Another alternative is the T-MB. Most will use the 2 or 3 I as a driving iron, but you can get a complete set. 2 degrees will add 2 degrees of bounce and otherwise gain about 5 yards (with 4 degrees between clubs and 10 yards between clubs for the math). Is the 5 yards worth changing how the club interacts with the turf? How bad do you need the distance? It comes down to control. The AP3 will gain some distance but could lose some shot-shaping.
Each individual is so wonderfully unique, that a split set of AP2/AP3 or AP2/T-MB for the longer irons may be a better answer than adjusting the loft of a full 3-P set.

Get to a certified Titleist fitter... Lots of good advice here, but no on there can see your swing, ball flight or get your instant feedback.

Agreeing with Todd here. I would absolutely go and get fit. AP2's aren't exactly forgiving. Forgiveness is important.

You can play AP2. I play AP1s and I play to a 6. I could easily go AP2, but I like the added distance and forgivness

I always get fitted by Titleist,
It’s been AP2 irons the last 4 years for me.
714, 716 and now 718.
The last 4 years, my handicap has went from 24, I got down to 6 then back up to 11 last season with a bad shoulder injury.
Ive never had a problem with forgiveness in the AP2 irons.

If you like the look of the AP2, and hit it well in a simulator, chances are that confidence will transition well when you tee it up. Although the AP1 and AP3 might give you slightly more yardage and forgiveness, that's not everything. Sometimes the look and feel of a club are just as important.
If you like the AP2, I'd trust your gut. Good luck.

I may be wrong, but I believe the Ap2 is the only forged club you hit out of the bunch. May be as simple as you like that softer feel. I have the 718 Ap2’s and love them. I transitioned away from blades, so they feel extremely forgiving to me while also giving me a similar blade look at address. It really is important to get fit. I initially loved the look of the Ap3, but after hitting them I couldn’t stand the amount of offset.

I am in the same boat now. I game the 695MB’s and looking for more forgiveness now. I am a scratch golfer. How is the workability?

Mike, I had the 695MB’s before I went to the AP2’s and it was a great switch. I’m around scratch also, and can work these just as well. Nothing quite like hitting a blade pure, but the AP2’s are just way more consistent. I do recommend the 718’s over previous models because the top line is thinner. Also, the AMT white shafts are incredible if you haven’t checked those out. GET FITTED!!

I just picked up 718 AP2's this year. My first new set in 13 years and I couldn't be happier. I play to a 9 and I'm sure I could go lower, but I suck at putting. I tried the 3's and other brands and came back to the 2's. I lost a little distance, but with the accuracy and feel is second to none. I did add a TMB 4 iron to the top. I would have done the 5 iron as well, but that wasn't in the budget.

Play your game and go with what you will be happy with. Don't regret your purchase in 2 months and say...."I wish I would have purchased XXXX"

Another option is to blend the irons together if you aren't sure you have enough forgiveness at the top. I did this with the AP2 (P-7) and AP3(6-4). I still play to a 1 handicap, but at 53 years of age, I found the AP3 easier to get up in the air and carry was a little better. I did have to tweak the lofts a bit to get them to blend. If I recall, I went 1 deg. strong with the AP2's, 1 deg. weak with the AP3 6 iron, and standard on the 5 and 4 irons. I really don't notice a difference in looks as I make the transition but the AP3's do feel a bit different. The AP3 long irons are still easy to work left and right and can be hit high and low. Low is something I could not do with the AP1. A good fitter that is willing to work with you at blending a set that fits you and only you is well worth the time and effort.

Play well and good luck.

Go get a fitting. I play the AP3's because I'm getting older and can use the extra distance and forgiveness. I use to play a muscle back Iron. I still can work the AP3's, and love the added distance, and forgiveness they give me.

If you are a straight ball hitter, go with the extra distance from the AP3.

Get them fitted!

I don't think handicap has anything to do with iron choice. Get fitted and see what the out come is there. Look and feel to me are the most important. Go with what you have the most confidence in. A confident swing will produce confident results.

Absolutely agree but with a good fitter on turf rather than at a retailer on mats. I tried AP1, 2 and 3 last year at a national golf store and got best numbers and tightest dispersion with AP2's even though fitter didn't even want to give them to me as a high handicapper (don't actually have a handicap but shoot anything from 74-98 depending on how many drives I hit out of bounds). I hit AP3's longer but felt spin was too low and the extra distance was just run out going up from something like 3yds to 13yds with a 7 iron. I don't need more distance as I hit driver 260-290 so an extra 10yds of roll with a 7 iron is the last thing I want (fitter didn't agree!). In the end bought PXG 0311T's as numbers were better for me and fitter was more concerned with my ball striking, gapping and how the clubs would work for me around the course in the context of my game than my handicap/scores.

If you go with the AP2's I would NOT recommend getting them bent 2 degrees stronger. That small amount, really changes their playing characteristics and turf interaction. Keep them as is and if you like them, they feel better, get 'em!

As Jack Nicklaus said, "If you want to hit it farther, take a longer club".

Feel and accuracy should be first and foremost.

Can't go wrong the advise of William H and JN- similarly I would say know your distances with each club and choose the required club for the distance of the shot at hand. Also note that for every degree you decrease the loft the bounce decreases one degree- two degrees may be significant particularly with the longer clubs.