Maybe it’s just our own anecdotal experience, but it seems like Smith & Wesson’s M&P M2.0 are underrated these days in the ultra-deep and wide market for 9mm handguns. And it’s hard to figure why that would be. The M&P 2.0 has one of the best factory triggers on a 9mm pistol. They’re nicely made, full-featured, reliable, and competitively priced. They’re also well represented in cops’ holsters if that means anything any more.
So when we got our hands on a couple of M&P M2.0 Metal guns — the M&P M2.0 Metal full-size with a threaded barrel and a M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp Performance Center pistol — we were anxious to see what they’d do.
Both pistols come with four sizes of polymer palm swells that are easy to swap out. That means you can get the fit exactly right for your hand size which makes a big difference in controllability and felt recoil.
The Carry Comp Performance Center model’s inserts are really aggressive and make for very firm grip on the pistol.
The Carry Comp has deep, attractive serrations that are easy to get a hold of, as well as a lightening cut on top in addition to the comp vent that keeps the pistol shooting noticeably flatter than a standard barrel/slide combination.
The M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp has a 4.2-inch compact-length barrel that makes it totable. But if you’re looking for something more duty-sized, the M&P 2.0 Metal has a longer 4.6-inch threaded barrel and suppressor-height sights for use with a can.
Just like the Carry Comp, the aluminum frame and aggressive texturing on this more “tactical” M&P 2.0 Metal full size produce a really solid feel. And you can’t alter physics…the added weight of the pistol’s metal frame compared to polymer means less felt recoil.
Like the Carry Comp, the M&P 2.0 full size comes with four aggressively textured grip inserts that let you make it just right for you. One caveat…our test model was a little finicky about the suppressors we screwed on the end. We ran it with both standard 115 grain and 147 grain subsonics. It ran flawlessly with the SilencerCo Osprey and Omega 9k cans, but didn’t like the PWS BDE or FN Rush 9Ti. And we couldn’t really figure out why there was a difference in performance.
In the end, though, we’re came away as fans of both metal M&Ps. They’re optic-ready, feel fantastic in the hand, have truly excellent triggers, great ergos, and are priced right for their features.
Specifications: Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Carry Comp
Specifications: Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal Full Size w/ threaded barrel
With an MSRP of $900 for the full-size with threaded barrel, I am not feeling the love.
Note that my “everyday carry” handgun is a Smith and Wesson M&P 40 (1.0 design version) with 4-inch barrel that I purchased for around $520, although its factory trigger inspired me to spend an additional $100 or so for aftermarket trigger components which GREATLY improved the trigger.
Anyhow, I cannot see myself spending whatever street price this pistol with an MSRP of $900 will command. I would probably buy a CZ-75 if I was going to spend that much cash.
“And you can’t alter physics…the added weight of the pistol’s metal frame compared to polymer means less felt recoil.”
I asked this same thing last time. I never got an answer. The weight of the metal frame M&P is almost the exact same weight as the poly M&P.
Specs from S&W:
4.25″ metal 9mm – 30 oz
4.25″ poly 9mm – 29 oz
Is this a serious piece, or is this phoning it in? Does 1 oz really make a difference in felt recoil?
Furthermore, most people say that metal transmits MORE felt recoil compared to the same weight pistol in polymer. Is this true or false?
As far as I can tell, the point of the metal M&P is to look good. I’m not against it. I would just like an honest review instead of the typical cookie-cutter, phoning it in writing.