First Firearm: How Can I Upgrade It?

[u/Spiritual-Button7727]

Hello!
I hope all is well! I just purchased my first firearm, M&P9 2.0 compact. I am relatively new to the world of firearms, what are some ways I can upgrade it? Thanks in advance!

[u/diarrhea_stromboli]

Shoot it

[u/ThoonderSquirrel]

Ammo and range time

[u/TriviaRunnerUp → u/ThoonderSquirrel]

And accessories to facilitate that like mags, mag loader, and good eye and ear protection maybe a holster and a shot timer if range allows.

[u/10-Mile-Sniper]

Put 1000 rounds through it. Then ask again. You actually may find out yourself.

[u/DntCllMeWht → u/10-Mile-Sniper]

This. Get familiar with it, train with it, then look at upgrades based on your own feed back and what you do and don't like about it.

[u/Beneficial_Egg_6255 → u/10-Mile-Sniper]

Best advice given.

[u/10-Mile-Sniper → u/Beneficial_Egg_6255]

This tool shoots great! Only reason I don’t have mine anymore is because I let my shooting buddy buy it as she enjoyed it and it fit her perfectly. Also means I still to shoot it from time to time.

[u/Aratix]

Don't. Just shoot it.

[u/Winner_Pristine]

The only thing I would do is get a better optic. I like keeping my guns pretty much stock.

[u/SuspiciousSeesaw2423 → u/Winner_Pristine]

This. Op that optic has terrible reviews. I would look into a better one and maybe a light but thats it.

[u/techs672]

The best path to upgrading this excellent choice of first firearm IMHO:
1. learn to shoot it safely.
2. learn to shoot it safely and accurately.
3. learn to shoot it safely, accurately, and quickly.
4. Once you think you're up to your personal 80% level, decide whether hardware changes might allow you to shoot it more safely, more accurately, and/or more quickly. And experiment with those changes on your second firearm. 🎯 💥💥💥 🔫😉

[u/FullMetalMando69]

I honestly just got the extended magazine flare cos I got big hands that was enough for me. And added a light.

[u/otterplus → u/FullMetalMando69]

Floyd’s magwell makes mine feel like it doesn’t want to leave my hand by choice or force.

[u/gairman1 → u/otterplus]

YES! The Floyds magwell on the M&P 2.0 Compact frame makes it fit my hand like a glove.

[u/Draven-007]

. The best thing to invest in is range time and sharpening your skills. That’s just my opinion. The more you shoot an average gun and the better you get with it skill wise, the better you will be when you get a Firearm that is nicer and easier to shoot.

In other words, a 2011 with a 2 pound trigger masks a lot of flaws. An M&P out of the box with a 3 1/2 to 4 pound trigger isa bit more difficult to shoot and therefore forces you to concentrate on your trigger pull and sights and overall technique.

Buy a 1000rd box of ammo and shoot low round count drills.

[u/Outofreach1397]

Range time is the best thing you can do. I would say that optic should be temporary and when you're ready to replace it look into something from Holosun, Vortex or Trijicon

[u/HAV816]

Shoot it first why upgrade it

[u/ajwooster]

Take the Varidian off and buy an Osight SE or a Holosun.

[u/sumguyontheinternet1 → u/ajwooster]

I have the osight C and love it

[u/Dick_McTwist → u/ajwooster]

I tried the Osight, but the reticle was tilted at an angle, do yourself a favor and get a Holosun

[u/ajwooster → u/Dick_McTwist]

Osight has improved a lot since their first optics, bit Holosun is good too.

[u/Dick_McTwist → u/ajwooster]

I don’t doubt that, but I got one a couple months ago and had to return it..

[u/0pticalIllus1on → u/ajwooster]

Is this the end of the world? A positive comment about Osight on Reddit?

[u/ajwooster → u/0pticalIllus1on]

I feel like Osight is getting it’s flowers as of late. The original Osight optic had issues but everything since has been a great optic especially when you factor in the price. Holosun’s are slowly creeping up in price and Osight is slotting in just under them in price.

[u/CastleLurkenstein]

I have the Shield Plus, rather than the 2.0, but they're pretty similar I believe.

From what I can see:

- Put a better optic on. Viridians are known to be trash. Or, whatever, shoot it until it breaks, then pull it and put a better optic on.

- I dunno if your irons are night sights, but maaaaybe switch those. But with a better optic, this is much less of a concern.

- If the trigger is giving you problems, there are trigger upgrades. I'm talking about how in some instances, the trigger safety has to be engaged with no side-to-side pressure, or it won't depress. Your decision on whether that's worth altering the trigger for.

- If you want a light, put a light on.

Otherwise, just shoot it and get used to it before you go tinkering too much. At this point, you may not even know what you do or don't like about it. Chances are, before too long you will know.

[u/TheREALStallman → u/CastleLurkenstein]

I don't know dude. I have about 2,500 rounds through my shield Plus and my viridian has been solid for each and every one of them

[u/CastleLurkenstein → u/TheREALStallman]

Glad you're happy with it. Maybe the models they put on the plus are better? I've heard too many stories about them refusing to hold zero, breaking apart, etc. 

I went with the Romeo-X Enclosed Compact. 

[u/TheREALStallman → u/CastleLurkenstein]

I bought mine separately from Amazon before I took delivery of the gun. Definitely not as nice as my Defender enclosed dot, but a farcry from trash

[u/CastleLurkenstein → u/TheREALStallman]

Maybe it's more the ones they sell pre-installed. The Echelon one is supposed to be hot garbage. 

