Best Smith & Wesson M&P Models

Shopping for a new firearm is overwhelming because there are so many choices, but Smith & Wesson's flagship M&P series is a great place to start.

You want a duty pistol, AR, pistol-caliber carbine, or bullpup shotgun? The M&P line has what you need. With so many models, calibers, and options, there's a lot to sort through!

Today, we’re going to dive into the M&P line, look at its history, and walk you through the best Smith & Wesson M&P models we've used, tested, and come to trust.

Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Smith & Wesson M&P Models

For this article, we gathered a bunch of Smith & Wesson M&P pistols and carbines we've personally shot, reviewed, and owned here at Pew Pew Tactical. The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, as well as freelance writers, contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics, size, and experience.

For guns we have reviews on, we've linked those so you can read more. Every review handgun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo through it at 5 and 7 yards.

Meanwhile, every review rifle undergoes 500 rounds of practice ammo and heavier match-grade ammo at 50 and 100 yards with a 5-25x scope (unless otherwise noted). We require all AR-15s to be tested with at least 3 magazines to assess compatibility, and we use a Lyman Digital Trigger Gauge to measure the average trigger pull for all guns.

Best Smith & Wesson M&P Models

1. Performance Center M&P 9 M2.0 Compact Carry Comp - Best Overall

Best Overall

Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Compact Carry Comp

$799at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$799at Kygunco

GrabAGun (See Price)

Battlehawk Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 15+1
• Barrel Length: 4.22"
• Overall Length: 7.25"
• Weight: 25.4 oz
• Optic-Ready: Yes

The Compact Carry Comp earned top honors because it's just so dang versatile.

This pistol is small enough to be your EDC, large enough to shoot accurately at 25 yards or more (with training), reasonably priced, and far more refined than your average carry gun.

Is it a Glock 19 Killer? The Compact Carry Comp is sized like a Glock 19 but it feels much, much better to shoot.

It's better than the original M&P9 M2.0 Compact, too. The Performance Center trigger and integrated compensator make a significant difference.

This pistol feels like a compact gun on your waist but it shoots like a full-size M&P thanks to the longer barrel (just 0.03 inches shorter than a full-size M&P barrel) and built-in compensator. Mount your optic and light of choice on this thing and you're in business.

The slide is optic-ready and comes with adapter plates included. Smith & Wesson also provides four sizes of backstrap inserts and a nifty Performance Center cleaning kit.

Not looking to spend that much? There's nothing wrong with the base-model M&P9 M2.0 Compact. It was our top EDC pick until the Carry Comp hit the scene, after all.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact

$545at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$545at Kygunco

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Check out our review of the M&P9 M2.0 here.

2. M&P 9 M2.0 Metal - Editor's Pick

Editor's Pick

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Metal

$779at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$779at Brownells

Kygunco (See Price)

GrabAGun (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 17+1
• Barrel Length: 4.25"
• Overall Length: 7.4"
• Weight: 30 oz
• Optic-Ready: Yes

Here's a gun that has become an office favorite at PPT headquarters: the M2.0 Metal. Bringing a metal-framed vibe to the M2.0 lineup, it features a T6 aluminum frame that's absolutely top-notch.

While the added weight does make it slightly heavier, that isn't a bad thing.

A little extra weight does wonders for recoil mitigation, and this couldn't be truer than with the Metal. Seriously, this is a flat shooter.

We were nailing targets at 7 yards with no problems whatsoever -- not to mention zero reliability issues.

The sights are also metal (notice a theme here?) in a white, three-dot configuration with serrations on the rear block to mitigate glare.

The Metal sports some nice curves that fit even large hands and a nice beavertail to protect from slide bite. Overall this gun feels fantastic! It's light and well-balanced.

The Tungsten Gray Cerakote is also a nice touch and elevates the looks of this pistol.

Want more? The full video review below has all the details, as does our written review.

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3. M&P .380 Shield EZ - Best for Easy Racking

Best for Easy Racking

Smith & Wesson M&P380 Shield EZ

$339at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$339at GrabAGun

Kygunco (See Price)

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Capacity: 8+1
• Barrel Length: 3.68"
• Overall Length: 6.7"
• Weight: 18.3 oz
• Optic-Ready: No

I was skeptical about the M&P380 Shield EZ but, after helping a friend teach a few handgun classes and going to the range with a few of my friends, I changed my tune. This little pistol rocks!

Our bodies are all different, and that includes hand size and grip strength.

If you have small hands, you might struggle to get a proper grip on larger-framed pistols. If you struggle with dexterity or grip strength, racking the slide on a typical 9mm pistol can be a real obstacle to ownership. The M&P380 Shield EZ addresses both of those challenges.

If that sounds relatable, Smith & Wesson designed this pistol with you in mind. Redesigned from the ground up, the M&P380 Shield EZ is, in my opinion, one of Smith & Wesson’s greatest ideas to date.

Convenience features include a grip safety, tactile loaded chamber indicator, and easy-load magazines.

On top of serving people who might have trouble racking slides or managing recoil, the EZ serves a secondary group: those who like a manual safety.

The M&P380 Shield EZ fills that niche perfectly with both a grip and manual safety. As an added bonus, there's no hinged trigger to deal with.

Even if you don’t fall into the target audience, the Shield EZ is a fun gun to shoot with very little recoil.

For a full look into the Shield EZ, read our review here or check out the video review below!

What do you think of the EZ? Rate it below!

4. M&P 45 Shield M2.0 - Best .45 ACP

Best .45 ACP

Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield 2.0 NTS

$347at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$347at GrabAGun

Midway USA (See Price)

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Capacity: 6+1, 7+1
• Barrel Length: 3.3"
• Overall Length: 6.45"
• Weight: 22.9 oz
• Optic-Ready: No

Here's one for the .45 ACP loyalists because 9mm didn't win back-to-back world wars.

