XDMAN GONZO REVIEW: Fueled by Ed Brown Smith & Wesson M2.0
Quick Answer
Originally published: December 16, 2021
The Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 is a full-size, striker-fired 9mm duty and range pistol. It runs a 4.25-inch barrel, holds 17+1 rounds, and comes optics-ready on many models with tall co-witness sights and four interchangeable backstraps. The M2.0 upgraded the original M&P with a more aggressive grip texture and a crisper trigger.
S&W M&P M2.0: quick facts
What is the M&P M2.0 capacity?
17+1 in the full-size 9mm; 15+1 compact and 12+1 subcompact.
What did the M2.0 improve over the original M&P?
A more aggressive grip texture, four backstraps for fit, an improved crisper trigger and, on many models, an optics-ready slide.
Is the M&P M2.0 optics-ready?
Yes on the C.O.R.E. / optics-ready models, which accept red dots like the Trijicon RMR/SRO or Holosun via footprint plates.
What are its key specs?
A 4.25-inch barrel (full size), about 17+1 capacity, tall steel co-witness sights and a polymer frame with interchangeable backstraps.
Strap in tight: Just when you thought there couldn’t be more, there actually is.
Look at it. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? It’s just so full-featured and well-made, it’s practically mesmerizing … yeah, the XDMAN‘s beard is a joy to behold. Nothing else would serve as the proper backdrop for your proper introduction to the Fueled by Ed Brown S&W M&P M2.0 series pistols! The Ed Brown treatment takes a terrific factory gun–the S&W, obvs–and gives it the Shelby Mustang treatment. In this gonzo, take-no-prisoners review straight from XDMAN’s epic beard, you’ll find out how Ed Brown Fuels this gun and why you need to take one for a test drive.
Reader Favorites
Firearms reference desk
Plain-English references worth bookmarking — the gear terms behind every review, plus NFA and carry law.
| Term | Category |
|---|---|
| Striker-fired | Action |
| MOA | Optics |
| Twist rate | Ballistics |
30 gun, ammo and optics terms explained in plain English.
Open the glossary → Network| 2026 at a glance | |
|---|---|
| NFA tax stamp | $0 |
| Permitless carry | 29 states |
| Suppressors legal | 42 states |
50+ NFA, carry and gun-law terms, from Freedom's Lodge.
View full chart →
