S&W MP .40, XD-40, XD-9 Which would you choose?

[treebeard]

I ordered several types of ammo:
---Speer Lawman Cleanfire Ammunition 40 S&W 180 Grain Total Metal Jacket Box of 50
---Speer Lawman Ammunition 40 S&W 165 Grain Total Metal Jacket Box of 50
---Winchester USA WinClean Ammunition 40 S&W 180 Grain Brass Enclosed Base Box of 50
---Magtech Ammunition 40 S&W 180 Grain Full Metal Jacket Box of 50
I also have some .40 Golden Sabres on the way. I found someone on the forum who traded me for all of my .357SIG ammo. I like the Winclean ammo, but I am more than willing to try other stuff.

 

[distra]

Just a follow up on the M&P 40 range report. I shot this morning with WWB 180gr at 21ft. I shot the 40 much better today. It's a keeper! Treebeard, let us know which ammo works best for you.

 

[treebeard]

Nice grouping on that target. I just bought another S&W today. Here are the pics of 3 10-round mags shot from my SW99 at 35 feet. It was friggin cold today so after 3 mags I was done man!!! By the way, how many mags did you get with your M&P.40?

 

[distra]

Caught the bug! I'm done purchasing until my wife gets her permit. Helping someone else buy a gun in just as much fun as buy yourself one! The 99 looks good! I checked one out before I got the MP40. The trigger had a long pull and was actually hard for my finger to reach. What caliber is it? Still looks like a nice peice.

I got 2 15rds mags with the MP40 and just ordered another from Smith. Do you know which loader works with these mags? My thumb gets sore after 8rds! Enjoy the SW99, Smith makes some good firearms. I own 2 1911s, a .38/.357 686, and the M&P40. All perform well and have a lifetime warranty. Keep warm!

 

[treebeard]

I am done buying too (not ammo though). I just ordered 2 12-round mags for the SW99 and then I ordered 10 boxes of Winclean 165 BEB. The SW99 is a .40 so I will have plenty of ammo for awhile. The SW99 had the large inserts on it and it was so darn cold I did not feel like changing it. I noticed while shooting that the insert was way too big and like you I had issues pulling the trigger properly. I put the medium insert in at home and it is perfect. I am also looking for a loader. If I find one I will let you know. We have 7 inches of snow and it keeps on comin!!!!

 

[280PLUS]

I got to shoot a few rounds out of distra's new M&P and I thought it was a fine shooter. Felt recoil was minimal and it's plenty accurate.

Unfortunately I have no new gun money right now.

 

[treebeard]

Distra, you live in CT? I own a house in Mystic. I can't stand driving anywhere near that place in the summer. It is a madhouse!!
280plus, save your money for one.

 

[distra]

Yep. I've been for almost 4 years now. I don't even think about going close to Mystic in the summer. Too many terrorists...er...tourists

 

[Tim Burke]

I think you have chosen wisely, distra.
I like the ergonomics of the M&P better than the Glock, XDs or the 99s.
I'm waiting for the 9mm version... April, according to the S&W product rep @ SHOT.

 

[hpg]

Don't know much about the S&W MP 40, but it looks good. Own the SA XD in 9mm, great gun. If you have large hands like me the figer grooves molded into the Glocks don't fit my hands. The XD's don't have this feature, I wish the gun manufacturers would drop the molded in finger grooves. hpg

 

[treebeard]

I sold my XD-9 today and I plan on picking up an XD-40 in a few weeks. Now if I could only find a holster for my M&P .40 I would be all set.

 

[distra]

Treebeard, I should be getting my D. Hume 721 OT on Tuesday. From what I've read this will work quite well. I am also thinking about another CTAC and Crossbreed. I know Comp-tac is making holsters, but you have to call in the order. I'm not sure if Mark at Crossbreed is making any yet, but these are extremely comfy holsters. I also ordered a Cambi mag universal mag loader that according to the documentation, will load any 9mm, .40, or 45ACP mag. I'll let you know how it works.

 

[treebeard]

Please let me know about the holster AND the loader. I was looking at some loaders today and the people at the store are like "how did you get an M&P .40?" I told them I bought one?! Retards. It seems that it is going to be a popular handgun. I think I will check out the Comp-tac website and research Crossbreed as well. I have to go to Mystic in about a month. How difficult do you think it would be to get a non-resident carry permit?

