The pistol under review is a Smith and Wesson Military and Police 2.0 large frame pistol, similar to the M&P .45. There are two versions of the M&P 10mm, a 4-inch barrel and 4.6-inch barrel. Each features the same full-size grip and 15-round magazine. The pistol I chose was the 4.6-inch barrel handgun. It was simply the first I was able to locate.
The 4.6-inch barrel pistol is the better choice as a go-anywhere do-anything hunting, defense, and competetion pistol, while the shorter pistol may be easier to conceal — by .6 inch. The pistol features suppressor height sights and a flat faced trigger, along with slides delivered optics ready.
My example features an ambidextrous safety. Smith and Wesson offers a total of four models — the short and longer barrel versions with/without a manual safety. I like the manual safety as I am used to the 1911. The safety falls under the thumb easily and is positive in operation. If you don’t like the safety, you may ignore it or order the pistol without a safety.
I like the Smith and Wesson 2.0 improvements. It isn’t all about looks. The pistols feature a more aggressive grip texture. The trigger action is considerably improved. Trigger compression is smooth and sharp with a rapid reset.
The pistol is delivered with a total of four grip inserts to accommodate different hand sizes. With a pistol of this size, the difference in hand fit is important, and it is worth trying the different grip inserts. All the pistols (so far) are all black with Armornite nitride finished slides. The slide and barrel are stainless steel under the finish. The pistols are shipped in a cardboard box with two 15-round magazines, manual, and grip inserts.
This isn’t a heavy handgun at just under 30 ounces unloaded. This gave me pause. A 40-ounce 1911 in 10mm offers noticeable recoil. I wanted to see how Smith and Wesson handled this. An advantage of modern polymer technology is seen in the price of the pistol, less than $700. The pistol is as attractive as the price tag.
The pistol has many features that make it perhaps the most modern polymer-frame striker-fired pistol. The grip frame itself is interesting. Near the base of the grip and the center of the long side of the magazine are half-crescent cutouts. These are designed to aid in removing a stuck magazine. A tool is located in the base of the grip.
Rotate the tool and the grip strap insert is easily removed. I used the insert marked small during firing. I like the balance of abrasion and adhesion on the grip. The abrasion doesn’t hurt the hand when firing but if you do not wear a T-shirt, the abrasion may feel rough against the skin. A T-shirt under a sport shirt and the pistol carried in an inside the waistband holster is ideal.
Makers have learned that a cutout near the juncture of the trigger guard and grip helps to lower the pistol’s bore centerline. This is a good addition. The pistol features a modern frame rail with plenty of real estate for mounting your chosen combat light.
The ambidextrous safety lever indents smartly. When drawing and firing, the safety falls under the thumb easily. Engaging the safety during tactical movement is simple enough. The slide lock is easily operated. However, since it is protected by the frame, you will not accidentally actuate the slide lock during firing.
The pistol features forward and rear cocking serrations. The front of the slide is nicely beveled, which makes for easily slipping the pistol into a holster and aids in press checks. The M&P 2.0 features raised sights that allow a co-witness with a red dot sight.
The CORE mounting system is supplied with seven polymer mounts. The polymer mount isn’t a concern, as the red dot screws into the slide. The system is well done and allows using several popular red dot sights. I did not explore the red dot option at this point.
The sights are well regulated for personal defense firing on the money with the six o’clock hold at 15 yards. Disassembly is easy. Lock the slide to the rear, clear the magazine, and check the chamber. Rotate the takedown lever, lower the slide, press the trigger, and the slide assembly runs off the frame.
Then, pull the recoil spring assembly out and slip the barrel out of the slide. The flat recoil spring assembly is one reason the pistol is comfortable to fire. The new trigger is a great improvement over older Smith and Wesson Military & Police handguns. The trigger features the usual blade-type safety that must be depressed completely to press the trigger. Compression is 5.2 pounds — excellent for a striker-fired pistol. Reset is sharp. This isn’t the clean trigger found on the SIG P210 or quality 1911, but it is a very good striker-fired trigger.
The pistol was lightly lubricated along the frame rails, muzzle end of the barrel, barrel hood, and cocking block. I had on hand the Federal 200-grain SWIFT, Fiocchi 180-grain JHP, and Magtech 180-grain loads. As with most handguns I test, I had performed a pre-range dryfire routine. Just the same, the first shots were nothing to brag about.
I noticed recoil was lighter than you would think, lighter than any 10mm 1911-type I have fired. As I concentrated on the third magazine of Magtech ammunition, I fired a magazine at a 7-yard target with all but two in center mass and then a fast two to the head. That is excellent performance.
The pistol never failed to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. The initial range session was promising. During subsequent range work, I fired the pistol at longer ranges, fired from below eye level (an excellent test of reliability), and fired for absolute accuracy. With most loads, the Smith and Wesson Military & Police 10mm pistol will group bullets into 2.5 inches or less at 25 yards.
