New 5” Steel Frame M&P (Page 1 of 2)
Here's a detailed review of the new pistol. New Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal HD Gun Review : Heavy Metal! |
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If you’re not making a long dust cover that allows a long slide or a shorter slide with a flush comp, you have a very poor understanding of where the market is already at, nevertheless where it’s going. S&W just needs to stop recycling the same frame over and over again. Making it steel isn’t going to address how watered down the metal frame M&P series has become. This making the same gun over and over with different slide machining approach is stale. |
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Originally Posted By -OdieGreen-: If you’re not making a long dust cover that allows a long slide or a shorter slide with a flush comp, you have a very poor understanding of where the market is already at, nevertheless where it’s going. S&W just needs to stop recycling the same frame over and over again. Making it steel isn’t going to address how watered down the metal frame M&P series has become. This making the same gun over and over with different slide machining approach is stale. (Glock looks around)  Agreed to a point. A steel option. cool A long (and funky) slide. luke warm at best. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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The stupid recess in the front of the slide makes the slide lighter and recoil less. I'm interested in the Competitor HD if and only if I can use my existing pile of full-size M&P magazines. I never liked mag funnels, and I'm not starting now. I don't like longer dust covers or comps either, they make gun look like bricks and excessively heavy. The gun just has to be overall engineered to keep the pistol down under recoil. YMMV. Buy what you like. |
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Originally Posted By GSAR426: Does anyone have a guess where this will be priced? Hopefully, it'll be less than the steel frame Walthers. $1200 for the Competitor HD and $1000 for the other is what I heard on a YouTube with a S&W "special projects" rep. I'd think initial pricing at dealers could be higher and slowly come down. |
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Originally Posted By Turbo30cal: gtfo if you believe that to a point of making a difference. The older models of the same thing didn't have it and looked much better. Every little bit helps, maybe it didn’t make a lot of difference. Whatever. I have two of the older 5” models which I’ll likely sell soon and replace with these. I like 5” steel handguns, a lot. I prefer the esthetics of the new slides over the older ones, you don’t. We’re not changing anyone’s mind about that. You like what you like, I like what I like. 
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Originally Posted By spmx7777: Every little bit helps, maybe it didn’t make a lot of difference. Whatever. I have two of the older 5” models which I’ll likely sell soon and replace with these. I like 5” steel handguns, a lot. I prefer the esthetics of the new slides over the older ones, you don’t. We’re not changing anyone’s mind about that. You like what you like, I like what I like. I'd be interested in your 5" models once you go the new route |
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Still trying to decide how I feel about these. As a general M&P fan, I'm intrigued. I've heard the triggers are better. The newer flat triggers weren't horrible, but definitely left something to be desired in comparison to something like a PDP Pro/Match. The loaded chamber hole is no longer on the slide too, just the barrel, which should actually help a lot with gas to the optic lense. The biggest question for me, which S&W won't comment on at all, is are the accuracy issues fixed? If they still need a $250 Apex barrel to do better than 5" at 25 yards, it's a no go for me. The weight is also pretty disappointing. I mean I'll take what I can get, and it's definitely an improvement over the aluminum frames, but when you compare to something like a PDP steel frame 5", the PDP is significantly heavier. It feels like S&W forgot the whole point of a steel frame gun. End of the day, initial reviews seem to be positive. And you can already find them for like $900-$950 which is pretty insane. |
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Originally Posted By Bayou_Operator: … The biggest question for me, which S&W won't comment on at all, is are the accuracy issues fixed? If they still need a $250 Apex barrel to do better than 5" at 25 yards, it's a no go for me. … As a longtime M&P fan, this is also where I’m at. I have 4” compact, 4.25” and 5” guns, but only one of my 5” guns I consider accurate while the rest are below average. |
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Originally Posted By crosseyeshooter: As a longtime M&P fan, this is also where I’m at. I have 4” compact, 4.25” and 5” guns, but only one of my 5” guns I consider accurate while the rest are below average. Yeah that seems to be the issue, it’s very much a roll of the dice on if the tolerances fall in your favor. Some will do decent, 2.5” at 25 yards…the next guys won’t even do 5” from bags at 25 yards. It’s just not acceptable for a modern gun. A $350 Taurus can do 3” at 25 yards from bags…a gun at this price should do that or better and not require luck of the draw. |
