Runningman
Member
What is the pros and cons of M&P 45 vs XD 45 vs XDM 45. Was looking at all three yesterday at the local fun shop.
M&P 45 vs XD 45 vs XDM 45
- Thread starter Runningman
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I have shot all but the XDM so the M&P and XD are based off real experience and the XDM is based off the specs from SA.
S&W M&P
Pros:
Good ergonomics
Thumb safety optional
Great warranty
2 free mags offer
Decent aftermarket support
Available nite sites
Cons:
Low mag capacity (10 rounds)
Long mushy trigger pull
XD45
Pros:
Thumb safety optional
Tang safety standard
Decent trigger
Good mag capacity (13 rounds)
Decent ergos
Good aftermarket support
Nite sites available
Great warranty
Cons:
Tang safety standard
XDM45
Pros:
Match grade trigger and barrel
Tang safety standard
No thumb safety
Good mag capacity (13 rounds)
Great warranty
Great ergos
Cons:
Not much aftermarket suppport
Nite sites not available
Tang safety standard
Of the three I would go with the standard XD45 with no thumb safety. After shooting my friend's M&P45 I had to buy an M&P but not the 45 due to the lower capacity mags. Also don't consider the XD gear an added bonus, the holster is cheap and the mag carrier is mediocre at best.
I bought an M&P9c I like it and it shoots well and reliable, but the trigger was pretty sloppy and I improved it with an Apex job.
I shot another friend's XD45 and had to have one of my own. It shoots well and only needed a set of nite sites added for carry duty.
In my opinion the XDM offers nothing better than an XD especially with the lack of aftermarket support for the XDM.
S&W M&P
Pros:
Good ergonomics
Thumb safety optional
Great warranty
2 free mags offer
Decent aftermarket support
Available nite sites
Cons:
Low mag capacity (10 rounds)
Long mushy trigger pull
XD45
Pros:
Thumb safety optional
Tang safety standard
Decent trigger
Good mag capacity (13 rounds)
Decent ergos
Good aftermarket support
Nite sites available
Great warranty
Cons:
Tang safety standard
XDM45
Pros:
Match grade trigger and barrel
Tang safety standard
No thumb safety
Good mag capacity (13 rounds)
Great warranty
Great ergos
Cons:
Not much aftermarket suppport
Nite sites not available
Tang safety standard
Of the three I would go with the standard XD45 with no thumb safety. After shooting my friend's M&P45 I had to buy an M&P but not the 45 due to the lower capacity mags. Also don't consider the XD gear an added bonus, the holster is cheap and the mag carrier is mediocre at best.
I bought an M&P9c I like it and it shoots well and reliable, but the trigger was pretty sloppy and I improved it with an Apex job.
I shot another friend's XD45 and had to have one of my own. It shoots well and only needed a set of nite sites added for carry duty.
In my opinion the XDM offers nothing better than an XD especially with the lack of aftermarket support for the XDM.
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I have shot a different buddy's Glock 21SF. (it's nice to try a bud's gun before buying one for yourself)
It was a real nice shooter and had a nice trigger that can be improved upon if needed with a 3.5 connector. The Glock has great aftermarket support and a good warranty, it also has no external saftey (a good or bad thing depending on your preference).
If I was to buy a polymer 45 again it would probably be a G21SF. But if you never shot a Glock you should shoot one first since the ergos don't suit everyone.
It was a real nice shooter and had a nice trigger that can be improved upon if needed with a 3.5 connector. The Glock has great aftermarket support and a good warranty, it also has no external saftey (a good or bad thing depending on your preference).
If I was to buy a polymer 45 again it would probably be a G21SF. But if you never shot a Glock you should shoot one first since the ergos don't suit everyone.
james_bond
Member
I have an XD-45 Tactical, and I love it. While the XDm-45 looks nice there is no magazine capacity increase and the gun cost quite a bit more. Unless you are a REALLY good shooter is is unlikely you will notice/benefit from the match barrel, but if there are features in the "m" that are worth the money to you the by all means go a head. I can't really comment much on the M&P, except the triggers feel "gritty" to me on all the ones I have handled in the store.
