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.

 

[robertrogers69]

I purchased my 2.0 several months before the Washington state laws came in effect. You cannot buy one here anymore. That said, I found out during the first time shooting it that the trigger reset was way too long for my shooting. I did install a leupold delta point pro on it, and for me that was great. But the trigger issue made me put it way for several months. I installed a Apex trigger upgrade, and the reset point went from 3/8 to 1/8. I can now shoot it fine, trigger pull weight is 3.4#, very short reset.
I reload, and the Hornady 180 XTP with 12.5-13.0 grains accurate #9 is a very accurate load. I also have a Springfield XDM 10mm and it really likes this load.
I found that the grip stippling was excessive for me, and using 100 grit sandpaper just took the points off. My hand does not hurt now. This combination works for me, the velocity chronoed at 1250 with a 4.6 inch barrel.
I have 3 10mm pistols, the 3rd is a Glock model 40 that has been modified (barrel, trigger) and I am very impressed with the accuracy of all 3 pistols. If I was hunting, I would probably load the 200 grain bullets. I developed loads with the Hornady
For a carry holster, with the Leupold sight, I chose a Craft holster (Falco). I have several Craft holsters, and they are very good.
The holsters have the retaining strap (my choice), and I highly recommend them. They are all made to what your specifications are.

 

[Farmer17]

I've had a 4 inch M&P 2.0 for about three years and it has been 100% reliable, very accurate, and has great ergonomics and trigger. I thought the sights were really dorky looking and wanted to change them, but I'm 66 and my eyesight has faded and the sights work excellent for me. I shoot it better than any other handgun I own and I really like Sig 180 grain at 1250 fps.

 

[44MOshooter]

Glad to hear all the positive reports on the M&P 2.0 10mm auto
I was going to buy one a year ago or so? All of the negative reports, put the 10mm on hold for me

 

[2500]

I've had the M P 2.0 10mm with 4.6" bbl for about 2 years. no RDO. The sights are fine for me. One thing about them I haven't seen here is, if need be, you can hook the rear sight on your belt and push down and rack it one handed. IIRC it was a Massad Ayoob video. I tried it and it works. I use the 180 gr FMJ for target and hollow points for EDC.

 

[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!
View attachment 790300

Just as a follow up, I tend to shoot Federal 180 gr at the range and my self defense round is Black Hills Honey Badger 115 gr. However, if I was to travel into dangerous bear country I'd probably switch to some Doubletap or HSM 200 gr. hard cast.

 

[ukcats]

I waited and waited for S&W to come out with this gun. But with all the issues, especially with 200gr hard cast flat nose ammo, I never bought one. My main purpose is for bear defense in the woods. If it isn't reliable with my preferred round for that purpose, it is useless to me.

 

[Don 73]

Just as a follow up, I tend to shoot Federal 180 gr at the range and my self defense round is Black Hills Honey Badger 115 gr. However, if I was to travel into dangerous bear country I'd probably switch to some Doubletap or HSM 200 gr. hard cast.

After watching several videos by Tools and Targets, I'm on the fence between Buffalo Bore and Underwood 180 gr JHP rounds.