[Redneck with a 40]

I just got my latest issue of gun test magazine today, they tested the XD45 against the M&P 40. Bottom line....they liked the XD45 better, gave it a "best buy" rating. The XD was more accurate, had easier take-down procedure, and was $75 cheaper. They also mentioned they had some "flyers" while shooting the M&P, they said their technique was solid, might be a slide lockup issue. Sounds like the M&P will need a year or so to get the bugs worked out.

[gudel]

they said their technique was solid

i'd believe the accuracy report if they bolted the gun down to a hillbilly truck. :D otherwise... NO.

[orangeninja]

The S&W M&P....the gun nobody asked for and nobody needs. :D

[garrettwc]

I take any review from a gun rag with a grain of salt.

Both are excellent guns. The difference in takedown procedure is practically nil. The reports from actual owners on the M&P are much better than what Gun Tests says.

The S&W M&P....the gun nobody asked for and nobody needs.
Yeah, nobody needs a 15rd 40cal pistol with a grip that works for normal hands and a supported chamber to avoid k-booms. :evil:

[dhoomonyou]

AND didnt GUN TESTS say "they would like to see a safety on both guns"

HUH?

safety is between the ears.

[HorseSoldier]

Yeah, but the one on the frame of the gun is a solid backup when the one between the ears fails, as they have been known to do on occasion.

[Rev Rob]

I thought the XD had a safty on the grip and one on the trigger? Or does a little switch on the side of the frame or trigger guard only matter. Last I checked 2 is greater than 1?

[HorseSoldier]

Yeah, I like the redundancy of the grip safety and glock-style trigger lever thing on the XD (kind of like I like the manual safety and grip safety on a 1911). I'd be quite comfortable with that set up compared to a Glock or other weapon with a light DAO trigger and no manual safety at all.

[Newton]

I only opened this because it said "S&W MP45" dang it :scrutiny:

[Bart Noir]

My heart went pitty-pat, then I saw that once again I had been suckered in.

I just know that when the M&P45 does finally arrive, it will not be .45GAP.

Bart Noir

[DoubleTapDrew]

Not surprising. Pretty much every gun rag I've seen says the XD45 is the best thing since the 1911. I guess I better get one :)
I've never cared for the S&W autos (nothing wrong with them though, just indifferent) but do like their revolvers.

[XDKingslayer]

pssst...I think they're better than 1911s.

[ArmedBear]

Gun Tests is brutally honest. Part of their deal, though, is that they usually go and buy a gun for testing the same way you or I would. They call warranty service anonymously, etc. That's what makes them really valuable.

There is one caveat, of course. They can only review the gun they got. They can't say whether it was a rare lemon, a better-than-average example, or typical for the model. They will explain their findings, differences of opinion among themselves, and other things to think about, in detail. They will also report back if a bad gun was fixed by the manufacturer, the details of their customer service experience, and how they liked the gun then.

Gun Tests is worth getting.

Their opinion that a manual safety would be a good thing is a pretty common opinion, backed up by some notorious Glock cop ND's on video. If you trust the safety between your ears, you don't need to use the little lever. It can be nice, though, to be able to lock a defensive gun in a state that will make ND's far less likely, if you want to do so. They do say, though, that if you don't agree, then disregard their opinion. They often write things like that.

[raz-0]

It would have been much better if they compared an M&P 40 to an XD .40. The .40 and .45 XD are different guns.

The XD may be equally accurate taking all the time in the world to shoot, but the M&P has much better behavior when shooting fast. The XD has a high bore axis and too much mass in the slide, especially the ffront of the slide.

That aside, what i could see causing their problems of flyers that could be attributed to genuine M&P issues are sights or choice of bullet. The M&P definitely had a batch of bad front sights go out that could move around. If that caused their issues, it's a valid gripe. Second possibility is plated bullets. So far, it is looking like the M&P might be a bit harsh on plated bullets in .40. Lots of people seeing the lead spiral you get when the plating has been compromised, and although I ahven't played with plated on mine yet, I've seen it on people who usually don't overcrimp stuff. The root cause might not be the M&P, but it's not uncommon for that to cause some accuracy issues on any gun and any caliber.

I don't know where they get the easier takedown procedure from. It is virtually identical. Perhaps they don't know that moving the sear deactivation lever is OPTIONAL. It's an added bonus. you can pull the trigger to disassemble, or push the lever. Whichever makes you feel better about the process.

however, I don't buy the "my technique was solid," defense. Use a ransom rest or equivalent if you want to be beyond doubt. I highly suspect that the XD's lighter triger vs the M&P's heavier trigger might just cover up some bad habits.

