ugaarguy has done a good job responding to CZ 42's "I don't trust Smith & Wesson anymore." comments, so I wont add much to that.
I have owned two of Smith & Wesson's M&Ps. The first a Compact .40 S&W and the second a full size 9mm.
I did not like the Compact because of the recoil of .40 S&W. The 9mm full size however is perfectly controllable and with a good holster such as the Comp-tac Infidel, I can conceal the full size 9mm just as well as I could the Compact.
Here are a few bugaboos I've noticed with my two M&Ps:
On the Compact, I had the magazine drop malfunction. This is a common problem; however, it seems to have been fixed at the factory. There are varying opinions on the Compact and the magazine drop malfunction, but I know from personal experience that after the factory fix my Compact performed flawlessly, so Smith & Wesson customer service did good by me.
FYI, Smith & Wesson uses a new magazine catch that is made of harder steel. In the older catch, the metal of the magazine was harder than the metal of the magazine catch. This caused wear to the point that the catch failed. Personally, I think the magazine release spring in my Compact has always been too light.
Interestingly, it takes noticeably more force to press the magazine release on my full size than it did on my Compact. I don't know if the full size has a heavier spring than the Compact, but it sure does feel like a heavier spring.
Another problem I have experienced on both of my M&Ps is that the frame tool is a pain in the butt to remove from the gun. It takes a lot of force to remove it.
The frame tool holds the back straps or grip panels in place and if you follow the manual to the letter, you're suppose to use the metal end of the frame tool to disconnect the sear (I use my finger). The frame tool is so hard to get out that I don't see myself ever using the thing as its intended to be used.
I had Smith & Wesson customer service mail me a new frame tool for both my Compact and full size because I've managed to scratch up the originals while trying to remove them from each gun. If the smooth bottom of the frame tool is scratched the rough texture rubs against my skin and I find this uncomfortable. Neither one of my frame tools would have been scratched up if they weren't such a pain in the butt to remove from the gun.
If you do have a problem with your M&P, Smith & Wesson's customer service is the best. I have many, many tools from some of the best tool companies. In power tools, I own or have owned Hitachi, Porter-Cable, Delta, Bosch, DeWalt, and others. Of all the tool companies I've dealt with, having a lifetime warranty is uncommon despite paying top dollar.
I own power tools that cost a whole lot more than my $450 Smith & Wesson M&P. Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, Delta, Porter-Cable, and DeWalt do not offer lifetime warranties despite charging top dollar. Unlike the Smith & Wesson M&P, very few power tools are made right here the good ol' United States of America.
Even though I did experience the magazine drop malfunction, Smith & Wesson took my $450 handgun, gave me a prepaid shipping label to ship the gun back to the factory, and upgraded the gun with tritium night sights. Smith & Wesson saved me $40 in overnight shipping and about $100 in night sights for my trouble.
You can get a lifetime warranty from Glock and Springfield Armory, but from me to you, I'm very happy with Smith & Wesson customer service.
The bottom line is I am very happy with my M&P. Whether or not you will prefer the M&P over the XD is up to you. Both have a different feel to them and you'll have to decide which you like more. I personally would feel just as safe defending my life with the M&P or XD.
I hope my reply is helpful to you.