S&W M&P 2.0 Accuracy on current production models

[Sawyer]

I haven’t been keeping track of the M&P world for a few years now and I was wondering if anyone had any updated data on M&P 2.0 9mm accuracy numbers? Particular groups beyond 25 yards. Have the accuracy issues that plagued the 1.0’s been fixed?

[MandoWookie]

The fact that this is still a recurring question, keeps justifying my switch to Glock.

[GJM]

I haven’t been keeping track of the M&P world for a few years now and I was wondering if anyone had any updated data on M&P 2.0 9mm accuracy numbers? Particular groups beyond 25 yards. Have the accuracy issues that plagued the 1.0’s been fixed?

2.0 pistols with OEM barrels shoot better than 1.0 pistols, but not Glock Gen 5 good. Apex barrels fix that.

[SoCalDep]

The 5” guns tend to be tack drivers... but like GJM said, the Apex barrels in the 4.25” guns are game changers. Every manufacturer/model has the good and bad and I actually like and flip between both Glock and M&P, with some others sprinkled in.

[Navin Johnson]

I haven’t been keeping track of the M&P world for a few years now and I was wondering if anyone had any updated data on M&P 2.0 9mm accuracy numbers? Particular groups beyond 25 yards. Have the accuracy issues that plagued the 1.0’s been fixed?

So in other words....no.

My 2.0 compact patterned with most ammo beyond 15 yards.

[Sawyer]

The 5” guns tend to be tack drivers... but like GJM said, the Apex barrels in the 4.25” guns are game changers. Every manufacturer/model has the good and bad and I actually like and flip between both Glock and M&P, with some others sprinkled in.

Has there been a notable difference observed in accuracy between the 5in and 4.25in guns?

[Sawyer]

So in other words....no.

My 2.0 compact patterned with most ammo beyond 15 yards.

That’s what I was afraid of…….

[SoCalDep]

Has there been a notable difference observed in accuracy between the 5in and 4.25in guns?

Yes, but I also think it has a bit to do with Ammo. The 5” guns tend to be observably more accurate than the 4.25” guns, but good fitted Apex barrels make it moot.

I find the stock 4.25” guns seem to have relatively poor accuracy with 115-124gr loads but shoot well with 147gr.

With that, I’m carrying one with a stock 4.25” barrel (tested with 147gr HST) and I’m shooting a couple with Apex barrels for teaching, training, and practice.

[Noah]

Small sample size, but I have a new production flat trigger 2.0C and 2.0F and both surprised me by keeping 5 shot groups in the 10 ring of a B8 at 25 yards with Norma 124gr.

[GJM]

2.0 pistols, in my experience, are more ammo sensitive than G5 Glock pistols. G5 will shoot almost anything accurately, but you need to find a load in 2.0 guns, to get G5 accuracy.

[ccmdfd]

Do they require the Apex fitted barrels for great accuracy, or do the drop in ones fix the issue too?

[SoCalDep]

Do they require the Apex fitted barrels for great accuracy, or do the drop in ones fix the issue too?

I can’t say for sure because we do not use the drop-in barrels. The fitted ones have produced 1-2” groups at 25yds with our duty ammo.

[MK11]

22 yards with my 5-inch FDE. My grip got sloppy on the two flyers to the left; I tried a six o’clock hold with the one on the bottom. That’s as well as I can shoot any pistol.


85942

[Actsda]

I have not seen a substantial difference in accuracy between the 2.0's and other SFA polymer guns. I do still find it "easier" to shoot at distances beyond 10-12 yards with Glocks in slow fire, but I am confident that this is due to my familiarity and reps with them versus MP's. The accuracy results have been about equal in my hands. My first 2.0 was a used compact that I picked up cheap and to use as a trainer or loaner gun. I happened to have it in my gear bag at a training I was attending not long after buying it. As it turns out I was not shooting very well in the morning with a Glock and decided to use the 2.0 in the afternoon. My performance immediately improved. At the end of that day the cadre decided to have us compete in a walk back starting at 25 yards and shooting at a 12 inch plate going back in 10 yard increments. If you missed you were out. I made it to 95 yards with two others where I missed. The shooter who won was shooting a 226 and hit the plate from 100. To say the least, I was impressed with the gun's accuracy in that drill which was at the end of a long day and in the hands of a mediocre shooter.
Found a couple of video's and threads on this topic. The one from the M&P forum mentions that Randy Lee found that S&W increased the interior width of the slide near the chamber of the barrel to reduce torque on the barrel to increase accuracy.
In the first video the narrator talks about the accuracy of the 2.0 at the 5:20 mark.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/510692-m-p-2-0-9mm-25-yard-accuracy-test-results.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgNUnUICKbQ&t=10s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh1BB2L5kWM&t=32s