As for price, their shopping skills suck or they bought the M&P while it was really new and the price drops hadn't yet occured. but using my standard no-hassle shopping method, an M&P .40 costs me $535 by the time it is home in my hot little hands. The XD.45 would cost me $572. If i went and paid the "gotta have it now" tax and bought it from the local stocking dealer, the M&P would cost me $603 and the XD would cost about $647. An XD.40 on the other hand is actually cheaper (no hassle cheaper method is about $432), but not the .45 SA, distributors, and shops are asking for a premium for the .45.

One thing they didn't cover is S&W warranty experience is a fair bit better than SA's from what I have heard. That might pass, but at least right now S&W is bending over backwards to make any isssues right, and being a bit less picky about what is covered under warranty.

Then there is long term issues. the M&P is a blank slate there, but the XD series has some negtives already cropping up. The incidence of the extractor going south well before it's time is pretty high. There has been a fairly widespread case of the locking block ont he barrel having issues and ultimately requiring service to remain functional. Then there are the magazines, which tend to bow in the front and stop dropping free. This from a gun that is on it's second generation.

Has the M&P had some new model bugs? Definitely. Will it be a year before they work it out? Doubt it. They have been increadibly responsive to most issues. Based on feedback from customers, it already has an extended slide stop available, has had the spring for the striker revised, and has had the spring for the magazine revised.

I'd probably give the XD-40 the win on bang for the buck. But not the XD-45.

[ravencon]

Not to hijack this thread but I got to handle (not fire) a S&W M&P with a Massachusetts compliant trigger. Really, really horrible. Far worse than a stock Glock trigger.

[M2Pilot]

Gotta agree with what Armedbear said.

[Euclidean]

As for price, their shopping skills suck or they bought the M&P while it was really new and the price drops hadn't yet occured. but using my standard no-hassle shopping method, an M&P .40 costs me $535 by the time it is home in my hot little hands. The XD.45 would cost me $572. If i went and paid the "gotta have it now" tax and bought it from the local stocking dealer, the M&P would cost me $603 and the XD would cost about $647. An XD.40 on the other hand is actually cheaper (no hassle cheaper method is about $432), but not the .45 SA, distributors, and shops are asking for a premium for the .45.

I agree with you that it is an unfair comparison to compare a gun built on a .45 ACP frame to a gun built on a 9x19/.40 S&W/.357 Sig sized frame in regards to cost. Of course the .45s cost more.

And of course they charge a premium for the XD45s, locally they're $550 here, but law of supply and demand is all it is. XD45s are awesome, people want them.

FWIW last time I bought an XD40 new it was $436 for a bitone XD40 service.

One thing they didn't cover is S&W warranty experience is a fair bit better than SA's from what I have heard. That might pass, but at least right now S&W is bending over backwards to make any isssues right, and being a bit less picky about what is covered under warranty.

I call this a wash. SA has been good to me every time I called them but I've never had trouble with Smith and Wesson either. Neither of them are quite as accomadating as Ruger however.

Then there is long term issues. the M&P is a blank slate there, but the XD series has some negtives already cropping up. The incidence of the extractor going south well before it's time is pretty high.

Provide factual evidence. Multiple internet anecdotes is not data for purposes of this demand.

I've had several (6 in all) of these pistols in different configurations and calibers, have fired many thousands of rounds through the platform, and have never experienced this problem. I've talked to a couple of the guys who are part of the XD shooting association in Houston and the only issue any of them ever mentioned was the finish on some early XDs, and some weird issue with the slide not locking open on the last shot. If this was really happening all the time, I think I'd have heard about it.

There has been a fairly widespread case of the locking block ont he barrel having issues and ultimately requiring service to remain functional.

I humbly request objective evidence of this.

Then there are the magazines, which tend to bow in the front and stop dropping free.

Drop an XD mag on concrete a couple hundred times, throw it, do whatever you want, I can't get one to not function and I don't baby them. XD mags are not unique in this regard either, most quality magazines will perform this well. This has never been a problem I've ever heard of.

Once again, please show me hard evidence this is common and I'll agree with you.

This from a gun that is on it's second generation.

I'm aware of at least three versions of the HS2000, I guess you could consider the XD series nothing more than a repackaged version of the third generation of the HS2000, however.

