Love contrasting big bore cartridges with compact handguns? Meet the M&P M2.0 Compact in .45 ACP. (Photo: S&W)
Smith & Wesson is adding two new compact models to their M&P M2.0 series, now chambered for .45 ACP. The Compact line of M&P pistols is Smith’s all-purpose design for personal protection, whether it’s at home, conceal carry, or on the job.
The M&P M2.0 series is the updated, improved line of polymer-framed, striker-fired service pistols by Smith & Wesson. The guns are very popular with shooters of all kinds, from competition shooting to law enforcement and everyone in between.
The two models include one with and the other without a manual thumb safety. They otherwise carry the whole suite of M&P M2.0 features and the grips maintain the same shape and texture.
Like the 9mm Luger and .40 S&W M&P M2.0 guns before, the new .45s can be customized with small, medium-small, medium-large and large grip shells to better fit individual shooter hand sizes and preferences. They are lefty-friendly with ambidextrous safety and slide release levers and reversible magazine release buttons.
See Also: One of the Best Pistols of 2017: the S&W M&P M2.0 Compact
Even chambered for .45 ACP they’re still lightweight at just over 28 ounces unloaded. They have a standard capacity of 10+1 rounds with flush magazines. Since 10-round magazines are legal just about everywhere, the M&P Compact M2.0 in .45 ACP is also a great option for anyone who doesn’t want anything less than standard.
The manual thumb safety is optional as Smith & Wesson offers the pistols with a “no safety” option. The pistols still use a passive trigger safety. (Photo: S&W)
The two base models come with two 10-round mags and standard steel 3-dot sights. Smith & Wesson is also offering the “no safety” model in an “LE” package that comes with three magazines and tritium night sights for a little more. The MSRP is $569 which means real-world pricing at $500 or less!
Other features include a full-length accessory rail, forward and rear slide serrations, a lighter, improved trigger with audible and tactile reset and Smith & Wesson’s Armornite finish.
The slide, barrel, and chassis are all stainless steel and the chassis is extended to reduce flex in the frame. The grip texture is aggressive, but not irritating for everyday carry. It also has a low bore axis to help control the hottest .45 ACP loads.
The M&P M2.0 Compact series is tailored for shooters looking for their “one gun,” a gun for every need. Now that it’s available in .45 ACP, a lot of shooters can get their one gun in their favorite caliber. And for anyone who already has an M&P M2.0 Compact, it’s always a good idea to add cartridge options to your collection.
I purchased the m&p 2.0 45acp compact, do you have a recommendation for a good holster
Too bad they didn’t make it in an 8-round format like my Gen 1 MP45C, which is almost exactly G-19 size.
Yes, lightweight .45 ACP is harder to control, but doable with proper technique. Love the 1911, but I’ve never been a fan of carrying a steel five inch Government model all day.
I’ve got a SA lightweight five inch 1911 .45 that is quite handy, as well as a Gunsite/Colt CCO with the alloy frame.
I’ve also got a Gen 1 MP45 with the four inch barrel and 10-shot frame, I would call it mid-size.
At least S&W didn’t make something I just had to have. A 2.0 MP9 compact is in my future.
I carry a 7 oz Kel-tec loaded up with hopped up 380s in my back pocket. “Is it my wallet or my Kel-tec? Hahahaha
A 28oz in 45acp? How long does it take to get a second shot on target? Better yet, how fun is that to shoot a couple of boxes on range day? I will stick with my 1911
At an ounce lighter than an XD/S in 45 but a little easier to hang on to it probably isn’t bad. I regularly clean a 3 pin table at our local pin match in the low 2.2 second range with the XD/S and would bet I could run the M&P faster. It looks like a lot of fun to me and two rounds more at the same weight.
I’m disappointed s&w didn’t size this one like the 9 and 40 M2.0 compacts. 8+1 in the mag and the size of the glock 19 was the perfect 45 handgun for carry. This is not a compact, this is a carry size with a 4” barrel and full size grip. I guess the subcompact will be what I was looking for in 45 acp for the M2.0. Come on smith, really?
I agree. when I saw they had come out with a 45 “compact” I was reaching for my wallet. Good thing I saw the specs before I ran down to my LGS and put my name on one.
They had every opportunity to make a grand pistol…. and blew it. Taurus made one with 10+1 (PT145), why can’t anyone else?