SA XD9 vs P99 vs M&P9

[Holo]

I am in the market for a tupperware 9mm. 4-4.5 inch is what I want in barrel length and I am not partial to either the DAO or the DA/SA. I have browsed the existing threads on these guns and they all seem to get raving reviews which leaves me puzzled on which to get.

A range trip is happening this week with a few boxes of 9mm to rent each of the 3 and try them out but I want first hand experience on which you guys and gals prefer. It ultimately will come down to which I shoot best/which has the best track record for reliability but THR has proved it has valuable input

So fire away! Thanks

 

[Sgt_R]

A range trip is happening this week with a few boxes of 9mm to rent each of the 3 and try them out... It ultimately will come down to which I shoot best...

That's the best advice you're going to get, but here's my $.02 anyway.

I own Glocks and Kahrs. I've also shot XD's and M&P's. I have not shot the P99. If I was in the market for another polymer defensive handgun, it'd probably be the M&P9C.

R

 

[au01st]

Throw one more in there, I've been looking at the Smith and Wesson SD9. If you haggle you should be able to get it around $400 OTD, and it's a lot of gun for that bit of money. It's extremely comfortable.

I looked at the XD9 too and found the mag release to be much easier to use on the SD9.

 

[bigfatdave]

A range trip is happening this week with a few boxes of 9mm to rent each of the 3 and try them out

Do that. Ergonomics trumps all, unless you're going to give me XRay shots of your hands around a variety of grips how can I help you?

Do you want any of the features on the guns?
The XD (which comes in a superb compact variant) has a grip safety
The P99 (which comes in a superb compact variant) has a flipper mag catch under the trigger, which is great once you get used to it, it won't drop your mag from in the holster
The S&W is a S&W, it says S&W on the side and I've shot the compact variant, not to my taste, but your hand is not my hand

I don't know why I bother with these endless shopping threads, go shopping for your little range toy, I suspect that whatever you pick you'll be back complaining about a scratch on it within a week.

 

[Holo]

too many in-laws in the last week BFD?

To the others, thanks for the CONSTRUCTIVE advice.

 

[DJCharlie]

I actually shot all 3 of these side by side last week. Out of the 3 the xd had the most felt recoil. M&P had the least recoil but I didn't like the trigger too much. From my understanding this can be fixed with apex parts but I didn't feel like having to upgrade anything. The P99 was a 1st gen which is like the P99 AS. Kinda strange to get use to at first but in SA mode the trigger was really nice. For me it was the P99, M&P, and XD in third

 

[Jaywalker]

I looked at the M&P and the P99 today, plus the Glock G19 you didn't ask for. (I didn't, and don't, want a Springfield.) Of the three I looked at; I preferred the Smith's feeling and trigger - reach and pull; that's a good thing, since I know it can be significantly improved.

 

[sharptailhunter]

I have the P99 AS in .40, haven't shot it in 9mm. I like the Walther for carry because of the decocker and the AS trigger. It has been a great gun, and it carries well, even being a full sized 40. I plan to put some night sights on it soon.

I've also shot all the other guns you mentioned. I like em all, for different reasons. They're all good, so shoot em all, and pick the gun that you like the most, not the brand.

 

[defjon]

Gonna have to handle them all, preferably shoot them all first...but the good thing is you can't go wrong here. They are all dependable, solid performers that will give you a lifetime of service.

 

[DAdams]

I have the P99 AS in .40, haven't shot it in 9mm. I like the Walther for carry because of the decocker and the AS trigger.

Plus one.



Warranty on the Springfield and S&W Lifetime and Walther supposedly one year although depending on the issues, since S&W handles Walther US I have heard they unofficially do better than one year on manufacturers defects.

I absolutely found the P99 had the best ergonomics with the midsize backstrap for me. I can't even believe how it fits my hand. I also really like the AS (anti-stress DA/SA feel) trigger and decocker. I also like the ambi mag release at the trigger guard. 13 rounds of .40 does it for me.

This is absolutely the best review I have come across for the P99 although it is the earlier variant.

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/9149-walther-p99-review.html

An excerpt:

Walther is known for their engineering abilities, and I'd rank them right up there with Sig Sauer and Heckler and Koch personally, but where the P99 shines for many is not in it's design as related to function (though the trigger is damn nifty), it's in the ergonomic and visual elements of the gun. The grip design alone is a marvel, and after you hold this gun, it should come as no surprise that Walther contracted Morini, the maker of some of the best target and competition grips that can be made (which, of course means that they find themselves in the hands of some of the best shooters in the world)

...