| I installed a Trijicon SRO with a Calculated Kinetics DOGTAG optic plate on my new M&P Competition HD (steel frame) today. The pistol works great as far as I'm concerned, no worries about accuracy out to 50 feet standing with a two-handed grip. I didn't measure. I'll shoot longer range with bags some other time. The trigger feels the same as the one in my IDPA dedicated M&P M2.0 CORE 5" 9mm (polymer frame). That pistol had to go back to S&W (would not fire reliably) early in its life and came back with an excellent trigger. I experimented with different grip sizes and settled on medium-large. I didn't install the mag funnel and used older 17-round M&P mags. The pistol is not as heavy as some other steel frame pistols but was heavy enough for me to get back on target under rapid fire, and that's the whole point of a heavier steel frame pistol. I'll need a new holster or have to modify the current one, a Comp-Tac International, to fit the new pistol. That holster has a tight fit with the M&P Metal 4.25" 9mm (aluminum frame) I own as well. The S&W plastic box the pistol and everything else came in is ridiculously huge. Once shooting competition season starts, I'll have more to report, but for now I like it. |
Another review, this one with lots of shooting, if anyone cares. New S&W M&P M2.0 Competitor HD Steel Frame First Shots |
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I don't need or want a buttery smooth ultra-light trigger. YMMV If you want more weight, this is available from Calculated Kinetics, $79 and adds 2.4 oz of weight.  Paragon Grips M&P Weighted Grip Insert Upgrade! -- ETA Originally listed for $99, now "On sale" for $79 |
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Originally Posted By Bayou_Operator: Still trying to decide how I feel about these. As a general M&P fan, I'm intrigued. I've heard the triggers are better. The newer flat triggers weren't horrible, but definitely left something to be desired in comparison to something like a PDP Pro/Match. The loaded chamber hole is no longer on the slide too, just the barrel, which should actually help a lot with gas to the optic lense. The biggest question for me, which S&W won't comment on at all, is are the accuracy issues fixed? If they still need a $250 Apex barrel to do better than 5" at 25 yards, it's a no go for me. The weight is also pretty disappointing. I mean I'll take what I can get, and it's definitely an improvement over the aluminum frames, but when you compare to something like a PDP steel frame 5", the PDP is significantly heavier. It feels like S&W forgot the whole point of a steel frame gun. End of the day, initial reviews seem to be positive. And you can already find them for like $900-$950 which is pretty insane. I was looking for something to transition out of Glocks from and picked up a used Springfield Prodigy last year and while its been great over 8000 rounds there definitely remains a percetion issue tied back to issues with their roll out. I think its a solid base 2011 pistol that can be cleaned up if desired. The new 5 inch steel frame looks very interesting to me, but i am curious of how much of an issue the barrel accuracy issue is? was this a long standing issue or was this tied to earlier production? |
Justin Shoots, start at 14:36 for a head-to-head comparison of his M&P 5" polymer to M&P 5" steel frame Steel Frame vs Polymer M&P (Is the Upgrade Worth It? |
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I did a thing while picking up my wolfman. I didnt need it nor really care about a steel frame striker pistol but Va is about to tell me I cant own the 4 mags that come with it or buy ot without a license. So F it. Pretty nice pistol. Lighter than my 2011s. Trigger is ok. Nothing special. Shitty reset but light and mostly smooth pull. Rattily like all m&ps. Magwell seems to be the same one as the competitor so nice and big. Case is rediculously huge. I like the feel of the frame. The stippling needs to go higher. Without shooting it, to me it isnt a $1200 pistol but price is what it is. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By bad2006z71: I did a thing while picking up my wolfman. I didnt need it nor really care about a steel frame striker pistol but Va is about to tell me I cant own the 4 mags that come with it or buy ot without a license. So F it. Pretty nice pistol. Lighter than my 2011s. Trigger is ok. Nothing special. Shitty reset but light and mostly smooth pull. Rattily like all m&ps. Magwell seems to be the same one as the competitor so nice and big. Case is rediculously huge. I like the feel of the frame. The stippling needs to go higher. Without shooting it, to me it isnt a $1200 pistol but price is what it is. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/368392/1000008668_jpg-3706785.JPG Where did you stumble upon that, I haven't seen any yet, I'm in stafford and in the same boat and am tossing around some ideas on what may need to stock up on. im fairly good on most rifle stuff, but need to stock up on 2011 mags since those are not exactly something that you stumble upon at most random out of state gun shops. Ill probably pick up an Echelon as a modular future proof duty pistol, but like the idea of the Steel Frame 5 inch M&P as a more compition oriented duty gun than say something like a CZ. I am not looking to replace my 2011's as much as just getting something different before Va gets wierd. |
