Double Stack 9mm Sub-Compacts (Glock 26/M&P9c/XD-9SC)

[StrikeFire83]

Hello, all.

So, I've decided to get rid of the S&W 638 & P-3AT that I never shoot to fund a new double-stack, sub compact 9mm. I feel that one of the following would be a great addition to slot in-between my Kahr PM9 (Pocket Carry) and the my CZ-75b/Glock 17 (Service). So the question becomes: WHICH ONE.

I've narrowed down the choices to: 1. Glock 26 2. M&P9c 3. XD-9SC

So the G26 would seem like the no-brainer, given that I own the G17 and can use those mags, but there are a few problems. First, the 10+1 capacity is getting pretty close to my Kahr PM9, and if I'm gonna carry IWB, I'd like something a little more potent. Second, I HATE HATE HATE the way the 4th Gen feels, with all of that rough stipeling.

I handled all three today and here are my impressions: The M&P9c and the XD-9SC are about even. The XD has a slight capacity advantage (13+1 instead of 12+1) and the M&P seems to have slightly better ergonomics. Both triggers seem more crisp than Glock, with the XD being shorter and the M&P being more, I don't know, constant. Anyhow, I'm really torn.

I wish there was a way to rent both and shoot both. :banghead:

 

[Frozen North]

You can get a +2 mag for the 26. It adds very little to the gun and brings you up to 12+1.

You can get a new extended base plate for the stock mag, or glock sells factory +2 mags for it.

 

[kansersurvivor]

+1 for the XD9SC....but I'm biased already! I added some Trijicon sights thats it. Never had a single problem.

In all honesty though between the M&P and XD, you can't go wrong.

No experience with Glock...doubt I ever will.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Frozen North, that's some good food for thought. Good to know about those mags 12rd mags. If I can find a 3rd Gen I might very well consider it, but the 4th Gen grip texture just feels TERRIBLE in the hand compared to my Gen 3 G17. Might be a deal breaker. I can only imagine how it would chew the hand while shooting.

kansersurvivor, the best shooting gun (in my hands) that I ever had was an XD-45 Tactical that I traded away because of the high cost of .45 ammo. With the Tactical, I could regularly shoot out the 10 ring at 25 yards, something I've never been able to do with any other handgun. I just LOVED that trigger.

 

[ekgandj]

I have the XD40sc and love it. Can't go wrong with it and the accessories for it are becoming pretty regular scene compared to a couple of years ago. I did a trigger job by powder river and the trigger is now real crisp and short.


Sent from iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Z-Michigan]

AFAIK, 3rd gen Glocks are still in production and readily available.

My CCW is an M&P9c and my wife's is an XD9sc, so I know those quite well. Both are good. I hardly have any preference between them. I don't own a G26 but do own a G19 and I actually like its trigger and ergos a little better, though the difference is small. Really, these three guns are extremely comparable. Any one of them will work as well as the others.

 

[CZ57]

Have you looked at the XDm Compact. It has a sub-compact grip and 3.8" slide making it a little longer but just as concealable as the XD SC. Interchangeable backstraps will let you fit the pistol to your hand and then there's the Match Grade barrel. Plus, with the full size 19 round mag and extension you'll have a full size service pistol at the range. The XDm Compact is the one I would be comparing to the M&P.

 

[StrikeFire83]

CZ-57, oh, thanks, I didn't know Springer made the XDm in a compact. Researching...

 

[CZ57]

You're welcome! Good luck.

 

[btg3]

When I purchased my 9mm M&Pc with the S&W free mag offer/rebate I opted for one 12-rd mag and one 17-rd mag. The full size M&P mag exceeds the 16-rd XD mag, so it might be argued that the capacity evens out? Put an X-grip thingy on the 17-rd mag with the M&Pc and the grip contour feels GREAT.

I carry IWB, OWB, and shoot IDPA with the M&Pc.

 

[fxstchewy]

I have a XDSC and G26, while i like both and shoot both the same the G26 for me conceals much better, the shorter grip length and lighter weight work to win it as my main IWB/OWB ccw weapon.

 

[StrikeFire83]

Lengths

-XD-9SC: 6.25 inches

-Glock 26: 6.29 inches

-S&W MP9c: 6.7 inches

-XDm-9C: 7 inches

So the XDm is pretty much in Glock 19 territory with a shorter grip. Cool features but getting a bit too, err, long. (that's what she said )

Frankly, for IWB carry, (which i've never done) it seems that total length from butt to barrel is the important factor, because of how far it sinks into your pants. The grip will just be sideways across your back or side, so height doesn't seem to be as much of a factor. (again, guys, correct me if I'm wrong)

So I'm left with the original three. I'm gonna have to fondle a Gen 3 G26 because the Gen 4 is a no go for me, the scratchy grip feels like sandpaper and is a deal breaker for me.

So then there were...three.

 

[mesinge2]

Click Images to Enlarge

I just got a new XDm-9 Compact and here is my range report.

Here it is:



First thing I did was put the largest back strap of the gun. I have the largest one on my XDm-45; so, I will definetly need it on the compact 9mm. Second, I bought extra mags before my trip to the range (I had to order them from Springfield). I had four 13 round compact mags and two 19 round mags with the X-tension sleeves on them and after loading the mags three times and one round in the pipe each time I went through 273 rounds. A whole mix of ammo Magtech 115gr. FMJs, Magtech Guardian Gold 124gr JHP+Ps, Hornady TAPs, some Federal 147 FMJs, some my LRN reloads.

It never missed a beat, never jammed once. I was surprised because even my beretta won't feed my reloads.