Has the M&P had some new model bugs? Definitely. Will it be a year before they work it out? Doubt it. They have been increadibly responsive to most issues. Based on feedback from customers, it already has an extended slide stop available, has had the spring for the striker revised, and has had the spring for the magazine revised.

I'd probably give the XD-40 the win on bang for the buck. But not the XD-45.

I highly suspect S&W's new service pistol is very nice and I am intrigued by the .40 S&W version personally. But it is illogical to start your post arguing it's unfair to compare the XD45 to the M&P40 and then conclude that the M&P series is better using the exact comparison you just criticized as unfair.

I'm sure somewhere, someone, has experienced all the issues you've described with their XD45. For every one of those people, there's hundreds if not thousands of others who have not had any problems. Once again, this is not some phenomenon unique to the XD; Glock, Ruger, and Sig Sauer pistols are all excellent in regards to not giving their owners problems most of the time. I imagine the track record of the M&P will be the same in time.

The M&P against the XD series is nothing more than a comparison of what are probably two excellent products which are merely different. I sincerely doubt one is better than the other, and after a little reliability testing I'd trust any pistol in either series with my life.

[DoubleTapDrew]

pssst...I think they're better than 1911s.
LOL, yeah one magazine (I think it was Combat Handguns) said they'd consider replacing their 1911 with the XD45. That's a big statement coming from most gun rags that think the more over $1000 a 1911 costs the better it is.
I've never been too thrilled at the capacity (my commander sized one only holds 6+1, worse yet!). Apparentely the grip is about the same size of a 1911 which is the problem i've always had with double stack .45's and my average sized hands, it feels like i'm holding a brick. Hopefully it'll be a pleasure to hold and i'll have to snag one.

[MadMercS55]

I own an XD45 and have put alot of rnds through a test sample M&P .40. I think the M&P is alot nicer, feels better, etc, than the XD. This is also my opinion. Accuracy in my hands with both was very good. My XD45 doesn't always feed properly even after being gone over by the factory. I have to run FMJ ammo through it exclusively to achieve full reliability now. The MP fed everything without a hitch. I would own the M&P, but right now I have zero need for a .40 cal pistol. I was debating on a 9mm or .45 M&P in the future though. Side by side, they are quite different to me. I'd be more prone to compare the Glock 22/23 or the XD40 to the M&P rather than the .45 model.

[foob]

I would take what they say with a grain of salt.

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.cgi?board=R9S;action=display;num=1091220026

Gun Tests is brutally honest. Part of their deal, though, is that they usually go and buy a gun for testing the same way you or I would. They call warranty service anonymously, etc. That's what makes them really valuable.

Gun Tests is worth getting.

[raz-0]

I would take what they say with a grain of salt.

http://www.rohrbaughforum.com/YaBB.c...num=1091220026

very interesting read. Makes me doubt their accuracy claims and their pricing info a WHOLE lot. If you compare MSRP, yeah the XD-45 is cheaper. If you compare actual pricing, hell no. Also sounds like they have a case of "if I can't shoot it well, it must be the gun."



There has been a fairly widespread case of the locking block ont he barrel having issues and ultimately requiring service to remain functional.

I humbly request objective evidence of this.


Well having SA change the locking block design to have relief holes drilled to stop it count as enough evidence? I'll give you the claims that the relief holes aren't enough might be overblown, but the problem was very real.

The extractors could be a bad lot, or a bad design. But I know a number of USPSA shooters are having issues with them wearing out and are kind of pissed they can't get spares easily. We are talking high volume shooters here though. They'd really like the aftermarket to come up with hardened replacement extractors similar to what has been made for the glock.

The magazines do bow and cause intermittant failures to drop free. Is it a real problem? No, mainly because XD mags are pretty cheap to replace, and it's not hard to take the bow out and return them to functioning form. It is helpful to know and is something I would consider in a purchase for my purposes. (and did, as I cross-shopped all the polymer 40s I could get my hands on).

I call this a wash. SA has been good to me every time I called them but I've never had trouble with Smith and Wesson either. Neither of them are quite as accomadating as Ruger however.

Well, the difference is mainly that with SA, it seems you have to front return shipping to them, and if they deem it a warranty repair, they refund it. Whereas at the moment S&W sends a call tag, and if they deem it not a warranty repair, they bill you.

But it is illogical to start your post arguing it's unfair to compare the XD45 to the M&P40 and then conclude that the M&P series is better using the exact comparison you just criticized as unfair.

My premise was that comparing an XD-45 to an M&P 40 when there is an xd-40 out there is a bad comparison for determining bang-for the buck.

