Which polymer - S&W, Springfield, or Ruger?

[txgunsuscg]

So I'm looking at getting another polymer .40 (I already have a Glock 23). I am slowly coming around to polymer pistols (although heavy metal, especially the 1911 will always be my favorite). Could those of you that have experience with the M&P, XD, or SR40, especially when compared to the Glock, please enlighten me with your thoughts and/or experiences? Thanks in advance!

 

[ichiban]

Look at the FNX-40. I have one and love it. It has a thumb safety/de-cocker that is much like a 1911 safety so you can carry it cocked & locked. I tend to ride the safety on my 1911s and on my FNX-40 and have not had a problem with it inadvertently de-cocking on me. I did have that problem with my FNP-9 that just had a de-cocker. It is also a very soft shooting .40S&W IMHO. It is DA/SA and has a hammer. The DA trigger is kind of heavy but the SA trigger is pretty light and smooth.

 

[Ringer]

I voted M&P. I have an M&P 9F as a backup/alternate to my G19. The M&P fits my hand really well and I shoot it really well too. If it wasn't for the size difference I might carry it more in place of the G19.

One slight difference is the trigger reset. On the Glock it's a very distinct click that you really feel in your trigger finger. It's more subtle on the S&W. It's not really an issue for me, practice enough and the trigger reset point is pretty natural. Just thought I would mention it.

 

[AethelstanAegen]

I can't speak for the XDM40 specifically, but I love my 4" XD45 Compact. Accurate and comfortable to shoot. I shoot better with my XD than I do with my father's Glock 19. Whenever he's fired my XD, he's seemed impressed. I've also heard great things about the M&P. I would suggest, if possible, you try to hold each type before deciding. I think it often really comes down to your preference on how the pistol fits in your hand/grip style. I've never had any reliability troubles with my XD and it is very similar to Glock in many ways. I prefer the field stripping of the XD over a Glock, but that's mostly because I have trouble grasping the takedown tabs on the Glock (the rotating lever on my XD is easily moved with one thumb). If you're happy with your Glock, the XD will feel familiar and perhaps the grip will suit you better as it does for me. Good luck and given your choices, you probably can't go wrong.

 

[frank c]

Kahr

Kahr PM9

 

[james_bond]

skip the M and just go for the XD

 

[rellascout]

Which one fits your hand better?

Which one points more naturally for you?

Which one do you shoot better?

 

[NG VI]

I'm with Ichiban, I was actually wondering why the FNP/FNX wasn't on the list. I guess they don't get as much play as the rest of the companies, not as well known. They rock though.


Or if CZ has come out with a .40 version of the P-07, I'd definitely check that out too.

 

[Canazes9]

I've owned my XDm 40 for about a year, about 2000 rounds down the tube. Trigger is superb. The gun is a natural pointer, easy to accurately place rounds down range. I have killed numerous pigs and 1 unlucky coyote w/ it while driving my lease on my ATV, XDm in my El Paso Saddlery 1942 Tanker Holster. No failures of any sort. Very nice handgun!

David

 

[Z-Michigan]

I would get a Glock 22. I or close relatives own the M&P and XD (as well as a Glock 22), both are fine guns but I think the Glock is better in most if not all ways. If you get a G22 you can share the G22 mags with your G23, as well as some spare parts.

I haven't shot the SR40 or the SR9. Handling an SR9c I was very impressed, and slightly less impressed with a fullsize SR9 but still seemed good. If it had been on the market earlier I would probably own one, and I would probably choose it over the M&P or XD, but not over a Glock.

These are all fine handguns, but I don't think there's any benefit vs. a Glock.

 

[Kingofthehill]

M&P. Although others are good, the polymer on the M&P feels the most "Warm" so to speak and doesn't feel cheap.

I like the feel of the XD but the XDm has a realy Tyco plastic feeling to it.... That was one of the real let downs of the XDm for me.

 

[Smaug]

Get a carbine that takes Glock magazines

Another 40 pistol, when there are so many other good guns with such variety out there?

