In case you just got out of a coma or escaped one of those “Castaway” style island setups, M&P has been bringing the heat with the 2.0 line. In a major break from how gun companies normally operate, Smith and Wesson didn’t fix one or two perceived flaws from the original version to the 2.0 version. They fixed all of them. Instead of, you know, spreading it over 5 generations or something like that. I like to think it went something like this.
Executive 1: Time for a re-launch, anybody got an idea? Besides Flat Dark Earth. Tom, we know about the damn FDE.
Executive 2: Well sir, we did have some input over the last ten years from the consumers and end users.
Executive 1: Intriguing. Real complaints, or paint chip eaters on the internet?
Executive 2: Real ones, sir. From guys that shot more than a box or two of ammo over that decade.
Executive 1: Alright then, sounds like a plan. Give them what they want. Make the corrections.
Executive 2: Which ones, sir?
Executive 1: All of them. Fix all of them.
(All executives in the room gasp, and it goes deathly quiet.)
Executive 3: But what about the M&P 3.0 in two years? And what about the stock price?
(Executive 1 presses a button on his desk. Conference room doors open slowly and henchmen enter. For some reason, the henchmen are Jerry Mickulek and Julie Golob, dressed in Armani suits with jackboots.)
Executive 1 ( To Julie and Jerry): Kill him where all the workers can see it.
(Executive 3 screams as he is dragged from the room. The doors reclose as his terror fades down the hall.)
Executive 1: Fix all of them. Are there any more questions?
It probably wasn’t that cool, but it happened nonetheless. I have covered pretty much everything in the new 2.0 line from initial release here, to the new 9C here, to the new 2018 line up here. But one thing I never had a chance to shoot, in either the original or 2.0 line up, was the .45 ACP model. And this week, that was corrected.
.45 ACP seems to have fallen from favor in American circles, which in my opinion is a shame. I don’t care what the FBI says, there is no substitute for mass in a projectile. As polymers have slowly taken over the pistol market, .45 ACP has also given way to 9mm. There are some other polymers in .45, to be certain. But most of them seem like an afterthought, a chunky scaled up version of the 9mm gun. A double stack .45 briefs well, but in practice is often like trying to hold a 4 x 4 post with a trigger.
Smith and Wesson wanted to build a .45 with ergonomics close to the rest of its line up, which is a tall order. And in most ways, they succeeded. The M&P .45 might not have been a sales dynamo, but to discerning clients, it did make waves. I knew several SWAT teams back in North Carolina that preferred the M&P.45, since by nature of the job they might be called on to actually use it.
The new 2.0 includes all the same great features as its smaller 9mm and .40 S&W sisters. The frame has an internal steel skeleton, to increase rigidity. Instead of 3 replaceable backstraps, you now get four for perfect sizing of the gun. All 2.0 models have an option for a 1911 style thumb safety. And of course, an improved trigger.
The test model of .45 we received also had a few other bells and whistles. First off, the gun is Flat Dark Earth in color, which is a nice change from the normal black. Second, our tester featured Tru-glow TFX sights. These sights are a combination of tritium and fiber optics, making them hard to miss in any light conditions.
As far as ergonomics go, Smith & Wesson did an excellent job. It’s hard to tell you’re picking up the one chambered in .45 ACP, not 9mm. As far as matching the other guns from the line, this one does a bang-up job.
But it does come at a price. The magazine capacity is only 10. I had to double check that I didn’t get a California gun. Looking back to the original M&P model, this is just max capacity for the .45. So on the positive side, the 2.0 is backwards compatible magazine-wise, just like the other M&P’s. But your capacity is matched by a 1911 with an extended mag, which is a bit of a hard sell in a hi-capacity world. Still, if you prefer the reliability of a polymer gun and the feel of a double stack, you can shoot big boy bullets.
Performance wise, the M&P did not disappoint. For caliber, it eats recoil very well. The sights lived up to the hype, they really draw the eye in. Hammering targets with a Fiocchi 230 grain ball was pure joy with the M&P. For a striker-fired gun, the trigger is pretty clean. I’m not a bullseye master, but for a service gun, the M&P was plenty accurate.