I shot it back to back with my XDm-45 and the recoil is quite similar between +P 9mm and standard pressure .45 ACP.
Now before you think that the groups might be a little wide on the 9mm remember it is about 80 rounds, all kinds of ammo, and I got a little trigger happy after I got some very tight groups.
Here are the groups of my XDm-9 Compact at 17 yards with the Hornady TAP loads:





Here are the groups of my XDm-45 at 17 yards with Hornady TAP+P loads:



I group better with my .45 but I have also shot it a lot more, but for a compact with a grip that I can get barely two fingers on, it great. I think its going to be my concealment gun for when I have to wear dress clothes (which is often).

Any questions, just ask.

 

[StrikeFire83]

^ Awesome range report and great shooting, and THANKS! As I've said before, I used to own an XD-45 that I shot gangbusters with but sold it due to the high price of .45 ammo.

What do you think would be the detriment to losing .75 inch of sight radius between the XD-9SC and the XDm-C?? I'm just thinking about IWB carry and that 3/4 inches might dig into the buttocks/side.

 

[mesinge2]

Originally posted by StrikeFire83

^ Awesome range report and great shooting, and THANKS! As I've said before, I used to own an XD-45 that I shot gangbusters with but sold it due to the high price of .45 ammo.

What do you think would be the detriment to losing .75 inch of sight radius between the XD-9SC and the XDm-C?? I'm just thinking about IWB carry and that 3/4 inches might dig into the buttocks/side.

I never fired the XD Sub-compact 9mm but I like the XDm-9 3.8" compact better because of the grip angle and slightly better trigger, its no 1911 but the best striker fired trigger I've tried out of the box; I sold my G26 for it. It is slightly longer but because of the 3.8" barrel and the rear sight set .30 of an inch further back it is about an inch longer sight compared to the regular XD sub-compact.

Also, it fits the same holster as the G26 did and I have been quite pleased with it. With the stiff recoil spring I can barely tell the difference between standard pressure and +P loads. The 13 round mags are a breeze to load, however the effort to load the 19 round mags to capacity was tiring. I will probably never load them past 17 or 18 until they break in.

 

[kansersurvivor]

I carry my XD9SC in a cheap IWB Galco leather rig. I'm 5'11" and a svelte 150pds, . It does not print on me...with the short mag, extended mag obviously prints on me.

Striker - I am slowly saving for an xd45 of some flavor...so its only a matter of time...

 

[jdub3]

I love my XD9sc. Got them when they 1st came out. 7-8yrs ago? and have no second thoughts, complaints or failures of any kind.

I trust my life to it everyday.

 

[StrikeFire83]

^ Yeah, IWB carry is going to be a bit harder for me, because I'm 5'11'' and 220 (kinda chunky) so I'll have to find a good holster/gun combo. Pocket carry has been working for me for a good long while (Kahr PM9) but it would be nice to have more rounds on tap.

 

[Girodin]

Frankly, for IWB carry, (which i've never done) it seems that total length from butt to barrel is the important factor, because of how far it sinks into your pants. The grip will just be sideways across your back or side, so height doesn't seem to be as much of a factor. (again, guys, correct me if I'm wrong)

IWB is my regular mode of carry and I find there is pretty much no difference in terms of slide length carrying a G19 IWB versus a G26. The grip length can at times make a difference but the extra slide length is really a non factor in terms of comfort or concealment.

I would imagine if one puts in the time with any of those three they would be content. Each gun has its proponents for a reason.

My next sub compact 9mm will likely be a Steyr S9A1. I prefer the m9 to the G19 and I anticipate the S9 may likewise compare favorably to the G26.

 

[StrikeFire83]

I think it's down to the M&P 9c and the XD9-SC, I just wish there was a way to shoot both before buying. Gonna have to do a final round of gun shop comparo before the purchase happens!

Thanks to everyone for their input!

 

[Skylerbone]

Here's the "X thingy" everyone is mentioning.

I don't really see it as a practical accessory for carry. Any of your choices with a good holster will be fine. I shoot my brand X fine but that doesn't help you at all.

Field stripping is a bit easier for the M&P, Glock has the longest record of dependable service, the XD has the best trigger of the 3 (in my opinion, out of the box).

In other words, they will all work well, you simply NEED to get your hands on them before deciding.

 

[btg3]

I don't really see it as a practical accessory for carry.

I've got the 9mm M&P in both compact and standard. The standard barrel is too long for IWB with a CrossBreed holster -- it digs into my hip. However, I can CC with either the 12-rd or 17-rd mag in the M&Pc. Alternately, I could CC with the 12-rd mag and have reloads with a couple of 17-rd mags in a double pouch. With 1 in the chamber, that would be 47 rounds... if anyone feels the need???

For CC with the standard M&P, I go with OWB.

 

[Skylerbone]

I have the 9L, 9c and .40 Full Size. I don't load more than 10 rounds in any of them. A second mag. is in case of failure with the first. Anyone needing 47 rounds for protection needs thicker glasses or a safer place to hang out.

I have a hard time pondering why 5 isn't considered enough for some though I do prefer the profile of an autoloader vs. revolver.

 

[AZ Five seveN]

I don't understand why capacity matters, especially since we are talking 12+1 vs. 13+1. I can't imagine many scenarios in which a civilian would need 13 or 14 rounds.

Go with whichever feels/shoots best. Personally, I prefer the M&P.

 

[StrikeFire83]

^ I don't want to get into a capacity debate, but I'll just file it under the "better to have it and not need it...then need it and not have it" category. Also, if I'm going to the trouble of carrying on the belt/IWB I'll want more what my pocket carry gun (Kahr PM9) holds (6+1).