SR9 compared to 9mm M&P, XDM and G19?

[OrangePwrx9]

Looking for bare-bones reliability and reasonably good accuracy in an arm that may occasionally be carried concealed. How does the SR9 stack up to the "Big 3"?

I have and like the G19, though it's a bit big & blocky for concealed carry. I've shot an XD and thought it as good as the Glock; didn't care for the grip safety. No experience with the M&P or the SR9.

Would love to hear from anyone with experience with all 4.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've had a Glock 17 (which is on]y a bit larger than the 19) and have an SR9.

The SR9 is comparable to the 19 in many ways -- just as reliable but arguably better looking, has a slightly better trigger (a lot better in some cases), a better grip angle, nicer sights, and is (like the Glock) very accurate.

Note: I didn't like the SR9 trigger when I first got it - mine was an early model -- but the newer SR9C seems to have a much better trigger. I had the Ghost Products trigger bar installed in my SR9, and it made a world of difference. The trigger is still a bit heavier than I like, but very crisp and clean.

Were I to do it again, I think I'd get an SR9C -- all the good features of the SR9, but smaller.

I've only shot an XD a few times and can offer no feedback.

 

[JR24]

In my very personal opinion, I prefer the SR9 to all the other 3. I sold an M&P and XD and still have my Ruger (SR9c) for my polymer "wonder nine".

The XD and M&P were great, reliable, pistols but the Ruger beat them both in trigger (for me, that has to be clear) and for me that translates to accuracy, ease of shooting, and overall fun factor. I did not have any problems feeding a wide variety of ammo for any of them, including just about 2k in the Ruger last count.

I haven't had a lot of experience with the Glock, I want to like it, but I can't get over the grip angle (or palm swell I really suspect) and it always pointing high upon presentation. Shoots fine and when I concentrate its just as accurate as any of em, just not comfortable to me.

The SR9 seems slimmer than the others and the compact version is surprisingly accurate and easy to shoot for a compact gun and I highly recommend it.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I have shot all 4, own a Glock 19 and (now) and M&P9.

I shot a XDm 4.5 9mm and a Ruger SR9 (fullsize) when I was trying to decide b/w them and an M&P.

I can't really say what I didn't like about the XDm as it was a fine weapon, but it just wasn't for me. I felt like it was too similar to the Glock, and I didn't shoot it any better.

The SR9 got a quick no from me. I hated the trigger pull (but have been told that the newer ones have much better triggers). I also was not a huge fan of the sights, they were just too small for me to acquire quickly. Honestly, I will try out another one here soon, and if the trigger is better then it is a great CCW piece (especially the compact model). It is slimmer than the other 'Big 3' and is still very reliable.

Obviously, I chose the M&P9 full size. It was a soft shooter, has a respectable capacity of 17+1, and I do like the stock sights (but i am currently in the market for night sights). The only thing not to like is that there are many people that do not like the stock trigger. There is an enhancement kit made by Apex Tactical Solutions to solve that issue, but for each his own. My M&P's stock trigger is actually great, breaks crisp at 5.5 lbs.


Hope this helps some

 

[Phil W]

The SR9 is an exceptional handgun. I own a M&P 9 and enjoy shooting the Ruger more (the M&P is a compact.) My only problrmis my wife also love the ruger and it has become her house gun. I rarely see it anymore. Now I'm thinking SR9c. Tax returns are coming......

 

[Skribs]

The biggest difference I see between the SR9 and specific M&P models, compared with the Glock/XDm and the "standard" M&P models is the manual safety. Other than that, you're looking at slight differences in ergonomics and magazine capacity (changes for various models).

 

[allaroundhunter]

The biggest difference I see between the SR9 and specific M&P models, compared with the Glock/XDm and the "standard" M&P models is the manual safety

Some M&P's also have a magazine disconnect

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Some M&P's also have a magazine disconnect

Good to know about that magazine disconnect. Is it restricted to certain models?

I can live with the SR9's safety, that's no big deal. A magazine disconnect is something I'd rather avoid. Not wild about grip safeties either.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Good to know about that magazine disconnect. Is it restricted to certain models?

Yes, there are plenty of models without it. I just got my M&P 9 for Christmas and it does not have one. It says on the right side of the slide (underneath the ejection port), "Caution: Capable of firing with magazine removed".

Here's a pick:

The M&P's with the magazine disconnect are not nearly as common as those without it, I have only found them on budsgunshop.com

 

[mgmorden]

I own an M&P and a Glock 17 (close to the 19). Have shot about 100 rounds through an SR9 and would like to get one. Have never shot an XD or XDm - I have no doubt that they're good guns I just have no real desire to shoot one (don't like the grip safety).

From what I was able to tell form my shooting, the SR9 shot great.

In a couple of categories:

Ergonomics: The SR9 was about equal with the M&P. Both better than Glock here. Of note is that I have a Gen2 Glock. I like the models with the finger grooves even less.
Accuracy: All of them were capable of similar accuracy.
Reliability: Same - I had no issues with any of them.
Trigger: The Glock was a little better than the M&P or the SR9 out of the box, though none of them were so bad as to be unusable. Of note though is that the M&P has some great options for replacement triggers from Apex - which is what I run in mine and I now like it better than any of the others. My Glock runs a stock trigger but there are a lot of aftermarket options out there for it too. Not really a lot available for the SR9 there.
Sights: The SR9 had sights on par with the M&P. I didn't adjust them while I was shooting it but I'm almost positive the stock ones are adjustable, which is even better. M&P comes stock with taller sights that also aren't bad - particularly if you black out the dots. The Glock stock sights are atrocious. Plan on replacing them.

