First Look: Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal By: Bob Campbell

It seems like just a few years ago Smith and Wesson introduced a polymer frame, striker-fired pistol to give Glock serious competition. The SIGMA was a little remembered ergonomic disaster. Easily among the most difficult pistols to shoot well that I ever fired. However, the Military & Police pistols are a much different story.

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Ergonomics are excellent and the styling eye-catching. The pistols have enjoyed much success and several popular handguns, including the Shield, have sprung from these handguns. Polymer-frame handguns have taken the market by storm and own the personal defense and police market.

There is still a market for metal frame pistols. Not long ago, Smith & Wesson introduced the CSX aluminum frame 9mm. This handgun features good workmanship and has proven to be a great handling and shooting pistol.

M&P 2.0 Metal Features

Recently, Smith & Wesson made even bigger news with the introduction of the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal. The pistol features a T6-aluminum frame. The pistol is identical in outline to the polymer frame pistol with a 4.25-inch barrel and standard slide and sights. The pistol is supplied with two 17-round magazines and comes with a slide cut for mounting red dot sights.

The finish is a Tungsten-Gray Cerakote. The 2.0 improvements are evident in this pistol. You do not need to update your holsters or magazines. The new frame is compatible with previous M&P 9mm handguns.

The pistol weighs 30 ounces — about five ounces more than the polymer frame handgun. It feels good in the hand and offers a nice balance and heft. That is what this pistol is all about, balance. You must decide whether the balance and weight are worth the extra money.

When the dust settles, and the pistol is in the pipeline and readily available, the tariff over the polymer frame gun will probably be on the order of $200. That isn’t a small change, but neither is it a week’s pay for most, so the pistol’s improved frame may be worthwhile to many shooters. It is less expensive than many aftermarket Glock frames, for example. Fieldstripping is easy enough, and the pistol’s controls are crisp in operation. The manual of arms is simple. Load, holster, draw, fire.

• Tungsten Gray Cerakote finish
• Slide cut for optics
• Four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts for optimal hand fit and trigger reach: S, M, ML, L
• Textured polymer front strap
• Wide slide stop
• Reversible magazine release
• M2.0 flat-face trigger for consistent finger placement that allows for more accurate and repeatable shooting
• Includes forward slide serrations and accessory rail
• Low barrel bore axis makes the M&P pistol comfortable to shoot, reducing muzzle rise and allowing for faster aim recovery
• Enhanced sear for lighter, crisper trigger let-off
• Accurate 1:10-inch twist barrel
• Comes with two 17-round magazines
• Accepts any 17-round 9mm M2.0 magazine
• Fits standard M&P9-compatible holsters

At the Range

There isn’t much to add or detract to the M&P’s reputation when examining the pistol. It feels different, looks a little different, and operates the same as the polymer frame pistol. The trigger action breaks at 6.0 pounds on the Lyman trigger scale.

The proof is in the firing. I collected a good number of 9mm loads for testing. Since the aluminum frame is supposed to have an advantage in line of sight and recoil control, I included a number of +P loads. However, the usual inexpensive 9mm ball ammunition was the majority load expended.

I also hand on-hand a few magazines worth of Winchester 9mm NATO, a 124-grain bullet at 1,180 fps. Also included in testing was the Hornady American Gunner 124-grain XTP +P at 1,184 fps. The magazines are not difficult to load and accepted a full 17 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

I locked the slide to the rear, inserted a magazine, and dropped the slide. I had placed three man-sized targets at 5, 7, and 10 yards. The pistol was drawn from a Galco Gunleather Triton holster. The Kydex Triton offered a good fit and a sharp draw.

A feature I cannot praise enough is the belt clip that positively locked in place when in use. No slippage on the belt with this gear. Drawing the pistol and quickly re-holstering is smooth and intuitive. The Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 9mm Metal clears the holster smoothly and comes on target quickly.

The trigger is smooth and breaks cleanly. Firing quickly at all three targets, I gave each target (more or less) equal punishment. After firing three magazines, the targets were evaluated. As most shooters realize, many polymer-frame handguns are slide heavy. That results in the slide’s weight pushing the line of sight down. The S&W aluminum frame 9mm has a different feel. As a result, I was firing high. I suppose I thought I was firing a polymer-frame pistol.

After replenishing the ammunition supply, I began another series of drills. This time I took firm control and fired more slowly as I addressed the targets. The result was center hits. Next up was more speed.

I found that after some acclimation, my groups were tight, and the pistol was more controllable than a lighter polymer-frame pistol. Not that the Military & Police 9mm isn’t a great handling pistol with a polymer frame. However, the new metal frame pistol was different.

After sufficient acclimation, you will find the pistol more controllable in rapid fire. Some, but not all, will find the line of sight superior in their hand. If you shoot a lot of polymer-frame handguns, you must ask yourself whether this is the addition to the stable you need.

There were no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. As for absolute accuracy, I fired the pistol at a 15-yard bullseye target using Hornady ammunition including the 115-grain XTP and 124-grain XTP +P. Five-shot groups averaged 2.0 inches — more than acceptable.

The Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal is something that was not on the radar of many S&W fans, but is it enough of a game changer for you? Share your answer or review in the comment section.