​​TFB Review: Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 4In Metal Compact Thumb Safety

If you’ve read my review of the   Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Full Size Metal Carry Comp last November, then you know I was a little late to the M&P party. Having held them at gun stores, I was keenly aware of the M&P’s ergonomic advantages, and being a Glock shooter, I’ve never been averse to polymer, but for some reason, getting one of these handguns out on the range evaded me for years. Given that I skipped a few grades ahead with the ported, metal frame, Performance Center model, the experience proved overwhelmingly satisfying. So, when Smith & Wesson   announced the Metal Compact series earlier this year, I jumped at the chance to review the   M&P9 M2.0 4-Inch Metal Compact Thumb Safety version.

Since the Smith & Wesson M&P series of firearms needs no introductions, being a proven platform with a reputation for rugged reliability and performance, let’s briefly cut to some of the familiar features you’ll find on the new M&P9 M2.0 4-Inch Metal Compact.

Specifications:

The Slide

Topside is a stainless steel slide with scalloped serrations that are both non-abrasive and effectively grippy under any working condition, touching upon the M&P’s tradition of balanced and well-thought-out ergonomics. The slide is also equipped with a loaded chamber indicator for those who prefer that vs a press check. Internally, you’ll find a 4-inch stainless steel barrel with a 1:10 twist rate and black Armornite finish.

A set of front and rear metal three-dot sights rests above, as does the cover to the M&P9 M2.0 4-Inch Metal Compact’s optics cut. Seven plastic optics plate adapters and additional hardware are included in the box from the factory as part of Smith & Wesson’s C.O.R.E. System for mounting a wide variety of optics. While I have seen people online talk about these being a potential point of failure, my experience has not reflected that, and I suspect that issues arise, in many cases, from over-torquing the screws.

The Optic

In this review, however, I hooked up with my good friends at   Holosun, who provided me with their   SCS MP2, the M&P version of their SCS optics system that I’ve come to know and love across other handgun platforms. The benefits of Holosun’s 7075 T6 aluminum housing SCS series are relatively numerous when considering advancements in slide-mounted optics. First, each model is made specifically to correspond with a particular manufacturer’s optics cut across most popular brands and models of handguns. The result is an optic that requires no adapter plates and sits considerably lower to the frame, eliminating possible points of failure and allowing the use of standard height iron sights to be seen through the window.

The next benefit is the 20,000-hour or perhaps indefinite battery life enabled by the sight’s internally rechargeable solar battery system, which, with exposure to moderately bright light, will relieve you from ever swapping another battery. The SCS also features a multiple reticle system, with three user-selectable sight pictures to choose from: a 2 MOA dot, a 32MOA circle with a 2 MOA dot, or a 32 MOA circle alone. Lastly, SCS optics are highly capable when it comes to sensing ambient brightness and adjusting your dot intensity seamlessly through changing lighting conditions. In my experience, going from dark to light environments or vice versa does not phase the SCS, and I hardly notice the transition while it is happening. The dot is just always there. This was clearly the way.

The Frame

The frame of this handgun is where the differences unfold, but without disturbing any of the features or comfort we’ve come to know with the Smith & Wesson M&P series. Off the bat, I can tell it is a metal, sort of. The rigidity and somewhat cool feel to the touch take me back to steel frames of my past, but the M&P’s aluminum frame construction does this without tacking on excess weight. At approximately 2.5 additional ounces compared to the polymer version, I felt this was a happy trade for a solid feeling handgun that inspired confidence in my grip.

Speaking of grip, the M&P9 M2.0 4-Inch Metal Compact pointed very naturally for me, with its 18-degree grip angle, similar to a 1911, and four sizes of interchangeable palmswells. I went with the smallest version, which is usually how I find myself with the best overall purchase on the gun. The palmswell and front strap feature an enhanced quality that I like due to its densely stippled texture that reduces any slipping in the hand, even when wet, and enables better recoil mitigation.

I’m not sure if it is just me, but it feels as if the trigger has been slightly improved. I never really had much of an issue at all in my previous review, except that the reset was not audibly or physically tactile. The flat-face trigger on this Metal Compact seems to have resolved much of that, and the improved reset is comfortably short without trying to take a competition gun to task. Taking up the trigger safety and initial slack is smooth with a nice feel to the shoe and a defined wall, followed by a crisp break at what feels like 4 pounds. This is a big improvement over the standard Glock trigger.

