.

The slide holster is another OWB option but as it attaches very tightly to your body, it makes a very good concealment accessory.

The IWB holster in this kit is the best holster to use with the M&P Shield. It has a solid core with sweat free performance.

The Appendix IWB holster here has a single clip system. Start with this and then you can figure out whether you feel comfortable or not carrying in this position.

Almost all of the holster styles have neoprene backing and steel core. So, you get proper support and less sweat under it.

The ShapeShift Core Carry is an exciting product for new gun carriers. You get to try all of the holster style in a pretty reasonable price. From here, you can certainly spend more later on a specific design that suits you.

FAQs on M&P Shield Holster

1. I’ve got a Galco C652 instead of CL652. Will it fit the M&P Shield?

The Galco C652 is an outdated version and it doesn’t fit an M&P Shield. Be sure that you get the revised CL652 version.

2. Will the Tulster fit the M&P Shield without the Streamlight TLR-6 or with any other light?

No. The Tulster holster is made specifically to accommodate an M&P Shield with the Streamlight TLR-6 (with or without laser). It will not work with other gun lasers or lights.

3. What’s the difference between Bedone holster OWB standard version and update version?

The standard version has an angle limit of 30 degrees and the update version has 360 degrees adjustability. Both can be used with the S&W Shield 9mm/.40

4. Do I need to use any tools to make changes to carry positions in the Alien Gear ShapeShift?

No, you don’t need any tools to use the 4 holster styles in this kit. Just change a few parts according to the instruction and that’s it.

5. Is the MD-4 version and MD-2 version of the Sticky holster the same?

By design and functionality both holsters are almost the same. The difference is in the size. The MD-4 can support up to 3.6-inch barrel and MD-2 can support up to 3.3-inch barrel.

Final Words

The IWB holsters should be a Favorite for most people who prefer concealed carry.

But… it doesn’t really matter! What matters is the method you feel most comfortable. It all comes down to one thing- Practice!!!

The M&P Shield is a great gun and with an appropriate holster, it should feel even better.

So… Which Holster finally found its way to your gun?