No matter if you are duty carry, open carry, or concealed carry, go to gun shooting competitions or use the handgun for self-defense, the new Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X is a fine pistol. Two tips that can make handling the gun easier for you:
Holsters
There are currently not many holsters for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X available. Some companies do not support this model yet, with others you have to get on the waiting list. I found out that the 4Bros (Logansport, IN, USA) holsters for the Shield X are not only available, they ship fast, and fit perfectly. For me there was no need to adjust the holster or even use a thread locker. The holster fitted nicely from the beginning. On the OWB version I am using the 4Bros 1.5″ belt slide. It came assembled to the holster and fits my belt perfectly. And no, I am not sponsored by 4Bros.
Field Stripping
When you field strip (disassemble) your handgun and later try to assemble the slide back onto the frame, it might take some jiggling around before the slide aligns correctly with the frame rails so that you can move it rearward and engage the slide stop. Here is a video that shows this effect: https://youtu.be/wg3dwWGblSA
Whatever the reason, make sure that the deactivation lever is in the „out“ position, and that the recoil spring is aligned and centered. For me, it was usually a question of the frame rails and how I handle the pistol. If you hold the slide differently, it is much easier to assemble the slide back onto the frame, as shown in this video: https://youtu.be/cUe_tku4JaU