 

[distra]

I'll let you know. As for the Out of State permit, it should not be too painful. packing.org has the proceedure, but it will probably take longer than a month to get the permit back

From Packing.org:

"Non-Residents:
Contact the "Special License and Firearms Unit" of the Connecticut State Police at 860-685-8494 to request and application."
Date updated: Jul 30, 2005 @ 9:05 pm

Non-Residents:

* Two page application
* Copy of "ANY" state(s) license/permit (unrestricted)
* (1) Photograph
* (2) Fingerprint cards
* (1) Photograph processing sheet
* $24.00 Check or Money Order to the Commissioner of Public Safety
* $35.00 Check or Money Order to Department of Public Safety
* Proof of completing approved course in safety and use of pistols/revolvers (NRA, state certified instructor)

 

[treebeard]

Thanks for the info. Crap, it looks like I am going to have a problem with the safety course. I took the safety course about 7 years ago and I don't think I still have the certificate. I guess I am going to have to dig for it!!

 

[distra]

Yeah, it is kinda' silly since you already have a permit Oh, well it could be A LOT worse. At least we are not NY or CA!

 

[treebeard]

Oh yeah, thank God for that!!! I think I am going to take another NRA certified class since it has been so long. Also, I am only 30 minutes from the SigAcademy so I will probably take some classes there in March and April. My thinking is that the more training I have the better off I will be.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would get the XD9 myself.

 

[treebeard]

The April 2006 Guns & Ammo has a review on the XD45. They seem to like it. My father has the American Rifleman issue with the M&P review in it. I can't wait to read it.

 

[distra]

Treebeard, the article is your typical product review. They make note of how well the M&P fits your hand and how well it shoots. It must have impressed them somewhat, the last paragraph states, "A strong, well-made service pistol in a world full of strong, well-made service pistols, the M&P stands out because of the way it behaves in a shooter's hand." Of course, if you own one you already know that

 

[treebeard]

Aren't you supposed to be getting your brand new Don Hume 721 OT holster tommorrow? You must be chomping at the bit for it, I know I would. Don't forget to either post or PM me so I know whether or not it fits.

 

[distra]

Got it! D. Hume 712OT leather OWB hoster. It is very comfy! Originally designed for the XD40, my XD45 fits and the M&P40 fits. Retension is good for both models, draw is fine, and reholster is excellent. It is a little stiff now, but I'm sure it will loosen up over time. Very pleased, I'm Check out the pix.

 

[treebeard]

Very nice. I am glad it fits. I will be ordering one this week. Thanks alot for the pics. By the way, look what I bought today!



It feels sooooo nice in my hand. I can't wait to shoot this bad boy!!

 

[harrydog]

I like the ergonomics of the M&P better than the Glock, XDs or the 99s.
I'm waiting for the 9mm version... April, according to the S&W product rep @ SHOT.

I also like the ergonomics of the M&P more than the XD and definitely more than Glock.
I don't think the 9mm (which is what I want) will be available as early as April.
The local police department here has adopted the S&W M&P 9mm as their duty weapon. They've ordered 1500 of them but don't expect delivery until May. I'd be surprised if they were available to the general public before they fill this police order.
Before adopting it, they put the gun through a torture test similar to what the Glocks and XD have gone through.
I spoke with one of the policmen in charge of the testing and I'm really impressed.
Part of the testing included firing a single pistol 12,000 rounds without cleaning it ! They did not experience a single malfunction! All they did was add a few drops of oil to the rails every 1500 rounds or so.
They had 30 magazines and a group of recruits. The mags were continuosly reloaded and the gun was shot as fast as they could. During this test the gun was thrown into the dirt from time to time. About every 1000 rounds they would throw it into a mud puddle (it was so hot it would sizzle). They also threw it onto the pavement and drove a vehicle over it. All of this and not a single malfunction in 12,000 rounds!
They did discover a few problems with the gun during the test. For one thing, the front sight would work itself loose from time to time. All of the problems they discovered are being corrected by S&W before production begins so that may be why the 9mm won't be shipped until at least May.
I'm definitely getting one.

 

[atek3]

I'd get the XD9 tactical, and go shoot IPSC with it.