Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Compact 9mm vs Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Full Size OR 9mm

Same platform, same 1.16" width, same palmswell grip inserts, sized for two different jobs. The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Compact 9mm holds 15 rounds at 27.2 oz with a 4.0" barrel and a thumb safety. The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Full Size OR 9mm holds 17 at 29.0 oz with a 4.25" barrel and no manual safety. Overall length is nearly identical (7.3" vs 7.4"), so the size difference is grip height: 5.7" against 5.0". The Full Size is also optic-ready with tall white-dot sights and 0.8 lb lighter on the trigger (4.5 lb vs 5.3 lb). MSRP is $598 vs $699.

Pick the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Compact if:

• You are concealing it and the 0.7" shorter grip matters more than two rounds
• You want a thumb safety, which the Full Size OR does not have
• You want the $101 lower MSRP ($598 vs $699) and 1.8 oz less weight

Pick the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Full Size OR if:

• You want 17 rounds and the lighter 4.5 lb trigger
• You want a factory optic cut and tall sights that co-witness with a red dot
• It is a duty or home-defense gun where 29.0 oz and a full grip help control

At the same width and nearly the same length, this is a grip-height and feature decision. Carry favors the Compact and its thumb safety; shooting favors the Full Size OR.