[Leroy]

My 2.0 5" shoots well with 115 gr. jacketd (Rem UMC I think) and nothing else that I have found at this point, although I didn't try very hard after trying 3 different coated bullet brands that leaded severely and made shotgun patterns. It didn't shoot 147 HST worth a shit or 124 jacketed Precision Deltas. I mostly shoot coated 124 gr. for reduced cost reloading. I moved on but still have the gun. It has some nice features but it's ammo sensitive. If I get bored some day I might put an Apex barrel in it.

[TOTS]

I’m still trying to decide. This is my first polymer gun. The only other guns I have to compare my 2.0 to are triggered-up 1911s and a P229. So I’m not sure if it’s inaccurate or if the others are more accurate because of their triggers or I just am more familiar with them. Below is a five rnd at 10 m to the top R triangle and the two groups at the bottom L triangle point is at 15 m. This was working towards a zero for my dot. After reading the above, he may be on to something. I’m almost solely shooting 125 gr coated lead. 124 nato is way more accurate and both speer and HST hollow points are even more accurate.
85981

[hfrog355]

Somewhat adjacent topic, but still relevant: Is there an aftermarket barrel worth considering other than Apex?

I'm building a replacement slide assembly to accommodate a direct milled 509T. Need to pick up a barrel of some kind. Will be a 4.25" 2.0 9mm.

[45dotACP]

My brother has a 2.0 and a few 1.0s with aftermarket barrels that I used to own before giving them to him.

By several orders of magnitude, the guns with aftermarket barrels show significantly better accuracy.

The 2.0 that he has is quite inaccurate across multiple loads. He'll likely end up with an aftermarket barrel for that one too.

As for barrels that aren't Apex, the KKM he has is exceptionally accurate.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[TheNewbie]

Is reliability with aftermarket barrels any different than with the factory barrel?

[TOTS]

All this data frustrates me as, when researching, all the anecdotes I came across seemed to go contrary to this thread. Specifically, info from folks like David from THeHumbleMarksman (a pretty straight shooter, review-wise) in his comparison video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AgNUnUICKbQ (5:30 mark) where the accuracy was something he touted and even swayed his pick at the end. He’s not the only one saying good things, either.

[TOTS]

My brother has a 2.0 and a few 1.0s with aftermarket barrels that I used to own before giving them to him.

By several orders of magnitude, the guns with aftermarket barrels show significantly better accuracy.

The 2.0 that he has is quite inaccurate across multiple loads. He'll likely end up with an aftermarket barrel for that one too.

As for barrels that aren't Apex, the KKM he has is exceptionally accurate.

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

Glock is the only model KKM makes their barrel and comp for, correct?

[sickeness]

I have an issued 4.25" inch 2.0 and several flavors of personally owned 1.0 and 2.0s and none have any problems holding the black in a B8 at 25 yards and I regularly practice with them at that range.

When my agency switched from the 4.25" 1.0 to the 2.0, all of our deputies noted their accuracy scores improving with the change.
Whether it is because of the improved trigger or improved barrel I cannot say.

[mmc45414]

I just fitted my second Apex barrel and thought I would add a few things:

The ones they sell to the public are the "Semi-Fit" versions, and it is pretty simple. They used to sell a "Gunsmith Fit" version that requires a milling machine but now that is a special order deal. The first one I did was a long time ago and their jig was not available. The one I just did I bought the jig, but the barrel pretty much dropped in. Maybe there was some variation in the barrel or the slide, but the hood was a pretty nice fit without doing anything. The lug was probably too tight of a fit, but I just shot it for ~150 rounds before I started trusting it for matches. Initially it was a little reluctant to close, but now it works just like I would want it to.

I bought one of the "Friends & Family" blemished barrels, it was only $122. I just bought another 5" M&P (that I plan to have direct milled) and I will probably do the same thing. Or maybe since the thing is going to be riding under a $500 SRO I might splurge and skip the blemish option...

It is hard to quantify on reliability because the thing would have to fail first. I have mainly focused on them for a long time, and the first 5" 2.0 I shot from Feb19 until recently, when I replaced it with another 5" 2.0. The first one I left internally stock, and only changed the sights (Dawson FO front and rear). Over the span of using the first one at least every weekend for over three years I do not think it ever failed except for something directly related to ammo (that small rifle primer idea didn't work out as well in a match as it did in practice...). The 4.25" 1.0 I put the first Apex barrel in also worked fine, to the best of my recollection. My new 5" 2.0 with the Apex barrel is still new, but to this point has never stumbled (probably only 500-750 rounds). I would suspect if you put it in a mud bath and did other things it might induce more failure, it just fits tighter. IME reliability is difficult to quantify when the stuff never fails.

