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M&P vs XD vs Glock - There can be only one...

Which is the best pistol?

  • Smith & Wesson M&P

    Votes: 63 22.3%
  • Springfield XD

    Votes: 110 38.9%
  • Glock

    Votes: 110 38.9%

  • Total voters
    283
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Similar situation...

I was also in a similar situation as you. Except, I had to decide between a Glock and an M&P. I went with the Glock for the following reasons:

Excellent track record
Readily available parts
Cheap magazines
S&W has had a bad track record with polymer pistols. Although the M&P may be different, S&W has left a bad impression.

Unless you want the REALLY want the interchangeable grips of the M&P, go with the Glock.
 
M&P all the way. I dislike the way Glocks feel, but I love my M&P. Plus its American made with fantastic customer service. Glock would be second choice because I like the XD even less. Plus I think the whole selling a Croatian pistol as an American one seems a bit deceptive...but thats just me.
 
Out of the 3, I like the Glock but have you also considered say a sigpro or what would be my #1 choice, an HK USP full size orcompact?
 
All three are quality guns.

The Glock design is the oldest and most proven, XD second, M&P newest and least proven. All three have been on the market long enough that most of the issues are probably known, so that's a wash too.

Roughly similar capacity on all three.

Price point hasn't been brought up but I think we're talking a c-note difference at the maximum. A wash again.

What you're left with is ergonomics. Some of the posts have brought that up, in an amusing way: "Go with the ____. It fits my hand better." (Emphasis mine, to explain my amusement.) Gun fit is a personal thing and so are ergonomics.

Get all three guns into your hand. Assess how the guns fit you on the most basic level. After checking fit, check how each gun aims for you (which basically measures your comfort with the grip angle).

Start with an unloaded gun, and make sure you have a safe direction which includes a small target at which you can aim. Pick the gun up and acquire a solid, two-handed firing grip. Quickly raise the gun to eye level, aligning the sights on target.

When you raised the gun, did the gun "naturally" line up on the target? Or did you find yourself making large adjustments to the point of aim once the gun was at eye level?

Perform this check three or four times, asking yourself the same questions each time. Now do the same thing again, but hold the gun with a solid, one-handed firing grip.

Did the results change when you held the gun with only one hand?

Now, perform both tests again, two-handed and then one-handed. This time, close your eyes as you bring the gun quickly up into a comfortable firing position. Freeze. Open your eyes.

Is the gun pointed at or near the center of the target? Is it pointed high or low?

Do the eyes-closed test a few different times. If the gun consistently points toward the ceiling or the floor for you, a gun with a different grip angle might suit you better.

pax
 
I've owned or shot (as rentals) examples of all three. I like the M&P the best, for its hand fit and trigger action. It is indeed American-made, although I personally have no problem with purchasing the products of a friendly nation. Compared to the Glock 17 or 22 (guns of roughly equal size), the magazine capacity is the same (17 in 9mm or 15 in .40), slightly exceeding the XD's. I have not had to use S&W's customer service as my 9mm compact has run flawlessly. However, it does generally get high marks on the various fora.
 
I went with the XD for a few reason's :

1) Excellent ergonomics and and for me, a perfect fit in the hand
2) Very well placed controls
3) points naturally
4) I believe the XD has established a very good reputation over the last 5 years, I believe that given enough time, they will develop a Glock like reputation, say a 20 year track record. I think the XD can do it.
5) Metal sights, metal trigger, as opposed to plastic on the glock.
6) Some people say the XD's are ugly, as Glock's are pretty??:p:rolleyes:
7) Would Springfield Armory put their name on a peice of crap? I seriously doubt it! They wouldn't risk their reputation.

M&P - I personally haven't held one, but since they are priced significantly higher than the XD in my area, its a non player. Plus, I'm still not sold on S&W auto's, they have a spotty reputation in my view.