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Originally Posted By ShaggyNuckles: Where did you stumble upon that, I haven't seen any yet, I'm in stafford and in the same boat and am tossing around some ideas on what may need to stock up on. im fairly good on most rifle stuff, but need to stock up on 2011 mags since those are not exactly something that you stumble upon at most random out of state gun shops. Ill probably pick up an Echelon as a modular future proof duty pistol, but like the idea of the Steel Frame 5 inch M&P as a more compition oriented duty gun than say something like a CZ. I am not looking to replace my 2011's as much as just getting something different before Va gets wierd. Originally Posted By ShaggyNuckles: Originally Posted By bad2006z71: I did a thing while picking up my wolfman. I didnt need it nor really care about a steel frame striker pistol but Va is about to tell me I cant own the 4 mags that come with it or buy ot without a license. So F it. Pretty nice pistol. Lighter than my 2011s. Trigger is ok. Nothing special. Shitty reset but light and mostly smooth pull. Rattily like all m&ps. Magwell seems to be the same one as the competitor so nice and big. Case is rediculously huge. I like the feel of the frame. The stippling needs to go higher. Without shooting it, to me it isnt a $1200 pistol but price is what it is. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/368392/1000008668_jpg-3706785.JPG Where did you stumble upon that, I haven't seen any yet, I'm in stafford and in the same boat and am tossing around some ideas on what may need to stock up on. im fairly good on most rifle stuff, but need to stock up on 2011 mags since those are not exactly something that you stumble upon at most random out of state gun shops. Ill probably pick up an Echelon as a modular future proof duty pistol, but like the idea of the Steel Frame 5 inch M&P as a more compition oriented duty gun than say something like a CZ. I am not looking to replace my 2011's as much as just getting something different before Va gets wierd. Im in Central Va, lgs got it in yesterday morning. Owner laughed as the sales guy rang me up, saying that didn't last long. |
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Originally Posted By ShaggyNuckles: Where did you stumble upon that, I haven't seen any yet, I'm in stafford and in the same boat and am tossing around some ideas on what may need to stock up on. im fairly good on most rifle stuff, but need to stock up on 2011 mags since those are not exactly something that you stumble upon at most random out of state gun shops. Ill probably pick up an Echelon as a modular future proof duty pistol, but like the idea of the Steel Frame 5 inch M&P as a more compition oriented duty gun than say something like a CZ. I am not looking to replace my 2011's as much as just getting something different before Va gets wierd. KY Gun Co has the Competitor HD in stock for $1200, same as what I paid at Battle Hawk Armory for mine https://www.kygunco.com/product/smith-wesson-mp-9-m2.0-competitor-hd-nts-blk-9mm-5-17rd-sf |
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Just ran into something I have never ran into with the ownership of over 20ish M&P 1.0 and 2.0's. I switched the APEX usb from my polymer 5" and put it on my Metal HD and it made the HD trigger worse. It was more crunchy. The APEX USB's have always taken the crunch out of the 2.0's triggers. I'm pretty sure i have an APEX in my 5", maybe Ill have to take my optic off my 4.25" and compare them to make sure. |
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Originally Posted By bad2006z71: Just ran into something I have never ran into with the ownership of over 20ish M&P 1.0 and 2.0's. I switched the APEX usb from my polymer 5" and put it on my Metal HD and it made the HD trigger worse. It was more crunchy. The APEX USB's have always taken the crunch out of the 2.0's triggers. I'm pretty sure i have an APEX in my 5", maybe Ill have to take my optic off my 4.25" and compare them to make sure. The crunch is usually grit in the sear safety plunger channel in the slide, or the rear corner of the trigger bar that interfaces with the plunger. Give them a check. |
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Originally Posted By Mars87: Trigger was meh which was disappointing. CZ P10 trigger is miles ahead of it. That's a wild take. The trigger is easily the best factory M&P trigger. It rivals a Walther DPT for best factory striker-fired trigger - better break, but slightly longer take up. |
