I’ve been a fan of Smith & Wesson for more than 20 years. I’ve yet to find a production revolver that matches the quality of a Smith & Wesson. But I’ve been slow to come to their M&P line. I like the guns. They feel great. But I was simply not as impressed by them as I was by the revolvers and rifles.
I understand this is my problem, and not Smith’s. And I’m here to tell you that I’m finally coming around to the M&P pistol. Their new C.O.R.E (Competition Potics Ready Equipment) line is well thought out. I’ve had a chance to shoot and handle them at the SHOT Show in Vegas this week. And I’m impressed.
The slide is milled for a standard reflex sight. Mounting one doesn’t require any modification of the sights, either, as they’re both out of the way and tall enough to co-witness with most of the red dots.
Smith has also modified the texture of the grip. As you can see above, the back strap is much more aggressive. These new pistols are listed for $729. They’re available in 9mm and .40. You supply the optic.
Their new Performance Center 1911s are also worth noting. The bob-tailed 1911s are showing up more on production guns this year, especially on the commander length 1911s. The simple cut on the grip frame feels a bit more contoured, but the real purpose is to knock off a corner that often prints when a 1911 is concealed.
Both of the new versions are strange looking. The cuts in the slide help to lighten the gun and dissipate heat. And the colors you see is how they will begin shipping. The price on the one pictured above is $1,539.
On the other side of the booth, I found this gem. While it is, at heart, an AR-10, the M&P 10. Details are not up on Smith’s site, yet. But it is a .308 dipped in RealTree. The controls are all ambidextrous.
The rifle is clearly designed for hunting. While that would seem obvious to most Guns.com readers, it isn’t obvious to everyone. Never hurts to remind some folks that ARs do have legitimate sporting purposes.
This is just a teaser on the new Smiths. We’ll be getting in one of the M&P C.O.R.E.s to put through the paces. And maybe some others, too.
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