Big Blue’s Spec Series

Packages. Everyone is excited when packages come, especially around the holiday season. Firearms manufacturers agree with that sentiment. This season, especially compared to recent years, companies have ramped up the options to consumers. Sometimes companies have reoccurring themes with their package deals (think Springfield’s Gear Up promo). Smith & Wesson is another company that offers yearly packages that place the end user in mind.

Spec Series

Big Blue’s Spec Series takes the M&P 2.0 series and adds gear to enhance a carry loadout. In the past, this has included extra magazines, a blade, a hard case, and a challenge coin. While this was always a nice package for the price, the gun was always a standard M&P with the C.O.R.E. optic mounting system. This year, Smith upgraded the package.

S&W’s Spec Series is coming from their highly respected Performance Center for the first time. Not only that, but the base model also comes from the M&P Metal series. The consumer is now getting a package centered around a high-quality pistol that has been improved to handle hard use in training and carry.

Overview

At first glance, the 2023 Spec Series gun is striking. It is not the typical black of Smith’s polymer guns, nor is it in the gray livery of the metal series. Smith instead went with an olive drab Cerakote finish. The finish protects the metal underneath and gives the gun a distinctive look that separates it from the competition. Another noticeable feature is the addition of a compensator on the muzzle. S&W partnered with Faxon Firearms of Cincinnati, Ohio to produce a comp that mates perfectly with the M&P slide. The compensator helps with recoil management and faster follow-up shots—essentially helping the gun shoot flat. With the pistol’s Performance Center pedigree, the trigger has been tuned to meet exacting expectations.

The slide is optics cut and uses the C.O.R.E. optic mounting system that relies on plates to mate a variety of optic brands to the slide. Additionally, the slide is equipped with suppressor height sights for co-witnessing purposes in case the optic malfunctions. Something many fans will truly appreciate is the inclusion of four magazines—two 23-rounders and two 17-round flush magazines. Outside the need for a holster—the gun pistol is range-ready.

Finally, the kit wouldn’t meet Spec-Series aspirations without a blade and challenge coin. The coin is more for collecting purposes. But if in need of one so as not to continue picking up the tab at the local watering hole, this will suffice. While the coin is more novelty, the blade is practical. It is a Karambit-style style blade that has a 2.25” edge and a Kydex sheath.

Final Thoughts

Smith’s 2023 Spec series is sure to be a hit. It also might be the best one to date. The M&P Metal is popular and provides a nice upgrade over its standard line. The inclusion of extra magazines, the compensator, and the knife round out what is meant to be an ideal defensive setup. Another positive is the price. For right around $1000 the end user is getting a package that adds value, especially when compared to the competition. The 2023 Spec series is available now.