If you also note, nowhere do I say the M&P is better. My comments on some of the reliability issues coming up with the XD series was primarily to point out stuff that doesn't make it into reviews, and was mostly getting carried away at things that don't make it into reviews that kind of piss me off. I did say that dollar for dollar, the XD-40 wins over the M&P 40.

In reality I'd call them a push though. The M&P has better ergonomics, the XD is cheaper, M&P has higher capacity, XD comes with a better accessory bundle, the M&P has beefier magazines, the XD has cheaper magazines, the XD has a lighter factory trigger, the M&P trigger doesn't feel like mush, even after a trigger job.

Frankly, internet anecdotes I find MUCH more useful than reviews. I don't take them as the whole truth, but quite often they bring up points worth investigating and asking around about. I certainly get a lot more meaningful info out of online forums than I ever did out of any gun rag. Even the self-professed "consumer report of guns"

[MachIVshooter]

..............they liked the XD45 better

That pretty much sums it up. As honest and objective as "gun tests" may be, they are still human beings and still form opinions that may be based on criteria other than cold, hard facts.

No doubt the XD is a good gun, as is the M&P. I personally like the M&P better; it has a more solid feel, is more ergonomic and better looking, and is American made. But that's me.

I'll buy an M&P when they come out in .45 ACP (or 10mm:evil: ; are you listening, S&W?). I have fired the XD's in 9 para and .40 and didn't care for them.

Here is where my review differs from GT's: I give the M&P higher marks.

[distra]

I own both and while S&W's service is great, my XD45 has had ZERO issues, not just one or two ZERO, zip, nada, did I mention I have not had a malfunction with the XD? The M&P40 on the other hand, has been to the factory for light primer strikes and I'm not sure it's fixed as of yet. The M&P does point slightly better and feels more solid, BUT the XD45 IS solid. As for American made, don't kid yourself. Most manufacturers have parts made outside the US, it's economics. True they are assembled here, but even my GMC has a "Partially assembled in Canada" sticker.:rolleyes: I think the M&P is a fine pistol, but the XD45 like a "chevy", not pretty, starts all the time and will burn the cheap "gas". :D My opinion, take it for what it's worth. :cool:

[Tropical Z]

safety is between the ears.
Nice concept,but unforunately flawed.

[Rico567]

Gun Tests being "brutally honest" may be a virtue, but it is certainly not exhaustive. They can post the facts on accuracy, FTFs, FTEs, etc., and that will not tell me whether I'll get along with the gun or not. There's always a subjective component, and Gun Tests is no better than anybody else at that. Of course, there are a lot of people who think that Consumer Reports is also the real gospel, but they, too, are inevitably subjective.....and so goes the human condition.

[Grunt]

I used to get Gun Tests but after a while when I start comparing what they wrote one month against what they'd write the next month, I really started to notice their inconsistancies in their evaluations. I finally wound up letting that subscription expire and haven't felt the need to get it again.
With that said, I fondled a S&W M&P40 in the stores but what I really have my heart set on is for an XD-45 OD green tactical when they start coming out. :)

[Euclidean]

Well having SA change the locking block design to have relief holes drilled to stop it count as enough evidence? I'll give you the claims that the relief holes aren't enough might be overblown, but the problem was very real.

The extractors could be a bad lot, or a bad design. But I know a number of USPSA shooters are having issues with them wearing out and are kind of pissed they can't get spares easily. We are talking high volume shooters here though. They'd really like the aftermarket to come up with hardened replacement extractors similar to what has been made for the glock.

Okay I do remember that being discussed on XD/HS2000 talk at one point, but that was a design improvement not a fix. I'm sure at some point 10 years from now if the series is still around, they'll change other components.

It is possible however there's some batch of guns out there with bad extractors and I just haven't run into them or anyone else who has. I can see that happening very easily.

The magazines do bow and cause intermittant failures to drop free. Is it a real problem? No, mainly because XD mags are pretty cheap to replace, and it's not hard to take the bow out and return them to functioning form. It is helpful to know and is something I would consider in a purchase for my purposes. (and did, as I cross-shopped all the polymer 40s I could get my hands on).

No, it's not a problem because I've never had it happen. I'm sure someone somewhere has had it happen, but I've never heard of it on any significant scale.

My premise was that comparing an XD-45 to an M&P 40 when there is an xd-40 out there is a bad comparison for determining bang-for the buck.

