sleepyone
Member
I went to my LGS and rented some of their autos to get some comparisons. I'm looking at a M&P 9mm, .40 SW or .45 ACP full-size. I brought my XD9 Subcompact to compare. I also shot the XD-40 4" and the Sig 229.
What I learned. I love the ambi features of the M&P. I am a lefty when shooting only. The reversible mag release and ambi slide release and safety are HUGE for me. I like the sights and grip as well. I actually shot my XD9 a little better, which is to be expected as I have had it three years and put several hundred rounds through it. The XD felt a little heavier. The slide and barrel seem to be a bit more substantial than the M&P. Plastic guns are not beautiful by any measure, but the M&P is a better looking gun than the XD
They did not have an M&P in .40 SW for rental, so I had to shoot the 9mm version and compare it with the XD40. The M&P 40 is built on the same frame as the 9mm so everything is the same except for the recoil, which did not seem as bad as I remember it when I shot a .40 cal. about three years ago.
At the time, I had just gone through open carpal tunnel surgery on both hands, so the .40 recoil was painful. It has a hard snap to it versus the slow push of the .45 or the slight snap of the 9mm. I am told this is because the .40 SW is a very high pressure round which causes the slide to move back much faster with more energy thus increasing recoil.
I did not care for the Sig 229. I shot about six inches low with it and with the exposed hammer I seemed to get hit with residue. I did not care for the looks of it or the exposed hammer. I shot it like crap.
I never got around to shooting any .45s because of time and money contraints. This LGS makes you buy their ammo when shooting their guns, so I was already at $70 in rental, ammo and range time after I shot their .40 and 9mm guns. I also just ordered a Colt 1911, so that would be my carry gun if I go .45ACP. I did hold the M&P .45; however, and the grip is too thick for my hand. Felt like I was holding a club.
Conclusion:
I will probably get the M&P 4.25" barrel with the manual safety. It is just too lefty friendly. I wish I could have shot the .40SW version to get an accurate recoil comparison to the XD-40. However, unless someone on this forum can convince me otherwise, I will still get the .40 instead of the 9mm.
What I learned. I love the ambi features of the M&P. I am a lefty when shooting only. The reversible mag release and ambi slide release and safety are HUGE for me. I like the sights and grip as well. I actually shot my XD9 a little better, which is to be expected as I have had it three years and put several hundred rounds through it. The XD felt a little heavier. The slide and barrel seem to be a bit more substantial than the M&P. Plastic guns are not beautiful by any measure, but the M&P is a better looking gun than the XD
They did not have an M&P in .40 SW for rental, so I had to shoot the 9mm version and compare it with the XD40. The M&P 40 is built on the same frame as the 9mm so everything is the same except for the recoil, which did not seem as bad as I remember it when I shot a .40 cal. about three years ago.
At the time, I had just gone through open carpal tunnel surgery on both hands, so the .40 recoil was painful. It has a hard snap to it versus the slow push of the .45 or the slight snap of the 9mm. I am told this is because the .40 SW is a very high pressure round which causes the slide to move back much faster with more energy thus increasing recoil.
I did not care for the Sig 229. I shot about six inches low with it and with the exposed hammer I seemed to get hit with residue. I did not care for the looks of it or the exposed hammer. I shot it like crap.
I never got around to shooting any .45s because of time and money contraints. This LGS makes you buy their ammo when shooting their guns, so I was already at $70 in rental, ammo and range time after I shot their .40 and 9mm guns. I also just ordered a Colt 1911, so that would be my carry gun if I go .45ACP. I did hold the M&P .45; however, and the grip is too thick for my hand. Felt like I was holding a club.
Conclusion:
I will probably get the M&P 4.25" barrel with the manual safety. It is just too lefty friendly. I wish I could have shot the .40SW version to get an accurate recoil comparison to the XD-40. However, unless someone on this forum can convince me otherwise, I will still get the .40 instead of the 9mm.