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trying to put a m&p 2.0 3.6 slide on a full size frame

M

m&p2.0fdethumbsafety

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i know the 4 inch compact slide, guide rod, and barrel works on a full size frame, but does the 3.6 inch components work as well? are the 4 inch compact frame internals the exact same as the 3.6 inch compact fame internals?
 
i've looked at the 3.6 and 4 inch frames closely in some of the comparison reviews where they put it side by side, i still can't find pictures of the interior, but from the look of the bulge on the locking bar portion of the frame, it looks like the internal structure might be the same.


i've never seen this done before so i'll be the first probably.


the only problem is, the frame will appear to have an "underbite" so i'll have to chop that extra piece of plastic down if i ever want to use a 3.6 inch type holster, because afterall, the point of a 3.6 inch gun is to have a smaller footprint on the belt, wearing a full size holster negates that.
 
I'm a bit confused. You want to mount the 3.6" slide/barrel from the 2.0 Compact on a fullsize (17 round) frame?
 
Saudade said:
I'm a bit confused. You want to mount the 3.6" slide/barrel from the 2.0 Compact on a fullsize (17 round) frame?
Click to expand...


yes that is correct. my intuition is that it will work perfectly(aside from the cosmetic and functional issues of the frame sticking out beyond the slide)


but i'm still a bit doubtful as i've not seen anyone do this before, perhaps there is some reason preventing it working too well
 
All I can say is I have a 1.0 full size and a 1.0 compact. The 1.0 Compact is 3.6" and is more like the 2.0 subcompact (same mag capacity). I suspect the barrel/slide assembly is the same for the 3.6" 2.0 compact and 2.0 subcompact.

Having said all of that, The 3.6" slide will not fully function on my fullsize frame. It will slide on but will not retract far enough to lock the take down. The full size slide will fit and lock on my compact frame and seem to function with a caveat.

The frame just forward of the locking block is different between the two frames (see red box in pic below). The fullsize is longer than my compact. The longer body prevents the compact slide from fully retracting, it's a hard stop.

Part_Identification_Inside_small-3379339875.jpg

Likewise, when I put the full size slide on the compact frame, the slide retracts way farther than normal. This is evidenced by how far the slide lock notch goes past the slide lock lever.

I'm guessing this has to do, in part, with the length of the guide rod.

I can not say this is exactly the same for the 2.0 models. It just something for you to look at more carefully.

(ack to Rastoff for the pic!)
 
i found some videos on youtube that provide glimpses into the frame internals. here's the 4 inch compact frame, it appears the plastic nib in front of the rail is the same as the full size frame:


S&W M&P 2.0 Compact Disassembly/Teardown - YouTube


whereas on the 3.6 compact model frame, the nib in front of the front rail appears to be shorter. but i'm not sure what interactions that nub has. perhaps it's just for frame integrity? since the small frame is shorter, it perhaps doesn't that need that much material there:


Smith & Wesson's New M&P 2.0 Compact 9mm 3.6'' Pistol Review: Glock 19 Killer? - YouTube



still hard to tell without an actual test
 
The recoil spring assemblies (rsa) are different lengths with the 3.6" being the shortest. My guess the stops are there to prevent the rsa's from bottoming out on recoil.
 
i think modifying the slide might actually be better than modifying the frame. if it breaks or doesn't work right it's easier to replace
 
actually from the looks of it, frame modification is necessary. there's a metal part embedded into the frame that stops the 3.6 inch compact slide's backward travel.


it seems if i want full size grip on the 3.6 inch compact model, it's better if i just buy a 3.6 inch compact, then modify the grip somehow. they have magwell flares, but i'm looking for a magwell that will add primarily length rather than just width


i don't know how the glock guys do it but they are able to melt new grips into the frame that look oem
 
m&p2.0fdethumbsafety said:
actually from the looks of it, frame modification is necessary. there's a metal part embedded into the frame that stops the 3.6 inch compact slide's backward travel.


it seems if i want full size grip on the 3.6 inch compact model, it's better if i just buy a 3.6 inch compact, then modify the grip somehow. they have magwell flares, but i'm looking for a magwell that will add primarily length rather than just width


i don't know how the glock guys do it but they are able to melt new grips into the frame that look oem
Click to expand...


Then wouldn't you own more then "3 guns"?
 
Why not just use a 17 round magazine and the provided mag adapter? Then you have a 3.6" slide on a fullsize frame essentially.
 
Last edited:
i live in california. it's nearly impossible to find the m&p 2.0 3.6 compact on the private market( only legal way to get it for civilians)
 
Last edited:
the handgun roster in california will be gone soon due to the nysrpa vs bruen decision. hopefully smith and wesson releases an fde version of the 3.6 inch 2.0 compact by then.
 
I 'think' you now have a 4 inch compact right? Like bloodlord says, just get a 17rnd mag and a sleeve. I don't think that .4 inch of slide length is worth the effort you are going through.
 
CBStuard said:
I 'think' you now have a 4 inch compact right? Like bloodlord says, just get a 17rnd mag and a sleeve. I don't think that .4 inch of slide length is worth the effort you are going through.
Click to expand...


i'm about to do that now, the only problem is the 3.6" 2.0 models don't come in fde. i will have to expend additional money to get it coated a.i. dark earth, the same color s&w uses for their factory fde guns.
 
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