As gun manufacturers work with after-market companies to find different ways to revolutionize pistols, we get precisely machined barrels, slides, triggers, and sights that are specifically meant for each gun. Even the holster companies are getting in on producing gear that is made for specific guns like a Glock 19 Gen 5 or a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.
If you’ve never heard of Faxon Firearms, they’re an American-owned and operated company that produces some of the best and unique M&P Shield 9mm accessories.
Today, we’re going to discuss the M&P Shield barrels and compensators from Faxon Firearms and why we stand by our claim that they make some of the best barrels and compensators for the M&P Shield. First, we need to be sure everyone knows the difference between an M&P Shield 2.0 and the M&P 2.0. They’re very close in specifications and performance, but there are minor differences.
Does M&P Shield Have a Threaded Barrel?
The M&P Shield doesn’t come with a threaded barrel, but it has a ported barrel for more control and less felt recoil. As many features as it comes with now, the Shield 2.0 could still benefit from a threaded barrel or compensator to add some personality and performance benefits to your pistol.
The reason I started searching for threaded barrels was that S&W doesn’t offer a threaded barrel for the Shield 2.0.
Does a ported barrel make a difference?
I’ve shot dozens of pistols, both ported and non-ported barrels. My overall feel for ported barrels is they make a difference, but not enough for me to spend extra money to get a ported barrel. If you’re old and have arthritic hands or are new to shooting guns, a ported barrel will take a little off the felt recoil and allow you to grip the pistol better than a standard barrel. I’d much rather have a threaded barrel to attach a compensator or silencer to.
Prices accurate at time of writing
What is The Difference Between M&P 2.0 Compact and M&P Shield 2.0?
I hear many people discuss these guns interchangeably, when in fact, they’re completely different pistols. Even though the M&P 2.0 Compact pistol is smaller than the standard model (7.8"), it’s still heavier, longer, and has a much higher capacity than the M&P Shield 2.0 pistol. The Shield has orange and green fiber optic sights that are much better than the M&P 2.0 Compact with steel white dots.
The M&P 2.0 Compact pistol features a manual safety, whereas the M&P Shield has a built-in trigger safety like the Glock Safe System. They both have the aggressive grip texture, 2 magazines, front cocking serrations, and the audible trigger reset. However, the Shield has a ported barrel, while the M&P 2.0 Compact pistol can be bought with a threaded barrel.
| Specs | M&P 2.0 Compact | M&P Shield 2.0 |
| Weight | 1.69 lbs | 1.43 lbs |
| Height | 5" | 5.12" |
| Barrel Length | 4" | 4" |
| Overall Length | 7.25" | 7" |
| Front Sight | Steel – White Dot | Fiber Optic Green |
| Rear Sight | Steel – White Two Dot | Fiber Optic Red |
| Safety | Manual | Trigger safety |
| Capacity | 15+1 | 8+1 |
| Caliber | 9mm | 9mm |
| Frame Material | Polymer | Polymer |
| Frame Finish | Matte Black | Matte Black |
| Barrel Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel (ported) |
| Slide Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Slide Finish | Armornite® | Armornite® |
| MSRP | $598.00 | $577.00 ($911.00 W/RDS) |
Where Can I Buy The S&W M&P Shield 2.0?
Sportsman’s Warehouse-$599.99
Prices accurate at time of writing
Where Can I Buy The S&W M&P 2.0 Compact?
Prices accurate at time of writing
What is the Best S&W M&P Shield 2.0 Custom Barrel?
There are not as many aftermarket barrels for Smith & Wesson pistols as Glock, but Faxon sets the standard on what to look for in a barrel. A threaded barrel over a non-threaded barrel is the first decision to make for compatibility with compensators and silencers. The M&P Shield custom barrel from Faxon Firearms is easily the best drop-in aftermarket barrel I’ve seen.
Rival Arms black Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is durable to last many years and strong enough to prevent corrosion of the metal barrel. However, Faxon uses its own unique chameleon PVD coating to add more personality and hardness to the barrel.
Rival Arms also have the top port for better gas deflection, but the Faxon Chameleon PVD barrel has a bigger top port and perfectly machined side ports for better optimization. The biggest advantage is the threaded barrel on the Faxon is machined to meet the exact specs of the S&W Shield or 2.0 Compact. I really appreciate the fact that Faxon took the extra time to ensure that they adapted their barrels to be more precise than the factory parts you buy.
