Hickok45 Tests M&P 2.0 Metal Compact Against Its Polymer Twin

Smith & Wesson's metal-framed take on the M&P 2.0 Compact gets the full Hickok45 treatment, with the channel putting the 7075-T6 aluminum pistol side by side against its polymer sibling to see if the upgrade actually changes anything behind the trigger.

Key points

• Frame material: hickok45 reports the Metal Compact uses a 7075-T6 aluminum frame finished in tungsten Cerakote, which he calls a clear aesthetic step up from the standard polymer gun.
• Weight and recoil: the metal version adds only a little heft over the polymer model, and in testing that extra mass may shave off a bit of perceived recoil, though shootability came out nearly identical between the two.
• Optics and controls: the pistol ships optics-ready via the CORE system and carries ambidextrous thumb safeties and slide controls, a flat-faced trigger with a short reset, and aggressive slide serrations.
• Fit adjustment: four interchangeable grip modules let shooters tailor the frame to their hand, something hickok45 highlights as a practical plus for a compact defensive pistol.
• Buyer caveats: hickok45 flags the higher price tag, a slightly thicker profile than the polymer gun, and the need to check magazine capacity, since 10-round versions may ship for restricted states.

Quick take

hickok45's verdict is that the M&P 2.0 Metal Compact is good-looking, accurate, and well-featured enough to stand out in a crowded compact 9mm field, even if the metal frame doesn't dramatically change how it shoots compared to the polymer version. Whether the Cerakote finish and marginal recoil edge justify the added cost and bulk is left for buyers to weigh for themselves.

Watch the full video: hickok45