In regard to accuracy, I have not done any legitimate validation, my eyesight is probably just a weak link. Plus at the same time as I changed the barrel (not sure I even shot the pistol before modifying it) I did the flat trigger conversion and it is very nice, so I am really not sure what would be the barrel and what would be the trigger. On that side note I used the factory trigger return spring and their HEAVIER sear spring, what their matrix says should be 5.0 pounds, and it is very nice and I am very happy. Maybe when I get the third one setup with the red dot I can report back, but that is going to be a while.

Obviously I really like the 5" guns, the way they look and the way the shoot and the way they ride in an IWB holster. I mostly carry the 4" 2.0 15rnd Compact because it is just brain dead to conceal. but the big ones are very easy to hide. Mostly in the JMCK IWB-3, 15deg for the 5" and 10deg for the 4".

[45dotACP]

Glock is the only model KKM makes their barrel and comp for, correct?I believe so...though I'm not sure if apex has threaded barrels for compensators from other shops

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[mmc45414]

I'm not sure if apex has threaded barrels for compensators from other shops
They sure do.



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[dcf1981]

86050
I believe so...though I'm not sure if apex has threaded barrels for compensators from other shops

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

The Agency comp will work with Apex gunsmith fit barrels, I’m pretty sure the Parker mountain would fit too based on my other PMM comps.

[claymore504]

I owned a 2.0 4 inch 9mm and 5 inch 40SW model for a while and did not notice any major accuracy issue. I still own a 5 inch 9mm M2.0 that my wife uses for HD. Seems to be gret as well. I am assuming that most officers that carry an M&P are running the 4.25. Has anyone with extensive experience with the M2.0 noticed great differenced between the 4", 4.25" and 5 inch? I am possibly looking to go all in on the M2.0 optics ready. Seems the only 5 inch OR option is the PC CORE model. Pretty much all reviews I see online, with any model, say they are good to go.

[Noah]

I owned a 2.0 4 inch 9mm and 5 inch 40SW model for a while and did not notice any major accuracy issue. I still own a 5 inch 9mm M2.0 that my wife uses for HD. Seems to be gret as well. I am assuming that most officers that carry an M&P are running the 4.25. Has anyone with extensive experience with the M2.0 noticed great differenced between the 4", 4.25" and 5 inch? I am possibly looking to go all in on the M2.0 optics ready. Seems the only 5 inch OR option is the PC CORE model. Pretty much all reviews I see online, with any model, say they are good to go.

I've gone all in on the latest 2022 flat trigger optics ready 2.0s after carrying a 2.0 4" 2017-2019 and then Beretta and Glock 2020-2021. Now I just have 2 of the recent 2.0 models and am very happy with them. 508Tx2s on CHPWS plates on both guns. Both keep 124 grain Norma and Gold Dot in the black or better on 25 yard B8s.

[LockedBreech]

My 9mm M2.0 4" is quite accurate. My .45 4.6" M2.0 is exceptionally accurate, only bested by the wonderful Sig P220R I used to own.

However, my Gen 5 19 and 17 are lasers. Hard to top Gen 5 accuracy in a poly gun so far as I've encountered.

[Virtuosity Student]

Resurrecting this old thread. Do the accuracy issues seem to be relegated to particular barrel lengths or has this been documented across the 9mm lineup as a whole? I had one of the M&P 1.0 4.25” that patterned at 25 yards from a rest and I sold it. But if I recall this was not the same case with the subcompact model with the 3.6” barrels.

Fast forward now we have the compacts with 3.6” and 4” and the FS with 4.25” and 5” barrel lengths. The LGS has been advertising an upcoming S&W event along with factory rebates which makes it tempting to pickup another as I loved the ergonomics just about more than anything else. Just curious about more data as time has passed.

[coN]

I'm curious if the accuracy issues are ironed out with the 2.0 Metal model. If necessary I'll buy another Apex barrel but to cut costs, it would be great if the one that comes with it are Gen 5 or PDP performance levels. I can justify the trigger and barrel with the two $450 M&Ps I have, not so much on a $750 - 800 2.0 Metal.

