In the world of striker-fired “wonder nines,” no single pistol can claim the mantle of top dog. But two of the main contenders for this throne are the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 and the Glock 19.

Both of these guns are great 9mm options for concealed carry, home defense, and law enforcement applications. They both offer dependable, ergonomic designs that make them some of the most popular striker-fired pistols available today.

But that doesn’t mean they’re the same gun or suitable for every situation. Instead, the M&P 2.0 and Glock 19 each have some unique features. If these firearms are on your shortlist, those features could make all the difference in which one you choose. Let’s take a look at each of these polymer pistols to figure out which one is best for you.

(Source: https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/m-p-9-m2.0) 

The Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0: Background and Features

The M&P 2.0. has a storied past that dates back to 2005, when Smith & Wesson first introduced the M&P 1.0. But it needed some work. In 2021, they updated the design with the M&P 2.0, which featured an improved trigger and a more aggressive grip texture (among other things).

The M&P 2.0 comes in two different sizes. The full-sized gun gives you a longer sight radius and grip, which are useful for accurate and long-distance shooting. The compact version of the gun offers a smaller frame, slide, and barrel for better concealability.

S&W M&P 2.0: Key Features

Design

The M&P 2.0 is more of a weapon platform than a specific handgun. Depending on your goals, you can opt for a “full size” or a “compact” version of the gun.

Unlike most of the “wonder nines” out there, the M&P 2.0 has options for both polymer and metal frames. The polymer frame will be lighter, but won’t absorb as much recoil as the metal frame variant.

Ergonomics

The M&P 2.0 was definitely designed with ergonomics in mind. It has a flat trigger, which helps you position your trigger finger quickly. It also has an aggressive grip texture, which helps you keep a tighter hold on the gun. A tactile and audible trigger reset also informs you when the gun is ready to fire follow-up shots.

Trigger

The trigger is a big improvement from the 1.0 design. With the 2.0, Smith and Wesson opted for a lighter trigger pull than its predecessor, clocking in at 4.5 pounds to the 1.0’s 6.5 pounds.

 

S&W M&P 2.0: Use Cases

Striker-fired polymer “wonder nines” are some of the most versatile guns on the planet. As a result, the M&P 2.0 can fill several roles.

Concealed Carry

With impressive capacity for its size and a reliable striker-fired action, the M&P 2.0 is a great choice for a concealed carry weapon.

TIP: Stick with the compact version of the gun for this application.

Home Defense

If you’re looking for a home defense pistol, you should definitely consider the M&P 2.0. The full-sized version of the gun provides more purchase for your hands, making it a better choice than the compact version.

Law Enforcement / Duty

The “P” in “M&P” stands for “Police,” so you’d expect the M&P 2.0 to be a suitable duty weapon. And you’d be right! Thanks to its durable design and reliable action, the M&P 2.0 can stand up to the rigors required of a duty pistol. If selecting an M&P 2.0 for duty use, consider the full-sized version.

(Source: https://us.glock.com/en/pistols/g19)

The Glock 19: Background and Features

Gaston Glock changed the world of firearms forever when he released his first polymer handgun in 1982. In the decades since, every other major firearm company has released its own striker-fired polymer handgun to compete with this paradigm shift in weapons technology.

Released during the second generation of Glock pistols in 1988, the Glock 19 is the Toyota Corolla of handguns. Currently on its 5th generation, the Glock 19 may not be flashy, but it’s a workhorse with a proven track record. Whether you’re looking for a gun for home defense, concealed carry, or even a duty pistol, the Glock 19 can do it all.

 

Glock 19: Key Features

Design

The Glock 19’s trailblazing design set the bar for every wonder nine that followed. The pistol features a striker-fired design and gas-operated reloading system. This simple but robust design makes the Glock 19 one of the most reliable pistols on the planet.

Ergonomics

Gen 5 Glock pistols all share some common ergonomics. They have serrations on the front and back of the slide, giving you two different places to grip and rack. In addition, Glock removed its trademark finger grooves for its Gen 5 guns. This makes it easier for people with hands of any size to operate the firearm.

Trigger

Glock pistols have a reputation in the shooting world for having “mushy” and “inconsistent” triggers. Once you feel the trigger pull on a Glock, you’ll know what we’re talking about.

However, Glock has addressed this with their new line of Performance Triggers. With a crisper break and harder reset, the Glock Performance Trigger has fixed a lot of the shooters’ complaints.

Aftermarket Support

This is where Glock outclasses nearly every other gun manufacturer. There are tons of companies that make their own Glock components like slides, barrels, and triggers. Heck, you could even build a “Glock 19” without using a single part built by Glock itself.

 

Glock 19: Use Cases

Keeping up with its jack-of-all-trades reputation, the Glock 19 excels in nearly every situation.

Concealed Carry

The Glock 19 helped popularize the idea of a “concealed carry gun.” With a shorter slide and grip than the Glock 17, the 19 remains one of the best choices for concealed carry weapons in 2025.

Home Defense

Thanks to its thick frame, the Glock 19 doesn’t sacrifice too much grip space for concealability. If you have to fumble around in the dark to grab this thing (when your fine motor skills might fail under stress), the extra grip space makes it easier to handle. This makes it a great choice for a home defense weapon, or “nightstand gun.”

Law Enforcement / Duty

The short slide of a Glock 19 makes it easy to draw and aim quickly — essential for officers under fire. However, its shorter frame also means that this pistol may leave shooters with large hands wanting more vertical real estate in their grip zone.

