M&P or XD

[texas chase]

I'm not a very big guy (5'8" and 150) w/ fairly small hands. Looking to shoot in production class in IPSC. I'm looking for opinions on the M&P or the XD only. Let me repeat that: only the M&P or XD.

Thanks for any info.

[Browns Fan]

I have 2 XD's, a .45 tactical, and a 9mm service. I love'em both; they're excellent shooters. I cannot comment on the M&P except they feel good in my hands; I have yet to shoot one. I know 2 guys who have one and they love'em. The M&P's come with different 3 grip sizes.

They are both good choices. Try them at a range, and which ever you shoot best should be your choice.

[nitesite]

I think you should go to a large indoor range that has both guns to rent. See which you shoot best.

I own an XD but shoot my buddy's M&P 9mm a lot. It's a wonderful pistol and the grips are more comfortable than the XD. Other than the weird takedown method and the plastic trigger, I really like the M&P very much!

[atek3]

XD: Better take down, great trigger after trigger job, ability to get a 5" barrel.

M&P: adjustable ergonomics, better trigger out of the box, lower bore axis, american (if that's your thing)

I shoot an XD for proddy but I bought it 3 years ago. Choosing today, I'd probably go M&P

atek3

[Babalouie]

I had both...currently have the M&P. I'd say the M&P better fits a smaller hand but both are equally great guns. I sold the XD but wish I hadn't but I love the M&P. I would have a hard time choosing for production class. Both are easy to get an absolutely sick trigger job done...quite amazing really. My son shoots the M&P in production (I shoot limited). A 40Tac XD may be in my future though. You cannot go wrong with either one as far as form and function. I do like that the M&P is American made. Its a hard decision you'll have to make...or better yet...one of each!

[texas chase]

Thanks for the responses so far. Please keep 'em coming. I went to Gander Mt. yesterday and handled both. The M&P felt just slightly better - a little lighter, better grip (not by much), etc. However, the XD felt good and it just seemed like it was built a little better. Everything was solid w/ tight tolerances. The M&P slide seemed really loose on the frame - this was a big turn off to me. Anybody else experience this?

[texas chase]

I have my opinion but looking for others.

[Jim Watson]

1. All calibers are scored as Minor in USPSA/IPSC Production, so it does not matter on the target what you shoot.
2. If you handload, a lightly loaded .40 with a slow heavy bullet is a very soft gun to shoot. (Although I get pretty close with 9mm 147 gr subsonic.) If you don't, 9mm is cheaper to buy.

I call it a tossup between the two guns, but I have not shot one with a real go to hell trigger job. If you get the Plastic M&P, be sure to order one without the magazine disconnector. That bit of lawyer engineering makes it a chore to unload and show clear.

[wildthing]

I prefer the XD.

I have owned the HS2000 9mm (same gun) for about a year and I am comfortable with it. I would only change the sights. I shoot IDPA with this gun and shoot as well as other shooters with M&Ps and glocks

The M&P is a good shooter. The changable back straps are a very nice feature. I prefere the large grip panel. This gun is well put together.

The Novak night sights are really sweet. The trigger is smooth but has a bit too much over travel after the striker is released.

The M&P is ambi friendly. There are slide locks on both sides of the frame and the mag release is reversible. If you are a lefty this gun may be for you.

Hope that this helps

[johndoe1027]

I have a M&P 9mm Compact that I shoot IPSC Ltd with. I love it. It is my CCW as well. I get some great scores with it even compared to the open class guys. I just started IPSC shooting (4 runs total) and I am hanging out in the middle of the pack in overall scores...
A 5" model is on the way too BTW.
I have done a kitchen table trigger job (took one hour) that makes it super sweet and there is a gentleman on the M&P forum that does the whole boat for $50 IIRC.
American made
Also ambi friendly
Holds more rounds IIRC, I know the M&P9c holds two more then the XD9sc...
Lower bore axis reduces recoil a lot
Doesn't feel like a 2x4 with a notch for you thumb (sorry but after a month with the M&P on my side I can't even hold a XD or Glock anymore) They just feel like crap to me.
Interchangeable backstraps REALLY helped me get tight groups. I know the gun can only help so much but my groups shrank by 50% at 7 yards by going from the Med to Large palmswell.
The M&P isn't nearly as ugly either :neener:
I hated the trigger on the XD I shot, but it sounds like that is fixable.
Yeah, the slide is a bit sloppy on the M&P but if I understand the argument correctly tighter slide=more malfunctions.
My 2 cents... Check my sig for a lot of info about the M&P.