[TOTS]

I benched my 4 in 2.0 9mm with the Overwatch Precision sear as the only change and was getting, literally, a one hole group at 15 yds. At 25 I’m just as good as my G19.5 and only better with my 1911 and my P229. The whole “accuracy issue “ question is thoroughly answered in my mind. While it may not be as good as an Apex barrel, it’s fine for a factory one. No accuracy issues in my experience.

[TCinVA]

Do they require the Apex fitted barrels for great accuracy, or do the drop in ones fix the issue too?

A drop-in is a crapshoot as to whether or not it will be better in the areas that are making a factory barrel inaccurate if you have one.

[TCinVA]

I benched my 4 in 2.0 9mm with the Overwatch Precision sear as the only change and was getting, literally, a one hole group at 15 yds. At 25 I’m just as good as my G19.5 and only better with my 1911 and my P229. The whole “accuracy issue “ question is thoroughly answered in my mind. While it may not be as good as an Apex barrel, it’s fine for a factory one. No accuracy issues in my experience.

This is where I'm going to come down.

I've purchased three M&P pistols in the last 12 months. I put an Apex barrel in all of them because I could.

None of them needed an Apex barrel. I installed Apex barrels because I wanted to explore what could be done with the pistol. Every one of them came out of the box capable of holding the 10 ring of a B8 at 25 yards. They could hold the upper chest of a silhouette target at 50.

I expect there is still variability in the performance of the 2.0 from specimen to specimen...but the same is true of Gen5 Glocks. Gen5 Glocks in 9mm are reported to be very accurate guns. Some of them certainly are. I own one that's very accurate indeed. The second gun I bought wasn't as accurate and the KKM drop-in barrel I installed in it helped a bit. But it's still not the equal of my first Gen5 G17 in accuracy.

The 2.0 is, at the very least, considerably improved over the 1.0's potential accuracy issues. I don't know what percentage of M&P 1's had accuracy problems, but a lot of folks around me experienced them. I did as well. (I owned four 9mm 1.0 pistols at one point...I still own three) Often the 1.0's issues only manifested at higher round counts. Some did so immediately, some took into a five digit round count to show up.

I wouldn't be worried about the accuracy of a 2.0. I've seen several guns with rather bleh barrel fit that still shot surprisingly well, as in I thought they'd exhibit a problem but didn't.

If you want one, buy it and shoot it. Evaluate accuracy as carefully as you can using your preferred ammunition. If you run into what is really an accuracy issue, you can fix it with an Apex barrel easily. But the odds that you'd actually need an Apex barrel to shoot to an acceptable level at 25 yards are pretty small.

Based on what I've seen, the 2.0 isn't any more likely to have accuracy issues than Gen5 Glock pistols are. It's well known that Glock made getting the Gen5 guns more accurate a marketing point, but there aren't that many people out there who are good enough to really see if that's an issue or not. And even then, Glock has put out revisions on some Gen5 parts to deal with accuracy issues that cropped up with issued guns.

[Navin Johnson]

Shield, Shield Plus, 2.0 compact (all 9) acceptable with some ammunition, but across-the-board got a lot of patterns. Gen 2,3,5 Glocks all shot much more consistently across-the-board. 365 out does them all (I’m talking slow to moderate fire rates for accuracy 15 to 25 yards)

Had my son shoot the 2.0 next to a GEN3 19 and same results (at the time he was not much of a pistol shooter)

Shot an early 1.0 .40 range gun it and was much better than the 9’s for me. (Accuracy)

At Speed, especially inside 15 the M&P’s and shields Shoot well.

YMMV

[sickeness]

I shot a pre-release M&P way back around 2005 at a steel challenge match at S&W's vendor booth.
I remember it being amazingly accurate and I was thoroughly impressed at the time other than the shitty ass trigger.

IIRC S&W ended up changing the barrel geometry and twist rate a year or so after release due to cracking issues experienced by large LE agencies, I think when they did that it somehow screwed up the accuracy on the gun.
I'm curious to see if anyone with a super old M&P can report back on if this holds true.

[OkieHeat]

I only have about 500 rouns down range but my M 2.0 metal seems to be very accurate and consistent. Hopefully I can put some more ammo down range with soon. Really like this gun.

[OkieHeat]

I only have about 500 rounds down range but my M2.0 metal has been accurate and consistent. Really like this gun.

[GJM]

I have five 2.0 five inch pistols, and shot CO with them over a year. The stock guns are good enough for defense and USPSA, but the two I have with match barrels fit by Randy Lee are in a different league accuracy wise.

