S&W M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol Review

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol has garnered significant attention in the firearms market, prompting a detailed review to understand its capabilities, features, and how it stands against competitors like the Glock 19. The M&P 2.0 Compact is a versatile firearm that offers a wide range of customization options, allowing shooters to tailor their firearms to their specific needs.

The pistol’s ergonomic grip design ensures a comfortable and secure hold while allowing for a high grip on the pistol, which helps to mitigate recoil, making it easier for shooters to maintain control during rapid fire. The M&P 2.0 Compact’s grip design is not only ergonomic but also customizable. It comes with four interchangeable palm swell grip inserts that allow you to adjust the pistol’s grip to fit your hand size. The M&P 2.0 Compact’s enhanced trigger provides a crisp break with a tactile reset, encouraging accurate follow-up shots.

The pistol’s slide cuts are designed to be compatible with modern red dot sights, enabling faster target acquisition and more precise aiming. The M&P 2.0 Compact is a durable firearm that features an Armornite finish on both slide and barrel, ensuring durability and corrosion resistance. The pistol’s high magazine capacity is suitable for both range shooting and self-defense. The M&P 2.0 Compact is a well-balanced firearm that is suitable for both concealed carry and range use, with a design that rivals the Glock 19 in compactness and capability.

Features

Versatility through Configurations

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol offers a wide range of customization options, allowing shooters to tailor their firearms to their specific needs. The pistol’s ergonomic grip design ensures a comfortable and secure hold while allowing for a high grip on the pistol, which helps to mitigate recoil, making it easier for shooters to maintain control during rapid fire. The M&P 2.0 Compact’s grip design is not only ergonomic but also customizable. It comes with four interchangeable palm swell grip inserts that allow you to adjust the pistol’s grip to fit your hand size. This feature is essential because a comfortable and secure grip is the foundation of accurate shooting. The pistol ships with four interchangeable grip inserts that allow the shooter to configure the pistol based on hand size or personal preference.

Chambered in 9mm with 4-inch barrels

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol is chambered in 9mm with a 4-inch barrel, making it a popular choice for concealed carry enthusiasts. The 9mm cartridge is widely regarded as an excellent choice for self-defense due to its manageable recoil, high magazine capacity, and effectiveness against targets.

The 4-inch barrel length strikes a balance between concealment and power, offering a 15-round capacity in 9mm Luger. This capacity is generous for a compact pistol, providing ample ammunition for both range shooting and self-defense scenarios. The 9mm cartridge is also widely available and affordable, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a cost-effective solution for their self-defense needs.

The M&P 2.0 Compact’s 4-inch barrel length provides a longer sight radius than shorter barrels, contributing to increased accuracy and precision. Additionally, the 9mm cartridge is known for its versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from target shooting to self-defense. Overall, the M&P 2.0 Compact’s chambering in 9mm with a 4-inch barrel makes it a well-rounded and practical choice for those seeking a reliable and effective compact pistol.

White Dot Sight Picture

The M&P 2.0 Compact comes standard with co-witness white-dot front and rear sights, which provide a crisp and easy-to-see sight picture under all lighting conditions. The white-dot sights are designed to be highly visible, making it easier for shooters to acquire their target quickly and accurately. The co-witness design ensures that the front and rear sights are aligned, providing a clear and unobstructed sight picture.

Improved Grip Control

The M&P 2.0 Compact incorporates enhanced grip texturing on its frame, making it easier to maintain a solid grasp even during intense firing sessions. The grip texturing is designed to be aggressive, providing a secure hold on the pistol even when the shooter’s hands are wet or sweaty. This feature is particularly useful for shooters who require a high level of control over their firearms, such as law enforcement officers or military personnel.

Enhanced trigger with a crisp break and tactile reset

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol boasts an enhanced trigger with a crisp break and tactile reset. This feature improves the shooting experience by providing a smooth, consistent trigger pull with reduced pre-travel, over-travel, and reset distance. Several manufacturers offer aftermarket trigger systems, such as the Apex Tactical “Flatty” trigger and the Overwatch Precision Metal 2.0 TAC Trigger System, which deliver superior performance and durability. These triggers are designed to work seamlessly with the M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol, ensuring a higher degree of consistency and reliability.

