Springfield XD 9mm or S&W M&P 9mm

[Anna's Dad]

I'm interested in the full-sized version of either the Springfield XD9 or the S&W M&P 9mm. The gun would pretty much just be a shooter at the range as I use a Ruger P345 for the home and carry a smaller Kel-Tec.

I would be really interested in your preference and a post explaining why you prefer one over the other (or neither).

I know, in the end, I should buy the one that fits me the best, but I would love to hear the perceived virtues of each before I get more hands-on.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FieroCDSP]

I've fired the XD9c, and while I found it comfortable, there was just something about it. Maybe the bore-axis? It's been several months, so I can't really remember what is was exactly. I can toot the S&W horn all night, but it really should be about you. See if you can find some place you can rent both and try them out.

 

[Coronach]

I didn't vote, but I would say either one would be fine. I carry an M&P on duty and I love it. I find the ergos and trigger of the M&P slightly better- for me. The XD ergos might fit you better, and the trigger is quite good.

I would buy the one you like better. They're both great guns.

Mike

 

[Plumber576]

The XD is a bastard child of a Sig and a Glock with an extra chromosome trying to be an HK. Go for the M&P on looks alone.

 

[Anna's Dad]

I always thought it was the bastard child of a Glock and a 1911 (based on the grip safety). I really thought the XD would do better in the poll than it has so far!

I didn't want to say anything up front that might skew numbers but I was leaning towards the XD as I'd read so many positive things about it in the past. I'm definately going to take a hard look at the M&P.

Regards,

 

[Black Majik]

I've been impressed with the M&P. Very comfortable to shoot, very low recoil, and just plain fun. Very nice ergonomics, S&W hit a home run with this gun.

The XD is a good gun, but for some reason I just don't care for it. One thing is the dang pointability of the gun. For a polymer gun, it weighs like a steel gun and points like a bass ackwards compass.

Go for the M&P

 

[PennsyPlinker]

I just posted in another thread about a gun that I own, partly in response to someone who thought it would be constructive to badmouth another person's choice because they don't like it based on aesthetic reasons. It is beyond me why people waste the bandwidth. I do not own and have never shot an XD9, but I do own an XD45, and it is a very nice handling pistol - for me.

Buy what feels good, what handles well, and ignore the people who have the need to bash something just for the sake of bashing it. I don't think you would go wrong with either choice, but it comes down to subjective impressions at this point. I chose the XD over a Glock because I did not like the angle of the Glock, or the ribs which were not made for my hand. "Looks" had absolutely nothing to do with it.

 

[Anna's Dad]

I see the XD is gaining some ground in the poll.

In gun selection, asthetics mean little to me. I take comments that are based solely on asthetics as light-hearted jabs and don't let them sway my opinion one way or the other.

XD, M&P, Glock, whatever--I don't want to see any of them fail. The more solid choices the better! Since I can't afford them all, however, I just like to get opinions before I make my next purchase.

 

[righteousbarbarian]

Let me ask, have you considered the CZ SP-01? It is accurate, reliable, ergonomic, hi-capacity, it comes with awesome night sights, and it is priced similarly to an XD-45.

 

[cbsbyte]

I have read quite a few negatives on gun forums about the function of these models. Especially the M&P. In the future they might turn out to be great guns, but right now the verdict is still out. At this time I would wait awhile for the designs to mature, and all the bugs to addressed. Right now if you want a plastic fantastic a used Glock, HK or a Sig Pro would be a better choice.

 

[tydephan]

I have the M&P and have shot the XD.

Both are great pistols. Both manufacturers have respectable customer service.

But, Smith is running two promotions right now that made me purchase another M&P:

Two Free Magazines (worth $40 each) - These are additional to the two that come with the gun.

Free Range bag (worth $50) - A very nice bag.

This is a total of $130 of free stuff.

Buds Gun Shop currently has the M&P on sale for $399. With shipping it will be about $432. Then you'll have to pay your FFL a few bucks to do the transfer paperwork.

If you are on the fence, the lower price with more freebies would be a huge incentive if it was me.