(Sources: www.smith-wesson.com / us.glock.com)  

M&P 2.0 vs Glock 19: Head to Head Comparison

Now that we’ve looked at each of these guns individually, let’s see how they measure up against one another.

Ergonomics

It’s tough to say whether the M&P 2.0 or the Glock 19 has better ergonomics because it’s such a subjective category. Ultimately, the best way to determine which gun feels better in your hand is by holding each of them yourself.

The M&P 2.0 Compact and Glock 19 both have similar grip styles. Since they’re meant to be low-profile handguns, they have short, stubby grips. However, their frame also accepts double-stack magazines.

This combination can make compact pistols feel a little weird ergonomically. If a shooter has big hands, they may find that their pinky runs out of real estate on a compact pistol. Shooters who find themselves in this situation can use an extended magazine for a little extra purchase.

Plenty of shooters dislike Glock ergonomics in general. The Glock 19 has a blocky grip that can take a while to get used to — but once you do, holding a Glock can feel pretty natural.

As a rule, Glock pistols don’t have thumb safeties. Instead, they all have a safety located on the trigger of the gun to prevent accidental discharges.

But if you prefer a thumb safety, stick with the M&P 2.0.

Trigger

The difference between the M&P 2.0 and Glock 19 triggers also comes down to personal preference.

The M&P 2.0 does feature a crisper trigger than most Glocks. However, a Glock 19 with Glock’s upgraded Performance Trigger will have a noticeably crisper break than the M&P 2.0.

At the same time, it’s important to note that both of these guns feature a striker-fired action. As a result, neither of them are going to be as sharp as, say, a single-action 1911. Keep that in mind when choosing between either of these pistols.

Recoil

Recoil is the bane of any shooter, making it hard to re-acquire a sight picture and nail accurate follow-up shots. Fortunately, both the Glock 19 and M&P 2.0 have fairly light recoil.

Their low bore axis helps both of these guns in that regard. Bore axis refers to the distance between the top of your grip and the barrel of your firearm. A low bore axis functions as a short arm on a lever. The shorter the lever arm, the less force it exerts on its fixed point (your grip).

Since both the M&P 2.0 and Glock 19 have a fairly low bore axis (each less than 1.5 inches) both have fairly manageable recoil.

 

Capacity

Both the 9mm M&P 2.0 and the Glock 19 come with 15-round standard magazines, but each one has additional options.

While the largest Smith & Wesson magazine  only fits 24 rounds of 9mm, Glock produces magazines that can fit a whopping 33 rounds. Though it may look a little silly, you’ll hardly ever need to reload it.

TIP: Whether or not big mags are your thing (or if they’re illegal in your state), carrying extra mags is a must in just about any scenario that calls for a firearm.

Modularity / Aftermarket Support

Glock clearly outclasses the M&P 2.0 in modularity. Glock basically invented the modular polymer pistol, and as a result, the company has some of the most robust aftermarket support for any pistol money can buy.

Long story short, if you want to tinker with your gun, the Glock 19 is the way to go.

(Source: www.reddit.com)

M&P 2.0 vs Glock 19: Considerations for Concealed Carry

Since the M&P 2.0 and Glock 19 are both compact-sized pistols, they’re ideal for concealed carry applications. Here’s a look at how each pistol measures up.

Size and Shape

For concealed carry, the M&P 2.0 Concealed and Glock 19 are essentially the same size. The M&P 2.0 Full Size has a larger frame and slide, making it a less attractive option to carry concealed.

Frame Thickness and Comfort

The M&P 2.0 Concealed and the Glock 19 have extremely similar dimensions, and that includes grip size. Simply put, the grip zones on each of these guns will easily disappear under the right clothing.

Note that both of these guns take double-stack magazines, though. If you have a skinnier frame, the thickness of their grip areas may cause “printing,” meaning that the gun will be visible under your clothes.

 

Holster Selection

Holster selection is an extension of aftermarket support. Everyone and their mom is out there making Kydex holsters for Glock 19s. So you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Many are also making holsters for the M&P 2.0, but since it isn’t as popular as the Glock 19, there are fewer options.

Carry Position

Before the 2000s, there wasn’t a “standard” way to carry a concealed gun. Shooters often carried guns at any angle on their belts, and some of them even used shoulder holsters to hide a gun under a jacket.

But the last two decades have seen the rise of the “appendix,” or “appendix inside waistband (AIWB)” carry position.

This actually isn’t a particularly new way to carry a gun — people have been stashing guns in the front of their belts for centuries. But now, the majority of holsters designed for concealed carry are of the AIWB variety. That’s especially true of wonder nines like the M&P 2.0 and Glock 19.

Bottom Line

Both the M&P 2.0 and the Glock 19 are great pistols. Ultimately, neither one of them is “better” than the other.

Instead, when choosing between these two firearms, consider your goals, preferences, and suitability to your own style. After examining the specific factors that make each of these firearms unique, which will you actually use?

Practicing with a gun (and carrying it to figure out its kinks) is more important than any specific feature of the gun itself. That means getting out there and training with it. To do that, you’ll need ammo — lots of it!

Explore Pro Armory’s selection of pistol ammo — including 9mm ammo for self defense, range use, and anything in between. Buy in bulk or subscribe to 9mm ammo with Pro Armory to save more money per round.