Among the loads tested was the Federal 200-grain SWIFT. This load is designed for high accuracy and deep penetration against deer and boar. It delivers on both counts. The Fiocchi 180-grain JHP is available in 50-round boxes. This load fragmented in water testing. It would be a formidable home defense or personal defense loading.
Holsters
The M&P 10mm will slip into most M&P .45 holsters but be aware of the tall sights. I used a Galco Yaqui Slide during most of the evaluation. This is a useful belt slide adjustable to fit several handguns. I also used the Falco nylon inside the waistband holster with good results. Holsters should not be a problem for this new handgun.
Ammunition Testing
Load | Velocity (FPS) | 25-yard group |
| Magtech 180-grain FMJ | 1,154 | 3.0 |
| Fiocchi 180-grain JHP | 1,202 | 2.5 |
| Federal 200-grain SWIFT | 1,070 | 2.25 |
Ballistic Testing
Load | Penetration | Expansion |
| Federal SWIFT | 32 inches | .56 inch |
| Fiocchi 180-grain JHP | 20 inches | Fragmented |
Specifications
Caliber: 10mm Auto
Frame: Polymer
Action: Striker-fired
Height: 5.6 inches
Overall length: 7.9 inches
Weight: 29.6 ounces (unloaded)
Width: 1.3 inches
Conclusion: M&P 10mm Auto
The M&P 10mm is going to make its presence known in the market. It isn’t often I find a handgun with such a well-defined lead over its competitors. For home defense, personal defense, hunting, or defense against dangerous animals the 10mm Smith and Wesson should be at the top of the list.
10mm fans are not the biggest cross-section of shooters, but their love for the cartridge is as powerful as the full power load. Are you a 10mm fan? How does the Smith and Wesson 10mm compare to your favorite? What is your favorite full power load? Share your answers in the comment section.
Fiocchi’s JHP, left, fragmented, while the Federal SWIFT drove deep. Both are good choices for different chores. Federal offers other loads and Fiocchi loads a 10mm with the XTP bullet. 
Smith and Wesson’s Military & Police 2.0 10mm is a nice-looking handgun and a formidable pistol in every way. 
Field stripping and maintenance was simple enough. 
Galco’s Yaqui slide is a good fit and came in handy during the range trails. 
Smith and Wesson did its homework/research and testing and evaluation with the recoil system resulting in an easy-to-use pistol for a 10mm. The pistol features a ramped barrel that supports the cartridge case head more so than some pistols. The M&P 10mm is fun to shoot. Recoil isn’t unpleasant when the proper technique is applied. 
Falco’s nylon inside the waistband holster makes concealing the S&W 10mm possible under just a pulled-out sport shirt. The pistol is light enough if a bit long. The author gives high marks to Smith and Wesson’s new trigger design. Smith and Wesson’s pebble grain grip treatment was excellent. It offered plenty of hand purchase without making shooting uncomfortable. The author explored the supplied grip inserts and found them a valid resource for shooters. 
With the Inforce combat light, the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 10mm makes a formidable home defender. 
Smith and Wesson offers plenty of red dot sight bases with the pistol. 
Smith and Wesson’s sights are high profile and easily acquired quickly during firing drills. 
The magazines are high quality and proved reliable. 
The pistol is surprisingly easy to shoot well. 
Firing the pistol to slide lock from low ready did not cause a malfunction. Smith and Wesson’s new 10mm pistol is a sensation in most ways. 
Firing off hand, the S&W 10mm gave a good showing. 
This may be called vehicle braced! 
Firing from below eye level is a test of any firearm.
I have a S&W M&P 2.0 10mm, Springfield Ronin 10mm, and a Glock 20 and 40, 10mm. The S&W has been ultra reliable with every thing I have thrown in it. I carry it on the farm daily rolling around under equipment in a OWB Blackhawk Holster with a Holosun 507Cx2 on it. Both look like hammered crap but work every time. Had to send the Ronin back to Springfield to get it to cycle but they fixed it and it works great now. I don’t think you can make a Glock not be reliable but I have enough faith in the S&W that carry it every day and it has impressed several wild hogs with Hornady 180 grain XTPs.
I own a Glock 20, Glock 40, Springfield XDM 10mm and a Rock Island 10mm in a 2011. The Glocks are reliable and take what you throw at them without fail. The Springfield is something else. It has a lighter spring and therefore any round that is outside of maybe a 180gr is not going to do well at all. I have also heard that the spring catch on the barrel can get chipped and broken. I have seen wear on mine and since they no longer make these I am thinking of trading it it. I’ve also run into challenges with full mags not seating easily. If you load to 14 rounds you’re fine, but if you put 15 in be prepared to force it in and by force it in I mean hold with 2 hands and force it. You can’t just slap the end of the mag and seat it. Replacing the sights on the XDM is extremely difficult and if you want to do it on the check expect to use a punch and a hammer. The Rock Island seems to have a lighter spring in it as well. If you are using a 165gr or lighter it will eject the brass into low earth orbit. Easy fix, just replace the spring.
