M&P 2.0 Compact .40 Range Report

Finally got to the range today to start the break-in of my new M&P 2.0 Compact .40, albeit an indoor one. The outdoor one has been closed since at least Wednesday for the 4H Competition and will reopen Monday. On to the review!

Fit, finish and feel is a carbon copy of the M&P 2.0 Compact 9mm. In both cases I prefer the medium backstrap. The only difference I could see between the two was the polish on feed ramp of the .40 is shiny. The 9mm is semi-dull. Smooth, but dull. Other than that, and the differences in the barrel bores, twins.
I ran a total of 253 rounds through the gun. Fifty each of Independence 165 grain, Blazer Brass 180, Magtech 165 grain and Blazer Brass 165 grain. All full metal jacket (FMJ). I also ran 27 rounds of Federal HST 165 grain and 26 rounds of Winchester Bonded 180 grain, both jacketed hollow points (JHP). All ran flawlessly with zero problems of any kind. On a side note, the Magtech was like mini flash grenades. I’ve had that on the shelf for a while, so I don’t know if current production is like that, but what I shot today was definitely high flash. Probably more noticeable being inside than out. Regardless, it ran perfectly fine through the gun.
For a .40 the gun is a soft shooter. Sort of like a .40 lite if such a thing existed. The aggressive grip, as on the 9mm, is a bonus for me. The gun simply does not move in your hand when firing. After 253 rounds neither hand had any kind of rubs or abrasions. After shooting the M&P I switched to a Springfield XD sub compact 9mm. While the 9mm is a softer shooting gun it wasn’t significantly so. Perhaps due to the subcompact size? I don’t know but the M&P is a very tame .40 handgun, in my opinion, which keep in mind is subjective.
In the attached photos, the top left of the first one is 15 yards, top right 7 yards. The second photo shows shots at 10 yards. The third one shows shots at 7 yards. In that same photo you can see shots at 10 and 15 yards in the target above. I didn’t get a standalone photo of that target. All shots were at a 2 to 3 shot per second pace and were shot through the two 13 round magazines that came with the gun and two 15 round magazines purchased later. With the included magazine sleeves installed on the 15 rounders, the magazines mated up nicely with the gun. If you’re a forty guy, or gal, this one is definitely worth consideration.

Congrats on the new M&P. Great shooting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thank you seebee62!

I forgot to mention in the original post that trigger pull out of the box was right around 6 lbs. measured with my Lyman gauge. After yesterday's session it measured about 5-3/4 lbs. This is following the pattern of my 2.0 Compact 9mm, which after over 800 rounds is measuring around 5-1/4 lbs.

Plenty of range reports on the 9mm .thanks for the report on the 40 compact 2.0. I'm not a 40 guy, but would love to add a 40c 2.0 to my stable of M&Ps. I've shot a 40 full size gen 1 and was pleasantly surprised how soft it shot.

My pleasure Just another 22 shooter. Like you said, plenty of reviews and information on the 9mm. It was hard to find any reviews on the 2.0 Compact .40. There was one guy on YouTube and it looked to be a soft shooter for him. I have an XDm 3.8 Compact .40, which is also a soft shooter. I was glad to see the M&P was darn close to that gun, if not better. Next outing I plan to take them both to see how they compare to each other.

Update 3/29/18.
Got to put another 200 rounds through the M&P 2.0 Compact .40 today. Shot it along side my XDm 3.8 Compact .40 to compare recoil between the two. To date, the XDm had been one of the softest shooting .40's I'd ever owned or shot. The 2.0 Compact has taken it's place. It is definitely a softer shooting gun. More accurate too shooting the same ammo at 7 yards. I think the difference is the trigger. That's not to say the XDm is not accurate or has a bad trigger, it's just the M&P is more accurate and has a better trigger. The M&P was even more so after I adjusted the rear sight. This was due to the fact at 7 yards groups at that distance were within a 6" circle at a firing rate of 2-3 shots per second. At 10 yards shots were drifting left. At 15 yards, more left and I found myself compensating with my aim. I should point out I was also shooting slower, just over one shot per second. That's when I examined the sights and found the rear to be adjusted significantly to the left. I compared its placement to the rear sight on my 2.0 Compact 9mm, which was darn near centered. I had the necessary tools in my range bag, and centered the sight on the .40. Shot again at 7, 10 and 15 yards. Groups at each distance centered up nicely without a conscience effort to compensate. Not sure why I didn't catch that Saturday. Better late than never, I guess. Anyway, the gun ran perfectly with not a malfunction of any kind shooting Independence 165 grain, American Eagle 165 grain, and Blazer Brass 165 and 180 grain, all full metal jackets. Just FYI.

Have a great and safe day!

I succumbed to the $299 deal as well - glad I did. I was all set to get a used G23 for a truck gun when I stumbled onto the M&P40 2.0 Compact. Found the right palm swell, took me a few rounds to get used to the trigger and sight picture. Now it draws and rings the steel very smoothly - the 18 degree grip angle works well for me. The agressive grip texture is wonderful.
The gun has been perfect for a couple hundred rounds - as expected. Very accurate given the combat sights - I like sniping shotgun hulls at 15yds.
I feel very confident with this pistol - we shoot well together. I almost like it better than my 1911s.
The 40sw is a good cartridge - glad that Police are unloading it.