Oh, and I say 9mm for economical reasons but if you have plenty of money or time or both, get the 40. The 45ACP 4"bbl M&P is out now as well (just to confuse you more) :cool: . I bet you could get a 45ACP 5" by the end of the summer if that is your cup of tea.

[George Hill]

M&P is my next gun...

[mjrodney]

Unlike my three other 45's, my new XD45 wouldn't feed 200g LSWC very well.

A friend told me he had the same problem with his.

Nothing wrong with the ammo, all was to the proper spec.

Ball ammo fed just fine.

[aubie515]

It is a fact that Xd's have issues with SWC loads. Some Xd owners have been able to load the SWC, but the majority have stated they have had feeding issues.


I have a similar build to the OP, so I'd say get the M&P. My XD45 is very accurate, but the grip is large. I still carry the XD, but can tell you that the M&P grip will be smaller.

My friend has an M&P 9mm and the recoil is very light on those pistols. I also like the grip/feel of the M&P over the XD.

I love how my XD shoots and how can one complain about a double stacked 45ACP?

Both pistols will serve your purpose, so it boils down to which one feels better in your hands.

[Jacob Staff]

An XD was used to win a national match by Rob Leatham.


USPSA Production National Champion
October 11 - 14, 2006
United States Shooting Academy - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Rob won shooting his Springfield XD Tactical in 9 mm!

http://www.robleatham.com/aarshootingresume.htm

[possum]

It is a fact that Xd's have issues with SWC loads. Some Xd owners have been able to load the SWC, but the majority have stated they have had feeding issues.

hum:confused: i didn't know that, my xd's feed them great, that is strange. i didn't know there was a problem with em, see you learn something everyday!

[mkonops]

I would go with a tactical XD. I shot both and don't regret getting the XD.

[johndoe1027]

I love how my XD shoots and how can one complain about a double stacked 45ACP?
The 45ACP 4"bbl M&P is out now as well (just to confuse you more) .
It's double stacked too. I think it only holds 10+1 normally (bud's is selling these, may be CA guns tho) with 14 round mags on the way shortly.
I still carry the XD, but can tell you that the M&P grip will be smaller.
It is smaller in most ways but if you use the large palmswell it fills up the hand nicely. I grab mine all of the time (like 3 times a day) only because it feels so good in my hand.


George is with me...

[Gary G23]

I own both. I like both. The XD is single action and the M&P is double action. Since you are shooting USPSA where you aren't penalized for shooting an XD I would shoot the XD. Much better trigger pull IMO.

[asknight]

Jacob Staff said:
An XD was used to win a national match by Rob Leatham.

USPSA Production National Champion
October 11 - 14, 2006
United States Shooting Academy - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Rob won shooting his Springfield XD Tactical in 9 mm!


Julie Goloski (http://www.juliegoloski.com/) is the 2006 USPSA Triple Crown Ladies National Champion for Team Smith & Wesson. She uses an M&P 9. Photos here (http://www.juliegoloski.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2).

Also receiving all of the following trophies...
American Handgunner Ladies Stock World Champion
USPSA Ladies Production National Champion
USPSA Limited-10 Ladies National Champion
USPSA Single Stack Ladies National Champion
Steel Challenge IDPA Ladies World Champion
IDPA Ladies National Champion

So it's clear to me that both the XD and M&P are capable of winning a championship if the marksman behind the trigger is capable. Julie is much easier on the eyes than Robbie, though!

Gary G23, both the XD and M&P are striker fired, neither are DA or SA. The M&P factory trigger is leaps and bounds better than the factory XD in take-up (MP=shorter), pull weight(MP=less), over-travel(MP=shorter), and reset(MP=shorter). Granted, I'm comparing the M&P9 to the XD45, but the differences are noticeable.

[Gary G23]

asknight,

I'm aware the XD and M&P are striker fired guns. I have owned seven XD's and two M&P's. However the ATF says the XD is a SA gun and the M&P is a DA gun. This is the reason in IDPA competition the M&P is in Stock Service Pistol division and the XD is in the highest division IDPA has to offer, Enhanced Service Pistol.

http://p075.ezboard.com/fidpaforumfrm8.showMessage?topicID=15.topic

[Jim Watson]

An article in Front Sight said that 15.8% of the guns in Production at the USPSA Nationals were XDs. The rest mostly Glocks with a few CZs.

There was a lot of speculation as to what the Plastic M&P would do as it gets established in the market. I saw the prototype M&P Pro with 5" barrel and fibre optic sights at SHOT and it looked like contender. But I read a recent rumor that they would just sell a tweaked 4.5" as a match gun instead of going to the trouble to build 5" guns for a small market.

[asknight]

Gary G23, I understand your point. Though the smart*** side of me wants to counter with "The ATF also considers a shoestring to be a MG!"