 

[Anna's Dad]

I had looked at a CZ 75B (I think that's right) in the past. Never have looked at the P-01, but I will certainly give it some attention if you feel that its comparable.

I had recently heard about the M&P free mags--didn't know about the range bag. I also saw the Bud's price and that is darn tempting.

- Eric

 

[Anna's Dad]

I went and did it!

Well, I know that I said I'd give consideration to the CZ P-01 in my last post, but I just made an impulse decision!

I was about to purchase a Beretta Bobcat .22 from Bud's anyway. Their $399 price on the M&P combined with the free mags, free range bag, reduced shipping on the 2nd gun purchase and a reduced transfer fee from my dealer for multiple guns was just too hard to pass up!

I will be the owner of the M&P 9mm in, I'd guess, a little over a week (have to wait for them to receive payment since I refuse to pay a 3% credit card surcharge).

Thanks for all of the info. I'm really excited about my new purchase. It will be my first S&W!

 

[Boats]

I think you will be pleased with your purchase.

My wife bought an M&P9 despite my personal boycott of S&W.

Anyways, I have had a chance to use it, and it's a really nice piece. I like it better than my old XD-9 bitone for three primary reasons:

1. The interchangeable backstraps are just genius. Pop the tool out of the butt, slide in a different insert and reinsert the tool. No muss and no fuss.

2. S&W has committed to openly selling spare parts for it. Springfield insists you send XDs to them. Strike two for SA. I put up with that on their 1911s because their 1911s are standards compatible for the most part, but the XD has little or no secondary market for parts other than barrels.

3. S&W, despite their corporate failings and my misgivings about them, are made and serviced entirely in America, and that still counts for something in my book.

 

[Eightball]

To me, it just seems to make sense to do the M&P in 9mm; the XD is, to me, a .45ACP platform, while the M&P will always be a 9mm platform in my mind.

YMMV.

 

[Zor Omega]

This is just my opinion but I would say go with the XD. Now I have had no dealing with the M&P, but I just picked up my XD9 yesterday and I love it. Good grip, nice wieght balance, trigger is nice. Just my 2c

 

[zzzarkt]

While I honestly believe the XD to be the superior firearm, I would go with the M&P. Springfield still refuses to sell parts to anyone but LEO armorers.

If your XD has any part break you will have to ship it to Springfield and possibly be without your gun for what may be months.

Smith and Wesson is not afflicted by such nonsense in regards to their parts policy.

 

[scurtis_34471]

I just snagged an M&P Compact 9mm from Bud's for my wife and will definitely take advantage of those S&W promos. By the time I get done with the 3% credit card fee, shipping, insurance, FFL transfer and NICS fees it will total out to about $480. That's about $130 less than I would pay locally, so its a really good deal for me.

 

[Tim Burke]

I've shot them both and I like them both, but I give the edge to the M&P.

 

[TC-TX]

The XD is BY FAR the better platform.

 

[Anna's Dad]

Bonus

Not only is Bud's selling the M&P for $399. Not only does it qualify for two free mags from S&W. Not only does it qualify for a free range bag from S&W. Bud's if offering a free camo cap for any M&P purchase while supplies last. Now if that doesn't convince you nothing will

OK, maybe I placed my order before I even saw the banner about the cap but I'm sure that will convince the rest of you!

Since I was already buying another gun, I got the M&P for $409 ($10 shipping for 2nd gun). My dealer typically reduces transfer fees for more than one gun, too. I paid via money order to avoid the 3%, so I should be sitting at about $425 when its all said and done. I think that's a heck of a deal for the gun, 4 mags, the bag and, of course, the cap.

 

[wrangler5]

Anna's Dad, why not just think of it as a free gun that you got with a very expensive hat? People pay lots of money for hats all the time, but a free gun is something you can brag about for years. After a while you can even stop talking about the hat, and just brag about the free gun.

 

[Chris Rhines]

By far? Heh.

I much prefer the M&P, for better trigger, accuracy, and ergonomics.

- Chris