The M&P45 Shield M2.0 is a beast of a concealed carry gun. It’s slightly larger than its 9mm counterpart and only holds one less round, but rest assured that there's plenty of stopping power in that stubby magazine.

This little pocket gun can carry six or seven rounds of .45 ACP, depending on which magazine you're running. That’s pretty substantial for something so compact!

With great power comes great recoil, so its grip texture is more aggressive than the 9mm shield variant.

It's designed and optimized for concealed carry. The Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield M2.0 is the perfect concealed carry gun for people who carry a big-bore pistol or no pistol at all.

5. M&P Bodyguard .380 - Best Micro-Compact

Best Micro-Compact

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380

$269at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$269at GrabAGun

Kygunco (See Price)

Brownells (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Capacity: 6+1
• Barrel Length: 2.75"
• Overall Length: 5.25"
• Weight: 11.9 oz
• Optic-Ready: No

We’ve all experienced times when we wish we had a little something extra. Walking down a dark alley, going for a nighttime jog, or even just taking out the trash.

The Bodyguard .380 may look like a toy, but it's a seriously potent firearm. Besides, if you say you’ve never fantasized about an ultra-concealable gun for high-speed and imaginary spy missions, you’re lying.

This micro-compact pistol is perfect for deep concealment or pocket carry.

The trade-off to having such a concealable weapon is that it will take some extra training to acclimate yourself to shooting such a small firearm. It's really tricky to shoot well.

You can, however, shorten the learning curve a bit by getting a Crimson Trace Laser model.

For more deets, read our review here!

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6. M&P 15 Sport III - Best AR-15

Best AR-15

Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport III

$749at Sportman's Warehouse

Prices accurate at time of writing

$749at Sportman's Warehouse

Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore (See Price)

GrabAGun (See Price)

Midway USA (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO
• Capacity: 30+1
• Barrel Length: 16"
• Overall Length: 35"
• Weight: 6.5 lbs
• Optic-Ready: Yes

Don't forget that the M&P series includes more than just pistols -- there are carbines, PCCs, and shotguns, too!

The M&P 15 Sport III is Smith & Wesson's answer to the demand for affordable AR-15s that offer more than bargain-basement components. This carbine is one heck of a value proposition.

For less than $700, you'll get a solid platform for your journey into the world of AR customization.

Factory upgrades include a free-floating hand guard with Picatinny and M-LOK mounting points for accessories, a six-position adjustable buttstock, and a respectable trigger that measured just over three pounds in our testing. That's pretty nice for the price.

This is a definite step up from the M&P 15 Sport II. We're not sure how they made it less expensive, but we're glad they did because this is an awesome AR for first-time buyers.

If and when you get the modding bug, you can help yourself to all kinds of AR-15 accessories and upgrades, thanks to the standardized platform.

Want to know more? Hit up our in-depth review and watch the video to see it in action!

7. Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 - Best 5.7 M&P

Best 5.7

Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7

$627at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$627at GrabAGun

Kygunco (See Price)

Sportsman's Warehouse (See Price)

Palmetto State Armory (See Price)

Specs

• Caliber: 5.7x28mm
• Capacity: 22+1
• Barrel Length: 5"
• Overall Length: 8.5"
• Weight: 26.7 oz
• Optic-Ready: Yes

Rounding out our list is the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7. Since its beginning, the 5.7x28mm has been an interesting caliber. Though most manufacturers have shied away, Smith & Wesson dove straight in with its M&P 5.7.

This pistol offers decent ergonomics and proved to be accurate and reliable during our range testing. It averaged 2-inch groups while shooting at 7 yards, and we saw no malfunctions or stoppages.

While customization options are somewhat limited, its ergonomics and price make it a viable option. With a 22+1 capacity, it's a fun plinker if you can afford the ammo.

Otherwise, it would be a decent option for home or personal defense -- though its overall size would make it a bit more difficult to conceal.

You can catch our full review on the Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 for more details.

How to Pick the Best Smith & Wesson M&P Model

These are all great options, so how are you supposed to pick just one?

Start by asking yourself why you're in the market for a new gun in the first place.

If you're looking for a do-it-all carry pistol, the Compact Carry Comp can handle CCW, home defense, and range day duties. Want something with more flash and finesse? The M&P9 M2.0 Metal is fine machinery worthy of the premium price tag.

Our subcompact and micro picks are great for deep concealment and times when you aren't too concerned about using an optic or light. There are even extra heavy-hitting and easy-racking options.

The M&P 15 Sport III is the latest and greatest AR-15 carbine from Smith & Wesson. It's priced to sell but you'll get a few nice upgrades over entry-level Ads.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

Leading the research for this article is former Pew Pew Tactical author Justin Chang. Justin is a firearms enthusiast who alternates between the tactical world and competition shooting. He started shooting when he moved to Texas and has since been thoroughly immersed in all things that go bang. In his free time, he can be found researching everything from guns to ballistics to Gucci gear.

Editing this article and adding to it is freelance editor Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Smith & Wesson did a bang-up job with the M&P line. It’s one of the best places to find awesome firearms that are trusted by everyone from average citizens to law enforcement and professional competitive shooters.

Some will serve you better than others, depending on what you want them to do, but there are no bad choices.

The bottom line is that M&P is good to go out of the box.

Did we miss your favorite M&P model? Let us know in the comments below. Interested in something new from Smith & Wesson? Check out our Smith & Wesson Response review!

Latest Updates

January 2024: Removed Smith & Wesson Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 and M&P9 M2.0 Compact. Added Smith & Wesson Performance M&P9 M2.0 Compact Carry Comp and M&P 5.7.