Self Defense

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Metal Spec Series

By: Dave Bahde

Big Blue’s new high-performance Spec Series represents the highest evolution of the proven M&P line

Smith and Wesson’s M&P series remains one of the most popular polymer, striker-fired handgun lines on the market today, and for good reason — they’re lightweight, accurate, reliable, and well-priced. I still have my first M&P full-size 45 ACP, purchased in 2007. Since then, I’ve tested almost every variant in all available calibers; they offer one of the best factory triggers, some of the best ergonomics, and a wide variety of options to suit most end users from competition, duty, carry, and even hunting. You truly get a lot of pistol with the M&P, and it has only improved over the years, culminating in the M2.0 series. Their metal series have become some of the most popular M&Ps ever made, as the metal frame certainly adds a “top shelf” overall feel. One of their latest offerings using the metal frame is the Spec series, equipped with a Performance Center Trigger, aggressive grip texture, a 180-degree grip angle, and some nice extras dedicated to the series.

Smith & Wesson’s M&P 9 M2.0 Metal Spec Series — the first of its kind to come out of the Performance Center — comes packaged as you see (minus the optic) in a large plastic hard case with pre-cut foam for the pistol, mags, backstraps, and the nice little extras that are thrown in.

Spec Series M&P 9 Metal M2.0

The Spec Series is available in two variations as of writing this: a threaded-barrel compact in “Bull Shark Gray” Cerakote and the compensator-equipped full size in olive-drab-green Cerakote featured here. Designed to be flat shooting, fast, and accurate, the compensator, designed by Faxon, is threaded onto the 1/2×28 muzzle and uses strategically placed ports to reduce recoil and muzzle rise and provide faster follow-up shots. The slide features lightening cuts to decrease reciprocating weight and improve reliability when compensated. Smith and Wesson’s Performance Center trigger is one of the best factory striker-fired triggers available, opening the door for the best possible accuracy. The company’s C.O.R.E optic plate system allows mounting most red dot sight platforms, and the taller night sights create a lower 1/3 co-witness sight picture. Along with enhancements to the pistol, the Spec Series includes two 23-round magazines, two 17-round magazines, a Karambit 2.25″ knife with sheath, and an M&P Spec Series challenge coin. A knurled metal thread protector is provided for those who remove the compensator. The pistol comes in a large plastic case containing everything mentioned above.

Smith & Wesson partnered with firearms/parts manufacturer Faxon Firearms for the multi-port Spec Series compensator. The comp is removable, exposing 1/2×28 muzzle threads should you choose to run suppressed. Strategic lightning cuts in the top and sides of the slide reduce reciprocating mass and improve reliability when compensated.

Range Time

Compensators are very popular these days, and unlike those used years ago, they tend to work without most of the drawbacks. Since this pistol was designed in conjunction with Faxon to be compensated, it functioned quite well, and the faster the ammo used, the more you noticed the difference. While compensators are becoming more widely used on carry pistols, they work best with ammunition designed for them. In short, they prefer more gas. All the factory ammunition used during testing had no issues, and it really liked all the 124-grain +P loads. One of my favorite carry loads, the Hornady Personal Defense 135 grain +P ran great. The only ammunition it didn’t particularly like were some of my competition loads, which is par for the course with other compensated pistols as well.

The C.O.R.E. optic plate/screw system allows mounting of most mini red-dot optics right out of the box. Suppressor-height Tritium night sights provided a lower 1/3 co-witness sight picture with the Trijicon RMR HD used for testing.

The grip texture is more aggressive but not overly so. It is noticeable, for sure, but it caused no discomfort during a long day of shooting. As mentioned before, the trigger is excellent and contributed to solid accuracy and very fast repeat shots. The combination allows you to get locked in tight and shoot very fast, flat, and accurately.

My test pistol was equipped with a Trijicon RMR HD, and it was my first time using this relatively new optic. I’ve been using RMRs since they came out and was impressed with the improvements the HD brought to the table. All the advantages of rugged reliability and ease of adjustment remain, but now the battery can be changed without removing the RDS, and it still fits most RMR plates and/or slides.

There’s no question the aluminum frame of the Metal Spec Series adds a high-end look and feel to the M&P line, and the OD green Cerakote finish looks even better in person. The excellent Performance Center trigger is factory equipment, the slide stop is ambidextrous, and the magazine release can be swapped to the right side for southpaws.

Accuracy was excellent, with the best 25-yard/five-shot group coming from Hornady 135 Grain +P Critical Duty, although this pistol proved accurate with everything used. It handled the hot Doubletap 115 grain loads with ease and with close to the same grouping. It consistently produced fist-sized clusters at 50 yards on a six-inch round steel, and the Doubletap was stacking them. At 25 yards, it was almost too easy, with the pistol allowing me to stay on the six-inch steel while moving. Up close during rapid fire using my hotter 124-grain IPSC loads, the muzzle stayed planted, cutting one ragged hole. I even made good connections on the 12-inch square steel at 100 yards. Once the hold was figured out, staying on with any hotter loads was easy. The pistol is capable of serious accuracy, for sure — especially with an optic.

S&W provides four magazines with the Spec Series: two flush-fit 17-round and two extended 23-round. The texture on the front strap insert and different-sized replaceable palm swells is aggressive, but not so aggressive that you’ll end up avoiding high-round-count sessions.

Other Considerations

The Faxon compensator can be removed using the supplied hex wrench if needed. It threads on the barrel and is manually timed, then locked in place using both Loctite and the set screws. Removing the compensator allows the use of a suppressor, although my guess is most looking at the Spec Series will leave it in place. As with most compensators, the more powerful ammunition, the more benefit you’ll see, and many will load their own purposely for use with a comp.

All the supplied magazines worked without issue and locked back without issue. As expected, the 23-rounders are long and could certainly be used in competition or anything tactical. Some will really like the more aggressive texture, especially those doing lots of rapid-fire, but standard grip inserts or any of the many custom-made panels out there should work just fine. The M&P 2.0 remains one of the most customizable platforms out there.

Thanks in part to the excellent trigger and reduced recoil impulse afforded by the comp, the M&P 9 M2.0 Metal Spec Series turned in excellent performance from the 25-yard line. Its best five-shot group came with Hornady’s 135 +P Critical Duty load, measuring 1.60 inches.

Bottom Line

I really enjoyed shooting the Spec Series, although I have been an M&P fan since their introduction. If competition were still in the cards for me, this M&P would be at the top of the list, especially with a retail price of only $999.00 — a relative bargain considering everything you get. Smith and Wesson has always provided a very high-quality product at a reasonable price, and this pistol exemplifies that. Their metal series are amongst the best shooting M&P pistols I have tested, and within that line, the Spec Series M&P 9 Metal M2.0 is a standout. See it at your nearest dealer, or for more information, contact Smith & Wesson; Tel: (800) 331-0852; Web: www.smith-wesson.com.