If you also note, nowhere do I say the M&P is better. My comments on some of the reliability issues coming up with the XD series was primarily to point out stuff that doesn't make it into reviews, and was mostly getting carried away at things that don't make it into reviews that kind of piss me off. I did say that dollar for dollar, the XD-40 wins over the M&P 40.

Point taken. I can agree with that assessment and I think I was reading between something between the lines that wasn't there.

In reality I'd call them a push though. The M&P has better ergonomics, the XD is cheaper, M&P has higher capacity, XD comes with a better accessory bundle, the M&P has beefier magazines, the XD has cheaper magazines, the XD has a lighter factory trigger, the M&P trigger doesn't feel like mush, even after a trigger job.

We agree more or less here, maybe not on specific points per se, but I agree with you it's six of one, half dozen of the other.

Frankly, internet anecdotes I find MUCH more useful than reviews. I don't take them as the whole truth, but quite often they bring up points worth investigating and asking around about. I certainly get a lot more meaningful info out of online forums than I ever did out of any gun rag. Even the self-professed "consumer report of guns"

Point taken, but internet anecdotes, while interesting for the reasons you specify, are not objective data. Don't get me wrong, if 4 out of 5 posters on the High Road says Gun X has problems, odds are pretty good I should avoid Gun X. But that's just my "gut instinct", not fact. Much like everything I've said, everything you read is colored by the perceptions of the person reporting them.

I have before referenced THR threads as reasons I would not buy something. That is fair, because I'm basing my opinion on that information and it allows someone to decide what my opinion is worth (not much:neener: ), but it's not fair to pull out 4 posts on Gun X that says "My magazine release doesn't work help?" and say "Gun X has a flawed magazine release design." It's even more unscientific to say "Well a handful of few high volume shooters had a problem with one part, and then the company improved the design, therefore the part was badly designed to begin with..."

It's one thing to say "I've heard of problems with Y from this source" but to say "Y is a problem" is another. A few incidents from a flawed information source is not hard data, even if that info source is better than others.

And honestly, if something works, it receives less attention than it does than when it doesn't work, you know?

[Blacklabman]

My M&P .40 has had 800 flawless rounds with all makes of ball and HP. I paid $479 for it, with no IL and no mag disconnect.
My brothers XD .45ACP is at Springfield because of numerous FTE's and slide actually locking up. Reliable is not a word, I would associate with his XD. Perhaps when it returns. Even if fixed, I still would be paranoid about it that it would be a range gun and nothing more.
I'll stick with the M&P

I just wish S&W ,would hurry up with compact version of the M&P.

[Redneck with a 40]

I have a first generation XD40, purchased in early 2002. I have had ZERO problems with this gun. I'm not sure where all of the supposed problems mentioned above come from, but I have not experienced any with my gun. I'm a firm believer in the XD series, I've got my eyes set on a sub compact xd40 in OD green. :D

[g56]

I have shot the XD40, and I now own a S&W MP40, and I like both of them. Their comparison was a bit on the apples and oranges side since they are 2 different calibers. I was looking for a XD40 bi tone, nobody seemed to have one at the time, and I have heard that the XDs slide finish isn't too great, while I was looking around for the XD when I found the MP40, they had been extremely hard to find, I found the S&W and it was selling for about the same price as the XD, and the S&W has the black stainless slide, so I bought the S&W and am extremely pleased with it. I have a few hundred rounds through it now, both factory and hand loads, no problems of any kind.

As far as field stripping, both are extremely easy to field strip, so I don't see any advantage of one over the other.

For a real valid accuracy comparison you need to take the human element out of the formula, use a Ransom Rest, they didn't do that.

[BluesBear]

Gun Tests is an interesting read but I have doubted their sanity on several occasions.

I don't doubt that they try to be accurate but they tout themselves as having ethics above the rest.

When you put yourself on a pedistal you'd better be able to withstand the scrutiny.

[boomstik45]

My only concern is that the XD .45 is a good gun. Read plenty about it, and none of it was problematic up until this point. I've also read that Springfield's service is excellent. I've owned an XD .40 and it fired just fine. I chose the XD .45 over the glock 21 due mostly to grip and chamber support. And I loved the glock 21, it shoots quite accurately for me, not to mention soft-shooting. If I had the money, I'd have an Hk, but if the XD is just as reliable, why spend the extra?

[swingset]

The S&W M&P....the gun nobody asked for and nobody needs.

I asked for it. It's a Glock with a good trigger and ergos. Wonderful pistol, one of the best of its kind and better than the XD in my hands.

