S&W SD40 or S&W M&P .40?

If the trigger pull does not bother you and the SD40 feels as good as the M&P40 does, no need to spend the extra money for the M&P. If you have medium sized hands, no need for the interchangeable back straps on the M&P. Personally, there was enough of a difference for me that I decided to spend the extra money for the M&P and I'm glad I did. I did like the shorter lighter trigger of the M&P and wanted the interchangeable back straps This was going to be primarily a range pistol and I wanted something I would feel comfortable with when shooting 200 rounds in a session. As it turned out, I use the medium back strap and most guns fit my medium hands so that isn't a problem for me.

The SD is more of a true double action striker fired gun where your trigger pull actually pulls the striker back, then releases it. It is long and fairly heavy. The M&P is closer to a single action striker fire where the striker is already cocked by the slide action and pulling the trigger just releases the striker. It is shorter and lighter. You can make it even shorter and lighter with Apex parts and kits. With practice, you can be a good shot with either.

I vote the M&P 40.

I've got both. The M&P is a better gun, but the SD is a better value. It all depends on what you want out of it. For just a basic around the house SD gun - go SD. If you plan to carry it, or plan on spending a significant amount of range time with it, then go M&P.

If you plan on doing any type of competition then the M&P is the clear choice.

One advantage for the M&P - you will probably find holster for it easier.

How many rounds do you plan on running through it? The M&P will hold up better with a high round count. It will also get more money for it if you try to resell it used. The SD series was designed for those that will shoot occasionally but want a better gun than an "el-cheapo."

The M&P will hold up better with a high round count. It will also get more money for it if you try to resell it used. The SD series was designed for those that will shoot occasionally but want a better gun than an "el-cheapo."

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Please post some backup for this.

The Sigma (from which the SD is derived) was originally designed as a duty gun, and is used as such (by Iraqi national police for example). I would expect it to hold up just as well.

That said, I'd choose the M&P, because of the better trigger, better ergonomics, and better accessory availability. The price difference really isn't that great either. I see M&Ps for sale new under $500 often, and used .40SW M&Ps are all over the place.

If one remembers the evolutionary process of S&W polymer frame striker fired pistols Sigma, SW99 (joint venture S&W with Walther), and the current MP series. The SD is a derivative of the Sigma and thus value price intro into the S&W product line.

If you like the SD, have handled one, and it meets your requirements then acquire one. You may want to rent one at a firing range that provides such services thus a firing test drive.

I have a compact m&p40 and I love it. I've never even held the sd40, though.

I've got both. The M&P is a better gun, but the SD is a better value. It all depends on what you want out of it. For just a basic around the house SD gun - go SD. If you plan to carry it, or plan on spending a significant amount of range time with it, then go M&P.

If you plan on doing any type of competition then the M&P is the clear choice.

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^^^This.

I shoot my M&Ps almost as much as I do my 1911s. My Sigma does center console duty when I'm going somewhere I can't have a carry gun on me. The trigger gets better with use (or you get use to it) so I shoot it well enough to be confident with it.

I got my Sigma when S&W was desperately trying to turn around its bad reputation from the previous owners/management prior to the VE series. They had a "deal" buy an M&P 15 AR carbine and get a free Sigma, found a nice price on the M&P 15 (which was also new to the market at the time) and was very pleased with the Sigma.

The M&P enjoys a near Glock-like selection of holsters.

If you get a full size M&P now for home defense and range use, and later decide to get a compact M&P for carry, the big mags will work in the smaller pistol. There's no such 'system' in the SD lineup.

The M&P lineup is S&W's bread and butter now. It's constantly evolving. The SD series sort of is what it is. Not that it's bad, it's just doesn't enjoy the same stature in S&W's catalog.

Fishbed77 said:

Please post some backup for this.

The Sigma (from which the SD is derived) was originally designed as a duty gun, and is used as such (by Iraqi national police for example). I would expect it to hold up just as well.

Click to expand...

Yeah, that statement was nonsense.