On the three you mention I would vote mostly for the regular XD-45 and I do vote for the 5-inch barrel (Tactical) unless it is a dedicated ccw piece.
On the three you mention I would vote mostly for the regular XD-45 and I do vote for the 5-inch barrel (Tactical) unless it is a dedicated ccw piece.
Fishman777
Member
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- Sep 20, 2007
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- 520
XDm 45 does not offer thumb safety option as far as I know.
XDs and XDms have "regular" alloy steel parts, unless you buy a gun with a stainless slide. The alloy steel slide and barrel are treated with melonite and then some sort of back oxide type finish. If the melonite wears, you have alloy steel, which is more prone to rust than stainless steel. This wear would be considered normal and not something that your warranty would cover. The stainless steel slide is not melonite treated.
M&Ps have thorough hardened slides, barrels, and a thorough hardened stainless steel chasis to reinforce the polymer frame. The stainless steel slides and barrels are treated with melonite and then some sort of back oxide type finish. Stainless steel is more difficult to treat with melonite, or so I've read. If it is done wrong, it might rust, or so I've read. If this melonite treatment is done correctly, it will be less likely to rust than the XD, because the metal under the treatment is more resistant to corrosion. Problems with the melonite application should be covered by warranty, because this would be a manufacturing defect.
XDs have nice ergonomics, XDms are better if you like the agressive texturing in the grip portion on the frame, M&Ps have the best ergonomics of the three, in my opinion. XDms and M&Ps both have adjustable backstraps.
XDs and XDms have a relative high bore axis, compared to the M&P's bore axis. This will cause the XDs to have more muzzle flip than a M&P. To further assist with muzzle flip, the M&P has the dove tail.
XDms have better triggers than XDs or M&Ps. An M&P with an apex sear (after market) will be really nice and more comparable to the XDm. The XDm is more expensive than the standard M&Ps, so the cost of the aftermarket parts will make the guns more comparably priced. When S&W offers the M&P 45 pro, the XDm and the M&P pro triggers will both be "match" triggers, but the M&P pro will have night sites as well.
XDs and XDms have better capacity.
I like all three guns, a lot. If it were me, I would probably lean towards the M&P 45, *UNLESS* you wanted a compact .45 acp autoloader. It this is the case, the XD 45 compact is the best of the three. Again, these are my opinions.
I am a M&P guy, but XDs are my next favorite by a narrow margin.
XDs and XDms have "regular" alloy steel parts, unless you buy a gun with a stainless slide. The alloy steel slide and barrel are treated with melonite and then some sort of back oxide type finish. If the melonite wears, you have alloy steel, which is more prone to rust than stainless steel. This wear would be considered normal and not something that your warranty would cover. The stainless steel slide is not melonite treated.
M&Ps have thorough hardened slides, barrels, and a thorough hardened stainless steel chasis to reinforce the polymer frame. The stainless steel slides and barrels are treated with melonite and then some sort of back oxide type finish. Stainless steel is more difficult to treat with melonite, or so I've read. If it is done wrong, it might rust, or so I've read. If this melonite treatment is done correctly, it will be less likely to rust than the XD, because the metal under the treatment is more resistant to corrosion. Problems with the melonite application should be covered by warranty, because this would be a manufacturing defect.
XDs have nice ergonomics, XDms are better if you like the agressive texturing in the grip portion on the frame, M&Ps have the best ergonomics of the three, in my opinion. XDms and M&Ps both have adjustable backstraps.
XDs and XDms have a relative high bore axis, compared to the M&P's bore axis. This will cause the XDs to have more muzzle flip than a M&P. To further assist with muzzle flip, the M&P has the dove tail.
