Px4/XD/M&P CCL Questions

[HumanVr4]

I am geting ready to get my Concealed Carry Firearms License. I would like to know if a PX4/XD/M&P is a good pick for a concealed handgun, I am around 210lbs so I am not the smalles guy around. I really just want to make sure I will be able to hide it on me and get away with it. Also can anyone reccommend a CC holster.

I have been looking for a handgun for around 3 months now, the only three I keep going back to is the Beretta PX4 .40, Smith & Wesson M&P .40, and the Springfield XD 45. (I have shot the SW M&P in 9mm but not the PX4 or the XD no gun range around me has one for rent) But I am kinda going towards the PX4, only because the first gun I owned was a Beretta CX4 storm in .45 and I love that gun. Its fun to show off, easy to shoot, and clean. So I am hoping the PX4 will be the same way. Also the PX4 seems to fit my hand really well. but so does the M&P, this tuesday I am going to check out the XD. I found a gun shop that has one for sell.
also I heard that the PX4 has a really hard/long DA/SA first trigger pull is this true?

Anyways out of the 3 what would you pick. and why.
Also I am looking for a a gun that has Hi-Cap Magazines that you can get for them.


Thanks Jerry

 

[scurtis_34471]

I have an XD-40 Service and my wife has a S&W M&P 9C. Both are accurate, reliable and have decent ergonomics. I haven't shot the PX-4, but I have handled it and it feels great in the hand and has a good reputation. To be honest, I think you'd be hard pressed to go wrong with any of them.

One thing I do like about the XD is that factory magazines are under $20. I also think my XD has a better trigger pull than the S&W, but that's nothing a trigger job can't fix. The interchangeable backstraps on the Smith give it the edge for ergonomics, although my XD fits me like a glove. I'm pretty hard-pressed to pick a favorite between the two, but I'd probably go with XD due to its reliability and longer service history. I've had exactly one malfunction with the XD over the course of around 1000 rounds and that was a dud bullet. I haven't had any problems with the Smith either, but I haven't shot it as much.

 

[HumanVr4]

Thanks for the help Scurtis 34471, I will be sure to take a close look at the trigger pull of the XD. Any one else have any info that they can give me. Also any one know if any of the gun above, will be good for. CC?

 

[actionflies]

I have the Px4 in 9mm and XD9 tac. The stock trigger is better in the Px4 and it comes with 3 backstrap for a better fit. I personally like the XD9 better, but all my friends like Px4 and the rotating barrel design is one of a kind and no one will say it's a copy of a Glock or what not. I also recommend the XD45 and there are a lot of after market product for the XD's and none for the Px4.

 

[HumanVr4]

Does anyone know if their is a HI-CAP mag for the XD in 40 or 45?

 

[Lonestar49]

Px4.. not a long hard DA pull..

Quote: But I am kinda going towards the PX4, only because the first gun I owned was a Beretta CX4 storm in .45 and I love that gun.

So I am hoping the PX4 will be the same way. Also the PX4 seems to fit my hand really well. but so does the M&P, this Tuesday I am going to check out the XD. I found a gun shop that has one for sell.

**I heard that the PX4 has a really hard/long DA/SA first trigger pull is this true?

Anyways out of the 3 what would you pick. and why.
Also I am looking for a a gun that has Hi-Cap Magazines that you can get for them.


Thanks Jerry
_________
...

Hey Jerry,

All I can attest too, which one, you already know about with the Cx4, is that my Px4 40 has 5300 rounds without ANY failures and is a forgiving gun when it comes to recoil, one-hand shots, if necessary, and is one of, IF not, the easiest guns to disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble, bar none..

As you know, it also comes with the 3 backstraps and I'm only 5'10 155lbs and it CCW's very well, being a thin gun, but it is also, IMHO, a mid-full length, and is light, yet balanced, so long CCWing is no problem in my book.

**And, after about 500 - 800 rounds, the DA pull will smooth out a lot, along with, if you want, you can shorten that up a lot, just ask over in the Beretta forum and I'll give ya some hints how to smooth it out faster.

**Also, it has a semi-DA mode, if you didn't know, and that semi DA pull is shorter, lighter, and smoother yet..

Everyone over in the Beretta forum with any of the Px4's, be it a 9mm or 40cal, have gone 1000's and 1000's of rounds without any failures, just 100%, as has mine. The gun is just that dependable and reliable.. period.

The only thing, one might add, if you can't find one with real Night Sights, are adding some Trijicons down the road, and maybe a Hogue fingered rubber slip-on sleeve..

