Introduction

Striker fired polymer framed pistols seem to be all the rage these days. Smith & Wesson is no stranger to the subject, and today we will take a look at one of their offerings. In today’s review we will take a look at the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 2.0 10mm pistol.

Specifications

WIDTH 1.16 in

LENGTH 7.4 in

HEIGHT 5.7 in

WEIGHT 44.7 oz

CALIBER 9MM

SIZE FULL

CAPACITY 17

ACTION STRIKER FIRED

BARREL LENGTH 4.25

GRIP POLYMER

SIGHTS WHITE DOT

OPTIC READY YES

SAFETY NONE

COLOR/FINISH BLACK

STATE COMPLIANCE N/A

THREADED BARREL  NO

BARREL MATERIAL    STAINLESS STEEL

FRAME POLYMER

Background

The M&P line of pistols has been around much longer than I had known. With a focus on duty service with the military and police. But these handguns have come a long way since those first manually ejected .38 Special pistols.

The M&P line has evolved with some very venerable models, most of them chambered in the very popular 9mm. Smith & Wesson’s 2.0 version of the M&P 9 is also available in 10mm auto. The 10mm has become another one of those great cartridges with a cult following. You may ask yourself why, I mean isn’t it just a longer .40 S&W?

Sharing bore-size with the .40 is a familiar trait of the 10mm. But it carries a great deal more energy due to its longer case length and greater powder charge. With average velocities two to three hundred feet per second faster than the .40, the 10mm is a powerful cartridge. 

But does this cartridge live up to the legendary reputation?

M&P 9 2.0 Features

Optics Ready slide

Allows easy and robust mounting of a red dot optical sight to co-witness with the tall iron sights.

15 Round Magazines

Shooting bigger cartridges doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice capacity.

M2.0 Flat-faced Trigger

The flat-faced trigger allows comfortable placement and a very clean trigger pull

Picatinny Accessory Rail

You can add your favorite weapon light under the front of the pistol

Low Bore Axis

Keeps the pivot point of the pistol lower allowing for better control

Adjustable grip insert 

Allows you to custom fit the M2.0 to fit your grip

18 Degree Textured Grip

The grip angle and texturing allows for natural aiming and control of the pistol

Other Models of the M&P 9 2.0

The M&P 9 M2.0 is also available with a thumb safety, as well as two Performance Center models that include a compensator and two tone version of the pistol. 

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 2.0 10mm Pistol Review

Shooting the M2.0 was going to be a treat for me. I already loved the feel of this pistol, and getting it on the range would prove to be a good time. With a few boxes of ammunition from Ammo To Go I headed up to my spot to see how big of a difference there was between 9 and 10 millimeters. I’d also brought some accessories to kit out the pistol a few different ways.

First up I shot the pistol just as it came, using the iron sights and some Blazer ammunition. With  15 rounds loaded up, I started shooting. You can definitely feel the extra pep in the step of the 10mm. 

Like every other M&P 9 it felt great in the hands, just a bit more spicy due to the extra millimeter in the ammunition. The different sound of 10mm cases bouncing across the ground sounded like coins being tossed in a parking garage. 

If you like the M&P line, check our review of the M&P Shield Plus

I was very pleased with the improved M2.0 trigger. It has a fantastic wall that you feel as the first stage is taken up. It is very consistent and predictable, followed up with a smooth snap when you press. I typically dislike blade safeties, but this design I really quite liked.

Another control that surprised me was the slide release. There appears to be a spring-detent that makes the sensation of a popping when you press the mag release. It really adds a nice touch to the reload.

Shooting through the fifteen round magazines went all too fast. Even adding a plus-2 magazine base plate for a total of 17 cut the fun off too soon. But to be fair, seventeen rounds of 10mm is a pretty impressive battery. 

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The tall sights of the M&P M2.0 were very easy to see and pick up while presenting. Shooting accurately with this pistol was awesome, easily hitting most things within handgun range. Adding a red dot to the gun brought another level of fun to shooting the M&P. Keeping your eyes focused on the target while raising the pistol until the red dot lined up felt like cheating. 

Reloads took me a little bit of practice to get used to. I typically train with a Glock 17 clone or a Sig P320 of some type. The magazine release on the M&P was different enough that I had to make a more deliberate effort to press it. I’m sure this is simply a question of practice and training. 

The flared magwell also helped me with reloads, making it easy to stab the magazine under pressure. 

Shooting both the Blazer and American Eagle ammunition the M&P hummed along like a tuned engine. No malfunctions of any kind were experienced, and I was left wanting more ammo. 

With an MSRP under $700.00 this pistol sure seems to bring a lot of features and value. With its optics ready slide, quality trigger, and the ability to pump 10mm auto rounds like a slot machine.  You’d be hard pressed to beat this for a service grade 10mm pistol.

Pros & Cons of the M&P 9 2.0

Pros

• Excellent trigger
• Great slide cuts for support hand purchase
• Optics ready slide
• 15 round capacity
• Excellent texture for grip
• Reliable function
• Shoots accurately 
• Excellent quality for price

Cons

• Could use adaptable mag release button
• Ammo isn’t cheap for 10mm

The enhanced M2.0 trigger is fantastic

Report Card

Shootability (A)  The M2.0 is an excellent shooter, it definitely feels like it is made for shootin’ & scootin’.

Reliability (A) We experienced zero malfunctions during testing of the M&P, it ran flawlessly.

Ergonomics (B+) The gun feels great, its adaptable grip is helpful. I’d like a bigger mag release button.

Accuracy (A) I had no issue hitting what I was aiming for inside of 20 or so yards. And anytime I missed, I knew it was me before the bullet got there.

Value (B+) The market is full of good options, the M&P is an excellent choice for a 10mm at this price point.

Preferred Ammo

Ammunition used during our testing was from Blazer and American Eagle. Both were 180 grain FMJ loads. Both of them shot very well, and I couldn’t say one shot any better than the other. 

This 10mm usually carries a magazine full of Speer Gold Dot 200 grain Jacketed hollow points. These also shoot great from the pistol, and double as defensive rounds. 

Upgrades and Accessories

Optics

An optics ready pistol like this for sure needs a good red dot. I used a cheap one that fit, but I would recommend something much better for this handsome pistol. Something like the always popular Holosun 507 or a Romeo 1 Pro.

Sight picture with and without red dot

More Ammo

Plus two base plates like the ones seen here from Floyd’s Custom Shop are a great way to increase capacity of your M&P. There are many great options from other companies as well. 

A Good Holster

A pistol like this deserves a good holster. I am a big fan of the Safariland ALS line of holsters and would strongly recommend getting one that fits your model M&P.

Final Thoughts

Smith & Wesson surely knows what they are doing with the M&P line. One thing after another kept making me like the pistol more and more. 

The M2.0 has a fantastic trigger, shoots smooth and reliably. And it feels fantastic in the hands. The 9mm version of this pistol has an incredible lineup of competition. But when it comes to 10mm, the field narrows considerably.

For the price, this pistol brings a great deal of value and features that will live up to the M&P standard of service. If you are looking for a good 10mm pistol for defense or just for fun, do yourself a favor and take a look at the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 2.0 10mm.

-CBM