One of Smith & Wesson’s product releases for summer 2024 is a special edition trio of Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Carry Comp handguns that all prominently feature a uniquely serrated slide, the M&P C.O.R.E. optics-ready slide cut system as well as a built-in ported barrel. These are not necessarily competition-oriented pistols, as the “Comp” in the name refers to the integrated compensated slide and barrel included with these models. There’s an ultra-compact M&P9 M2.0 Shield model, a standard M&P9 M2.0 Compact and a full-size M&P9 M2.0 Metal version. All three have a distinctive two-tone finish with a carbon-grey slide juxtaposed against a black frame.
Recently, I had the chance to take out the full-size M&P9 M2.0 Metal Carry Comp for a spin and put some rounds through it. I’ve never hidden my enthusiasm for the metal-framed M&P9 M2.0 series, and the new M&P9 M2.0 Metal Carry Comp definitely dovetails nicely with everything I like about these pistols: the naturally-pointing 18-degree grip, ambidextrous slide-stop levers and a slide that tracks wonderfully. In many ways, this Carry Comp model reminds me of the M&P9 M2.0 Spec Series version that I reviewed earlier this year. After, all, they are both aluminum-framed M&P9 M2.0 pistols with the Performance Center flat-faced trigger and the extended ambidextrous slide-stops. According my electronic trigger-pull scale, this gun’s trigger averages out at 4 pounds, 3.7 ounces for the trigger pull. Because the grip and frames are quite similar, I took a great curiosity on the Carry Comp’s upper half, which this gun’s unique proposition.
The Carry Comp Slide And Barrel
The machining on this stainless-steel slide, along with the carbon-grey Cerakote finish that looks absolutely stunning. Slide serrations on the Carry Comp differ from those on other M&P9 M2.0 models and along with the futuristic design of the Steiner MPS’ external housing, this combination of pistol and red-dot sight looks like a futuristic space blaster in a very neat way. Because the slide and barrel are ported, the included night sight sits further back in order to make room for the porting. Likewise, a series of slide cuts flank the primary dorsal cut. There’s another lightening cut about a half-inch behind the front sight in between some other millwork unique to the S&W Carry Comp slide.
Externally, the full slide profile of the full-size S&W M&P9 M2.0 Metal Carry Comp matches up with every other standard metal or polymer-framed M&P9 M2.0 that uses the regular 4.25-inch barrel. The same is also true for the barrel itself, however it comes with a twist. Unlike most 9mm barrels that have directly drilled compensating cuts, the barrel on the full-size M&P9 M2.0 Metal Carry Comp is counter-bored. Its rifling and crown are set back approximately .58-inch behind the muzzle so the area where the cut lies is surrounded by free-bore in front of the crown.
Live Fire With The Carry Comp
Breaking the routine from the last time I went hands-on with an M&P9 M2.0 Metal pistol, I skipped the included S&W C.O.R.E. optics plate system and instead to try the compatible Apex Tactical mounting plate for the Aimpoint ACRO/Steiner MPS footprint. Because I also mounted and zeroed a Steiner MPS red-dot sight (also something new for me), I made use of Apex’s Steiner MPS Super Clamp, which applies more force between the MPS’ housing the critical edge of the ACRO-style mounting surface for a more secure hold. Once zeroed, all of my shooting was done in conjunction with the Steiner MPS red-dot sight.
After mounting the Steiner MPS, I fired approximately 120 rounds consisting of handful of different 9mm factory loads including 115-grain Fiocchi Defense Dynamics JHP, 147-grain HOP Munitions coated RN, 124-grain Hornady +P Critical Duty, 124-grain Staccato Range FMJ and 147-grain American Eagle FP. I shot a mix of both hotter and softer loads because I wanted to see how they affected the built-in porting of the Carry Comp. Felt recoil can be very subjective and hard to quantify and I didn’t notice anything dramatic. I was however duly impressed with the manner in which the S&W M&P9 M2.0 Carry Comp handled the action-pistol focused 147-grain HOP Munitions rounds. In spite of the fact that it was my first time shooting this pistol, shooting those loads through the pistol made it seem as if the gun was already tuned for them and this resulted in the slide and dot tracking near perfectly every time.