100742

[jmi786]

I am looking for a ccw pistol. I am looking at the M&P 2.0 compact, 3.6 and the 4.0, both would be optic ready. Has anyone shot both side by side?

A few years ago when I competed, I switched from the 1.0 5 inch to the P320 because of the 1.0 accuracy issues, then the xfive for carry optics, I still like the way the M&P 1.0 and the 2.0 fit my hand better the the Sigs or Glocks, I am just a little worried about accuracy issues showing up with new 2.0 pistols. The Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS just does not fit my hand as well as a 2.0 compact.

Is it possible that any of the accuracy issues could be caused by lower velocity competition ammo, around 127-130 power factor? I never thought about checking my guns with higher velocity self defense ammo, has anyone done that?

[GJM]

I am looking for a ccw pistol. I am looking at the M&P 2.0 compact, 3.6 and the 4.0, both would be optic ready. Has anyone shot both side by side?

A few years ago when I competed, I switched from the 1.0 5 inch to the P320 because of the 1.0 accuracy issues, then the xfive for carry optics, I still like the way the M&P 1.0 and the 2.0 fit my hand better the the Sigs or Glocks, I am just a little worried about accuracy issues showing up with new 2.0 pistols. The Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS just does not fit my hand as well as a 2.0 compact.

Is it possible that any of the accuracy issues could be caused by lower velocity competition ammo, around 127-130 power factor? I never thought about checking my guns with higher velocity self defense ammo, has anyone done that?

I think the biggest issue with the 2.0 optics ready pistols for EDC is their ridiculously tall and sharp rear sights.

[Corse]

I think the biggest issue with the 2.0 optics ready pistols for EDC is their ridiculously tall and sharp rear sights.

Yes. I’m looking into normal height sights and using the new holosun optic

[TCinVA]

I only have about 500 rouns down range but my M 2.0 metal seems to be very accurate and consistent. Hopefully I can put some more ammo down range with soon. Really like this gun.

Tom Givens is reporting excellent accuracy from his M&P Metal as well.

The folks I know who have them say they're very accurate.

[OkieHeat]

Tom Givens is reporting excellent accuracy from his M&P Metal as well.

The folks I know who have them say they're very accurate. Do you remeber where you saw that??

[revchuck38]

Do you remeber where you saw that??

I’m not TCinVA, but it was in the last two newsletters he sent out to his Patreon subscribers.

[Tom Givens]

I have been getting excellent accuracy with practice 124 grain ball from various manufacturers, plus Federal 124 grain HST +P. I have two and both shoot very well.

[TCinVA]

Further contributing data, a friend just purchased a new M&P 2.0 full sized that they want me to put some Apex parts in. We took the gun out yesterday and her first shots were in the X ring at 10 yards. After establishing that the gun ran just fine (checking for consistent extraction and ejection) we stepped it back to 25 yards and I had absolutely no trouble hitting a 4" plate (the black of a B8 is 5.5 inches). When she shot the pistol at that distance doing deliberate slowfire she was able to keep the bullet splats on the steel touching each other at 25.

Right out of the box, it shot just fine.

[coN]

I think I need to make a distinction: accuracy is good, but precision is what I desire. Is that too much to ask from gun $400 - $500? Yeah, probably. But here is some context...

M&P 1.0's were accurate (enough) but what they lacked was precision. Getting wildly varying group sizes at 25 yards was disappointing yes, BUT they were on paper where the POA was. The issue was getting shots to touch each other for one ragged hole (benched even) was neigh impossible.

The 2.0 improved this quite a bit but it still couldn't match a Gen5 Glock (in my hands) but it was an improvement. The Apex barrel gives the precision well beyond what that gun costs. Especially if it's a gunsmith fit model. It truly gives me a feeling of control that more expensive (and precise) guns offer and its extremely satisfying to have something feel as natural as an extension of one's limb. I dunno if further refinements by S&W have been made since the release of the 2.0 (I bought mine soon after release) but im about to find out soon enough...

I plan to buy a 2.0 Metal and will do a shoot out against my 4.25 polymer 2.0 with both the stock barrel and semi-fit Apex barrel, as well as a 5" PDP (which I consider above the stock 2.0, but below the Apex'd 2.0) and see how it compares. If it's precise enough out of the box, it saves me some money since I wouldn't have to buy an Apex barrel.

[GJM]

I think I need to make a distinction: accuracy is good, but precision is what I desire. Is that too much to ask from gun $400 - $500? Yeah, probably. But here is some context...