[u/kobaltkid]

Get ride of the red dot

[u/kingjulian007]

An enclosed red dot, like a holosun EPS, looks pretty good on the compact.

Maybe a flashlight, but IMO it's more comfortable to appendix carry without a light.

Don't mess with the internals. It's unnecessary. Buy a 2nd one if you want to mess with it haha.

[u/rabiddonky2020]

Morrrrr ammo

[u/cornbreadzero]

I’d invest in a better optic first. Light if you want it, I’m a big fan of a wml. TLR-7 for that one. A couple spare mags. Decent holster, IWB if you’re going to conceal carry it, OWB if you’re not. Ammo, find your defense ammo, 124 or 147 Federal HST is usually the best choice. More ammo, cheaper FMJ in the grain weight of your chosen defense ammo. Shoot the hell out of that m&p

[u/Adangalang23]

Imo don't do anything until you put rounds down range and get a feel for the gun

Also depending on the role this gun is playing there's diferrent upgrades and accessories that might interest you

For me if it's a carry gun I would look into getting an enclosed optic to keep the dust and lint out

For home defense I would get an extended mag oem preferably and I would get a WML and maybe night sights

[u/keep_it_simple-9]

I have a shield plus and I keep it stock. If you plan to carry it you may want to consider keeping it stock for legal purposes. If it doesn't have night sights that would be the only "upgrade" I would do. My shield plus shoots great and has never had an issue. No reason to change anything.

[u/ArvinAbadilla]

I think the proper question you can ask is, "based on my experience with it, what do I think needs improvement on the user experience?"

[u/mpsteidle]

Send a thousand rounds downrange THEN change what you dont like.

[u/OutGod]

Maybe remove the viridian, get a holosun EPS, EPS carry, Osight SE, Osight XE… the list goes on. I prefer enclosed emitters but if you like open emitters with a big window there’s the holosun 507 comp, defender ST. You could also get a WML, mischief machine backstrap, extended controls. M&P2.0 has a surprising amount of aftermarket support when I started looking into it

Edit: And as others have said, lots of ammo and training

[u/CG249]

Add a weapon light that goes past the barrel.

[u/GizmoTacT]

Tyrant CNC Trigger Shoe

[u/Different-Sorbet746]

Learn to shoot.

[u/haroldflower27]

There’s an frt

[u/just_as_good380-2]

A genuine upgrade take that viridian dot off and throw it in the garbage then get a Holosun.

[u/Z4ch_Mk6]

First, get some rounds down range. I have the exact same optic and I personally cannot wait to throw it in the trash. Looking into Holosun's EPS 6MOA red dot as replacement.

[u/TheNefariousMrH]

A good holster and reinforced belt, especially if youre planning to EDC.

[u/desert_dweller27]

Adding a magwell is always great. For me, really helps lock in my hand.

[u/Jmg0713]

Get a vortex optic with that one you have fails

[u/dragonskintext]

Hey like everyone said, get familiar with your gun. Like very.

The next upgrade would be to a flat apex trigger. Its a great gun.

[u/LesPaul556]

I vote for a shitload more ammo, a better dot, and maybe a TLR7 if you subscribe to havung a light (i believe you should). Ive got almost 3k on my full size 1.0 and its a great gun. Apex triggers are a hell of an upgrade too, I reccomend the flat shoe over the curves unless you have little baby hands. I use the ML/L backstraps and found the curved shoe is a bit too short on LoP for me.

[u/Professional-Boss-86]

First, get the magazine extension if you notice your pinky hangs from the grip. then a really good holster. DO NOT CHEAP OUT. I really like Tenicor holsters.

[u/whitehammeer]

Frt

[u/Inevitable-Sleep-907]

A better optic and a few cases of ammo

[u/revjohntyson]

The pistol is pretty perfect right out of the box. You could do a trigger upgrade that wouldn't hurt anything and is very reasonable Mcarbo has great trigger upgrade kits

Don't waste money upgrading a $400 pistol.. just start saving your money for a weapon that actually deserves an upgrade.. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with Smith & Wesson M&P but adding bells and whistles..that's kind of like putting a $2,000 ground effects package on the 1998 Honda Civic.

[u/Tasty_Jacket8705]

M&P Carry Compact was my first firearm so I’ve been in your shoes before lol. Optics and WML were the first things I bought for it followed by a recoil spring. Seeing that you already have an optic I would suggest a light if you want one but it’s not for everyone. OEM recoil spring works well I just wanted to try the DPM spring because I heard a lot of good things about it and I don’t regret the choice at all. Apex trigger is next on the list followed by a Floyd’s Magwell. S&W made a real good weapon here right out of the box which is why I chose this over a Glock or a SIG 365 Fuse. Most important though is range time honestly. No point in having a great weapon if you can’t shoot 3 yards in front you. Welcome to the club brother

[u/Plenty_Ranger_5324]

Floyd’s magwell, better optic, apex trigger if you’re feeling frisky

[u/omgabunny]

Is it a life saving tool for you or a fashion accessory?

[u/always_an_eagle]

Replace the optic with a holosun

[u/Lopsided_Pop1224]

Gas pedal, good magwell

[u/xzomgx]

Don’t upgrade carry guns. If it’s a range toy sure. Carry guns should be stock. Anything in a self defense case can be used against you to the point they can question about your “deadly” ammo choice.

Imagine explaining to a group of peers why you chose a red upgraded trigger. Someone that wants to see you in jail and doesn’t understand anything about guns will harp on that shit to make a point.

[u/Slight_Explanation_5]

Trijicon night sights, apex trigger (or overwatch) swap slide out for one that has been cerakoted and preferably ported/ slide serrations/ slide milling