Cole Partnerships and ATEi Launch the Hybrid

“Originally my intent was to find a way to get a Glock 19 sized M&P,” starts Matt Cole, owner of Cole Partnerships and Training. A long time M&P user, Cole was searching for a way to blend the full size and compact/subcompact versions of the Smith & Wesson workhorse in order to have an easily concealed EDC pistol with a long sight radius.

Through a strategic partnership with custom gun modification shop Sweaty Muddy Bloody, Cole learned that modifying the frames of the M&P, especially grip length reductions otherwise affectionately known as “chopping the frame”, was notoriously difficult. In contrast to a Glock, where the grip portion of the frame is rather easily modified with a small amount of epoxy and some grinding, the M&P has varying backstraps and a takedown tool near the magazine well. All of this must to be accounted for prior to reducing the grip. Cole wanted to devise a way to have the best of both worlds: a full size slide on a compact body with as little modification to the frame as possible. The end result after several years of research, design, and testing is The Hybrid.

Cole linked up with one of the gun industry's leading machinists, Doug Holloway of Michigan based ATEi, to produce the Hybrid.

Because the locking lugs on the M&P models from the 9c, to the full size 9mm, to the CORE series are all in the same location, the ability to swap slides is relatively easy. However, placing a longer slide on the 9c frame results in a gap near the front of the pistol due to the shortened picatinny rail section that exposes the recoil assembly to the elements. Over time, any debris that would find its way into the recoil assembly would impede the action of the gun.

Why not just create a bolt-on piece of picatinny rail? Cole explains that he didn't want users to have to purchase new holsters or accessories. The goal was to create as few disruptions to your existing setup as possible.

“Our intent was to use the original factory guide rod assembly with it,” Cole said. However due to the way that Smith & Wesson's guide rod fits into the assembly, there were problems with a consistent fit once the Hybrid was in place. To get around this, the Hybrid includes a new 303 stainless steel guide rod assembly from Speed Shooter Specialties and a factory spec 24lb ISMI spring as part of the package.

We found that once installed there is a still an extremely small gap between the Hybrid and the frame but it appeared to be negligible.

The Hybrid even works on the 9L or Pro slides, so if you are going for the RoboCop length pistol on a small frame, this is the ticket.

Made of solid 4140 steel the Hybrid is chamfered on one end so that it must be installed correctly for proper function. It is easy to install, no gunsmithing needed, but if you run into any issues, installation instructions will soon be found of the Cole Partnerships website.

“If you can field strip the gun and clean it,” says Cole, “you can install the Hybrid.”

We found the only hangup during installation (if you can call it that) was working to keep the unsecured spring in the guide rod assembly from shooting across the room. All it requires, however, is a little patience and strong hands. Once we got the hang of it we encountered no further issues.

Color wise, this piece is mainly offered in the standard black nitride finish. However, since ATEi also does quite a bit of nickel boron plating, the Hybrid will come in that finish as well.

We were told that over 1000 rounds of various loads from 115g and 124g FMJ to 124g+P HST and 135g+P Hornady have been fired through the production sample and no malfunctions of any sort have been noted, but only time will tell if the Hybrid stands up to years of abuse.

Available as of January 25 through ATEi exclusively (just call the shop), the Hybrid has an MSRP of $125.

Cole Partnerships and Training can be found on the Web, Facebook, and Instagram.

ATEi also has a website, Facebook page, and Instagram feed.

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2016 SHOT Show
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January 19–22, 2016
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Friday, January 22 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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