M&P 1.0's were accurate (enough) but what they lacked was precision. Getting wildly varying group sizes at 25 yards was disappointing yes, BUT they were on paper where the POA was but getting shots to touch each other for one ragged hole (benched even) was neigh impossible.

The 2.0 improved this quite a bit but it still couldn't match a Gen5 Glock (in my hands) but it was an improvement. The Apex barrel gives the precision well beyond what that gun costs. Especially if it's a gunsmith fit model. It truly gives me a feeling of control that more expensive (and precise) guns offer and its extremely satisfying to have something feel as natural as an extension of one's limb. I dunno if further refinements by S&W have been made since the release of the 2.0 (I bought mine soon after release) but im about to find out soon enough...

I plan to buy a 2.0 Metal and will do a shoot out against my 4.25 polymer 2.0 with both the stock barrel and semi-fit Apex barrel, as well as a 5" PDP (which I consider above the stock 2.0, but below the Apex'd 2.0) and see how it compares. If it's precise enough out of the box, it saves me some money since I wouldn't have to buy an Apex barrel.

I look forward to this. Please post some photos of your groups with their approximate size at 25 so we can make comparisons.

[GJM]

I have been getting excellent accuracy with practice 124 grain ball from various manufacturers, plus Federal 124 grain HST +P. I have two and both shoot very well.

Tom, can you spitball group size at 25 in inches?

[G19Fan]

Tom, can you spitball group size at 25 in inches?

Eager to know this as well. I randomly want a metal.m&p9.

No idea why

[GJM]

Eager to know this as well. I randomly want a metal.m&p9.

No idea why

I have a friend who shot one in uspsa CO (with a five inch 2.0 polymer pistol upper with an Apex barrel) for a while, and he shot it great. When I coonfingered the metal M&P, I really liked it.

[G19Fan]

I have a friend who shot one in uspsa CO (with a five inch 2.0 polymer pistol upper with an Apex barrel) for a while, and he shot it great. When I coonfingered the metal M&P, I really liked it.

The 5 inch m&p9s shoot so well

Before my wife went to p365 series she would carry a m&p.compact. those also shot great

[GJM]

Here is my friend, Ryan, shooting the M&P metal:


https://youtu.be/-d_yMKVrzjQ

[coN]

I look forward to this. Please post some photos of your groups with their approximate size at 25 so we can make comparisons.
Absolutely. I'm trying to hock a Glock 34 G4. Once it sells, M&P Metal here I come. So for now, here are some samples of 20 yard offhand shooting with 124gr STV. I'll also include a PDP target, same distance, same ammo since it's in the conversation for great accuracy/precision OoB.

https://i.ibb.co/6rc9Y5k/20221116-142433.jpg (https://ibb.co/NtgDxzM)
https://i.ibb.co/ww8sxz0/20221116-144629.jpg (https://ibb.co/fnZvPx1)
https://i.ibb.co/7VKw2hf/20221116-152449.jpg (https://ibb.co/QnM2r0g)

[G19Fan]

Absolutely. I'm trying to hock a Glock 34 G4. Once it sells, M&P Metal here I come. So for now, here are some samples of 20 yard offhand shooting with 124gr STV. I'll also include a PDP target, same distance, same ammo since it's in the conversation for great accuracy/precision OoB.

https://i.ibb.co/6rc9Y5k/20221116-142433.jpg (https://ibb.co/NtgDxzM)
https://i.ibb.co/ww8sxz0/20221116-144629.jpg (https://ibb.co/fnZvPx1)
https://i.ibb.co/7VKw2hf/20221116-152449.jpg (https://ibb.co/QnM2r0g)

Great shooting

[Tom Givens]

I haven't shot a lot of groups with it. Most firing has been shooting drills and comparing scores to my customized Glocks. The M&P is a bit easier to score well with.

The one time I shot for groups, I got about 1.5"- 1.75" at 20 yards. That is offhand, with 70 year old eyes and iron sights, using a bright green 3" paster as an aiming point.

[GJM]

This afternoon, I took my 2.0 five inch M&P with an OEM barrel, and the same with a Randy Lee fit Apex barrel, to the range. Hardly scientific but I shot one five shot group at 25 yards with each pistol with Federal Syntech 150 and PMC 124.

First I shot the 2.0 with the OEM barrel with Syntech.

101151

Then the OEM gun with PMC 124.

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Then the Apex five inch gun with Syntech.

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Than the Apex gun with PMC 124.

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Then I shot my Glock 19 with the Mayhem barrel and new OEM performance trigger with Syntech.

101155

Then I shot the 19 in my pants with Gold Dot 124+P. It also has a Mayhem barrel and comp.