Also, depending on your State Laws, they come with 10, 14, 17, round mags

Best of luck,


Ls





PS.. I also converted my F-model, to a G-model - decocker-only, and that makes decocking sweet and easy, as the lever just pops down and pops right back up, on its own, very effortlessly, making for keeping a 2 hand grip, to remain, constant..

 

[Lonestar49]

Not mine, but..

...

Here's a DeSantis holster for the Px4 that a member just got, and IIRC for around 45 - 65 bucks, and a quote of another owner of the same holster:
__________

"I have the same one in black."

Lonestar...

1. "its a thumb break "snap", not velcro."

2. "it is molded with the safety in the "on" position but you can carry with it off, and no it does not move the safety when you draw or put back in."
____________________

Here's the link:

http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=28524



Here's another good link for some good IWB leather holsters at very reasonable prices:

http://ubgholsters.com/

 

[2ndamd]

It depends what you want I gues.
I think the M&P, Springfeild XDs and Glocks are all good range guns.
But I were to carry a semi-auto it would be the px4.
I have shot my friends .40 cal px4. I have to say that I do not find the .40 caliber to be a very accurate round. The Beretta proved me wrong. They are very nice guns.
They have a service life of 30,000 to 40,000 rounds in the .40 cal version.

Okay, and I just have to say it. They are so cool looking for being a polymer gun. I have heard some say they are ugly. What? Next to all the polymer guns the Px4 is the winner IMHO.

 

[HumanVr4]

Wow, thanks everyone for all the good info. I think I have found each gun at a few of my local gun range for rent, so this tuesday I am going to shoot them all. I will let you all know what I pick.

2ndamd, what does Service life mean? is 30,000 to 40,000 rounds good for a handgun?

 

[Exmasonite]

that's a heck of a lot of rounds... but properly cared for, any of those guns should be able to do that. sure, there may be the odd breakdown, etc but it would be the exception on not the rule.

Nice thing about springfield XD is that SA has a SUPERB warranty and awesome customer service. that being said, SA hasn't released any parts for the general public and requires all repairs to be shipped back to springfield. that's a big negative for some.

who's throwing those types of numbers around? one of the gun store employees? in what context?

 

[jlpskydive]

I have the XD40 Sub Compact for CC and really like it. It doesn't shoot as nice as my Sig 229, but it conceals very well and shoots very nice. You can also get the 9mm and .357 barrels for it just like the Sig from Bar-Sto.

 

[sojournerhome]

jlpskydive:

What is Bar-Sto?

Is there a website?

Thanks.

 

[Exmasonite]

Bar-Sto is a maker of barrels (conversion barrels, high grade match barrels, etc).

there website is:
http://www.barsto.com/

EFK Firedragon is another maker of conversion barrels. don't have a website but google them.

 

[Lonestar49]

Yet another "new" owner testimonial on a Px4

...

I quote:

"Reiterating what everyone is saying about the PX4"

Link: http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=28561

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Finally took my PX4 9mm to the range yesterday. Wow. The sights are fast to pick up, I think I finally hit on the right grip selection because I was nailing the targets. At 25 yds, I was blowing away little pieces of the skeet clays on the berm. One or two shots would be right around the target, and then boom the little orange clay piece would disappear. I could tell the difference in the recoil as well. It was softer than I expected."

"This is a keeper."
___________


Ls

 

[fastbike]

XD45 Hi-cap

The XD45 is 13+1 where legal. My XD45 had no issues with ammo from Winchester White Boc to Remington UMC to Gold Dots, including reloads. If you reload, you do want to stay away from SWC, otherwise ball or HP makes no difference.

 

[marty1]

I bought the PX4 in a 9MM about 9 months ago. Accuracy is outstanding and having smaller hands I changed the back strap and it really made a big difference. I found though for concealment there are better fitting ones.

 

[CTPistol]

+1 again on the PX4

I own both a PX4 in 9mm and an XD45 and would pick the Beretta anyday. Much better shooting gun and far better quality (my .02)

I would also consider waiting for the PX4 sub....but who knows WHEN that will be out!

All the guns you are looking at are decent quality. go with waht feels right.

 

[hobgob]

the PX4 was my first handgun! bought it soon after my 21st bday! ive shot many pistols since and i still love my px4. i think you would be able to conceal it well and also draw it quick to make a shot. px4 comes with pretty good sights, not alot of daylight between them. and its comfortable. taking it appart is cake and so it putting it back together. not a lot of recoil like other pistols. plus they now come in .45 and sub-compact! i would reccomend it highly!

