The bigger the bang the bigger the smile, right?! Smith & Wesson has a reputation for producing powerful pistols. Model 610 was first released in 1989 in 10mm. Smith & Wesson has released its semi-auto M&P M2.0 in 10mm. This thing is a real powerhouse! The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0, 10mm I was invited to the Athlon Outdoors rendezvous in scenic southeastern Idaho at the beginning October 2021. You can talk to the manufacturer one-on-one if you are invited. This is a great way to learn more about the product prior to heading to the range. This is a wonderful opportunity to see what the future holds for firearms and accessories. I was eager to see the new M&P M2.0 in 10mm when I first walked onto the range on that early morning in October. After firing several magazines through each model, I was able get a good feel for the gun. I was so happy that I knew I had to have one. Both models of the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0, 10mm with and without paddle safety. (Photo by Alex Landeen). Why 10mm? I’ve been looking for a pistol with the ability to take down anything in its way. I didn’t like the extra bulk of a.44 magnum or larger. It’s not the 1800s and I don’t like to carry a hog-leg. This is primarily meant to be used in the wilds and mountains of the Pacific Northwest. I’m training a tracking pup for SAR (Search & Rescue). I love my dog and I don’t ever want to see either of us become a meal for any of the many hairy creatures that live in these mountains and hills. I carry a.45ACP loaded with Federal HST+P or a wheel gun in.357Magnum. I don’t really want to be asked more than twice, given the nature of my situation. The 10mm seemed like the logical choice. It will kill most of the animals in this area with a single shot. Grizzlys may need a mag dump. But I have 15+1 reasons that my dog and I will not make a tasty meal. A 10mm projectile travelling at almost 1,100 fps is a powerful argument. It thunders with a universal language even the largest animals in the Pacific Northwest understand. Gun Details The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 comes with a 4-inch and 4.6-inch barrel, both with a frame that is full-size. S&W has also decided to offer a paddle-style manual external safety that is ambidextrous for those who feel more comfortable with this style of carrying. Each variant of the S&W M2.0 10mm will come with two 15-round magazines. Each slide comes with a coverplate and is pre-cut to fit optics. It’s even better to see Yogi bear’s evil twin. The M2.0 features a flat-faced trigger that allows for consistent finger placement. (Photo by Alex Landeen). Lower bore access allows for a more enjoyable shooting experience, as it reduces muzzle rise and enables faster follow-up shots. Four interchangeable palm-swell grip inserts ensure that any hand size can comfortably reach and use the trigger while still taking advantage of the 18 degree grip angle. The grip texture of the M&P 2.0 has been “enhanced” to provide a comfortable grip during felt recoil. The grip has a slightly aggressive texture finish (Photo by Alex Landeen). It feels nice in the hand so you don’t get the feeling that you’re holding 60-grit sandpaper. It’s just enough to keep it from slipping in your hands, but still comfortable when carried concealed. The M&P’s patent take-down lever allows you to disassemble the pistol without pulling the gun trigger. This is a great feature and will make most people happy. Red-Dot Ready S&W included a nice assortment of plates to mount a reflex sight that accommodates the different footprints available on the market. It was now time to mount a red dot sight on this 10mm beast. As far as reticles are concerned, it’s no secret that ACSS (Advanced Combined Sighting System), is my favorite. Primary Arms is an exclusive distributor of Holosun optics with the ACSS Reticle. Once I saw that the Holosun HE507CGR-X2 Pistol green dot sight with the ACSS Vulcan Reticle was available, I knew I had to get it. The 10-MOA green chevron on the sight is crisp, clear, and bright (Photo by Alex Landeen). It has 12 brightness settings and can run for 20,000 hours with a CR1632 Lithium Coin Battery. Shooting with red-dots is an acquired skill, especially if your iron sights have been in use for over 30 years. Once you get better at it, however, it makes perfect sense. It will also appeal to older eyes. Primary Arms and Holosun collaborated to bring the HS507 X2 with the combat-proven ACSS reticle in the form the ACSS Vulcan to market. The chevron of the ACSS Vulcan Reticle immediately draws the eye and helps focus the target instead of just the front sight. Changing Batteries on the HS507 X2 It’s easy to swap out the batteries by opening the side drawer. This task can be done without removing the optics. It has a solar failsafe that keeps it running if the battery fails when you need it most. This keeps you in the fight. The “shake awake” feature is one of my favorites on this red-dot. Set your gun down on the nightstand, walk away and it will go into a sort of standby mode. The Holosun will return to the brightness you prefer as soon as it detects your weapon. The Holosun HS507C X2 comes in a green or red ACSS Vulcan reticle. It has quickly become my favorite pistol red-dot. Dry Fire Practice your firearm frequently. Mantis X Dry Fire Training System is a great option if you can’t afford a lot of ammunition. This system is both amazing and humbling. This system will make you a better shot. If you plan to carry this pistol as your everyday carry, you should practice unholstering, presenting and re-holstering the pistol without looking. You should repeat these drills as often as possible. Develop muscle memory to become comfortable with your firearm. It’s like an extra part of your body. The Mantis X Dry Firing Training System can help you develop good habits of shooting and does not require live ammunition. I call that a “win-win” situation. Range Impressions (Photo by Alex Landeen). The felt recoil from the new S&W was very manageable and I was able get back on target with no issue. There is a shortage of ammunition, and 10mm ammo in particular is hard to come by. The good people at Federal and Remington sent me some ammunition to do this test. Federal Ammunition made this test possible. Without them, I would have had to donate a kidney to the black market in order to afford the 10mm defensive ammunition prices. (Photo by Alex Landeen). The Remington UMC FMJ 180-grain was a breeze to fire. I was actually expecting more recoil, and was pleasantly surprise. Next, I’ll be shooting Federal HST 200-grain, one of my favorite defensive loads. It had a little more kick, but was still very manageable. The Federal Premium Solid Core Syntech Flat Point 200-grain kicked like a little mules. It would be my first choice for carrying in the wilderness. I have 16 chances to shoot the bear that is charging at me, and I also have a spare magazine if I need to reload. When the pucker factor kicks into gear, the felt recoil will disappear and feel like a.22LR. Final Notes I am considering purchasing the 4-inch version (non-external security) of the Smith & Wesson 10mm M2.0 to wear in the wilds and mountains of the Pacific Northwest. If you are looking for a 10mm semi-auto with a very low recoil rate, then you should seriously consider the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0. Visit Smith-Wesson.com for more information. (Photo by Alex Landeen). Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Caliber: 10mmBarrel: 4 inchs
Overall Length : 7.2 Inches
Weight: 28 ounces (empty).
Grips: Polymer
Sights: Red-dot, Iron height
Action: Striker-fired
Finish: FDE (black)
Capacity: 15+1
MSRP: $654 Performance LOAD VELOCITYACCURACYFederal Personal Defense HST 200 JHP1,0981.10Federal Solid Core 200 Syntech Flat Point1,0741.70Remington UMC 180 FMJ1,076 1.60 Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in feet per second (fps) by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 21 feet. This article was first published in Personal Defense World’s June/July issue 2022. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email [email protected]. Continue reading Didn’t you find what you were searching for? Search The post Big Bore Greatness – Testing the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10-mm appeared first on Personal Defense World.