If you are looking for something a little different, .45 ACP is a good place to go. And if you are invested in the M&P family of weapons, I don’t see how you could say no to this one.
Visit Smith & Wesson to learn more about the M&P 45 2.0 by clicking HERE.
I guess I am partial to H&K’s started out with a P9s 9mm and got some S&W 9 mm that shot well – but now that I’m retired – I have to make choices for $$$ that count. It seems that for quality the Germans do it better than anybody . Stihl chain saws are like Timex “they take a licking & keep on ticking”. The thing I liked about the P9s H&K was that it didn’t have a magazine disconnect and you could shoot the one in the chamber (if necessary) while changing mags. So, I guess that we’ll have to wait for the after action reports to get a real deal on M&P 45. What ever happened to accuracy being more important than mag capacity?? No matter what you carry – you need to put enough rounds through the gun to be comfortable with it. Don’t judge a marriage on only the “honeymoon”.
I thought for a minute S&W had actually read my emails but alas, no 5″ barrel, no hi cap magazines. Hopefully there will be a 3.0 KEEP WORKING ON THE TRIGGER
My wife handles the M&P very well. Once in a while I think that I should just lose some money and trade in the Glocks for newer makes and models. But nothing shoots like a Glock in my hand or a Model 12 off my shoulder. I keep a G30 where my appendix used to be, a G21 in the cabin and truck, and a G20 in the boat.
Thanks for the review though, weapons and ammunition keep evolving. My Model 12 has had a steel-shot-worthy upland barrel smithed for modern use. Looks and points the same as always. Finest shotgun ever made for me.
Well I beg to differ. The M&P 45 has been my agencies issued pistol since 2009. S&W spent 8 years trying to fix the original guns issues. There were over 30 armorer bulletins put out in the last 8 years. We finally traded the originals in for the 2.0s. Much better pistol esp the trigger. However, there are still issues with getting empty mags to lock the slide back, mags dropping free during a string of fire nd a few others that have popped up. We are fortunate that we shoot a lot so we see the potential flaws pop up more than the casual shooters. Great pistol but it isn’t perfect.
Since NY went totally to the left under the un-SAFE Act under Gov. Commie and his crooked cronies I switched to the .45ACP for EDC. I reasoned that if I have to have a firearm with reduced magazine capacity it will shot a large caliber combat proven round, of course I also have a couple of loaded spare mags on me jic. As Clay so aptly demonstrated training and muzzle control with this round are essential for follow up shots. I looked at the M&P 1.0 version when it first came out but now will have to go to my LGS and compare with my EDC to see if there is a reason to upgrade. Thnx Clay – btw you really looked like you were enjoying your ‘big boy’ mag dump 😉
When the hell did they go to cardboard boxes!?! Both my full size and Compact 2.0s came in a nice custom fit hard case smh!!!
Interesting but “So?” Another version of the .45acp Officer’s model. Got one from Colt. It shoots fine and is very accurate.
Why should I spend for a plastic replica of something I already have?
I had an original S&W M&P .45ACP with a safety that I was not fond of. The grip was too slick and it had a 7.75 pound trigger! It was crisp but far too heavy in my opinion! I traded it for a 2.0 with a safety and the trigger on the 2.0 is 6.4 pounds. Better but still no cigar! However I like the grip a lot more, so I guess I’ll keep it!
I am partial to S&W. For a few years they went through their bad times with poor quality control and kow towing to the anti gunners, but they are back in full force in quality and service. As an example, I have an N frame .357 that has had thousands of rounds shot through it, some of them pretty stiff. It eventually came up with a head space problem, Caused by me, and had been a safe queen for a few ears. I contacted S&W about it with out any sugar coating as to why there was a problem. I received word back that i would be sent a shipping label prepaid, and they would evaluate the revolver. If I decided I wanted no work done they would ship it back free of charge. I was prepared to wait weeks for a reply. In less than two weeks I received a reply that they would refurbish the gun for $80.00 which included return shipping. I gave an affirmative reply and settled in to wait. Three weeks later I received my gun back completely refurbished, including the barrel set back to .0004 flash gap, a new hand, cylinder star, and all new springs. This was done on a gun that was bought in 1969. My out of pocket expense was $40.00. It don’t get any better than that
Thanks for the review Clay. I love your stuff.