All that said, I think my next buy very likely will be a M&P Pro or L in 9mm, I am still debating four or five inch barrel. The M&P was the second best fit for me, the HK being 3rd.

I'm not familar with the XDs because they have never made my short list although I like the XD compacts. I shot one years ago in .40. and the new .45 and 9/40 mm xdm is interesting.

 

[Holo]

Went to the range today and shot all 3.

p99: Trigger did not appeal to me at all. However my groups were sub 1" at 5 yards I just did not like the trigger and mag release.

M&P9: very nice grip but gritty trigger pull. Shot the worst with this one.

XDM9: Felt great, shot great. Going to go with this one. Recoil was the least out of all 3 with p99 feeling the worst to me.

After i walked out with the 3 guns the range master said "you picked the XD didnt you." I told him yes and he said that he sold his glock17 to get an XD because he shot it so well. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[2WheelsGood]

I just traded my 9mm P99(QA) for an XDM 9mm. If it had been a P99(AS) I probably wouldn't have made the trade. Don't get me wrong, the P99 was wonderful, but the QA trigger is a bit heavy. The AS trigger is MUCH better.

As for the mag release, I prefer the Walther design. Partly because I also have a PPS and a P22 that all use the same design. I think it's superior to the typical mag release, but it does take getting used to.

 

[reagan2005]

I owned a S&W m&p for less than a year it was in 40. It ergonomics were good but it was horrible to shoot, (to me it was). first off after you got through shooting it your hands are covered in gsr. The trigger was horrible, it felt... cheap. Where the trigger pivets it would cut into my finger. And to be honest it really wasn't the best looking gun either. I bought it because all of the hype surrounding it.

 

[DAdams]

P99 in the QA or DAO would not make my short list either. The AS SA is 5lbs with a short reset, both the Springfield and S&W would need work to meet that specification. Not even the HK LEM meets the Walther AS specs in SA mode.

To do an apples to apples Springfield XDM vs M&P comp you would have had to shoot the M&P Pro.
XD and M&P base units would be an a equivalent.

The Springfiield should have lower (perceived) recoil as it is 30-40% heavier than the P99.
27-32 ounces vs 21.

The P99 is about as simple as it gets on take down, dedicated control. No tools required, not even a punch or nail or special tool. No trigger pull/release required, use the decocker.

Did you shoot the 3.8 or standard XDM?

Springfield was probably the mid-range price?

 

[Fargazer]

I own a 9mm P99 AS, and love it. In over 1600 rounds these past few months, I had only one issue with operator error (I didn't seat the magazine fully). Eats a wide variety of ammo without complaint. That being said:

• The magazine release is a paddle under the trigger guard. I love that (easier for my small hands to operate), but it's something you need to train with so you don't errantly reach for a magazine button.
• There are fewer accessories for it than the other two. I would love a Crimson Trace laser or TruGlo TFO sight set, but they only make them for the XD and M&P9, not the P99.
  • On the other hand, my P99 Trijicons aren't bad
• Figure on $50 plus per extra P99 magazine.

I still like the P99 AS best of the three mentioned in this thread, but I've got to give the nod to the other two for accessories and magazine prices.

 

[YaNi]

p99: Trigger did not appeal to me at all. However my groups were sub 1" at 5 yards I just did not like the trigger and mag release.

All three guns should be able to shoot ~1" at 10 yards.

M&P9: very nice grip but gritty trigger pull. Shot the worst with this one.

Any person can shoot well with any gun. Everything in life takes practice to get good at. People saying they shoot better with one gun than another just don't have enough practice on the latter gun. They are all reliable pistols and they are all accurate. Buy whatever has the best ergos for you and hit the range.

 

[NRAhab]

To the OP - congrats on choosing the XD9mm. Did you get the XD(m) model or did you go with the standard XD?

 

[metalman8600]

I hear the P99QA's trigger can be helped by switching a spring.

 

[Holo]

I went with the XD(m) 4.5 inch barrel. Since i ordered on 12/30 I'm elligible for the 3 free mags from Springfield so thats awesome too. It shipped today so i should hopefully see it by saturday

 

[2WheelsGood]

I went with the XD(m) 4.5 inch barrel. Since i ordered on 12/30 I'm elligible for the 3 free mags from Springfield so thats awesome too. It shipped today so i should hopefully see it by saturday

Wait, what's this? I bought an XDM (3.8) on Dec. 26th. What's this about a free Mag?