Random notes: The mag disconnect can be removed from the SR9 if you desire. No issue there. If you want a lot of mags, the Glock mags tend to be cheaper. $10-12 gets you aftermarket Korean mags and $20 will typically get you factory mags. M&P mags you can occasionally find as low as $25, but they're usually closer to $30, and SR9 mags are usually another $5-10 on top of that.

One thing that I DON'T like is that the SR9 isn't available in as many options. It comes in regular or compact. M&P comes in 3 different sizes (long slide, standard, and compact) and is also available with or without the safety and in a pro or standard version. Glock comes in enough flavors that you can almost always find what you want.

Other than that though, I view the SR9 as a pretty good gun. Buying one is on my "to do" list as funds allow .

 

[Bojangles7]

The SR9 seems slimmer than the others

It is slimmer than the other 'Big 3' and is still very reliable

It's actually the widest of them all according to specs. The Glock is the slimmest followed by the M&P, the XDM, and the SR9. 1.18", 1.2", 1.25", & 1.27" respectively.

 

[Mikey Idaho]

Before I picked my my M&P9 I tried out everything I could get my hands on and that's what I ended up with, it's a very personal decision though. I put the SR9 in a category just below the XD/M&P/Glock, it's a very good handgun and I enjoy shooting my brother in law's SR9 but would never buy one. I don't like the ergonomics, sights and overall quality feel compared to my M&P. I will admit the trigger is nice, but I can add an Apex trigger to my M&P, you can't change the ergonomics and overall feel of the SR9. Also a big sign is how many militaries and law enforcement agencies use SR9's?.....

 

[justice06rr]

I've owned the M&P for a while and IMO its the perfect blend between all your choices. I've shot the Glock and the XD as well. I haven't tried the SR9 but i'm highly considering the SR9c after checking it out numerous times at the local shop.

only thing that I'd consider inferior on the SR9 is the trigger and small safety. Also the safety is not usable if its not cocked, unlike the M&P which will work regardless of the condition.

 

[Jeff H]

I can live with the SR9's safety, that's no big deal. A magazine disconnect is something I'd rather avoid.

Mag disconnects in the SR9 can be removed in 30 sec. I'm pretty sure that USPSA agrees that the removal keeps the gun legal, if you are interested in competition.

 

[mgmorden]

Mag disconnects in the SR9 can be removed in 30 sec. I'm pretty sure that USPSA agrees that the removal keeps the gun legal, if you are interested in competition.

Correct. USPSA (at least in Production where this gun would be best suited) forbids the removal or disabling of a safety device, but makes a note that the mag-disconnect isn't considered to be a safety device. Given that it's a striker-fired design it also can start without the thumb safety applied (though you can't completely disable it).

That said, just given aftermarket support I would probably say that one would be better served with the other guns mentioned vs the SR9 if you were buying specifically with competition in mind. If it's just a matter of already having the SR9 and trying it out though, then it'll do fine.

 

[JTQ]

Originally Posted by JR24
The SR9 seems slimmer than the others

Originally Posted by allaroundhunter
It is slimmer than the other 'Big 3' and is still very reliable

Bojangles7 wrote,
It's actually the widest of them all according to specs. The Glock is the slimmest followed by the M&P, the XDM, and the SR9. 1.18", 1.2", 1.25", & 1.27" respectively.

Bojangles7, you need to go handle all of them. I'm sure your hands will give you a different answer and you will most likely agree with the other posters. The SR9 feels slimmer than the competition.

 

[Bojangles7]

Guess I have an excuse to head to the LGS.

 

[JR24]

I'm pretty sure the specs on the SR9 as listed are including the width of the safties, which add a considerable amount on paper.

Once you handle a SR9 you'll see how slim they really are, they almost feel like a single stack.

 

[viper7342]

I have owned a total of 4 XD service size pistols, 3 in 9mm and 1 in 40S&W, I still own an XD9 and also an M&P in 40S&W. All of my XD's have been highly reliable, accurate and very well made with the exception of the last one and it is acceptable for a combat/SD style pistol, although the rear sight could use some adjusting in order to shoot directly to point of aim. The M&P is also accurate, reliable and very well made and although it is chambered in 40S&W, it doesn't seem to be as snappy as the Glock 23 I owned and is much more accurate in my hands at least. YMMV.

 

[guyfromohio]

All will go bang. All will have decent accuracy. I love my G19, did not like my XD, and have never fired the other 2. In this apples to apples to apples to apples comparison, you could really choose in the LGS by holding, pointing (safe direction) and dry-firing. All winners. As for the XD, it didn't fit me well... accuracy and reliability were above average.

 

[danfive555]

Since you don't have experience with SR9 or M&P, I suggest you rent these or feel them out.

These are likely the ones that are going to fit best into your hand. I especially like them in the compact size (SR9c and M&P 9c); they are so light and small you will be very motivated to conceal-carry.

 

[BIGBANG]

I love my sr9c, I took the mag disconnect out which took about 5 min, and added a ghost trigger and it shoots like a dream. It makes me look like a top competitor on top shot, I love it!

 

[Aiko492]

I own the G19 and XDm 4.5 ". I would take the Glock in a defensive situation but the XDm has the best ergonomics (for me) and in my hand is fard more accurate than the Glock. Maybe it is the ergonomics, maybe it is the match barrell (although I doubt it) but I shoot it more accurately. The XDm is a softer shooting gun for sure. I have no experience with the other two but own a HK USP in 9mm as well as a G26.