Hey everyone, this is Shooting Illustrated bringing you another episode of “I Carry.” In today’s feature, we’re looking at the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Performance Center Carry Comp 9mm pistol and some related gear. Let’s take a closer look at this setup:
Firearm: Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact Carry Comp (MSRP: $799)
We’ve opted for a slightly upscale kit today, starting with the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Performance Center Compact Carry Comp pistol. As the name suggests, this is a polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm compact handgun with an integral compensator and ported barrel for recoil mitigation. The Performance Center enhancements include a tuned trigger, custom slide serrations and a custom finish, in addition to a Performance Center cleaning kit.
Operationally and dimensionally, the Compact Carry Comp has the same 7.25-inch overall length as the Compact model with the 4-inch barrel even though it has a 4.25 inch-long barrel. Height is 5 inches, width is 1.4 inches and weight is 25.4 ounces. It’s still easily concealable, of course; the grip is reduced from the full size to reduce printing, with capacity at 15 rounds rather than the 17 of the full-size model. Aside from the difference in barrel length, the Compact Carry Comp is .2-inch wider than the standard Compact, owing to the larger slide-release levers, and .4 ounce lighter, probably due to the lightening cuts on the slide.
Up top on the Compact Carry Comp are Smith & Wesson’s CORE optics-mounting system combined with a serrated rear sight and a tritium night sight up front. Differentiating the Performance Center model are the slide serrations that continue over the top of the slide, the lightening cut in the center of the slide as well as the large port in front of the front sight. The Compact Carry Comp is also designed with Smith & Wesson’s proprietary ClearSight cut, which the company claims diverts gasses away from the optic for more clear shooting. Since we did not include an optic in this kit we can’t verify on this handgun, but on previous Smith & Wesson M&P models with this same cut we did observe less fouling on the mounted optic.
Bottom line, of course, is whether the Performance Center upgrades are worth the slight increase in price over the standard Compact. There’s about $130 or so difference between the two, and for that upcharge you get the ported barrel, integral compensator, Performance Center tuned trigger and a cleaning kit. Whether that’s worth the extra money is a personal decision; the current M&P trigger is pretty darn good out of the box, but the Performance Center upgrade is even better. The Comp does help it shoot flatter, but a 25-ounce handgun shooting standard 9 mm really isn’t all that much of a handful to begin with. It’s certainly aesthetically enhanced and does offer more overall kit, so maybe that tips the scales. In any case, it’s another excellent striker-fired option from Smith & Wesson.
Holster: Falco Holsters TalonGuard Hybrid (MSRP: $109.95)
Building on the “slightly upscale” theme of the kit, we’ve paired the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Compact Carry Comp pistol with the new Falco Holsters TalonGuard hybrid kydex and leather holster. When you hear “hybrid kydex and leather holster,” chances are you envision a leather backing for increased comfort and a kydex shell for better retention, right? This has been the modus operandi for hybrid holsters for a while.
Falco has changed things up, meshing a kydex trigger guard with leather everywhere else, including the sweatguard. It’s a genius move, as the positive retention and audible click of the kydex trigger guard give the best of the kydex world, while the softer leather portion is less likely to mar the slide of your handgun, in addition to being more comfortable. In use, the kydex trigger guard gives excellent retention, yet allows for a quick presentation; the leather portion is slightly stiff, as all new leather tends to be, but will almost certainly break in quickly through daily carry.
Accessory: Leupold DeSoto Ballistic Sunglasses (MSRP: $189.99)
Since we’re on an outdoor range today, we’ve decided to round out our “moderately deluxe” carry kit with a pair of DeSoto ballistic sunglasses from Leupold. While we might not necessarily think of eyewear as an EDC item, a good pair is indispensable pretty much everywhere. Having a set of polarized glasses that are also rated against ballistic impacts means you’re covered at the range, too. Leupold’s process sandwiches the polarizing film in between lenses, so it won’t scratch off, in addition to a coating designed to help the glasses shed dirt and water.
The DeSoto line is engineered with a slight curve to better protect your eyes on the range, giving greater protection against flying brass and other debris that can present itself when shooting. For those that wear corrective lenses, the DeSoto line is compatible with prescription lenses. All Leupold eyewear comes with both a soft carry bag that can be used to clean the lenses in a pinch as well as a hard case for storage. There’s also a lifetime guarantee on the lenses, the same as for Leupold optics. Why not look good on the range while protecting your vision?
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