Glock - Wrong grip angle and size for me, plastic sights, plastic trigger, shooting reload's are an iffy proposition and they don't recommend lead bullets. No glock for me.
 
I voted for the Glock

because I own 2 and love them. What I like about them most is their reliability. I can field strip it in the dark if neccesary. They are incredibly simple to assemble and disassemble. I bought an XD and could not get rid of it fast enough. I hated it. I had pretty much decided that i would not be buying anymore defensive handguns other than more glocks, and then I picked up an S&W M&P:rolleyes:. It feels great in my hand and I am dying to fire one. My sister is considering buying one so I am trying to hold out until shedoes but, I may not be able to control myself. Don't get me wrong, I won't be selling off my Glocks but I may be adding a Smith to the lineup.;)
 
The only reasons the M&P doesn't win hands down is it was the last of the three to come out, people are still traumatized by the Sigma series, and glock 9mm weapons are as close to "perfection" that any glock will ever be. The glock 9s may be some of the most absolute durable, reliable, accurate, combat worthy handguns in existence....in my humble opinion of course...and if you're okay with 9mm:D:D
 
The best is not a choice!!!!!

Before all you glockers get all choked up, I voted for Glock 'cuz H&K wasn't a choice.....:evil:

I own both...I like the H&K USPc 'cuz my wife bought it for me:neener:I think
I'll keep her!!!!!
 
As every chardonay is trying to be a white burgendy every 9mm is trying to be a Glock.
Ooohhhh, sorry...but I'm gonna' have to cite you with a penalty for using a pretentious wine reference that is not only untrue (in terms of volume, the vast majority of contemporary Chardonnays are produced in a decidedly non-Burgundian style), but demonstrates poor literacy. Next time try "Chardonnay" and "Burgundy".

<<Hopelessly biased "Glocks are perfect" content snipped>>
 
Just for Grins and Giggles,

Would I be out of step recommending Saint John Moses Brownings last design?

The P35 High Power. Browning or FN. Both are built by FN.

Just kicking a sleeping gator. ( I may be land locked now, but I am a Florida boy.)

Fred
 
I'm a big Glock fan. I've got a 22 and a 19, both of them great guns, especially after installing the 3.5lb. Ghost connector and doing the "$0.25 trigger job".

The XD looks awkward to me, but everyone I know who has one likes it. I've shot one, and aside from the awkward look of the slide, I don't see anything wrong with it. If for some reason I couldn't get a Glock, the XD would be a good substitute.

The M&P feels AWFUL in my hand, very uncomfortable. I also don't like the trigger design. I consider the Glock and XD triggers MUCH safer from accidental discharge. Other than the Model 52-2, I don't like any S&W centerfire auto.
 
Glocks I've had, 23, 21, 36. Notice that the operative word here is "had". I've tried them and they failed to impress me. I've got five pistols in .45 and 10mm and the best of the bunch for easy maintenance, accuracy, dependability and value is the XD 45. As said earlier, metal sights, metal trigger, and I'll add a few items that appeal to me: Fully supported chamber, magazines that aren't wrapped in plastic, loaded chamber indicator that is both tactile and visible, more robust frame rails, better take down system, dovetail front sight as well as rear, rifling that accepts cast bullets and finally, when I call SA I get immediate service and they even sent me a few roll pins for free (I like to disassemble totally to clean). Winner = SA XD in so many ways.:D
 
Have to vote Glock 17 or 19.

Ease of maintenance, outstanding durability, readily available parts, very shootable, combat efficient. I trust them both so much that I bet my life on these two weapons (17-on duty or 19 off-duty) daily.

Besides, the 33 round magazines come in real handy when attacked by the odd horde of "killer brain munching zombies".


Owned and disposed of (for many reasons, none good) an XD in 9mm last year.

I just cannot get into any pistol offered by S&W due to the fact that I have not forgiven that company for their willing compliance with the Clinton administratons' assault on the Second Amendment and being so willing to send their customer base "down the river" in such a manner.

