Things are looking up for Smith & Wesson this month, as the company has just passed their millionth mark in Shield production. Hard to believe, the pistol has been in production for five years already, and I think it is safe to say that it is still just as popular as ever. Despite one recall in 2013, but I think that is a good run for a platform that was semi new to the market (from its big brother, the M&P). I remember the first time I shot the full size M&P in around 2008, and was completely blown away by the ergonomics of it. When the Shield came out, I knew I had to get one, and it has been my favorite carry gun since. I’d like to see the production numbers of the Glock 43, and XDs in comparison. In addition to the company posting a 93 percent increase in sales from January of this year. I think Colt should really take a page from Smith & Wesson’s book, in that they are similarly very historic companies, but Smith & Wesson has grown into the current times and adapted to market, instead of simply relying on the same product line and the fact that everything they make is mil spec to begin with. Granted, it took them a while, with some growing pains in their polymer pistol line, but the dedication to producing a better polymer pistol has worked out for them.

The Shield was unique in its own way, in that it was a slimed down version of an already established brand to just shy of an inch, but also Smith & Wesson took a novel approach when it introduced it.

Upon announcement, the company had inventory ready and shipped, and it had collaborated with accessory makers beforehand so a number of supplemental products like holsters and sights would be immediately available. But Smith & Wesson also listed the Shield at an affordable price point when compared to competing brands like Glock or Springfield — roughly $150 less.