Small pistols can still have teeth, and the Performance Center version of the M&P40 Shield M2.0 proves it. It is chambered in.40 S&W with a 4-inch barrel and a black finish, and it comes with fiber optic sights for a quick, bright sight picture.

Smith & Wesson says its M&P line has seen heavy use by law enforcement across the country. The polymer frame keeps weight down to about 1.42 pounds and resists corrosion, while the striker action gives a consistent trigger pull on every shot. An accessory rail lets you mount a light or laser.

The package includes one 6-round and one 7-round magazine. The Performance Center treatment adds upgraded internals, which can mean a smoother feel at the trigger. A.40 in a slim pistol will snap more than a 9mm, so give yourself time at the range before you carry it. Choose a holster made for the exact model, and practice your draw slowly before you speed it up.

This pistol is new. It ships to a North Carolina FFL dealer for the background check and transfer.