101156

These are anecdotes not data, but the accuracy I experienced with the 2.0 five inch with the OEM barrel is typical of what I experienced at 25 yards over the year I shot it in USPSA CO.

[BK14]

I have a friend who shot one in uspsa CO (with a five inch 2.0 polymer pistol upper with an Apex barrel) for a while, and he shot it great. When I coonfingered the metal M&P, I really liked it.

From a purely performance standpoint, would you recommend going with the 5” over the 4.25”? My agency just approved the M&Ps, so I’ve been looking into them as an option. I generally lean towards Glock 34s over 17s, but it’s likely just carryover from shooting production, not sure that the extra slide length gives me anything over a 17 with a dot.

[GJM]

From a purely performance standpoint, would you recommend going with the 5” over the 4.25”? My agency just approved the M&Ps, so I’ve been looking into them as an option. I generally lean towards Glock 34s over 17s, but it’s likely just carryover from shooting production, not sure that the extra slide length gives me anything over a 17 with a dot.

Anecdotally, I believe the 4.25 may be a bit more accurate than a 5 inch. For iron sight use, the extra sight radius of the 5 might offset the possible accuracy gain of the 4.25, but with a dot I find 4.25-4.6 ideal for how the slide tracks and general comfort carrying. Especially if you use a TLR-7, where if you use an X-300, then the 5 inch is no disadvantage in holster length.

Lots of pros and cons, that gets down to them both being reasonable choices. For USPSA Carry Optics, I prefer 5 inch with an Apex barrel, but prefer for EDC the 4 or 4.25. Given the choice, I would rather have a direct milled slide than the CORE system and factory BUIS.

[BK14]

Anecdotally, I believe the 4.25 may be a bit more accurate than a 5 inch. For iron sight use, the extra sight radius of the 5 might offset the possible accuracy gain of the 4.25, but with a dot I find 4.25-4.6 ideal for how the slide tracks and general comfort carrying. Especially if you use a TLR-7, where if you use an X-300, then the 5 inch is no disadvantage in holster length.

Lots of pros and cons, that gets down to them both being reasonable choices. For USPSA Carry Optics, I prefer 5 inch with an Apex barrel, but prefer for EDC the 4 or 4.25. Given the choice, I would rather have a direct milled slide than the CORE system and factory BUIS.

I’d probably end up with two guns. A compact with tlr7 for concealed, and either the 4.25 or 5 with an X300 in the duty holster. Both guns would be with a dot, and would not be allowed to have an apex barrel per policy. I’ll go try to shoot both. The big benefit is I could probably squeeze the 4.25 into my concealed and overt roles until I buy a second gun.

[DpdG]

The LE-only Acro direct mount SKU is the 4.25” and comes with not too sharp buis. I’m waiting on Strohman to get me an Acro before putting rounds down range so I can’t speak to accuracy potential. Dry-fire is encouraging compared to the older rounded/hinged trigger shoe.

[coN]

Calling GJM to the thread

Alright, here are the results of my super non-scientific, eye-straining testing. I tried at 25 yards but my eyes were straining too hard and couldn't focus properly. This testing makes me glad I'm making the switch to optics. Anyway, here are some notes...

The Metal surprised me a bit because I figured the sights would be a combat hold like other stock M&P's but it was hitting high. With the second set of 5 shots, I adjusted and used a 6-o'clock hold and got a much better group
Possibly a placebo, but removing the safety detent from the sear-housing block improved the feel of Timney trigger a bit
The 5" Apex groups were a bit more controlled whereas the OEM 5" barrel spread out randomly between every shot exactly as i remembered. No shots back-to-back ever touched with the OEM barrel @ 20 yards
The 4.25" Apex barrel is much more accurate than the 5" but it also has a tighter fit
The 4.25" OEM barrel spread vertically between every shot as i also remembered. The Metal does this as well but to a lesser degree according to the 2nd set of 5 shots.
Prior to the test, I did fire 400 rounds doing various drills with various guns. I started getting shakey midway through the testing (no breaks were taken). I regrettably should've done the test first
Flyers are my fault as noted, but I question the top shot on the PDP target and the 2 shots above the Apex 4.25" flyer. They didnt feel like I pulled the shots but as I mentioned I was a little shakey (no breaks were taken)
Because of my eyes mutiny at distance, I decided to use 6 of the mini-targets at 10 yards to not only give my eyes a break, but to see how I shoot everything at 10 yards with a bigger index point


https://i.ibb.co/JCGPy6X/20230302-184945-picsay.jpg (https://ibb.co/3kjHM6t)