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Originally Posted By leelaw: The crunch is usually grit in the sear safety plunger channel in the slide, or the rear corner of the trigger bar that interfaces with the plunger. Give them a check. Ill look into that Just weird the apex felt worse than stock. Never have i had an apex usb feel worse than the stock one. |
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So i was curious as to why when I pulled the trigger on my new (brand new) 2.0 Metal HD.. It feels crunchy when it's pulled to rear. Also . .little to no reset. I'm a tinkering guy, been around M&P's since the 1.0's Pulled the Metal HD apart and disassembled. The sear housing looks to be the same from the 2.0's But when I took it completely down, and sear out. Smith and Wesson did away with that small plunger that sits under the sear. (little domed plunger) Now they just install a tapered spring on both ends in the sear housing. What was crunching was the sear pushing down on spring when trigger depressed. I polished up all the parts, I even polished the tapered end of spring that contacts the sear. Reassembled and tested.. must smoother, no crunch trigger. Just thought I'd share my findings. I'll take pics as soon as i can. New style sear spring |
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Just FYI, Black Scorpion Gear now has several models of holsters for the new 5" steel frame M&P https://www.blackscorpiongear.com/collections/smith-wesson-mp9-m2-0-metal-hd-holsters |
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Originally Posted By spmx7777: Just FYI, Black Scorpion Gear now has several models of holsters for the new 5" steel frame M&P https://www.blackscorpiongear.com/collections/smith-wesson-mp9-m2-0-metal-hd-holsters This holster didn't work very well for my Competitor HD. I tried and failed to modify it to fit better. Does anyone know first-hand of a holster that will fit well? I'd like something like a Comp-Tac International for this pistol. -- On another note, I tried shooting the gun weak hand only (left hand) and kept dropping the magazine. The oversized mag release is much larger, and easier to accidently hit, on this gun than my M&P M2.0 CORE 9mm that I've been shooting for several years. I'll have to modify my weak hand grip, but muscle memory will take some work to retrain. -- ETA A smaller mag release is included in the box; I'll try that out. |
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Originally Posted By spmx7777: This holster didn't work very well for my Competitor HD. I tried and failed to modify it to fit better. Does anyone know first-hand of a holster that will fit well? I'd like something like a Comp-Tac International for this pistol. -- On another note, I tried shooting the gun weak hand only (left hand) and kept dropping the magazine. The oversized mag release is much larger, and easier to accidently hit, on this gun than my M&P M2.0 CORE 9mm that I've been shooting for several years. I'll have to modify my weak hand grip, but muscle memory will take some work to retrain. -- ETA A smaller mag release is included in the box; I'll try that out. I bought another Black Scorpion Gear PRO IDPA holster, this time made of carbon fiber. I tested it out at a range this morning, it works much better than the prior all Kydex holster. I might buy a different holster for USPSA. I changed out the oversized mag release to the smaller one; this one works well for me when shooting weak hand only. My hand is large enough I don't need the oversized mag release. During the first test, the Calculated Kinetics DogTag and Trijicon SRO worked loose after a hundred rounds, so I had to deal with that too. My first IDPA match with this setup is this weekend, wish me luck. |
| I’m liking mine so far. I’m planning on leaving it irons for now, most of my other guns these days have RDOs but I don’t want to lose my iron sight target skills. I added the Paragon weight and am just waiting for Apex to certify their forward set trigger kit for the steel frame. Both my 4” and 4.25” uppers kill on this frame, too. |
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I'm more hung up on how they shoot than how much they weigh. I prefer the standard 5" slide appearance to the dips and humps on the metal frame pistol slides. I usually (not always) have to buy and Apex Tactical or KKM Precision barrel to make a full size M&P shoot like I prefer. I prefer the feel/fit of the 1.0 pistol (and the looks, too) frames vs. the 2.0. I wonder if the metal framed guns will ever get the extended beavertail of the 1.0 framed pistols? |
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M&P Metal HD 10,000 Round Review. He likes it. A lot. M&P Metal HD 10,000 Round Review |
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I shot a comp HD today and shot it next to my sig 211 GTO and a staccato p4.5 HD and honestly really liked it. Nice trigger for a striker fired OEM pistol, I may have been a touch more snappy than the staccatto but I really like the grip module of the SW. Nice pistol, shooting mostly 2011's i really didnt notice the SW being overly heavy. |
New 5” Steel Frame M&P (Page 1 of 2)
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