I decided it would be interesting to do a side-by-side comparison between the new S&W M&P 2.0 Compact and S&W's "other" Glock 19-sized 9mm auto, the bargain-priced SD9VE. These pistols are sold at much different price points and are marketed towards different buyers, but I still feel a comparison is warranted. In many ways the pistols are very similar, but at the same time there are many things that set them apart. Let's begin by comparing sizes:
As can be seen they are both nearly identical in size overall, but the SD9VE has a slightly longer grip. This is not surprising as it also holds 16 rounds in the magazine as opposed to 15 for the MP9C (which is what I will henceforth call the S&W M&P 2.0 Compact since it's too much of a mouthful). However the SD9VE is lighter at 22.9 ounces as opposed to 27.0 for the MP9C. The overall length and width of each is so close as to be considered insignificant.
Externally the pistols look similar, but that is more a matter of them following S&W's current styling cues. Both have similar sights, and in fact both use the same dovetails and will accept the same aftermarket sights. The factory ones on the MP9C are clearly superior to those of the SD9VE, although those of the latter are still useable. However on the SD9VE the rear sight is made of plastic, and the sight picture is not as crisp or distinct as I later found out on the range. The front sights on both are made of steel and dovetailed in place. Both have cocking serrations at both the front and rear of the slide. They are easy to use and provide great traction, but while the rear ones on the MP9C seem to provide more grip than those on the SD9VE the front ones are nearly useless. Speaking of being useless, the right-side slide stop lever is impossible to disengage on the MP9C. The SD9VE gets around that problem by not even having one. The standard left-side release on the SD9VE is long yet flat and extremely easy to use, while also not getting in the way of one's thumb. The standard left-side release on the MP9C is a little too out of the way and hard to get at with your thumb, but at least it works. My MP9C came with an optional manual thumb safety, which is not offered on the SD9VE (but with its heavier trigger you shouldn't be needing one anyway). The magazine release is reversible on the MP9C but not the SD9VE. The spring is very light on the SD9VE as well, which I do not like as it makes it more likely to be pressed on accident. Both have the same front Picatinny rail setup for attaching lights or lasers.
While externally they may look similar, internally they are completely different. The SD9VE (bottom one in pic above) has a very simple trigger system which is almost crude and Glock-like internally (not a complete shock given its lineage with the old S&W Sigma, aka Glock rip-off), and it becomes clear why there is a weight difference between the two. The MP9C has a more complicated trigger/striker system as well as having much larger and beefier frame rails (BTW please excuse the red grease you see in the pics... I simply didn't feel like wiping everything clean for the photos). Both use a single flat-wire captured spring guide rod, but the one in the MP9C is steel while it's polymer in the SD9VE. As most people are aware the SD9VE has what is called a "self defense trigger", meaning it's purposely set at around 8-9 pounds. The MP9C by contrast is advertised with a 5.5 pound trigger. Unfortunately I do not yet own a trigger scale, but I can tell you for a fact there is a big difference in the feel of the two triggers. You're not going to fire the SD9VE on accident, but at the same time the MP9C doesn't quite have a hair trigger like the Walther PPQ either. The SD9E trigger feels long and springy, but the letoff is still fairly crisp. The re-set distance is pretty long, however. In my opinion the MP9C is just about right, not too light and short but not too stiff and long either. It won't please everyone, but then again nothing ever will. I don't mind the curved, pivoting trigger of these guns but I do know some folks absolutely detest them. If you're one of those there are aftermarket solutions like the Apex trigger which can be ordered for either pistol.
The biggest difference however is in the grip. The SD9VE has a very plain grip without removable backstraps. Fortunately it's shaped very well and comfortable for most hand sizes. However the checkering/texturing is dull and offers very little traction. In the past while shooting mine it would squirm noticeably in my hand. As a result I cut some grip tape material to shape and added it to the backstrap, which you can see in the pictures. Maybe it's cheating, but I didn't want to remove it for this review and I will say that for me at least it was absolutely necessary. By contrast the MP9C has the new aggressive textured grip surface in addition to four different-sized backstrap options. At first I shot it with the medium backstrap but subsequently decided the small one felt better in my hands. I can tell you that no matter how sweaty your hands are the MP9C's grip will NOT shift in your hand. Some might consider the texture to be too aggressive, but I suggest trying it first before attempting to sand it down. The bore axis is slightly lower on the MP9C, and it made a noticeable difference at the range as I'll discuss shortly.
Continued...
