Smith Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact FDE – Superb Optic Ready Pistol

Description

The Smith Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact FDE is the compact M2.0 in flat dark earth, supplied with ten round magazines for capacity restricted states and cut for a red dot from the factory. The 4 inch barrel keeps velocity close to the full size gun while the shorter slide and grip conceal considerably better.

Smith Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact FDE Finish and Optic Cut

Flat dark earth is more than a colour preference on a carry pistol. Holster wear, handling marks and the fine scratches every carried gun accumulates all show far less against an earth tone than against gloss black, so the pistol looks the same after a year of daily carry as it did new. The Armornite treatment underneath does the actual protective work, hardening the surface and resisting corrosion.

The slide is cut for a red dot at the factory and ships with mounting plates. A dot is faster to find under stress than iron sights, particularly for shooters whose near vision has started to soften, and a factory cut avoids both the gunsmithing bill and the warranty question that aftermarket milling creates.

M2.0 Platform Features

The M2.0 generation addressed the specific complaints owners had about the original M&P. Grip texture moved from a smooth orange peel finish to aggressive stippling closer to skateboard tape, which keeps the pistol located in wet or gloved hands. A fourth palm swell size was added, giving small, medium, medium large and large options.

Internally a rigid stainless chassis is moulded into the polymer along most of the frame length, stiffening the frame and giving the cross pins something solid to locate against. The trigger runs roughly half a pound lighter than the original with a shorter and far more distinct reset, which is the change most shooters notice first.

Fitting the Grip

The palm swell inserts are worth spending time on rather than leaving at the factory setting. Changing one takes a punch and about a minute: drive out the frame pin at the base of the backstrap, lift the insert clear, fit the replacement and reinsert the pin. Most shooters assume they want the smallest insert their trigger finger can work with, but the better test is whether the web of the hand sits centred behind the bore with the finger landing on the pad rather than the joint.

A grip that is slightly too small lets the pistol shift under recoil, and that costs more in follow up speed than a marginally longer trigger reach ever does. It is common for shooters to settle one size larger than they first expect.

Specifications

• Model: M&P9 M2.0 Compact
• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel: 4 in., Armornite finish
• Action: Striker fired
• Slide: Optic ready, Armornite finish
• Frame: Polymer with embedded stainless chassis, flat dark earth
• Grip: Four interchangeable palm swell inserts
• Trigger: Approximately 6 lbs with audible and tactile reset
• UPC: 022188896794

Why Buyers Choose the Smith Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact FDE

For a capacity restricted buyer this is a sensible way to spend the budget. If the magazine is capped at ten rounds regardless of what pistol is chosen, the money that would have gone toward capacity is better spent on fit and on the sighting system, and this arrives with a full size compact grip, four insert options and a factory optic cut.

The four grip insert sizes deserve particular mention. Most pistols offer backstraps that change the reach to the trigger; the M2.0 inserts change the circumference of the whole grip, which is what actually determines whether a hand can wrap it properly.

Who Should Buy It

The Smith Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact FDE suits the concealed carrier in a capacity restricted state who wants a proper compact grip, the shooter mounting a red dot who wants a factory cut, and anyone who prefers an earth tone finish that hides carry wear.

Learn more from Smith and Wesson, or browse the rest of our firearms selection.

Every firearm we list ships to your chosen FFL and is transferred there after a background check.