Your Thoughts of the M&P Pro Line

[Biscut]

I'm speaking of the original Pro line not the 2.0 version. I'm interested in information on the 9mm and the 40. Specifically round counts; breakage; reliability; etc.

I ask because much of the internet banter has some harsh claims that the original series of Pro line is weak compared to the 2.0 version. Comments are often made that the 2.0 has much "stronger" internals. This isn't adding up to me. Could be true but there is not much in the way of proof more talk is what I'm finding. I figure if anyone knows fat it's on this board.

 

[ctr1970]

I'll chime in .. because I own both.

My Performance Center C.O.R.E. 40L (long slide) is one of my favorite pistols to shoot. I know it's not the Pro series. but I'm sure they are all tuned by the pro shop.

The 1.0's do not have that full stainless steel chassis full molded into the frame.
That's the only difference I see between the two frame wise.

Shooting the 2.0 and 1.0 is very similar control ability.
I prefer the 2.0 texturing.. but the 1.0 with the C.O.R.E. backstraps make it a very comfortable to shoot.

My 1.0 is very reliable.. eats all I feed it, it's accurate with the SS barrel (5" ported)

Anything turned out by Smith's Pro shop is top notch.. buy in confidence and never regret the purchase.

I have 500 rounds through my 40L since I got it used.. it's never hiccuped.

Hope this helps..

 

[Old_Cop]

I've had a Pro 9 for many years and put maybe 5,000 rounds through it. the only breakage was the fiber optic front sight. Issues include not being able to shoot Winchester Steel which for some reason had ejection problems, not apparent in other 9mms. The front of the barrel hood developed a raised wire like edge which I twice stoned off.

The Pro has some Apex parts and I recall there was some controversy over barrel timing. I considered the replacement cost to be more than I wanted to spend. Recently Midway had Storm Lake barrels for 50% off and I purchased one. I test fired it but have not competed.

I moved on to other pistols for club level competition and have kept the Pro 9 because It cost nearly $600 and I have a total of six magazines. I won't voluntarily take the loss in selling or trading.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I purchased mine in 2011, when I believe they first came out. The best thing I can say about it is that out of way too many handguns, this is the one I keep in my bedroom. I've never had any problem with it, and surprisingly to me the tritium sights are still fairly bright. Not a particular fan of fiber optic sights, so I'm glad to have steel ones.

The only thing I would change is the "feature" I'd change on almost all modern pistols, getting rid of the snags on the front dust cover. Not a big deal, just personal preference. Of course, I'm not an "operator", either.

 

[Saudade]

I don't have a Pro but I do have several 1.0s.

The "strong" vs "weak" are most likely due to what ctr1970 has already said. The chassis embedded in the frame was extended into the dust cover. This would make the frame more rigid. How much of a difference does it make? I have no idea and I have seen anything that quantifies it.

But the 2.0s have other changes. The trigger has improved, the slide lock now uses a detent, and the grip texture in more aggressive.

I have a 5" CORE slide kit on my FS. I also have a bunch of 2.0 backstraps. I prefer the CORE. I also dropped a 2.0 trigger group in my 1.0. I like it.

 

[sheepdawg]

I have a Pro Series M&P 40 I bought in 2009. 4K plus through it and never a problem. I can't complain.

 

[FredBart]

My only failure on my M&P Pro 1.0 (4.25") was the slide stop that failed after about 4000 rounds. S&W replaced it under warranty and I purchased a spare slide stop from Brownells. I believe that the original slide stop design was re-engineered several times during its production life.

 

[Biscut]

Thanks for the input.

 

[OKFC05]

I have both a FS Pro 9mm and a 5" Pro 9mm. I campaigned the 5" a full year in IDPA/SSP and USPSA/Production: well over 20000 rounds. Chipped the striker and broke a trigger spring. Both parts on the "1.0" are the same as on the 2.0.

I watched a couple of people destroy "1.0" Pros by shooting them in USPSA Open Division with 9mm MAJOR POWER ammo. No S&W M&P is rated for 9mm Major. I suspect most of the "somebody knew somebody who heard" stories about the "weak Pros" originated with the guns shot to pieces by using overpowered Major 9 ammo.