Shots Fired: Smith & Wesson’s M&P M2.0 Compact

Previously we gave you an tabletop look at Smith & Wesson’s new M&P M2.0 Compact in 9mm.  The latest offering updates the M&P line not only cosmetically, but also in features.  Now it’s time to hit the range and see how the Compact performs.  In the video below you’ll see our standard full-mag +1, multi-load test, and a five-shot group from seven yards to help formulate the opinions of two reviewers.  Yours truly, as the crusty ol’ gun-nut and Erika who couldn’t care less about brands, just likes what works for her.

We were interested in three main changes to the M&P line introduced in the new M2.0 models:

Ammunition used for the full-mag +1 was Freedom munitions 115gr, for groupings Nosler 115gr Match. Multi-Load test rounds include:

• PPU 158gr
• Browning BPT 147gr
• Speer Gold Dot 115gr
• Wolf WPA 115gr
• Hornady American Gunner 115gr XTP
• Hornady Critical Defense Lite 100gr FTX
• Fiocchi 92gr EMB
• Polycase Inceptor 84gr RNP
• Inceptor 65gr
• Liberty Civil Trainer 65gr

Our Multi-Load test is intended to test compatibility between different ammunition shapes, weights, and loads.  Three rounds of each type are fired.  The first round from slide lock tests feeding with full force of the slide.  Upon firing we get to see if the round generates proper energy to fully cycle the slide and feed another round of the same shape.  This is repeated for round two.  A third round is fired to test if that particular load generates enough energy to lock the slide to the rear on an empty magazine.

Not every gun is an omnivore.  It isn’t necessarily an indicator of a bad gun or ammunition load, just a bad combination.