How's the 2.0 FDE finish holding up?

[kdub]

For those of you with an M&P 2.0 in the Flat Dark Earth finish, how is it holding up? Much wear from your holster? Does it clean easily?

I'm considering making the new 2.0 5" without a thumb safety or loaded chamber indicator my next purchase. Not sure if I want the current FDE or if I'll wait for black to be released.

 

[jejb]

I like my FDE 2.0 5". But I don't carry it in a holster at all, so the finish is perfect so far.

 

[Arik]

I'm not sure they come without a loaded chamber indicator. It may not be tactile but I think all guns today have one

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Venenoindy]

If you want the fde it comes with a safety and LCI, regardless of what finish is on the gun if you put in a holster the finish will show wear. I have multiple guns that come in and out of holsters and not one that the finish has not wear over time, I used to worry about the finish of my guns until I got serious about practice my draw and then realize that if you don't want the finish to wear just don't put it in a holster. Don't want to sound harsh but it's just how it is.

 

[kdub]

They just announced at Shot Show, and on their website, a 5" FDE without a thumb safety and without the tactile LCI. I suspect a black version won't be far behind.

And i don't have a problem with wear. My firearms are tools and are not safe queens. They are in and out of holsters a lot. I was just curious about the finish's durability.

 

[oljames3]

After 11 months the FDE on my M&P M2.0 has defects on the rear of the slide, around the end cap. Don't know why. Only slight wear on the sides of the muzzle. I practice drawing from my Safariland ALS regularly.

 

[Nightowl]

The thumb safety on the FDE can be removed. Call Smith Customer Service and they will send the fill tabs for the frame for free! There is a utube video that provides instruction.

 

[jejb]

The thumb safety on the FDE can be removed. Call Smith Customer Service and they will send the fill tabs for the frame for free! There is a utube video that provides instruction.

Yep, did that to mine. But you still have the LCI. The model the OP is talking about has neither. I would have purchased that model over the safety/LCI model, had it been an option.

 

[msauter]

I wish they would make the full size 2.0 milled for optics, without the other fu-fu stuff like porting.

 

[CB3]

Generic all-purpose factory slide milling is the fu-fu of mounting an optic.

 

[Venenoindy]

Yep, did that to mine. But you still have the LCI. The model the OP is talking about has neither. I would have purchased that model over the safety/LCI model, had it been an option.

Apex tactical sells a part to replace the LCI.

 

[CB3]

Apex tactical sells a part to replace the LCI.

Unless I'm mistaken, the "low profile" characteristic of the Apex part is that it does not have white lettering on top or red paint on the sides. The white lettering can confuse the sight picture. Not all S&W LCI's have the lettering. It's just for certain state requirements.

So in actual use the Apex part (100-077) functions mechanically the same way. It just looks different.

With the pivot point toward the rear and the spring placement all the way to the rear of LCI, there is not enough room left between the rear of the LCI and the rear sight to mill for an optic.

That's why some people are looking for the M2.0 without the LCI, but not in Cerakoted FDE, just the tougher black finish.

Apparently S&W felt they would sell more guns being state compliant than being capable of mounting an optic, at least initially. A black model non-LCI is almost certainly in the future, with the option for S&W to hog out a generic chunk and supply thin plates for substandard optic mounting.

 

[tomkatz]

Apex does make a part to eliminate the LCI completely.
I have no safety on mine and no LCI.
My finish is doing OK but like others have said she's not a beauty queen.
I'll probably want the new one but this one is doing the job so maybe not.

 

[CB3]

Apex does make a part to eliminate the LCI completely.

Is what you are referring to just a filler for the LCI cut with no function?

I don't see such a part on the Apex website. Do you have a part #? The 100-077 is all I see, and both the configuration and Apex's installation video show it is functional.

 

[tomkatz]

Details

 

[tomkatz]

The video shows instructions for the low profile piece and the no profile piece.
Notice it says 100-077 will make it a fixed piece
Just need a 5/64 roll pin punch
And watch the little spring it'll take off when you take the old part out
But you don't need the spring for the LCI delete part
Lucky because I never found the darn spring

 

[CB3]

The video shows instructions for the low profile piece and the no profile piece.
Notice it says 100-077 will make it a fixed piece
Just need a 5/64 roll pin punch

Thank you.

 

[jejb]

The LCI does not bother me, as it's not the one that has the white lettering on it. But it keeps me from having the slide machined for a RDS, as CB3 mentioned. I put a dove tail RDS mount on for now, by Outer Impact. Seems to work well so far, but would prefer a machined slide.

 

[DonD]

I just ordered a 5" barreled FDE M&P9 2.0. Handled a 4.25" barreled version and and it felt better in my hand than any semi auto I've ever handled. Can't believe another .75" of gun will make any difference.

What's anyone's issue with that LCI, it's useful but hardly noticeable, doesn't protrude nearly as much as the ones on my Ruger SR9Cs.

I like the safety as well, don't like it don't use it but if you want it, it's there. Don

 

[zephyr]

The issue is that the LCI prevents some places from milling the slide for a RMR.

FYI, S&W have announced a 5" version in FDE without the LCI so that would be a better candidate for milling. Planning on getting one myself as soon as they are in stock somewhere.