Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal 3.6: First Impressions

Today I finally got my hands on a pistol I’ve been waiting on—the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal 3.6. I’ve been wanting this gun for a while. I’m a big fan of the 2.0 series and already have the polymer version of this exact size. So when the metal frame dropped, I picked one up right away.

This is a first look, real-use review. No clean-up, no prep. Just straight out of the box and out back for the first 100 rounds.

What Comes in the Box

Here’s what’s included:

• Two 15-round magazines

• Interchangeable backstraps

• Shim-style optic mounting pieces

• Tools and screws for adding a red dot

This one only comes in a gray finish. I would’ve preferred black, but that’s just personal preference. Either way, it feels solid in the hand. A lot heavier than the polymer version, and you can feel the difference right away.

Setup Before Shooting the M&P 2.0 Metal 3.6

I didn’t clean or lube the pistol before heading out. I like to see if it can run straight from the box. If it was test-fired at the factory, it should be ready to go. And if a gun can’t handle that, what happens when it gets dirty or dropped?

The front sight looked slightly off to the left, but I didn’t stress about it. I figured I’d check it with calipers later and just shoot it as-is for now.

First Impressions of the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Metal 3.6

We put 100 rounds through the metal 3.6 without a single malfunction. I didn’t run any special ammo.  No lube. No adjustments. And it ran great.

The gun feels flat shooting. It tracks well, and the front sight consistently returns to target. We were about 13 yards from an 8-inch target and had no problem staying on it.

I’m a big fan of the way this pistol points. That’s one of my favorite things about the M&P 2.0 line, the grip angle just works for me. It’s one of the reasons I can shoot it well.

Ambi Controls and Left-Handed Use

As a left-handed shooter, I pay close attention to ambidextrous features. The ambi slide release on this gun is easy to use. Not all ambi controls are created equal, but Smith and Wesson got it right here.

The magazine release can also be swapped to the right side. I haven’t done that yet, and probably won’t. I’m used to running it with my finger, and it works just fine for me.

Trigger Feel and Sights

The M&P 2.0 trigger gets some mixed opinions. It has a fair amount of take-up, but it hits a clear wall and breaks clean. The reset is quick, and if you’re used to riding the reset like I am, it feels predictable.

One complaint is that I don’t like the three-dot white sights. I wish it came with a green front and blacked-out rear. My eyes don’t pick up the white dots well. I’ll probably take a Sharpie to the rear sights and black them out. That is not a big deal, but worth mentioning.

Quick Comparison: Metal vs Polymer Frame

The metal frame obviously adds weight compared to the polymer version. That added weight helps with recoil and makes it even flatter to shoot. It’s the same size, but it feels more planted in your hands.

I also brought the 4-inch metal comp version to compare grip feel and sight pictures. Again, the green front sight on the comp model stands out better than the white sight on the new 3.6.

Final Thoughts After 100 Rounds

This is a very good shooting pistol. It’s flat, tracks well, and feels balanced. I had no malfunctions. Dropped it, got a little dirt on it, and it just kept running. That’s exactly what I want to see.

The sights are my only real complaint. I’ll make a quick fix with a marker and move on. I’m used to the M&P 2.0 trigger, so it felt familiar. It is solid for a carry or range setup.

We plan to put 1,000 rounds through this gun, just like we’ve done with others. I don’t expect any problems, but we’ll find out. It’s already a little warm, but that’s to be expected when you run a few fast mags.

Looking forward to shooting it more this weekend. Jack’s going to run a few mags through it next. If you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments.

Want to See the First 100 Rounds?

If you want to see how the M&P 2.0 Metal 3.6 handled on its first day out, check out the full video on YouTube.