I am all M&P.
M&P15
M&P15/22
I shoot M&P9, 15, and 22 in competition.
And carry a 9C or Shield9
Any word on S&W coming out with a PCC9 ?
PCC’s are Getting popular in IDPA, 3Gun, etc.
I would love to have one.
So I can use my pistol mags in it?
I have various .45’s including a couple of 12+1 HK USP variants. At the end of the day my absolute favorite is the Ruger American 8615 10+1 .45. I imagine the S&W is more accurate punching paper based on reviews I have read. Still, the Ruger has the better trigger by far and is the lightest recoiling .45 I have fired after the S&W 25-2 .45acp revolver.
I have an M&P C.O.R.E. 9mm that I installed an Apex hard sear in which made the trigger very good. Yet, the M&P seems to feed recoil back to the trigger finger which has made it unpleasant after a box of ammo is fired. Did you have such an experience with the trigger on this new 2.0?
Not available in the Peoples Republik of Kalifornia… But that’s ok, we still have our 1911 Colts here behind the lines in ENEMY territory!
No doubt this is another fine gun from S&W but I can’t see any reason for more hype ! Add a different color to make it look more Military and you’ve got the same old thing in a “ cheap Cardboard box” . My son has a 9mm version of the 2.0 which I shoot ok but that same old trigger that feels like a broken chicken leg turns me away with the first pull. Other than that it’s like most manufacturers that keep bringing out another, “All New, Another Same Old Thing” in a different color. Nice gun, it just doesn’tblow my dress up ! Mikey
Is the trigger made of plastic too? From the casting seam on it, it seems to be. Call me old fashioned, but the last thing I want is a plastic trigger.
I’ve had the m&p 45 for years. I always liked it, but after a custom trigger, stipple job, and tritium sights it’s actually better than my 2.0 version. Which also does not suck.
No Hammer!
No Safety!
No 15 Round Magazine!
A Piece of Junk!
Buy an FNX-45!
I have small hands and My FNX-45 fits perfectly! I carry it 18 Hours a day!
The recoil is the same as a 9mm!
No hammer!
No safety!
No ability to enter the 21st Century!
Get real. No really, get real! DA/SA’s are ancient tech!
Might just as well stick to a 1911 and practice your mag changes.
M&P45 Width is about 1.18″
Glock 17 Width 1.18″
FNX 45 width is about 1.55″
Glock 21 width 1.34″
Basically you get a polymer 45 ACP in the same form factor as a double stack 9mm.
So of course the capacity will be lower.
No safety? All preference. But there is a model that has a safety.
No hammer? Again all preference.
I have the M&P45 and a G21. M&P is much easier to carry. The G21 is the better shooter. Both the FNX and G21 are big heavy guns with lighter recoil.
The FNX dimensions has more in common with the Glock 21 and XD45.
As far as junk, neither the Glock or M&P magwells have gone squishy squishy (look up the video lol)
Joking aside all 3 guns are solid. The M&p45 carries like a MP9 or Glock 17 though.
FN cant make a reliable service pistol if their lives depended on it. They are the epitome of junk.
S&W make a 14rd extend mag for the 45s. Carry the flush mag in the gun and the extended in the mag pouch or tac vest.
I entered the Army when the .45 still reigned supreme. It’s been a love affair ever since for me.
The .45ACP, in plain ball form, leaves a hole in Mr. & Mrs. Bad Guy bigger than most of the best expanded 9mm HP offerings out there.
I have the 1.0 S&W .45 and will be adding the 2.0.
(On a side note, I do own one 9mm. A S&W Model 39, complete with threaded barrel & silencer, that fought in “Nam with my Uncle Henry; Green Beret MSGT Henry Garrison that went over in ’62 under Kennedy, not coming home until ’72).