Your opinion, well, it sucks. :neener:

BTW, someone questioned earlier in the thread that the M&P is USA made. The pistol is 100% manufactured and assembled here in the US of A.

[boomstik45]

No, it's not a glock and I think that would be the whole point. I know this means waiting, but I want to be fairly less doubtful about reliability, so I'm not buying one just yet. I know it's not fair to compare this to S&W's prior attempts at a good polymer framed weapon, but can you blame me? It is my money here and a question of whether I'd be able to stake my life on this product...

[swingset]

No, it's not a glock and I think that would be the whole point. I know this means waiting, but I want to be fairly less doubtful about reliability, so I'm not buying one just yet. I know it's not fair to compare this to S&W's prior attempts at a good polymer framed weapon, but can you blame me? It is my money here and a question of whether I'd be able to stake my life on this product...

Yes, it is a Glock in all the ways that matter. Polymer, striker fired, high capacity, rugged and lightweight. And, for those of us who feel the grip angle of a glock is hideous and the ergonomics not unlike holding a 2x4, the 1911 grip angle and slim grip of the M&P is a welcome change....especially if the gun is as reliable as it's austrian descendant.

Is it IDENTICAL to the Glock? No, of course not but it's of the same family of weapons. That was my point.

As for waiting till it bears out a reliable history, no one can blame you there but for me that's an individual trait. I have 1911's that don't run, and that design has been around what? 100 years basically? You'd think they would have them right by now yes? I'm at 1000 rounds on the M&P with no failures, and that puts the gun right where I begin to think I can stake my life on it if it's running good ammo and reasonably well maintained.

If you choose to wait a few years to see if it's really the bees knees, that's cool. I just couldn't wait that long!

[toocool]

The S&W M&P....the gun nobody asked for and nobody needs.

I don't know...I need it...it's better than a Glock in so many ways, and I need it enough to add the M&P9, and the M&P45 when it comes out...

Oh, and despite what Gun Tests says, the accuracy on my M&P40 is phenomenal! Better than I can shoot..

[BluesBear]

Need knows no reason.

Need isn't always a good reason.


If guns were purchased solely on the ctiteria of "need" then there would be very few ever sold.

[boomstik45]

Swingset, I understand what you're saying. What I'm saying is that there are enough differences in the M&P to set it apart in such a way that no one who was in any way familiar with glocks would mistake the S&W product as a glock. Take, for example, the Sigma series. That was so much "glock" that it got them sued. The M&P however, seems to have enough non-glock-like features to make it a stand-alone design. However, there's no need to mince words, it's how you view it vs. how I view it. I'm certainly glad that yours has proven to be a good piece. I have a buddy who has been a glock enthusiast for years and competition shoots a lot. He bought an M&P .40 and has nothing but good to say about it. I'm kinda waitin' on the .45 version if it's really coming. That will sell like hotcakes. The XD .45 acp sure is...

[XD Fan]

Can't speak to the problems raz-o numerated for the XDs except to say that my XD9 (bought in early 2002) runs flawlessly and shoots accurately. Additionally, I have never personally met an unhappy XD owner (Admittedly, my experience is limited to about three people I personally know who own XDs.)

I wouldn't trade mine for anything...well, I might trade it for an XD45.

[Holshot]

I've had my M&P 9 for less than 2 months. I like it a lot. As much as my 1911's?, well apples and oranges. I like both. Fortunately, I don't have to choose just one. I've fired around 600 rounds through it, no FTF's, no malfunctions, no fliers that weren't my fault. It's run perfectly. Recently at 10 yards while moving L to R, R to L, forward, backward, I had over 30 head shots on PPC target with no misses. I like the gun and would consider carrying it once I get the new one in 357 sig. These are the facts. I haven't done any double blinded, placebo controlled tests... that would be too much like work. I shoot for fun.

[Ala Dan]

I don't always buy into gun rags on a particular gun; but in the case of
the Springfield XD-.45ACP I would tend to agree with the write up. Its
a classy pistol, formerly known as the HS/2000. Again, I don't like many
polymer frame handguns; but the Croatians did their homework and got
this one right from jump street. I won't get into all the sentiments, but
I do like the accuracy that is obtainable from these firearms. Oh YES,
I do own a 4" service model XD-.45ACP. :cool:

It would be quite unfair for the too compare it with the Smith M&P, as
I have NEVER even shot the latter firearm. But, it would have to leap
through many hoops to come close to the XD series pistols; at least
IMHO.:D