Springfield XDM 9MM or Smith & Wesson M&P 9MM?

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stodd

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Hello everyone..

I'm looking to buy a new handgun for both myself and my wife to shoot. I've been looking at the Springfield XDM 9MM and Smith and Wesson M&P 9MM.

Anyone have any pros/cons for either of these guns. Trying to see what people think the better gun is for a couple to shoot. My wife is a small woman so I'm going to go with the 9MM, just need to see what is the better gun. I like some of the extra things you get with the Springfield XDM 9MM.

Thanks.
Stodd
 
You should let her shoot a couple calibers and let her decide what she is most comfortable with. I used the same logic you are when looking for my first gun and was amazed to see my wife select a SA 1911 in .45 ACP as her favorite out of the 5 or so guns we tested. I was looking at the XDm .40 and was worried she "wouldn't be able to handle it" and I would have to be stuck with "only" a 9mm.

BTW, I ended up getting the XDm .40 because that was what I originally wanted and she did not have any issues with the Glock 22 we rented at the range. The 1911 was about triple that price and lost its appeal to her when she heard how much it cost..

BTW2, the one issue my wife has with the XDm is the size of the grip. It is definitely a better for a person with large hands, which thankfully my wife does not have :D That is the other reason she likes the single stack 1911s. They have a thin grip and enough bulk and metal to absorb most of the recoil.
 
Only one to make that decision is YOU or HER. Both are good pistols. I suggest that you find a range or acquaintance who has one or both available to try out and then buy the one that feels best and shoots best.

If the gun store has other choices, you may find that something else is better.

You can't make that decision until you hold and shoot the pistol. Everything else is random internet chatter.
 
I have both the XDm and the M&P, both in 9mm. I also have very small hands. I have the small backstraps on both of them. The M&P is more comfortable than the XDm. The grip is just smaller. They both shoot well, and both are very good choices. I know several other women that like the way the M&P fits them. My current girlfriend is getting one, my last girlfriend had an M&P45 compact, and my ex-wife carries an M&P9 on her duty belt.

Like I said though, you can't go wrong with either. Just try them both out and come to your own conclusion.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with either pistol.
They both seem to be well made quality firearms.

The only thing I didn't like about the M&P is the way the trigger functions.
It just feels fragile and cheap to me.
And while I haven't heard of one actually breaking, I still couldn't get past that feeling.

The XD also has a better loaded chamber indicator.
You can feel it as well as see it.
With the M&P you can see if a round is in the chamber but you can't tell in the dark.
Not really a big thing to most people, but a difference nonetheless.



Good luck,
Easy
 
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I have had both and currently have the M&P as I like the egos better. I also took my wife to a couple of gun stores and let her hold and shoot these two models in the full size and compact versions. She is also a small lady and ended up choosing the M&P 9 compact. Both are great guns, however, I like the way the M&P shoots more.
 
I'm going to give my opinion based on controls. The slide release on the XD is much stiffer than the S&W. That may play a factor in your decision because every woman I've shot with has had problems with the slide release on my XDs.
 
With the XD you have to press the grip safety to rack the slide. For a defensive pistol, in which you may have to rack the slide one-handed while wounded, that particular feature increases the chances for failure.
 
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I prefer the Plastic M&P, and am currently campaigning one in IDPA.

Another guy here bought the XD (pre-M .45) because it had a better out of the box trigger pull.

But there is nothing to substitute for actually shooting or at least handling the guns, there is so much subjective feel involved on top of catalog specifications.
 
JW has it right: There is no substitute for actually shooting, or at least handling, the pistols. My advice: Go to a range that rents guns and let her try both, or a handful more if the mood strikes her (the Walther P99C, for eample). Or invite your friends who own the models of choice and let her run a number of rounds through them. Eventually she'll find the one pistol that best fits her hand and eye, and it'll be her choice based on her likes and wants.
 
The M&P line of guns are the only ones my wife and I can both shoot comfortably. I have both the 9 and 45 (full size and compact) and she enjoys shooting all 4 of them.
 
I love my new M&P, but you cannot go wrong with either one. Get the one you and her shoot the best. If you cannot find a range to rent some pistols, ask a friend if you can go with him to the range. Offer to buy ammo, he will probably take you up on it.
 
+7 on taking her to the guns shop (and the range if possible) and letting her decide. The XDm and M&P are about as equal as two guns can be - The deciding factor should be which one feel better to her.

You can't go wrong with either.

..............................................

On a personal note: When two guns are that equal, I decide in favor of the American made one.
 
Have an M&P 40c strapped to myself with a deepconceal holster as we speak and a full size M&P 40 in my desk drawer. I've had nothing but 100% perfection from M&P's.
 
Thanks everyone on your comments. I've been looking at the Smith and Wesson M&P for about a month now. I've tried to find a place in Arizona here by me that rents M&P's but cant find one. I think ill bring her to the gun store and let her handle one and see how it feels in her hand.

I'm thinking of going to the M&P..
Thanks agian..
Stodd
 
Both will do a fine job, but I chose the M&P because it fit my hands better and I got it at a much better price ($399 new at budsgunshop.com).
 
I purchased a Springfield XDM back when the first came out because of the backstraps and comfortable grip. Admittedly, I was intrigued by the 19 round mag. Shot it for quite some time and it was fun to shoot, yet nothing special. Nice trigger / reset.

I borrowed a friends M&P9 Pro about three months ago and put shots through it. I was about the best plastic gun I have shot. Loved the grip feel and shape. Loved the natural pointability of it. Just shot very well.

Sold the XDM (got a SIG P226)

Won't sell the M&P
 
I have had both. I didn't care for the cheesy rod that retained the backstrap on the M&P. If I recall I think it also served as a "take down" tool of some kind. The little fragile plastic nub that held it in the grip frame was twisted off in the gun store before I even bought it. SW replaced it no charge but I didn't like its fragility. Other than that it seemed to be a nice gun.

I traded it off and got a XDm 9. I think the XDm is one of the finest pistols ever designed.
 
im going to vote xd 9mm (or xdm) . smith and wesson has horrible quality control issues (or atleast from my experience with their autoloaders)

xd or glock is probably the best way to go for a first pistol
 
I've had both in .40. Wound up selling the XDm to get the M&P.

M&P pros:
------------
rounded, ergonomic shape
made in America
lots of third party holsters/options available
fantastic trigger (with Apex Tactical upgrade parts)
less aggressive grip texturing
cheaper
accurate

XDm pros:
-------------
tactile loaded chamber indicator
accurate
fairly flat profile

Both are good guns.
 
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