How about a Kel Tec Sub 2000. They can be ordered to work with Glock magazines.

The options you pointed out are too similar to what you've got already. Try to branch out, and I feel that you'll be more satisfied with your collection.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I don't have the 40 but the M&P 9C has been my faithful companion for several years now. I should surpass 10,000 this year and it still handles and shoots like new. The M&P 40C is on my short list for my next carry gun.

 

[Ala Dan]

Regular Springfield XD 4" service model~!

 

[InkEd]

The XD(m) is by far the most refined of the group. The M&P is a good gun but I don't see how anyone can genuinely claim they like the trigger. It feels "chintzy" and the fit&finsh IMHO are a little lacking for my taste. I would trust my life to it as a duty gun but I would spend my own money on one. I can't really give an evaluation of the SR40 but if it is like the early SR9s, I hope you have the hand strength to tear a phonebook in half to pull the trigger.

 

[robmkivseries70]

FN Herstal FNX .40 S&W
Best,
Rob

 

[gearhead]

Another vote for checking out the FNP/FNX before you decide.

 

[Fishbed77]

All are great guns. Comes down to personal preference. I second the opinions of some other folks here that you may want to consider the FN FNX and Walther P99 AS as well.

I can't really give an evaluation of the SR40 but if it is like the early SR9s, I hope you have the hand strength to tear a phonebook in half to pull the trigger.

From what I understand, all SR40s have the newer (Glock-like) trigger. My brother has an SR9 with the newer trigger, and it's not heavy at all. It feels a little "hard" at the beginning of the pull, but it's still very managable, and the SR9 is a VERY accurate pistol with very nice standard sights.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The SR9c I handled a couple months ago had a very nice trigger. The SR9 I handled at the same time had a slightly heavier trigger, but not too bad.

I owned an FN FNP-40 for about a year. It was reliable and there was nothing wrong with it. I just didn't like it. DA trigger pull is heavy and clumsy (and I own a bunch of DA/SA guns), I didn't like the trigger being made of plastic, bore axis was high resulting in a lot of muzzle flip, and worst of all the decocker is in the same position as a 1911 thumb safety and will prevent the gun from firing if it's held down - anyone with 1911 muscle memory probably doesn't want an FNP handgun. My 2 cents.

 

[Manco]

I'd choose the M&P because I prefer how it feels in my hand, how it shoots, how I shoot with it, and even how it looks. Your mileage may vary.

 

[bdb benzino]

Really loving my S&W SD9, a sweet polymer pistol

 

[NG VI]

What about a used USP? Or a new one, if you can find one with a price that agrees with you. My first pistol was a USP .40, fantastic gun, really to me this and the Glock 23 define the polymer .40. Softest shooting .40 I've used too.

 

[jon_in_wv]

The XD(m) is by far the most refined of the group. The M&P is a good gun but I don't see how anyone can genuinely claim they like the trigger. It feels "chintzy" and the fit&finsh IMHO are a little lacking for my taste.

Having owned both I can say I wholeheartedly disagree with this. The M&P is, in my opinion, much more refined. As far as the trigger, I couldn't stand the trigger of the XD. The reset is a little more positive but it was also a long reset that reset way past the point the trigger contacts the sear. The M&P resets ON the sear so you don't have a sloppy take up before you are back on the sear to shoot again. The XD passes that point and you have to take up the trigger to the sear for the next shot. Its hard to explain but feeling them back to back I prefer the M&P. I can swap the sear in my M&P for an APEX sear if I want more positive reset and it will be superior in both aspects. As it is I haven't felt the need for a better trigger in my M&P. Honestly, when I bought the XD I expected it to have a better trigger than my M&P but I was disappointed. I sold the XD and my M&P is still my EDC.

 

[GZOh]

A couple out of your list that need mentioning...
FNP-9/45 and SIG Pro 2022 are both excellent 'polys'... very accurate, dependable and great to shoot!
Obviously the H&K USPs are a 'notch above' and kinda top-of-the-line... and so is there price!

 

[larry starling]

CZ P-07 in .40 or a SigPro both excellent choices.