 

[hobgob]

oh ya, plus most models hold around 17 rounds or more! which is always a plus. comes with two mags.

 

[2ndamd]

Service life means the rounds the Beretta factory will warranty the gun through.....I have now found out.

So, it is interesting. Glock 22's have a service life of 40,000 rounds in .40 cal for police depts that buy them. This is why many PDs trade them all in after a certain amount of time and then get new ones with a new service life. I did not know this til this week. That's all it means. It certainly does not mean the gun is not good for another 40,000 rounds....which many times it is.

But, the gun is actually rated to last longer. I just checked on the beretta forum and there is a reports of a Px4 having 100,000 rounds through it. I am not sure about this though.
But, 30,000 round service life is very good from what I am learning. Most military guns are specd to have a service life of 10,000 rounds. Again this does not mean the gun is not good beyond that.

If you shoot just one gun and put the avg (for most gun owners) of 200 rounds per month through the gun. That is 2400 rounds per year. Let's say you bump it up to 3000 rounds. The gun will last you a lifetime. Now remember, this is just one gun. In the next few years chances are you will want more guns and shoot them too. Which decreases wear from your first gun because it does not get shot as much.

I use to think high round count was important. Then, I figured out just how many guns I have vs how many I want or will soon have. I can not afford to feed them all so much that they break.....

 

[Smurfslayer]

Full discloser/ disclaimer.

I own and use a PX4. I have shot the M&P 40, dry fire compared the M&P / XD & Gl*ck all in .45 full size.

First, I have 2 observations. The guns you are comparing are not of same caliber, or operating system. You have to be the one to be comfortable with the gun and I only point this out as information.

All 3 will be relatively equal in dimensions / weight with some give & take.

You have 2 striker fired guns with triggers that have slack but relatively low pull weight, and the PX traditional double action. The PX trigger is about 9-10 pounds d/a, 4-5 s/a. Obviously the transition may ( or may not ) be an issue - the 1st D/A shot of the PX will be a long and relatively heavy trigger stroke, followed by a short & light pull with a lot of "take up".

You also have a capacity difference, exacerbated by the caliber difference. I believe the PX4 extended mag carries 17 .40's, 14 in the standard length mags. 15 in the s&w (?) correct? and 13+1 in the XD .45.

The Beretta has a "safety" mechanical lever that disconnects the trigger. This can readily be changed to decocker only. However, the stock levers are very fat for their purpose. Also, both striker fired guns must be decocked for disassembly.

My observation has been that the PX4 has the worst trigger of this bunch. By worst, I mean it's heavier, and with a longer reset and take up than the other 2. Not the worst, but not the best. The ergos I give the slight nod to the Beretta - for me. The M&P next, then the XD, but this is really close. I have not shot the XD .45, but accuracy wise I believe you'll find they're very close. I've shot the XD / PX4 in the same cal. w/ same ammo. My completely subjective opinion was that the felt recoil was less with the px, but that is just my opinion, nothing more.

All of these guns would serve well for your intent. Which gun feels the most comfortable in your hands? After that, it's going to come down to probalby price because these are all relatively new designs, and all competitively vying for the same market share. Price out gun + magazines + holster + mag holder for extra mags so you can practice. Also, if you want night sights, price the model with them.

FWIW, my PX4 9mm has put about 10-11 thousand rounds down range and it's had I think 2, but maybe as few as 1 FTF(eed). I did wear out 2 magazine springs as well, the slide didn't lock back. Very inexpensive and quick fix from BUSA (they shipped the springs to me, I had them in 2 days).

I have plenty of S&W revolvers too and I'm happy with their service as well.

HTH

 

[XDKingslayer]

Actually, I don't like any of them as a CCW. Most of them are too thick, at least for me.

But a lot of that has to do with body shape and that I'm in Florida. Bulky clothes are too darn hot.

 

[.357 magnum]

MP .40 or 9mm

Actually all three are very good guns. I own two XD's .45's and two MP's [.40 and 9mm] I have also shot the Px4 Storm. Out of the three, I prefer the MP, it has the best ergonomics, it is easy to clean and the recoil is the best of the bunch. Being straight back, no bad muzzle flip. All three brands are dead reliable, my first hand experience being with the XD and MP. I like the trigger on the MP the best also. Good luck in your search! The MP's have become my favorites. I will check the thread to see which you ended up with. Take Care!

The Best to You and Yours!

Frank