G/S
 
The truth is... there is not a best option that can be decided for everyone. Everyone has different sized hands and have different perceptions.
If every gun only fits ONE hand perfectly, then the M&P fits 3 times as many people (3 different backstraps) ;)

I went through this same decision a while back, and considered these same 3 guns. I shot all of them in .40. There were many reasons the Glock came in last place (I won't go into it, as I'm not trying to bash Block's offerings). The M&P was my choice as it is the most comfortable in my hand and has the most balanced feeling. I have NOT regretted my decision.

Another option I would recommend looking at is the HK USP (as others have mentioned). It is more expensive and slightly larger, but I understand that it is very well made.

Try them all out.
 
I've owned and like Glocks, wonderful pistols. I tolerate the grip safety on a 1911 but wouldn't consider buying any other pistol that has one so no XDs for me thanks. The M&P fits my hand much better than the Glock I like them but I have no idea how reliable they are. Glock for now, perhaps an M&P in my future?
 
bigred82 said:
I think the problem is that the question itself is flawed. The truth is... there is not a best option that can be decided for everyone. Everyone has different sized hands and have different perceptions. Therefore, there is no such thing as a "best" option in polymer pistols. When all of our hands are the exact same size, and we all have the same perceptions - then we can determine the "best" option.

Some people don't "like" the grip angle of the glock. Now they have Glock-like options with a different grip angle.

Some people don't like the trigger feel of the glock. Now they have Glock-like options with a different trigger type.

Some people don't like the appearance of the glock. Now they have Glock-like options with a different exterior appearance.

Some people don't like the plastic sights on the glock. Now they have Glock-like options with different factory sights.

--- All of these handguns are almost exactly the same in function and format, but the differences are there to meet differences in personal opinions and preferences.

I like the XD, M&P, and the Glock. They are all very good weapons. I would feel comfortable using any one of them. I happened to go with what I felt was the most proven, popular, basic design - which ended up being the Glock 19. I could have gone with the XD or the M&P and probably have been just as happy.

We as gun enthusiasts often get caught up in this silly "my gun is better" strain of thought - without realizing that the marketing campaigns have succeeded in brainwashing us.

The TRUTH is,
1. that all of these guns are excellent options,
2. that there is no such thing as the "best handgun b/c it is based on personal preference, and
3. even if you buy what you think is "perfect" - you will soon find a different "perfect/better" handgun and end up buying that one too.

Good luck on finding that elusive "best" one - because as we all know --- there can be only one!

Damn right. I don't talk bad about either of the three because I would purchase any of the three. (I own an XD40) I like the Glock and I like the M&P which I shot for the first time yesterday. All three are guns I would trust my life to. You have to just go to a range and figure out which of the three fit YOU the best. Not me, not the rest of us, YOU. Once you find that out, you'll be a happy gun owner of the polymer type.
 
DD,

I'm sorry that not all folks are here to help.

As for your question, you picked three great guns to choose from and I don't think you can do badly regardless which one you choose.

For me, I shoot the XD-40 service model, with night sights. It's a terrific firearm.

One of the things I like about it best, is it's simplicity. I carry it with a round chambered with no concern at all that I'll be unfortunate in doing so. The safety's it employs are active but passive to the user. All I have to do is employ the gun and pull the trigger, I don't have to mess with a manual safety or cock a hammer or shoot the first shot in double action mode. Therefore, the gun provides you ease of use, safety and a good trigger (as long as you're not comparing it to a 1911 or a wheelgun).

Next, they're accurate, tough, proven, reliable and have good service behind them in case you need it.

All three are great guns! Just pick and choose what you like and what you think will feel and shoot best for you.

Good luck! :)
 
glock mags - $15 :D

xd mags - $20-25 :)

m&p mags - $35 :eek:

Get the Glock or the XD. S&W can stick their mags where the sun don't shine. :cuss:
 
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