I will have to repeat the 10 shots with the M&P Metal some other time using the same ammo simply because of the sights using a 6-o'clock hold. It'll give a better idea of how I shoot it compared with everything else.

https://i.ibb.co/wrwNXkR/20230302-184022-picsaya.jpg (https://ibb.co/LhJzWF8)

[coN]

DOUBLE POST

And finally, a pic of 5 competing M&P models (Metal uses 2nd set) with their 5-shot groups to give a very rough idea how they shoot in my hands.
https://i.ibb.co/HD453Zy/Photo-Collage-20230302-232924411.jpg (https://ibb.co/jvfnstY)

[GJM]

DOUBLE POST

And finally, a pic of 5 competing M&P models (Metal uses 2nd set) with their 5-shot groups to give a very rough idea how they shoot in my hands.
https://i.ibb.co/HD453Zy/Photo-Collage-20230302-232924411.jpg (https://ibb.co/jvfnstY)

Are the Apex barrels drop in or gunsmith fit? I may be missing something, but the various guns seem to, more or less, shoot similarly? Would love to see a few Gen 5 Glock 19 groups for reference.

[coN]

They are semi-fit barrels. All the guns/barrels seem to shoot similarly from this small set of testing overall, but i blame myself for not doing this testing first thing as (looking at previous results from range outings) I am capable of much more precise groups with the Apex barreled M&Ps. The 4.25" Apex demonstrated this at 20 yards with my first set of five shots, of course minus the one I pulled.

The OEM barrels shot just i remembered, with the 5" in particular scattering (seemingly random) between every shot at distance.

That and paired with the sight picture mistake of the Metal, this will be done again soon because I will need to zero some red dots.

[Lunker]

This thread had me a bit concerned. I enjoy shooting steel targets at 20 to 75 yards and wondered if my new M&P 2.0 4.25” would reliably hit at the farther ranges. My Gen5 G17 and G34 don’t have issues hitting 8” and 10” plates at those distances.
The snow stopped me from setting up steel today, so i decided to sight in the RMR on the M&P for its first time out.
This is a 5 shot group rested off a Protektor bag at 15 yards with 124 grain target ammo. I’m not a great shot, but feel like this $500 gun is keeping up its end.
It felt nice to shoot. The grip texture had me locked in. The bladed trigger is much worse than my Glocks though. Gritty pull and indistinct reset.
I’ll look into Apex and Overwatch.

113811

[thatguybryan]

113813

This is at 15yd (M&p group on right) one mag of 147gr HST and then 2 or so mags of 115/124gr. I was zeroing the RMR and this includes those shots. This is by no means a slow fire group, and was fired at the same pace as the group on the left (p365x macro). Based on this group, I am probably not going to add an apex barrel.

For reference - LE SKU 4.25 optics ready.

[G19Fan]

This thread had me a bit concerned. I enjoy shooting steel targets at 20 to 75 yards and wondered if my new M&P 2.0 4.25” would reliably hit at the farther ranges. My Gen5 G17 and G34 don’t have issues hitting 8” and 10” plates at those distances.
The snow stopped me from setting up steel today, so i decided to sight in the RMR on the M&P for its first time out.
This is a 5 shot group rested off a Protektor bag at 15 yards with 124 grain target ammo. I’m not a great shot, but feel like this $500 gun is keeping up its end.
It felt nice to shoot. The grip texture had me locked in. The bladed trigger is much worse than my Glocks though. Gritty pull and indistinct reset.
I’ll look into Apex and Overwatch.

113811

This won't be an issue with the mp9

[mongooseman]

This won't be an issue with the mp9

I currently own two of the 2.0 M&P pistols: The Spec Series Bullshark Grey kit with the compact and a Metal. I traded a PDP Pro for the compact with a coworker, and I absolutely love the trigger, the aggressive grip stippling, and the accuracy. It impressed me so much that I immediately started looking for a full size. The Metal, just like the Compact, is one hole accurate at 10 yards. The plan is to put a Holosun Comp and the Streamlight 7A on it and use it for duty (admin).

[coN]

I wonder if S&W did another rolling update on the barrels again because I recently shot a newer production 4.25 model @ 20 yards and it shot very well. I'm also reading on some other forums that others are having experiences that mirror mine in regards to precision and accuracy to be on par with a G5 Glock 19.

If this is true, then an Apex barrel wouldn't be needed for most people anymore. I suppose the Apex barrels are to squeeze that extra precision out of the platform because with a properly fitted one, they are lasers.