S&W M&P9 2.0 CORE 5” Performance Center | Duty & Competition

Published on October 19, 2021
Duration: 23:20

This video provides an in-depth review of the Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 CORE 5" Performance Center pistol, presented by Roger Barrera of QVO Tactical. Barrera, an experienced firearms instructor and gear maker, details the pistol's features, suitability for both duty and competition, and shares his extensive range experience. The review covers performance in various scenarios, including low-light drills, competition matches, and handgun training courses, highlighting the pistol's reliability and handling characteristics.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 CORE 5" Performance Center is a versatile pistol suitable for duty and competition. It features a 5-inch ported barrel, optics-ready slide with Trijicon SRO compatibility, suppressor-height sights, and aggressive grip stippling. Extensive testing showed high reliability with no malfunctions over 800 rounds, though trigger pre-travel and extended slide stops were noted as minor ergonomic critiques.

Chapters

  1. 00:11Intro & Overview
  2. 00:54Introducing the M&P9 2.0 CORE 5" Performance Center
  3. 01:15Reviewer Transparency & Sourcing
  4. 01:50Detailed Specs: CORE Model & Optics Ready
  5. 02:10Grip Texture & Sights
  6. 02:26Slide Cuts & Barrel Features
  7. 02:34Accessory Rail & Weapon Lights
  8. 02:40Included Accessories & MSRP
  9. 02:56Aftermarket Magwell Addition (Springer Precision)
  10. 03:30Transition to Range Footage
  11. 03:43First Range Session & Initial Impressions
  12. 04:56Low Light Drills with Dynamic Target Solutions
  13. 05:04Dynamic Target System Explanation
  14. 06:40Weapon Light Techniques Practice
  15. 07:13Reviewer's Run on the Stage (Momentary Light)
  16. 08:18Stage Start & Shooting
  17. 08:51Stage Clear & Time
  18. 09:08Hit Analysis: Reviewer's Stage
  19. 11:15Paul's Run on the Stage (X300)
  20. 11:56Paul's Stage Shooting
  21. 12:12Hit Analysis: Paul's Stage
  22. 13:13Paul's Thoughts on the M&P Performance Center
  23. 13:42Reviewer's Thoughts on Grip Angle & SRO
  24. 13:59Trijicon SRO Durability & Features
  25. 14:17Optic Overhang & Gas Blowback Discussion
  26. 14:55Competition Match Footage
  27. 15:05Silver State Practical Shooting Club Matches
  28. 15:16Meeting Marco Kabahug
  29. 15:43Reviewer's Competition Performance
  30. 16:01Marco Kabahug Shoots the M&P
  31. 16:15Marco's Thoughts on the M&P Platform
  32. 17:05Marco's Final Thoughts on M&P
  33. 17:09Reviewer's Competition Recap
  34. 17:31Handgun Class with Britney May (Point Firearms Instruction)
  35. 17:51Class Drills & Training Benefits
  36. 18:12Post-Class Reliability Summary
  37. 18:44Ported Barrel Muzzle Rise Demonstration
  38. 19:13Lessons Learned from New Gun Testing
  39. 19:27Critique: Trigger Pre-Travel
  40. 20:09Trigger Fixes: Apex Trigger & Practice
  41. 20:39Critique: Extended Slide Stops
  42. 21:08Slide Stop Fix: Smaller Stop
  43. 21:16Overall Thoughts & Value Proposition
  44. 21:26Nostalgia & M&P History (Magpul Art of Dynamic Handgun)
  45. 21:51Duty vs. Competition Recommendation
  46. 22:04M&P vs. 2011 Comparison
  47. 22:21QVO Tactical Holster & Gear Showcase
  48. 22:41Axil GS Extreme Ear Pro
  49. 22:54Outro & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0 CORE 5" Performance Center suitable for both duty and competition?

The M&P9 2.0 CORE 5" Performance Center is designed for dual-purpose use due to its optics-ready slide, ported barrel for reduced recoil, aggressive grip stippling for control, and suppressor-height sights. Its reliability and accuracy, demonstrated over extensive testing, make it a strong contender for both professional duty and competitive shooting.

What are the key features of the M&P9 2.0 CORE Performance Center model?

This model features a 5-inch ported stainless steel barrel, an optics-ready slide with a mounting kit for red dot sights like the Trijicon SRO, suppressor-height sights for co-witnessing, aggressive grip stippling, and an accessory rail. It comes with two 17-round magazines and four backstraps.

How does the ported barrel on the M&P9 2.0 CORE Performance Center affect shooting?

The two ports on the 5-inch barrel are designed to reduce muzzle rise, allowing for a flatter shooting experience. This makes it easier to track the red dot optic during rapid fire and for follow-up shots, which is beneficial in both competition and dynamic shooting scenarios.

What were the main criticisms of the M&P9 2.0 CORE Performance Center by the reviewer?

The reviewer noted that the trigger had a significant amount of pre-travel, which could lead to an anticipation flinch. Additionally, the extended slide stops were found to be inadvertently depressed by the support hand's grip, preventing slide lock on empty magazines. Both issues have straightforward fixes.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Roger Barrera (QVO Tactical)

View all →