XDms have better triggers than XDs or M&Ps. An M&P with an apex sear (after market) will be really nice and more comparable to the XDm. The XDm is more expensive than the standard M&Ps, so the cost of the aftermarket parts will make the guns more comparably priced. When S&W offers the M&P 45 pro, the XDm and the M&P pro triggers will both be "match" triggers, but the M&P pro will have night sites as well.
XDs and XDms have better capacity.
I like all three guns, a lot. If it were me, I would probably lean towards the M&P 45, *UNLESS* you wanted a compact .45 acp autoloader. It this is the case, the XD 45 compact is the best of the three. Again, these are my opinions.
I am a M&P guy, but XDs are my next favorite by a narrow margin.
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harmon rabb
Member
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- Mar 14, 2009
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- 2,699
The grip safety on the XD is a pro, not a con.
That is a matter of opinion, not FACT.
If you read my post more thoroughly you will notice the grip safety is listed under both pro and con categories just like thumb safeties; since safeties are more suited to user preference. My preference is zero external safeties on a carry gun.
Perhaps you should read the post in it's entirety and then provide comments based on facts not opinions.
LiveLife
Member
FYI, if you reload/want to shoot SWC bullets, XD won't eject them reliably. XDm has modified slide rib, so it will eject SWC fine. M&P feed/eject SWC like butter on hot pan.
As to M&P's firm 7 lb trigger that's a bit gritty from the factory, there's $39 Apex sear replacement or trigger job posted on Dan Burell's website that will improve the trigger to smooth, clean and crisp release.
Another point to consider is the 3 different size palm inserts. My wife shoots all the pistols we have and we can swap out the palm inserts for very comfortable shooting for our two hand sizes.
As to M&P's firm 7 lb trigger that's a bit gritty from the factory, there's $39 Apex sear replacement or trigger job posted on Dan Burell's website that will improve the trigger to smooth, clean and crisp release.
Another point to consider is the 3 different size palm inserts. My wife shoots all the pistols we have and we can swap out the palm inserts for very comfortable shooting for our two hand sizes.
chicago guy
Member
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2008
- Messages
- 21
the XD tactical has a thumb safety, optional, mine does, I like it
JTQ
Member
Not true. The thumb safety is an optional item on the M&P 45.
gglass
Member
This is about 180 degrees out of whack. With the exception of a short period of time in early 2007, the M&P line of pistols has been exceptionally resistant to corrosion. The rust issue during that time was primarily due to a bad batch of stainless steel that was provided to S&W by one of its steel suppliers. Any customer with a corrosion issue could have their slides replaced at no cost.
The XD corrosion issue is another matter altogether. Corrosion on XD's is common enough that even the XDTalk forums has an entire section devoted to the issue. I have not seen any indication that SA has a policy of replacing corrosion affected slides.
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killchain
Member
If you're looking for a high-capacity .45ACP...
FNP45?
DA/SA, 15+1
http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=fnf020&gid=fng001
FNP45?
DA/SA, 15+1
http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=fnf020&gid=fng001
At my local gun range people often let me shoot their guns, so I've shot all 3 of these many times. I personally have an XDm in .40 and a subcompact XD9, so I am an XD fan already. The difference in the M&P with that Apex trigger is a VERY different gun, and with that it's just a super sweet shooter that I was more accurate with than any of the others. The felt recoil is less in the XD, and while the ergonomics and looks of the XDm make it a little better than the regular XD, it's not THAT much better. The XDm trigger is nice but honestly after you shoot the XD several hundred rounds it's about the same as an XDm.
I'd get what you can find the best deal on, they are all good... but the M&P needs that trigger job.
All my 2 cents worth of opinion!
I'd get what you can find the best deal on, they are all good... but the M&P needs that trigger job.
All my 2 cents worth of opinion!
I think it boils down to which one fits you the best. I have a friend which wouldn't trade his M&P for anything.
I own an XD45 which is the most accurate handgun I've ever owned. I used to own a Kimber Eclipse Target II, and currently own a P220 that I'm still trying to dial in.