The Package

The frame and slide are covered in a handsome Tungsten Gray Cerakote finish, with black accented barrel, controls, palmswell, front strap, trigger, and sights, making for an attractive handgun. Each M&P9 M2.0 4-Inch Metal Compact ships with 2x 15-round magazines, and the MSRP on this model is $899.00. Let’s see how it all stacks up where it counts, on the range and during everyday use.

Carrying

While I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the M&P9 M2.0 as a bedside companion, this 4-Inch Metal Compact was meant to take with you on the go. As such, you can only carry as comfortably and securely as your holster will allow. That’s why I hooked up with my good friend David at   Mission First Tactical, who was kind enough to send me an   ambidextrous holster I could use both inside and outside the waistband with adjustable cant and retention. The holster also accommodates suppressor height sights if you have those, and allows space for an optic. It enabled me to carry anywhere from appendix to 5 o’clock without the need to swap configurations, and using it as an outside-the-waistband option was nice in that little time I was still wearing winter jackets.

I carried the M&P9 M2.0 like this for approximately three months, and never once had an issue. If you don’t wear an undershirt, you can get a slight chaffing where the grip texture may come in contact with your skin, but overall, the trade-off for confidence in the hand is a worthy sacrifice, and an occupational hazard that is simply part of everyday carry consideration. While the weight of the M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact is just above that of its polymer siblings and about 5 ounces more than a Glock 19, I didn’t find it any more to manage on my   Kore Essentials 1.5-inch Ratcheting EDC belt. Things were off to a great start, as a firearm has to be something you want to carry, and I had no issues carrying this M&P daily.

I had some help running tests for accuracy and consistency, thanks to a variety of range and defensive ammunition provided by   HOP Munitions and   Black Hills. From 15 yards, my aging eyes and skills were the only bottleneck, but my results ranged from pretty darn good to excellent. See the chart below for velocity and accuracy data.

I hate leaving a footnote for a flyer, but the world is imperfect. By the end of the day, I had been baked in the sun, ran out of water, had the sun in my eyes, and had worked my way into an excited enough frenzy with the +P ammo that my last two groups caught me throwing rounds slightly low and to the left. And we all know what that means.

Now that I’m done bellyaching and making excuses, I’m happy to report zero stoppages or malfunctions of any kind with any of the ammunition in this review, totalling 400 rounds. The Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact ate it all up in short order, and handled the +P loads with utter ease, having a perceptible yet oddly minimal increase to felt recoil.

Shooting steel is where it’s at for this M&P9; however, as the entire setup with the Holosun SCS MP2 comes together for a really sleek and low-profile optics-equipped carry pistol. The gun was fast and easy to control, at a level I can appreciate from a compact that behaves like a full-size handgun. The enhanced grip texture proved its value as the day heated up, covering myself in all kinds of sweat that seemed to have one destination: my palms. Yet, at no time did that hinder me or cause me to slow down. Accuracy was as good as I could ask for with myself at the helm, and the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact performed without any issues feeding or ejecting. With all of this wrapped in an aesthetic that wouldn’t struggle for a date, it’s hard for me to give anything less than an A+.

Final Thoughts

There is good reason why the Smith & Wesson M&P series has been so successful with law enforcement and civilians alike. It doesn’t come as a surprise to me that they continue to develop and broaden the lineup to cover everything from duty to everyday carry to competition. Now, all you 1911 guys that refuse to believe our plastic guns are still serviceable years later have a reason to partake in the fun. I don’t think these aluminum frame guns are meant to take over the series so much as address the preferences of a larger expanse of shooters.

Would I recommend the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal Compact? I would, especially if you’re looking for a single handgun for carry and home defense. Would I spend the extra $230 for an aluminum frame over a polymer? I would, but for no more reason than I like the way it feels in the hand, and yes, I like metal things too. None of this takes anything away from the great feel of the polymer guns, and I doubt you will see any performance gap, but it’s nice to have options, and for that, we thank you.

For more information on Smith & Wesson firearms and accessories, visit:   smith-wesson.com