November 6, 2023
As someone who has a passion for firearms, it’s always exciting to come across something truly extraordinary. That’s why I was so thrilled when I had the chance to try out and review the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm Auto. This firearm has been creating quite a buzz in the industry due to its remarkable features and unparalleled performance. Now, let me share my firsthand experience and insights about this exceptional pistol.
A Brief History of the 10mm Cartridge
The tale of the 10mm Auto cartridge is a story of survival and resurgence. It emerged from the necessity for increased stopping power following a disastrous law enforcement shootout in the mid 1980s, offering a solution where other rounds had failed. However, an early setback occurred when the FBI, who had initiated its development, opted to switch to the.40 S&W due to concerns about the perceived excessive recoil of the 10mm.
Nevertheless, despite this setback, the 10mm endured thanks to a dedicated community of shooters, hunters, as well as select law enforcement and military units who recognized its potential. With time, popularity for the 10mm has grown significantly, resulting in numerous firearm models now being designed to accommodate this potent round.
Enter the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm Auto
The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm Auto is a new addition to the increasing variety of firearms chambered in 10mm. This particular pistol, which operates using a striker fired mechanism, brings together the top notch qualities found in the M&P series along with the formidable force of the 10mm cartridge. Sporting a magazine capacity of 15 rounds, the M&P 10mm is well prepared to handle any circumstance that may arise.
Exterior Features
Upon initial inspection, the M&P 10mm immediately catches one’s attention with its sleek and contemporary design. The grip texturing of the M2.0 adds a modern touch while providing a secure hold while firing. Crafted from steel and treated with Smith & Wesson’s Armornite finish, both the slide and barrel achieve a harmonious blend of glossy and matte surfaces, resulting in an attractive yet resilient finish.
Trigger and Safety
The M&P 10mm pistol features a flat faced, bladed trigger that has an initial break weight of around 5.3 pounds when it’s brand new, but it becomes lighter as you use it. This design allows the shooter to have better control and ultimately leads to enhanced accuracy. You have the option to choose whether you want the pistol with or without a thumb safety, depending on your personal preference.
Slide Serrations and Chamber Indicator
The slide of the M&P 10mm carries front and rear serrations that provide optimal control when cycling the pistol. The serrations bear a wave pattern, consistent with the design found on other M&P pistols. Additionally, there’s a hole on the rear upper part of the chamber, allowing the shooter to visually confirm whether a cartridge is in the chamber.
Optics-Ready Slide
One of the standout features of the M&P 10mm is its optics-ready slide. The pistol comes with eight mounting plates, allowing you to attach almost any reflex sight to it. A cover plate is also included for those who prefer to stick with iron sights.
Elevated Iron Sights
Speaking of iron sights, Smith & Wesson has equipped the M&P 10mm with a top-notch set. The sights are elevated, allowing for co-witnessing with a red dot sight. Both the front and rear sights are dovetailed into the machined slide. The rear sight includes a flat tactical ledge for one-handed cycling and a recessed rear sight face that reduces glare on sunny days. The three white-dot layout is familiar and functional.
Frame and Grip Design
The polymer frame of the M&P 10mm contains an embedded stainless steel extended chassis, which reduces flex during firing. The grip design is excellent, with an 18-degree grip angle that provides comfort and helps control the robust recoil of the 10mm. The frame design allows for a high hand position on the grip, thanks to an undercut trigger guard. A low bore axis further improves control.
Interchangeable Backstraps
Smith & Wesson provides four backstraps—small, medium, medium/large, and large—with each M&P 10mm. This allows for a custom fit, ensuring optimal comfort and control for shooters of all hand sizes. Swapping backstraps is a straightforward process, requiring only the removal of the frame tool and the backstrap itself.
Trigger Design
The M&P 10mm features Smith & Wesson’s M2.0 flat-face bladed trigger. This design promotes more surface area engagement with the trigger face, leading to a smoother, cleaner trigger pull and improved accuracy. After firing over 100 rounds, I noticed a smoother trigger take-up and a reduced break weight, enhancing the overall shooting experience.
Additional Features
The M&P 10mm has some extra features that make it more useful and improve its performance. These features include a rail with three slots under the barrel, which allows you to attach accessories. It also has a magazine release that can be switched to either side and a takedown lever that makes it easier to clean and maintain. You can choose between two barrel lengths, 4.0, 4.6, or 5 inches and decide whether or not you want a manual thumb safety when you purchase the pistol.
Performance and Recoil
There has been a lot of discussion surrounding the recoil of the 10mm cartridge. Some people argue that it can be quite intense, but personally, I find it manageable, especially when using lighter to moderate self defense loads. When I tried shooting the M&P 10mm, I discovered that its well designed grip and the ability to interchange backstraps along with a high hand position were effective in controlling recoil. This allowed for the energy to transfer smoothly into my arms and shoulders, resulting in reduced muzzle rise.
Red-Dot Ready
The M&P 10mm comes with a slide that’s cut for a red dot sight. I chose to install a Trijicon SRO on my test pistol, which was a breeze thanks to the provided mounting plates. The SRO performed superbly, and its wide window and robust design made it a perfect match for the M&P 10mm.
Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, the M&P 10mm delivered excellent results. Five-shot groups as small as 1.7 inches at 25 yards demonstrated the pistol’s precision capabilities. Given the vast range of 10mm loads available, you can tailor your ammunition to your specific needs, whether it’s target shooting, self-defense, or predator control.
Reliability
Throughout my testing, the M&P 10mm performed flawlessly. The quality metal magazines and smooth feed ramp ensured reliable feeding, while the robust extractor had no issues with even the stickiest of cases. The slide locked open after the last shot in each magazine, confirming the pistol’s reliability.
Final Thoughts
In my opinion, the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm Auto is an exceptional firearm. It brings together the top notch qualities of the M&P series along with the strength and adaptability of the 10mm cartridge, resulting in a pistol that is both dependable and remarkable. Whether you have years of experience or are new to firearms, adding the M&P 10mm to your collection would be a great choice.
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm Auto Specs
- Type: Striker-fired, semiautomatic
- Caliber: 10mm Auto
- Capacity: 15+1 rds.
- Barrel: 4.6 in., Armornite-finished, stainless steel
- OAL/Height/Width: 7.9/5.6/1.3 in.
- Weight: 29.3 oz.
- Construction: Armornite-finished stainless steel slide; polymer frame w/4 interchangeable backstraps
- Trigger: Bladed, flat-faced; 5.3 lbs., (tested)
- Sights: Metal three-dot suppressor height; optic ready
- MSRP: $665
- Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
If you’re searching for a robust and dependable 10mm handgun with great features, I highly recommend taking a closer look at the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 10mm Auto. It’s an impressive pistol that will surely leave a lasting impression, whether you’re at the shooting range, out in the field or in a self defense situation. This could be the ideal firearm you’ve been seeking.