Rival Arms Precision Black PVD Barrel S&W M&P Shield VS. Faxon M&P Shield Threaded-Barrel, Match Series, 9mm, Chameleon PVD
| Specs | RIVAL ARMS Precision Black PVD Barrel S&W M&P Shield | Faxon M&P Shield Threaded-Barrel, Match Series, 9mm, Chameleon PVD |
| Muzzle Thread | 1/2×28 | 1/2×28 |
| Length | 3.1" | 4" |
| Threaded | Yes | Yes |
| Twist Rate | 1:10" | 1:10" |
| Rifling | 6 grooves | 6 grooves |
| Barrel Material | 416R Stainless Steel | 416R Stainless Steel |
| Barrel Finish | Matte Black PVD | Chameleon PVD |
| MSRP | $179.99 | $205.00 |
What is an M&P Shield compensator?
M&P Shield 2.0 pistol is a great alternative to the Glock 19 or the Sig P365, but I notice more muzzle flip than I do with the Glock or Sig. A compensator is an equalizer because it stabilizes the barrel and redirects the gas upwards and to the sides. A compensator has a significantly higher impact on felt-recoil, muzzle flip, and accuracy than a ported barrel could ever dream of.
If you want a compensator, it’s important to remember that you’ll need a threaded barrel to attach the compensator or silencer. There are a couple of specs that are important to confirm before trying to install a compensator on your barrel. First, you must get the threading of the compensator matched to the threading of the barrel, or you’ll destroy $2k faster than you clicked the purchase button.
Why Would I Buy a Barrel Compensator?
- To help with recoil absorption to reduce felt-recoil
- To increase accuracy by stabilizing the barrel
- To help shoot faster with more accurate groupings
What is the Best S&W M&P Shield 2.0 Compensator?
The Faxon Exos S&W pistol compensator is the best because of its precision machining, lightweight, and 3 ports to deflect the gasses up and out of your way. The Agency Arms compensator comes in multiple colors for a better look, but it’s too heavy and not as precisely machined as the Faxon Exos Compensator. For example, The Agency Arms 118 Compensator won’t fit as flush on the M&P 2.0 Compact as it will on the M&P Shield 2.0 pistol.
Additionally, the added weight might not seem like a big deal, but many shooters have complained the added weight prevents them from racking their slide properly. As we all know, if your slide doesn’t cycle correctly, you’re going to have failure to feed or misfeed with multiple bullets getting stacked inside the chamber. As you hold the 2 compensators, you’ll know which one is nicer, by the feel, but also by the way the compensators impact the performance of the gun. The Agency Arms 118 compensator protrudes 0.095" more than the Faxon Exos compensator.
The difference in barrel protrusion also helps prevent the Faxon Exos compensator from extending far enough out to cause a disruption in the weight balance of the pistol. For example, the Agency Arms compensator negates the center of gravity that Smith and Wesson put so much time in to ensure an evenly balanced pistol. The Faxon Exos, however, is light enough and features a low enough profile to optimize the balance of the gun.
| Specs | Agency Arms 118 Compensator | Faxon M&P Shield Threaded-Barrel, Match Series, 9mm, Chameleon PVD |
| Weight | 0.09 | 0.05 |
| Length | 1.3" | 1.1" |
| Width | 1.1" | 0.9" |
| Height | 1.3" | 1.3" |
| Threaded | Yes | Yes |
| Twist Rate | 1/2×28 | 1/2×28 |
| Barrel Protrusion | 0.695" | 0.600" |
| MSRP | $110.00 | $85.00 |
Prices accurate at time of writing
What is The Best Holster For an S&W M&P Shield 2.0?
There’s nothing more fun than building your own pistol and adding a compensator or silencer to your threaded barrel. However, if you don’t have the right holster, you’ll be left carrying your Shield 2.0 in your pocket or belt, like an amateur. For this reason, it’s important to know which holster you can use with an aftermarket threaded barrel and attachment. There is no other company I trust more than Safariland for customizable holsters.
Safariland makes the Model 578 GLS Pro for the M&P Shield 2.0 and accommodates an RDS and threaded barrel. The Grip-Lock System (GLS) is one of those features that really sets Safariland apart from its competitors. I really enjoy this feature because I can deactivate the locking system by gripping the gun and pulling it straight up. As soon as my middle finger touches the grip, the lock releases and my gun is ready to draw with my grip tightened on the pistol.
The Model 578 GLS Pro is not only ambidextrous for both lefties and righties, but it’s also optic-ready and comes in a low-cut design that can be used as a CCW. If you’re a shooter that likes a cross-draw, they design the 578 GLS Pro for a cross-draw or straight release.
Prices accurate at time of writing
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