XD or M&P

[ACE2382]

I'm currently looking at buying a hand gun for multi-use purposes. I plan on taking it hunting w/ me, and also shooting at the range. Mostly, I plan on using it for home defense. To that end, I have already decided on a .45.
Currently. I am torn between a Springfield XD .45 Tactical model and a S&W M&P .45. I also like the Walther P99, but they only carry it in a .40S&W or 9mil. Most people I've talked to have grimmaced at the thought of a S&W auto, but a few have said they work just fine. A reputable gun dealer I talked to recommended the XD. Is there anyone out there who has expirence in both firearms? What would you recommend?

 

[romeo212000]

I bought an M&P and was torn the same way you were but with .40cal on the brain. I went with the M&P because it seemed to have a more consistent trigger. I do love the XD though and may buy one eventually anyways. I still want both dang it.

 

[kd7nqb]

I was SOLD on the XD until one day I went to the range, the XD was rented out and the M&P was availible. That day I shot the M&P and ordered one the next day. I have shot both and like both the M&P just fits me better and I like the trigger on it much better.

That being said I eventually want a 9mm and am considering the XD for a little diversity. They are both very good guns.

 

[Ske1etor]

I haven't bought either yet but just off of the feel, I would suggest the M&P. I may have a skewed opinion as the M&P .40 is the next toy on my list!

 

[Hawaiian]

They are both very good guns. I like the M&P over the XP, but then I like the HK45 over both.

 

[scurtis_34471]

My wife has an M&P 9 Compact with a set of Ameriglo night sights and a trigger job from Bowie Tactical Solutions. She absolutely loves it. Its a great gun.

I have an XD-40 Service and an XD-40 Subcompact with TruGlo TFO night sights on both. They are also great guns.

The XDs had better triggers out of the box, but the Smith had better ergonomics due to the interchangeable backstraps.

I would happily buy another M&P or another XD. They are both excellent.

 

[xpun8]

This should be a good discussion. I've owned 4 XD's (.40 service and sc, .45 service and compact). I have about 1500 rnds through each with the exception of the sc close to 700. Anyway, when I first decided to get the XD I'd shot a dozen different Glocks, mostly my buddies (he swears by them). I rented an XD one day and I must say I was sold, it just felt right. Fast fwd to 2 weeks ago...a friend I just introduced to shooting is in the market to make a purchase. I recommended renting every .45 the range had, they have about 35 or so (he'd decided he wanted to get a .45). We decided that it was going to take a few trips to get a few rounds through all of them. The first trip was dedicated to 1911 styles, the second (2 wks ago) was plastic. We bought 500 rnds and decided to try Glocks, XD's and the M&P. He didn't care a lot for the Glocks, he said the XD felt natural, the M&P was last. I will say this, I was impressed, I liked it a lot. I'm wouldn't consider myself a handgun expert by any stretch, but the M&P was really nice. I like the feel, the trigger pull was nicer than the stock XD, the recoil felt lighter than the XD (probably my imagination). I loved it, how much? I own one now. My only recommendation to you would be fire as many rounds as you can through each and make a decision on that. I'm for sure about this, but if you can afford it by one of each. One for carry and one for the bedside.

Bottom line...I like them both, only you can decide what's best for you.

 

[GunTech]

I'm currently hunting an FNP 45. Already had the Glock, HK, XD and S&W 45s.

http://www.fnhusa.com/le/news/PDF/FNP45gunsandammo0802.htm

 

[MarcusWendt]

I own all three of the guns you mentioned. At this time I can't explain why, but I really like my P99. That having been said, I love my M&P and I really like my XD. I shoot them all in .40 S&W. In .40 S&W the P99 is just a bit snappy. The M&P tames the .40S&W like no other gun I've seen. It's also very accurate. I love the way it feels in my hand, but the P99 feels best in my hand.

The XD is sometimes great other times, I am not as accurate as I should be with it. More likely me than the gun.

The P99 and the XD both hold 12 rounds of .40 S&W in standard capacity mags while the M&P holds 15 rounds of .40 S&W in standard magazine.

I really don't think you an go wrong with any of them.

 

[Babalouie]

I've owned both. Both of them in .40. My son and I shoot in uspsa/ipsc and he prefers the M&P for production class. Both are great guns! Both have nice triggers that can be made fantastic with a trigger job...no need to if your not shooting competitively. I personally prefer the M&P too, but honestly both are really great firearms. I like that the Smith is American made and has the interchangeable grips. The Smith also felt less blocky and a bit easier to conceal. Both work flawlessly. Handle both and choose what you like best...you can't go wrong either way and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Gary G23]

I own both the XD and the M&P in 45. I recommend both. XD holds more rounds but the M&P is more ergonomic.

 

[Nikon777]

MP has better ergos, lower recoil, simpler design, and smith will actually sell you parts.

 

[ACE2382]

Thanks for all the responses. Great info. I too like the ergos of the M&P. Unfortunately, the only range available to me that rents guns requires me to join the club which costs $150 to get in and then $30 a month. All that $ for a 25yd. range... ONLY a 25yd. range. It's a real pain trying to be into firearms in a blue county in Colorado. I hear tell that hogue makes grips for the XD. I have yet to find them though. Has anyone seen/use them? XD or M&P, either way it's going in for a trigger job. No matter how Springfield touts the "semi-single action" trigger, 6-8 lbs. is still a little stiff for me (although I also don't like the 1/2 lb. pull my friend has...scary). Also, are trijicon night sights available from the factory?

 

[possum]

welcome to thr. i am a loyalist to the sa xd's i have 2 and i love them. they are awesomly accurate and reliable handguns and they would serve you well. if the xd didn't exist then i would have the m&p and might even buy one in the future just because. they are reliabel and accurate as wel and there have been many great reviews and exeriences with them. the ergos on the m& are great and one of my personal reasons for liking it so much. either one would serve you well. i would take the xd first but that is due to teh fact that i have 2 and that they are proven to me at least.

 

[10-Ring]

Not a fan of the XD so I guess I'd go w/ the M&P

 

[wally]

Can't go wrong with either, the XD was my favorite plastic pistol until I got my M&P. The changeable back straps is a big plus IMHO.

With the current $50 rebate and two free magazines offer its hard to pass up the M&P.

Since you like the Walther P99, S&W has made the P99 in a .45ACP version, I've got one, but I like the M&P better.

--wally.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I am not going to recommend one over the other as they are both good guns, but this stuck in my craw a little bit.

Most people I've talked to have grimmaced at the thought of a S&W auto, but a few have said they work just fine.

These "most people" must never have owned one. I have or have had several examples of their "old-school" "Third Generation" pistols, as well as an M&P 9mm compact. None of them have ever malfunctioned.

Can you rent examples of both to try? I rented a XD and a M&P, both full-size 9mms, and greatly preferred the M&P's trigger action (which is why I bought one, although a compact for better concealment), although the XD did function perfectly.

 

[tblt]

Don't buy either get something in Sa/Da JMO.Ruger makes a nice low cost 45.

 

[scurtis_34471]

My problem is that I really like the XD and the M&P and the CZ and the P99 AS. They are ALL excellent guns.

 

[nelson133]

I bought both in .45 toward the end of last year. Initially I liked the XD better, but as time has gone on, I have come to prefer the M&P. The XD still has the better trigger, but the felt recoil is higher, I shoot the M&P better, and the Xd only feeds 230 grain round nose reliably, whereas the M&P feeds wadcutters without a bobble.
Since gun fit is so individual, I would try both before buying. I expected to like the XD better and now I am thinking of selling it and getting something else because I would rather shoot the M&P.