Looking HARD at a 2.0 10mm

[Don 73]

My current carry is an M&P9c. Because I can, I want something a bit larger in a bigger caliber.

I've been eying the M&P 2.O 10mm and will likely pick up one early November.

I DO NOT do optics on a handgun and prefer irons. This is the one issue I have with the 2.0 10mm, the stock irons are stupidly high profile.

I emailed S&W customer service and was told that any CORE sights will work on that firearm...

...here's my stupid question. How do I tell which aftermarket sights are CORE???

 

[WardenRoss]

Dawson has these and many more...

Sight Set, for Smith & Wesson® M&P® C.O.R.E. Pistols, Fixed Non Co-Witness Black Rear and Black Front, by Dawson Precision®

Dawson Precision is the experienced shooter's source for top quality pistols, parts and gear. Our state-of-art facility keeps us on the cutting EDGE of technology, providing you with the highest quality products at the best price.

dawsonprecision.com

 

[Beju]

In addition to Dawson, Night Fision and XS Sights offer standard height night sights for the CORE optics cut.

Given the variance in 10mm loads, you may want to go with Dawson, who offer different front sight heights with which you could fine tune your POI/POA with your preferred 10mm load.

 

[Hawg Rider]

There has been a lot of controversy about the reliability of M&P 10mm 2.0 pistols and you can find a few Posts about that in this section. But I believe most of those issues involve the 4" bbl. versions. I bought a 4.6" bbl. M&P 10mm 2.0 a couple of years ago for the same reasons that you mentioned, and I have had no issues with it whatsoever. It's been extremely reliable with different types of ammo, and it's very accurate and easy to control. I actually like the tall sights and I think they work well, they just take a little getting used to. However, I did mount an optic and weapon light on my 10mm, and its primarily my nightstand and travel pistol. I was not an RDO guy until I mounted this Holosun, and I find I really like it. Don't discount the RDOs, and perhaps give one a try. But if you want to stick with iron sights that's cool too. I'm sure that you can find some shorter sights that will work great. Enjoy!

 

[Don 73]

Thanks everyone. I ended up replying back to S&W to ask them what they meant by "core cut." Even my boss at the gunshop wasn't sure.

 

[Don 73]

In addition to Dawson, Night Fision and XS Sights offer standard height night sights for the CORE optics cut.

Given the variance in 10mm loads, you may want to go with Dawson, who offer different front sight heights with which you could fine tune your POI/POA with your preferred 10mm load.

I'm still researching what load I'll want to use. I've been thinking Underwood 155 or 180 grain loads.

 

[Beju]

I'm still researching what load I'll want to use. I've been thinking Underwood 155 or 180 grain loads.

I'd stick with 180-200 gr with JHP.

Some people choose lighter loads because they're worried about 'over penetration.' If you're fine with 12-14" of gel penetration, you might as well use 115 gr 9mm. 1" of gel penetration is not 1:1 analogous to 1" in actual bodies, which are made of more durable (bone) and more elastic (skin, most organs) materials.

 

[Don 73]

I'd stick with 180-200 gr with JHP.

Some people choose lighter loads because they're worried about 'over penetration.' If you're fine with 12-14" of gel penetration, you might as well use 115 gr 9mm. 1" of gel penetration is not 1:1 analogous to 1" in actual bodies, which are made of more durable (bone) and more elastic (skin, most organs) materials.

To be honest, over penetration is a concern, but then again, if I'm not using 'full power' loads for the 10mm, I might just as well get a .40 ... I don't want a .40 though.

So, it looks like I'll be researching 180gr hot loads. Besides, 180gr ball ammo is much easier to get for practice.

 

[tlawler]

I've had one of the 4.6" ones for a couple of years now. After a bit of a break in period, it became very reliable. I shoot mainly 180 and 200 grain Berry's plated bullets in it at 1200 and 1050 fps, respectively.

At this point, I'm probably well over 2K rounds and no issues. I sheared the optic screws at around 1200 rounds, iirc, but that was my fault for not retorquing them periodically.

I did get a vedder holster with an optic cut and carried it a few times, but the novelty of that wore off pretty quick. Now it's just a range toy and nightstand pistol.

I can't help out with the sights, since I've never researched them, but as others have said, the non-suppressor height sights are available.

I just wanted to address the reliability of the 4.6" 2.0's since they seem to have gotten a bad rap from a few examples.




Nightstand configuration

 

[Beju]

To be honest, over penetration is a concern, but then again, if I'm not using 'full power' loads for the 10mm, I might just as well get a .40 ... I don't want a .40 though.

So, it looks like I'll be researching 180gr hot loads. Besides, 180gr ball ammo is much easier to get for practice.

Over penetration really isn't a factor unless you're using a round more optimized for hunting like hard cast rounds or non-deforming solid copper rounds like the Xtreme Penetrator. Plenty of ER nurses can tell you about recovering bullets from the clothing of shooting victims after they punched through the torso and stopped on clothing on it other side of the body.

As for 'full power' loads, the funny thing about 10mm 'lite' loads is that some of them are still pretty effective self defense loads. Federal Hydra-Shok 180 gr really is .40 S&W velocities, but darned if it isn't a pretty good round.

But yeah, if I were going to carry that, I'd just get a .40 S&W M&P.