I’ve shot S&B 180gr, Magtech 180gr, Underwood 165 gr (1500fps), Underwood 135gr (1800fps) and home rolled ammo of 165gr, 135gr and 180gr out of all of these.
I am considering replacing the XDM with the S&W or the Sig p320.
“Jammomatic”. My 4.6” 10mm is unreliable. When the slide slams back the magazine pops out. Did this repeatedly. I’m not touching mag release. Also, with 2-3 rounds remaining in mag, the gun jams, driving round into top of slide. Very disappointed. Gun ships with 17 lbs recoil spring. Perhaps the slide is cycling too fast and hard. Will try a 22lbs spring. Perhaps pistol was engineered for light 10mm rounds, or to have the weight of an optic on slide. Any way it’s not reliable, my Glock 20, 10mm doesn’t jam.
I was very excited to see the new S&W 10mm. I had a S&W 10mm when they made them 30 years ago, then went with Glock 20 after that. Really like my other M&P pistols and hoped they’d make a 10mm version.
That being said, I’d like to see a standard sight version without the MOS slide cut for a little lower price.
S&p 10 mm 2.0 4.6 barrel I want to purchace
David B
Thanks for reading!
Yes this is an exciting pistol!
Bob
Ahhhh…
I missed that it t was killed for a red dot. The suppressor height sights make more sense now.
Chris. Are you certain you are not riding your thumb into the slide lock during recoil. A common problem with hard kicking handguns
Haha, yeah…you sound super stoked… I can just feel the exuberance coming through
The “Suppressor Height” sights are there so that when you mount a red-dot optic they’ll still be usable – they’ll co-witness through the aperture of the red dot sight. Standard height sights will be blocked by the base of the red dot sight.
I am considering buying the M&P 10mm mainly because I am 10mm fan. I too wondered about the suppressor height sights. Will S&W sell barrels threaded for suppressors? I would rather they offer a model with such a barrel and high sights and one without and conventional sights.
Glad you had a good experience with yours. I have sent mine back to Sw twice and it still has issues. Slide is continually locking back with ammo still in the magazine. Not happy at all.
Glad you had a good experience with yours. I have sent mine back to Sw twice and it still has issues. Slide is continually locking back eith ammo still in the magazine. Not happy at all.
I got my 10mm 2.0 right after they were offered. Been shooting it since. All I can say is love it, love it, love it!
I have added a Holosun 507C and a Baldor 800 lumen light. I’m set to shoot in all conditions. Everything carries well in a Werks IWB holster.
You can tell by my mail address I am, and always will be a 10mm fan.
Great job S&W!
I only carry a 10mm when I travel the Appalachian Mountains. Either a Glock M29 or a Springfield Armory 10mm TRP 1911.
I choose my loads for muzzle energy. I carry several magazines with different loads.
The one in the gun is usually a mix of Glaser/MagSafe for two legged predators.
But when Trout fishing I swap to some Underwood Extreme Penetrator. Sometimes I load Hornady HTP for an “in between” load.
I think actually, the ideal all around load is the 10mm INCEPTOR ARX. For me, that’s also an extremely accurate load out of both Glock and 1911.
As an NRA Instructor for 35 years and a former US Army Infantry Captain, I feel well armed for any eventuality. But I totally agree with the comments above as well.
Stupid to put the suppressor sights without including the threaded barrel.
I’d also love to see comparisons between the M&P, the TRP SA 1911 and the Glock M29. Along with the loads I listed but especially the ARX.
When I carry the Glock I usually like to also have a couple of 15rd spare mags from a M20, which is very comforting. Otherwise in the 1911, I carry three spare mags. Different loads in each.
Scott and TWo45
The sights are sighted in properly. I would think that these sights allow a cop witness with a red dot mounted. Maybe I will be able to mount something at a later date.
Nice gun but good luck trying to get extra magazines for it!
Great article! Just picked one up and can’t wait to trst it out. I haven’t seen any downsides to the tall sights. Easily fits in .45 holster. They do however enable you to cowitness with a red dot installed which was very important to me. The Fenix rail light fits perfectly on the 4.6”. This gun was an easy choice because I already have the .45 version and love it: 15+1 capacity!, ambi safety (a must imo), optics ready (won’t find on the Glock), price, grip inserts, I could go on and haven’t even fired it yet!
I wonder why they put suppressor height sights on it?
You’re generally not running a suppressor on 10mm (although I run a suppressor on everything since still cuts down on the noise for the shooter), plus it doesn’t come with a threaded barrel.
Just kind of an odd choice to me.
Why suppressor sights? IMO the 10mm is far from being a candidate for
use with a suppressor. Looks good otherwise.
I would love to see a 10mm comparison with the S&W, the Glock, the Springfield, and a 1911 platform! Make it happen please and add any others in that realm of quality and cost. Full stats would be awesome to see!
John
Nice article. What about the Grand Power p40L in 10mm? I think you should compare the two…for yourself, if nothing else.