Performance and Ergonomics

The M&P 2.0 Compact shines in performance, with its ergonomic design facilitating easy and accurate follow-up shots. The 18-degree grip angle contributes to a natural and comfortable hand position, enhancing the shooting experience. The reviewer particularly appreciated the grip’s rough texture for its effectiveness at the range, although they noted its potential discomfort when concealed against the skin.

The pistol’s trigger, described as a significant improvement over previous models, offers a smoother pull and a clear, tactile reset. Despite some minor criticisms regarding the trigger’s feel, it’s considered more than adequate for both range shooting and self-defense scenarios.

Customization

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol stands out for its extensive range of customization options, allowing users to tailor their firearms to their specific needs. The pistol offers a variety of barrel lengths, thumb safety options, and grip inserts, providing shooters with the flexibility to configure their firearm according to their preferences. In contrast, the Glock 19 does not offer as much versatility in terms of customization, making the M&P 2.0 Compact a standout choice for those seeking a highly configurable compact pistol. This customization feature is particularly useful for shooters who require a specific configuration for their firearm, such as law enforcement officers or competitive shooters.

Maintenance Tips

• Regular Cleaning: Clean the pistol after each use or at least every few months if not used frequently. This prevents the buildup of residues and ensures reliable operation.
• Use Proper Tools: Utilize gun-specific cleaning tools and solvents to avoid damaging the firearm. Soft cloths, bore brushes, and non-abrasive tools are essential.
• Inspect Regularly: Look for signs of wear or damage on critical components such as the barrel, slide, and frame. Pay attention to the condition of the recoil spring, guide rod, and magazines.
• Storage: Store the pistol in a dry, clean environment. Use a silicone-treated gun cloth or rust inhibitor for long-term storage to protect against moisture and corrosion.

Conclusion

The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact Pistol represents a significant advancement in the realm of compact firearms, offering an ideal balance between concealability and functionality. With its ergonomic design, customizable grip inserts, and enhanced trigger mechanism, it caters to both novice and experienced shooters seeking a versatile sidearm. The M&P 2.0 Compact’s attention to detail in design, such as the compatibility with modern red dot sights and the durable Armornite finish, showcases Smith & Wesson’s commitment to quality and innovation. Despite a few minor drawbacks, such as the aggressive grip texturing and the stiffness of the ambidextrous slide release, the pistol’s overall performance, durability, and versatility make it a strong contender against other compact firearms like the Glock 19. Whether for concealed carry, home defense, or range shooting, the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact is a reliable, high-performing firearm that offers great value to its users.

FAQs

1. What caliber options are available for the M&P 2.0 Compact?
   The M&P 2.0 Compact is available in 9mm and .40 S&W.
2. How many rounds can the M&P 2.0 Compact hold?
   The 9mm version holds 15 rounds, and the .40 S&W version holds 13 rounds.
3. Is the M&P 2.0 Compact suitable for concealed carry?
   Yes, its compact size and high grip design make it suitable for concealed carry.
4. Can I customize the grip on the M&P 2.0 Compact?
   Yes, it comes with four interchangeable palm swell grip inserts for custom fitting.
5. Does the M&P 2.0 Compact have a safety feature?
   Yes, it offers a frame-mounted safety option.
6. What is the barrel length of the M&P 2.0 Compact?
   The barrel length is 4 inches.
7. Is the trigger of the M&P 2.0 Compact improved over previous models?
   Yes, it features an enhanced trigger with a crisp break and tactile reset.
8. Can the M&P 2.0 Compact accommodate red dot sights?
   Yes, its slide cuts are designed to be compatible with modern red dot sights.
9. What kind of finish does the M&P 2.0 Compact have?
   It features an Armornite finish for durability and corrosion resistance.
10. How does the M&P 2.0 Compact compare to the Glock 19?
    The M&P 2.0 Compact rivals the Glock 19 in compactness and capability, offering similar size and capacity but with additional features like customizable grips and an enhanced trigger.