This pic is of a full clip of 13 rounds through the XD45 at 10 yards that I shot yesterday. Sorry for the quality, I zoomed with an Iphone since the range was hot.
I own an XD45 which is the most accurate handgun I've ever owned. I used to own a Kimber Eclipse Target II, and currently own a P220 that I'm still trying to dial in.
This pic is of a full clip of 13 rounds through the XD45 at 10 yards that I shot yesterday. Sorry for the quality, I zoomed with an Iphone since the range was hot.
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BsChoy
Member
I have an M&P45 and I'm not sure a bit of shooting doesn't help the trigger period. The trigger reset is a bit soft but the gun shoots better than me at 25 yrds
Fishman777
Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2007
- Messages
- 520
Just curious.
Where is your source for the stainless steel quality issues? I tried to find information on this and didn't come up with anything.
Sorry. I don't think that I'm 180 degrees off on this.
It is my understanding that the XD rust issues were more of an issue before they switched to melonite. It is not as big of an issue now. I also don't think that rust is a huge issue with M&Ps, but both types of guns occasionally have rust issues. This is probably more related to handling, storage, and environment than issues with the quality of the manufacturing and materials.
Melonite and Tenifer are basically the same. These two processes are usually done on alloy steel that has a higher carbon content than stainless steel. If performed on stainless, the Melonite process is abbreviated. The abbreviated process causes the melonite treated stainless to be a little less corossion resistant than melonite treated alloy steel. It is because you lose one of the steps. If the process is done incorrectly on either metal, the metal will rust very easily.
I think that S&W's early problems with the melonite treatment were probably mistakes they made in the processing, regardless of where they may have placed the blame and where they pointed the finger.
http://vuurwapenblog.com/2010/09/13...tments-part-2-melonite-and-spray-on-finishes/
The XD and XDm in melonite are more rust resistant over the shorter term (as long as the melonite holds up).
The M&P would be more rust resistant over the longer term (after the melonite wears off).
Where is your source for the stainless steel quality issues? I tried to find information on this and didn't come up with anything.
Sorry. I don't think that I'm 180 degrees off on this.
It is my understanding that the XD rust issues were more of an issue before they switched to melonite. It is not as big of an issue now. I also don't think that rust is a huge issue with M&Ps, but both types of guns occasionally have rust issues. This is probably more related to handling, storage, and environment than issues with the quality of the manufacturing and materials.
Melonite and Tenifer are basically the same. These two processes are usually done on alloy steel that has a higher carbon content than stainless steel. If performed on stainless, the Melonite process is abbreviated. The abbreviated process causes the melonite treated stainless to be a little less corossion resistant than melonite treated alloy steel. It is because you lose one of the steps. If the process is done incorrectly on either metal, the metal will rust very easily.
I think that S&W's early problems with the melonite treatment were probably mistakes they made in the processing, regardless of where they may have placed the blame and where they pointed the finger.
http://vuurwapenblog.com/2010/09/13...tments-part-2-melonite-and-spray-on-finishes/
The XD and XDm in melonite are more rust resistant over the shorter term (as long as the melonite holds up).
The M&P would be more rust resistant over the longer term (after the melonite wears off).
LiveLife
Member
I have intentionally dry-fired the M&P every night for a week and shot 500+ rounds through it and the factory trigger did not improve much (total over 2000+ trigger cycles).
For me, it was down to XDm vs M&P. Final decision came to pistol that my wife could also comfortably shoot and M&P's adjustable palm inserts sealed the deal.
But I knew going into the purchase, M&P factory trigger needed to be improved. Since I am a DIY guy (Have done all my own work on previous guns to include 1911 trigger job), I wanted to try the M&P trigger job. I am at 50% of the trigger job and trigger is already smooth, clean and crisp with MUCH MUCH tighter shot groups at 25 yards. As a comparison, the M&P trigger is now better than the well seasoned G22 trigger.
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