Today, Smith & Wesson announced the release of the new M&P Shield in both 9mm and .40S&W:

Screen Capture From Smith-Wesson.com

It’s a single-stack striker fired 9mm (7+1 capacity, 8+1 with the extended magazine) designed to compete with current wave of ultra-compact 9mm models out there (like the Kimber Solo, Ruger LC9, etc.).

Much to my surprise, Smith already has this gun out to dealers (I’ll have the one I ordered next week).  So I placed an order.  I’m only half-interested in it because A)it’s a Smith M&P, and B)while I love my P238, I’d love something sub-compact, striker-fired, AND in 9mm (.380 ammo is expensive).  But it will take one heckuva gun to make me want to use it in place of my P238.  Stay tuned for the review I should publish next week.

For more information, you can click here for the product page on the S&W website.