OMG! The S&W M&P9 M2.0 Subcompact is a Wonderful Companion to my Shield!

I used to run a page called Baby Glock on Facebook (I am no longer on FB). That's how much I love the Glock 26. Moreover, I became a Glock fan only after first owning a M&P40c for 7-8 years. Furthermore, I've owned and carried 22 pistols since getting my concealed carry permit in 2005, and I've finally settled on the five carry guns I am going to keep (I'm done buying and selling guns), and my new M&P9 M2.0 Subcompact has made the cut over the G26. That's right, I've sold my Gen4 and Gen5 G26 pistols and I will not be replacing them.

I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised with this pistol. All of the things I didn't like about the M&P Compact and Glock 26 have been resolved in this pistol as if they read my mind. The only criticism I have about this pistol is a matter of personal preference. I think the finger extension is superfluous, and I can't find a replacement flush magazine floor plate. I literally control it better without one (just like my G26's), and if I want a full pinky, I'd rather just pop in the 15 or 17-round magazines with the included grip sleeves because, unlike the G26, they maintain a similar feel to their larger brethren (unlike the Pachmayr or X-Grip extension sleeves for the G26). The only other issue is that there are not a lot of holster options for it yet as the 3.6" Subcompact is slightly different than the the old 3.5" Compact).

I was surprised there is hardly any coverage or promotion on Smith & Wesson's part to sell this pistol, but when I thought about it, it should really sell itself. I can see why they released the subcompact only after first releasing the full-size, compact 4.0", and compact 3.6", and I purchased both my PC Shield and this pistol recently in lieu of the SIG P365 and Hellcat because, for me, I think the Shield and Subcompact are a better choice for me than a compromise between the two.





If anyone's curious about the five guns that made the cut from 22 carry options I owned, tested and carried, they are as follows (I'm not going to mention the ones that didn't):

1. SIG P229 Enhanced Elite chambered in .40 S&W, .357 SIG and 9mm (by way of a Bar-Sto conversion barrel). It's fitted with XS Standard Dot sights, black checkered Hogue G-10 grips, and Legion controls,

2. Beretta PX4 Storm Compact in 9mm with Langdon Tactical upgrades (including orange Ameriglo night sights),

3. S&W M&P9 M2.0 Subcompact (shown),

4. S&W M&P9 M2.0 PC Shield with orange Ameriglo sights (also shown), and the

5. Ruger LCP II in .380 ACP.

Surprisingly, after owning six of them, Glock didn't make the cut.

After picking up a gently used M&P Shield 2.0 9mm last week I can now find almost zero use for my Glock 26 Gen 4..
The smaller lighter thinner Shield just has the G26 beat as it comes to carry..
I do need a good holster for the S&W M&P Shield to do it justice..

S&W has the Price, Warranty, & Quality to make it happen..
I really like the 2.0 texture, Had it against my kidney all day yesterday.

I love my 9mm 1.0 compact, which in 2.0 is now called the sub-compact. Mine came with two ten round flush magazines. I did purchase the pinky finger extension and in doing so noted there is a difference in 1.0 and 2.0 base plates for these magazines.

I would think in time you will find flush magazine base plates for the 2.0.

If you can conceal it, or use for home defense, try the full size M&P9. 18 rounds in a duty sized pistol.

I love that price pressure is pushing on Glock. They have great products, but they charge too much. S&W, (and others), are producing some very good alternatives.

Yep your 2.0 3.6 is the new version of mine. But CT makes a laser grip for the old 1.0 gun and not for the new one. Even so, grab a mag or two in larger sizes. I usually carry w/ a 14 but this winter have had a 17 in the gun quite often. Big coats are nice for CCW.

CBStuard said:

Yep your 2.0 3.6 is the new version of mine. But CT makes a laser grip for the old 1.0 gun and not for the new one. Even so, grab a mag or two in larger sizes. I usually carry w/ a 14 but this winter have had a 17 in the gun quite often. Big coats are nice for CCW.

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I now carry my Compact 1.0 with the 15 round mags for the Compact 2.0. I make the mag adapters myself and enjoy shooting the compact more than a Shield. The shield causes my hand to get sore after 50 or so round, the Compact with it's wider grip does not.

15 round magazine spacer / adapter for M&P Compact 1.0 pistol. | eBay

Northener said:

I love my 9mm 1.0 compact, which in 2.0 is now called the sub-compact. Mine came with two ten round flush magazines. I did purchase the pinky finger extension and in doing so noted there is a difference in 1.0 and 2.0 base plates for these magazines.

I would think in time you will find flush magazine base plates for the 2.0.

Click to expand...

I have a question about your 1.0 compact. Does the frame tool pivot when seated, or does it have some play. My 2.0 Subcompact has some play I don't particularly care for.

Univibe said:

If you can conceal it, or use for home defense, try the full size M&P9. 18 rounds in a duty sized pistol.

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I had a full-size (4.25"), and it's a great gun (very comfortable, accurate and flat-shooting), but I can't conceal it as well comfortably. In fact, I had a M&P M2.0 Compact (4.0"), and that concealed well, but the muzzle still dug into my crotch area more than I liked when seated. The longest barrel I have on a concealed carry firearm is my SIG P229 Enhanced Elite (3.9"). I favor it's greater heft for .357 SIG (compared to a G32, for example). Personally, I prefer DA/SA handguns when it comes to Glock 19-size guns and larger because I tend to carry them appendix and I feel more comfortable doing that. In fact, in lieu of my past G19's I now have the P229 and a Beretta PX4 Storm Compact which is a wonderful gun (they are both top notch in their categories IMHO). The beretta is 5.0" high just like a G19 but with even better ergonomics in my hands than the M&P's. I do carry my Shield appendix, but I also do that because I can use the manual safety to holster it depending on what I am wearing and when I am tired (then I disengage it while it's holstered). My subcompacts like the G26 prior to buying the M&P subcompact get carried at the 2:30-3 o'clock position. I carry both ways along with pocket carry (Ruger LCP II) depending on what I am wearing and my mood. My greater point is that I'd carry all DA/SA handguns if I could, but striker-fired pistols have an obvious advantage in terms of height, and this really comes into play with subcompacts and smaller pistols. That's just my preference, I certainly am not discouraging others from carrying striker-fired guns appendix without manual safeties. Anyway, the 4.25 and 4" M&P's aren't preferable for my body type and preferred method of carry. In fact I strongly considered getting a 3.6" compact about a year ago, but in the end I decided to go with the PX4 Storm Compact which has a very similar footprint but it's DA/SA for appendix, and I primarily carry that gun while my P229 is more of a nightstand gun these days. I won't rule out an M&P9 M2.0 C.O.R.E. at some point, however.