Please tell me about Full size M&P 2.0 Pistols

[boatbum101]

I 've been shopping for 2 Full size pistols for Home Defense . Many have reccomended the M&P 2.0 series . If in 9mm my preferred ammo is Speer LE 124 GD +P or Fed LE HST 124 +P , if 45acp the Fed LE 230 HST or Win Ranger RA45T or RA45TP . Range training with either NATO 124 FMJ or 230 FMJ loaded as close to chosen defensive round .
I admit I was suprised that so many suggested the M&P . I remember they had numerous teething issues & accuracy past 15yds was sadly lacking . I believe these were the 1.0 models . I still shoot Bullseye , have a Dillon 1050 dedicated for 45acp , tons of components , 6 1911's 3 that are target only guns & 3 that were built strictly for SD hence the interest in the M&P45 . Reloads only used for range training , factory for SD .
Now I've been told that the Pro & CORE models are a waste of money , just buy the base model & after breakin / reliability tests make whatever mods float my boat . I was also told the 45 M&P was the best of the bunch . 40 S&W does not interest me . Other than that info I really know nothing about them . I do plan on going to local ranges that have rentals & shoot these & some others I'm considering . Hopefully y'all can school me on the M&P .
I've owned 3 S&W autos M39 , M41 & a M52 . Only one that wasn't problematic was the 52 . The 39 had the DA/SA trigger which I hated & could not keep it's rounds on a NRA B-8 @ 25yds didn't keep it long . The 41 I bought as a backup 22 for Bullseye . Took a relined barrel & a USMCMU smith to make it into a reliable competition pistol . The 52 was just a sweet shooter & quite accurate . Kinda soured me so I avoided any S&W auto to this day . All that said I'm keeping an open mind about the M&P series .

 

[M29since14]

I have never seen a full-size M&P45 that wasn’t a pretty good shooter. I’d buy two of those. Conversely, I still shoot every M&P9 I can get my hands on. I’ve shot four recently. Three were nothing I would want to own. One was good and I bought it immediately. Shooting used guns is the only way I know to find a good one. Who wants to put $400-$500 in aftermarket parts and labor into this sort of gun?

 

[M29since14]

Boatbum101, if you happen just to want a plastic 9mm for some reason (load once, shoot all week ) I think your chances of getting a good one would be much better if you take a look at the P320 M17.

 

[Rastoff]

In general, the M&P will not be as accurate as your 1911s. The M&P trigger is just not as good and the polymer frame is not as stiff. Both these things work together to make the gun less accurate.

Having said that, I find the difference between my M&P 45 and my 1911s very slight. Yes, I shoot the 1911s better, but not by much.

Most of my shooting is defensive oriented. This means I rarely shoot beyond 15 yards and am almost never looking for the best group. If I can put a controlled pair within 4" of each other, I'm happy. I can do that with the M&P 45 easily.

So, for home defense, these are great guns.


Having said that, you clearly don't need another gun. The 1911 is a great defensive tool and you have enough to cover that. Even so, adding an M&P to the stable is only the right thing to do.

 

[nanney1]

I'm a newbie shooter with just over one year experience in shooting. I've spent most of that year shooting Glocks, and not very well. I've spent a lot of time in the last month dry firing and making some changes that have improved my accuracy with the Glocks.

Today, I rented a M&P9 2.0 and immediately shot it better than I have with any of my Glocks. It was a good shooter for me.

 

[M29since14]

...Having said that, you clearly don't need another gun. The 1911 is a great defensive tool and you have enough to cover that. Even so, adding an M&P to the stable is only the right thing to do.

I like this.

 

[boatbum101]

SIG P320 is on my list . I understand the drop safe mods have lessened the trigger quality so if that's my choice Grayguns trigger mods might be needed .
Yes my 1911's are very accurate , quality parts , hard fitted in the AMU manner . For home defense I don't need that but it is nice to have . Originally I'd thought about 9mm , but since I already have 45's & have all the accessories I think that's the way to go . From what I've heard a few Apex parts & triggers can be made better if needed . Sounds like M&P45 is accurate enough for my intended use . Do we ever really need another gun or two ?? ROTF*****

 

[Rastoff]

Sounds like M&P45 is accurate enough for my intended use .

It absolutely is. I installed the Apex FSS in mine and never looked back. It's my second favorite handgun next to the 1911.

Do we ever really need another gun or two ?? ROTF*****

Yes, yes, YES!!! We always need another gun and more ammo! What a silly question.

 

[M29since14]

Don’t worry too much about fiddling with the trigger of a 320. In my experience it’s considerably better than Gxxxx, and worlds better than most M&Ps. It’s not a target gun in the first place. I think you will get along nicely with the trigger as-is. I can with mine, anyway.

All that said, I keep the M&P45 handy for night-sentry duty - not the 320. If you’re not happy with its trigger, it probably will need some attention. I’ve never seen an M&P trigger snap in to my satisfaction, though they do seem to get just a tiny bit better with some use, 500-1000 rounds or so.

 

[boatbum101]

Truth be told I'm still on the fence with the 9mm idea . It would mean having to load for an additional caliber etc. Glocks while like an AK in that they're reliable to me one is a SHTF & I'm w/o any form of support gun . That & like the S&W revolver Target grips just do not fit my mitts . Are the M&P 2.0 series stamped on the slide ? Just went through GB & most of the M&P 45's listed appear to be 1.0 series with the long fat beavertail .

 

[M29since14]

I’m not sure if all are marked 2.0. As I understand it, the dead giveaway is the new grip texture. Some of the “Pro” models can be confusing, to me, anyway, but the run of the mill production guns are easily recognizable by the new, more aggressive grip texture, which I think is at least a 300% improvement.

As to the 9, actually with ammo as cheap as it is right now, unless you will shoot the pistol a LOT, you can buy quality ammo for some time before you recover the expense of your loading dies, etc., by handloading semi-match quality ammo. If you’re just looking for the cheapest possible thing that will go bang, and you have a flair for scrounging, then yes, handloading will save you some money.

 

[imcrazy]

I'm really pleased with my 4.6" 45 M&P 2.0... It's my range toy though, I prefer 9mm for defensive use and employ a 4.25" M 1.0 M&P 9mm with CT lasergrip for HD with 147gr HST +P ammo on tap... My EDC is a M 2.0 4" compact 9mm... All three guns are great shooters and 100% reliable...

 

[Univibe]

I rely on mine for my life in the Big City.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

I have M&p 9 2.0 compact. I have had zero malfunctions with it. Shoots good. Accurate. My only complaint is the stippling rubs my midsection raw. If it’s worn against my skin.