Smith & Wesson just introduced the M&P9 M2.0 metal frame pistol. The new offering features all the same features as its polymer-framed brother, but is made with an aluminum T6 frame. Manufacturers have been pushing to make guns lighter, smaller and more powerful in recent years. S&W recognizes that not everyone needs or wants a micro-compact. The Smith & Wesson Smith & Wesson P9 M2.0 Steel is a beautiful beast. There’s something reassuring in the frame’s weight and heft. It’s not lightweight. The gun is about 18% heavier than the polymer-framed gun, weighing in at 30 ounces. This extra weight helps the gun’s handling characteristics, and makes it a soft-shooting pistol. It’s also a handsome gun. The gun’s sculpted contours and frame cuts give it the appeal of a custom gun. The gun has an ambi thumb shelf and consistent indexing marks thanks to the frame cuts. The aluminum frame and slide are coated in Tungsten gray Cerakote. The finish is also complemented by the contrast of the black grip palmswells and frontstrap polymer insert. S&W’s Armornite(r), a black finish, is applied to parts such as the magazine release, take down lever, slide-stop and extractor. A Rose by Any Other name The M&P9 M2.0 metal pistol is almost identical to the M&P92.0 with a polymer frame. Even holsters for the plastic gun can be used with the aluminum-framed gun. Bi-lateral slide stops, an reversible mag release and a railed dust covering allow for the attachment of a tactical light/laser. The M&P9 2.0 is outfitted by S&W with a stainless steel 4.25-inch barrel. The gun comes with two 17-round magazines. The upgraded trigger is used in the new Metal gun, which is similar to the poly-framed M&P9 2.0 guns. It features a blade safety in its trigger face and can be retriggered with a firm reset at 3 pounds and 5oz. The gun also features an optics plate with a cover made of polymer. S&W offers seven different polymer optics adapter plates that can be used to handle any micro-red dot. I attached a Trijicon RMR to a 3.25 MOA dot. I brought five different ammunitions to the range with me, along with the M&P9 M2.0 metal. It has a 4.25-inch barrel. Four of the ammunitions were defense loads to test if the gun had a preference for bullet weight. The gun’s dust cover was resting on a Millett BenchMaster. It was easy to center the RMR red dot on the bullseye of 2-inch diameter. I then had to apply the pressure necessary to break the shot. The accuracy chart shows the best group. I fired three 5-shot groups of each ammo. AMMOVELOCITYENERGYGROUPBLACK HILLS 115-GRAIN JHP11763531.35″DOUBLETAP 77-GRAIN SOLID COPPER HP15153921.04″FEDERAL SYNTECH TRAINING MATCH 147-GRAIN TSJ10433551.34″FEDERAL PERSONAL DEFENSE PUNCH 124-GRAIN JHP11503641.38″FEDERAL SYNTECH DEFENSE 138-GRAIN SJHP10963681.55″ Groups ranged from roughly one inch to one and a half inches. This is a remarkable accuracy for a service-grade gun firing self defense rounds. The M2.0 really shined during field exercises. The extra weight made shooting the Metal-framed gun a joy. Tulster’s Kydex Contour holster was worn at 4 o’clock. I was able draw and double tap my MGM BC C-Zone steel target at 15 yards. Splits ran around.18 of a sec. The gun’s extra weight helps to reduce muzzle disruption and gives it a soft-shooting feel. Even with defense loads. The gun’s trigger is fast and accurate, with a consistent crisp break and firm reset. Smith &Wesson M&P9 M2.0 metal is No Lightweight Performer S&W’s new M2.0 metal framed pistol is no slouch when it comes to performance. The pistol was extremely accurate and reliable with all loads. The pistol did not once fail to fire during our 250-round test. This is exactly what I have come accustomed to from S&W’s M&P range of guns. The M2.0 is a great choice if you prefer the light weight and soft shooting characteristics that a metal frame gun offers. Smith-Wesson.com has more information. Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Steel Specs Caliber/Capacity 9mm/17+1
Action: Semi-auto with locked breech, striker fired
Overall Length: 7.4 Inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 30 oz
Barrel: Stainless steel, 4.25 inches, 1:10 in RH with Armornite finishing
Slide: Stainless steel with Tungsten Ceakote, slide-cut for optics
Frame: T6 aluminum, Tungsten Cerakote finishing
Finish: Tungsten Cerakote for both the frame and slide
Sights: Steel sights with 3-dot pattern
Accessories: 4 palmswell grip adapters and 7 red dots adapter plates. Two 17-round magazines. Cable lock.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
MSRP: $899
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