Is the Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0 a mistake?

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wizzamen

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Has anyone handled the new Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0, what did you think of the grip texture?

I found the grip texturing to be really rough (aggressive), which I believe will be a negative for many buyers.

I understand the aggressive grip texture will give you a better grip of the pistol, no custom stippling job needed with the M2.0. I believe mainly professionals (law enforcement, tactical firearms instructors) will love the M2.0, but I don't think the average gun owner will. The M2.0 reminds me of the Glock RTF, they had a small and loyal following but the average person didn't like them.

Whenever a new prospective handgun owner wants my advice on their first 9mm pistol, I take them to a local gun shop and let them try a few out. The original M&P usually comes out near the top because of how nice it feels in their hands, I don't see that happening anymore with the M2.0.
 
It would be simple to fix. Just take some fine sandpaper and lightly sand it to knock of the roughness without completely destroying the grippyness.
 
For a number of people, not just professionals, the somewhat smooth grip was a complaint. S&W tried to address a number of complaints with the 2.0 and that was one of them. While it might not be your cup of tea, I imagine a discussion was had at S&W and the decision was made that it would improve appeal overall.


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I don't think the grip texture is that bad. The grip texture on the M&P Shield 45 honestly seems a little worse to me. Do I personally think that it was needed? Not really, but I don't see it hurting sales.
 
I havent handled one, but my input is this; It depends on the users hands and how he has used/treated them in his/her lifetime. If you have never wprled with your hands or done hard manual labor, you may have softer/more sensative hands and skin. Like average people who have typical 21st century jobs. However someone who has done landscaping or construction of some type or any job where there hands get blistered and callused and roughed up, probably have a thicker or rougher palm, and may actually enjoy or appreciate a rough jagged grip.

I fall into the camp of liking rough grips. I wish my 1911 had front 25lpi checkering, i also which the checkered wooden grips had more bite to them
 
I doubt the 2.0 is going to imediately phase out the M&P, likely what I assume it is is anologous to Springfields introduction to the XDM over the XD line, they still sell both lines, even though the XDM has a nicer trigger, better sights, replaceable backstraps and higher ammo capacity, the XD still has a loyal following and sells for less. more than likely the MP2 is likely going to sell for a higher price tag and attract a crowd that doesn't quite like the MP1 line. they went about it in a different way than springfield did, same ammo capacity as the old one(hopefully the same mags work), same basic overall design, but with different grip textures, an extra size to tailor fit the grip shape better, and listing a large number of gripes I have with the old one like tactile trigger reset, heavy trigger, and supposedly accuracy. I'm sure not going to rush out any buy one, I have no desire to add any S&W to my collection anytime soon, but I do like that they appear to finally be addressing issues which have been a noted complaint about the line since it was introduced a decade ago.
 
:D Perhaps after the People Revolution the folks with 2.0's will be embraced as "Comrades" for having the hands of a Worker!

Just being a smart alec,no offense intended.

With a toothy texture the "bloody hand"retention issue is covered without "those kitchen table drunken maroons and their soldering irons" goobering up the plastic gun."

My greatest concern about the 2.0?
I really think the C.O.R.E. concept is a winner.A low machined provision for a mini-reflex sight already there,in a $600 and something gun.
These sights are proven in competition,and moving into carry and military applications.
IMO,this trend,right now,for handguns is in its time about like scopes were for rifles late 50's.
They are not going away.
That loaded chamber indicator top center on the 2.0 slide might compromise low mounting optics.
And,since its :eek: a safety device,it trumps the low optic.Altering it will put you trembling before an interrogator in court,losing a 5 million dollar civil action for intentionally shooting a bad guy with a known loaded gun when the lawyer wants to prove its an accident so your homeowners insurance will pay.

IMO,the little hole between the barrel and the breech works fine,as in the M+P
 
wizzamen said:
Has anyone handled the new Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0, what did you think of the grip texture?

I found the grip texturing to be really rough (aggressive), which I believe will be a negative for many buyers.

I understand the aggressive grip texture will give you a better grip of the pistol, no custom stippling job needed with the M2.0. I believe mainly professionals (law enforcement, tactical firearms instructors) will love the M2.0, but I don't think the average gun owner will. The M2.0 reminds me of the Glock RTF, they had a small and loyal following but the average person didn't like them.

Whenever a new prospective handgun owner wants my advice on their first 9mm pistol, I take them to a local gun shop and let them try a few out. The original M&P usually comes out near the top because of how nice it feels in their hands, I don't see that happening anymore with the M2.0.
Click to expand...
I just purchased the M2.0 and found the grip texture to be too abrasive, so I simply swapped out the backstrap with a 1.0 backstrap. What a difference! I will also be adding the rubber talon grip to the front section of the grip to make it more comfortable for my other 4 fingers.

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I think the people that work with there hands (Like construction workers) have tuff skin, like the aggressive texture.

The guys that sit behind a desk all day on the computer might find it to aggressive?


I like it. Gives me a good secure positive grip for the next shot.

Just a thought.................
 
For me, yes, the grip texture was too rough. I do work indoors, but it wasn't about my hands. A large percentage of my carry time is in a suit, and I didn't really need the gun tearing up the inside of my suits. I don't know for sure that it would have, but I that was a risk I wasn't willing to take, given that I'd have had to trade off a perfectly good gun to finance it, and still have to sand down that texture. Now, if I had an extra grand to grab one and all of the necessary accessories . . . . I probably would.

Is it a mistake, though? I don't think so. I think S&W will make money hand over fist on the M&P 2.0 Compact. There are a whole lot of people who like the size & capacity of the G19, but would rather buy American-made products.
 
I have an M&P 2.0, and I love it. That aggressive texture keeps the gun firmly in place in my hand while it's being fired. None of that making small adjustments stuff that seems to happen quite a bit with my other polymer guns (2 Glocks and another S&W). It's not one of my EDC guns, so I can't comment on how it would feel carried IWB, but I can see how some folks wouldn't like it. Mine is the 9mm version, and I've seriously thought about buying the 40 cal version as well.
 
That might be a good slogan for the 2.0. "The working man's gun." I could be way off, but I would suspect most with "working" hands are going to have a strong grip to begin with while softer hands may not and also may experience movement and a cheese grater like sensation. Just my thought process....I've not handled the 2.0, so...my opinion is worth what you paid.
 
Not a fan of the new grip texture, but I rented one and it didn’t hurt to shoot it. No slippage on the grip while firing, but no pain either.
 
I fired my buddy’s 2.0 and liked it a lot, had it been the new compact buddy would have had hard time getting it out of my hands. The aggressive texture is one of the positive features in my opinion and aided me in shooting tiny groups with follow up shots coming quickly and accurately.
I’m not a macho man but no wimp either, “S&W done good”!
 
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