Request feedback

[newpistol]

I am looking at starting some entry level IDPA and maybe some Steel Challenge shooting (if I can find some local). I am looking at these models and would like any feedback performance, comfort, and require mods (Trigger, springs, grips,...) to make it better:

178058 - MP9 CORE - https://snwcdnprod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/spec-sheets/178058_v3.pdf

10218 MP9 PERFORMANCE CENTER PORTED 5" - https://snwcdnprod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/spec-sheets/10218.pdf

10098 MP9 PERFORMANCE CENTER PORTED 5" - https://snwcdnprod.azureedge.net/si... - Model M&P9 Performance Center Ported 5.pdf

in the future I might be looking at adding some type of optics also.

Thanks for any feedback or experiences you have with any of these.
Jeremy

 

[Angus46]

I have a performance center ported CORE M and P. Ive done some work to it and it shoots amazing. It's a great gun and I've won a ton of outlaw matches and done well in USPSA. However, you need to know that ported models put you in an open division and these are not open guns. And unless IDPA has changed I don't think they allow porting.

If you want to shoot I'd look more for the stock service pistol divisions and go with a non ported model and look at making some APEX upgrades that are allowed in the divisions you want to shoot. Perhaps look at the CORE model and shoot USPSA carry optics.

 

[kdub]

I second what Angus46 said. I shoot IDPA stock service pistol (SSP) with an M&P Pro 5" 1.0 and an M&P 2.0 5" and I love them both (both in 9mm). You can't have a gun ported in IDPA (and you wouldn't want to due to shooting with retention) and you can't make any changes to the visible parts of the gun other than adding grips like Talon, stippling the removable backstrap only, changing to some other post/notch sight, or painting/Cerakote.

The M&P 2.0 models make the Talon grips and stippling unneccessary. I change my rear sight to an all-black 10-8 Performance (I like the "U" notch) and the front sight to a 0.100" wide Dawson Precision fiber optic to allow me to pick up the sight faster and avoid the distraction of 3-dot sights (I actually do this to all my handguns). Just buy and replace the rear sight first. Then, find out what height you need for the front sight that allows you to hit where you are aiming at the distance of your choice (I sight at 15 yards for IDPA). Dawson Precision has a height you will need.

You can do just about anything internal, so I replace the striker block with an Apex Ultimate Striker Block (do this at the same time you replace the rear sight). This removes the gritty feeling in the trigger. I also polish all mating trigger mechanism surfaces. With the M&P 1.0 models, I would also replace the sear with an Apex sear. But with the 2.0 models, I don't find that necessary.

For the IDPA SSP division, I think this is perfect. If you want to shoot some other division, I would start with a 9mm 1911 (I use a 5" Springfield Range Officer).

I hope this helps.

 

[newpistol]

KDUB, do you know the actual model number of the M&P 2.0 5" that you recommend for shooting the SSP class. I am looking for something with a 5" barrel, I think it help to stay on target for follow on shots.

Thanks everyone for al the useful information for a IDPA newbie.

 

[BigBadWolf11B]

Isn't there the S&W Performance Center 5" 9L which is the non-ported slide?

I believe it's also available with or without the RDS cut/plate.

 

[newpistol]

BigBad, I thought I had seen one too which is this model 305701, but its not listed on the S&W website. I think the C.O.R.E. model is not ported, cut for RDS, and 5' barrel.

 

[kdub]

KDUB, do you know the actual model number of the M&P 2.0 5" that you recommend for shooting the SSP class. I am looking for something with a 5" barrel, I think it help to stay on target for follow on shots.

Model 11989
M&P(R)9 M2.0™ No Thumb Safety Flat Dark Earth | Smith & Wesson

 

[newpistol]

KDUB, I saw that one when I started looking at their website. If this is the one, if I understand it right you would polish all trigger pieces, and replace the rear sight, and replace the striker block.

 

[kdub]

KDUB, I saw that one when I started looking at their website. If this is the one, if I understand it right you would polish all trigger pieces, and replace the rear sight, and replace the striker block.

Correct, that is what I would do.

 

[catcus-jack]

You don't need a 5 inch the 4.25 will work perfectly and also the 4 inch will work quite well in ssp and ccp.Don't do anything to them until you shoot them a lot.The 2.0 doesn't need all that Apex stuff maybe the usb if you don't want to polish yours.

 

[stavey]

I have both. They are equally great guns. Especially if you ever want to run a rds.
Can't go wrong

 

[newpistol]

stavey, which ones do you have?

 

[newpistol]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Now to find a store that has them in stock to see how they feel in my hands.

 

[BigBadWolf11B]

Grabagun.com would be your best bet, both in stock and cheapest.

 

[stavey]

I have a performance centre ported with a 5" barrel. It has a DR II on the slide, there is also a 4" pro series core with a deltapoint on the slide. Both have apex triggers / barrels so they shoot the essentially the same. The longer barrel is irrelevant with a red dot . If I only ran irons I would probably go with the 5".

 

[newpistol]

thanks for al the replies.