XDm Compact, M&P Compact or SR9C for Carry

[wbwanzer]

I'm thinking about picking up another 9mm pistol for carry. This will not be for every day carry, as I live in Maryland. But I can carry out of state with my Utah non-res permit. So keeping in mind that this is not anything urgent, what are your thoughts about these three?

The three are very similar is length, width and hight. The XDm weighs in at 28 oz while the other two are 22 and 23 ozs.

The XDm holds 13 and 19 rounds, the M&P 12 and the SR9C 10 and 17.

I have not been to a gun shop to look at them yet. I'll try to do that in the next few days, but I do already have an XDm 4.5 which I like a lot and consider it to be extremely reliable. The SR9C looks to have more rounded edges which would lend itself to carrying.

I went to Gunbroker to try to get some real world prices. The XDm seems to be in the $550 to $600 range, the M&P in the $470 to $515 range and the SR9C $420 to $450. Are the XDm and the M&P worth more than the Ruger?

I probably couldn't go wrong with any of them, but I would welcome any input from those of you who might have some or all three of these.

Thanks.

 

[Skribs]

M&P will also accept 17 round magazines, and is (I think) the smallest of the three.

XDm is heavier, which helps with recoil, but has a high bore axis, which hurts with recoil.

One of the hardest parts of an auto to conceal (keep from printing) is the butt, and the SR series have some big butts. Sir-mix-a-lot probably carries one for this reason.

Ruger only comes with a manual safety, XDm comes without one, M&P you have the option when you buy it. Ruger and XDm have ambi mag release and RH-only slide stop; M&P has reversible mag release and ambi slide stop. S&W has a hinged trigger safety instead of lever trigger safety, if you don't like it you can always get an APEX trigger.

From what I understand, all 3 have good reputations, and shoot accurate enough that the shooter is generally the problem.

From a price standpoint, I would say I don't really know what the difference is in manufacturing that causes the price difference, but I do know that you should get one that fits what you need. I'm currently deciding between M&P and XDm (don't like manual safety, they each have pros and cons for ambi controls), but leaning towards M&P.

 

[wbwanzer]

Skribs Are you not considering the SR9C because of the butt?

 

[RBid]

It's a close race with these 3 pistols. In my mind, it's:

1) SR9c
2) M&P9c
3) XDm 9c

These were 3 of the pistols that I was looking at when I got my own SR9c. Here's the "why" behind my thinking:

1. I wanted reliability. All 3 have this going for them.

2. I wanted something that I could perform well with. Easy accuracy (imo, a function of ergonomic grip + quality trigger), easy one-hand grip control, and very light felt recoil. The SR9c's trigger feels very good. Very little take up, light pull, crisp break. I have a very easy time shooting well with this thing. The bore is very low, the slide has a low profile (read as: not a lot of spare material or weight slamming backward during cycling), and the recoil spring system is fantastic. This thing stays flat during shooting.

In terms of shooting, I only got to dry fire the M&P9c, and I have shot the XDm (I actually owned the XDm 3.8" 9mm in full grip previously, as well). The M&P9c's articulating trigger felt OK to me, but a little funny. Not problematic, but not awesome. On the other hand, the grip ergonomics are awesome, and I can get a full 3 finger grip on it. The XDm has a better trigger than the M&P9c (imo), but... that's the only area where I feel like it beats the M&P9c.

3. Concealability... the M&P9c is smaller than the SR9c, but I believe in a sort of tippping point in concealment. That is to say that I think that we each have kind of a threshhold beyond which the difference in how easily something conceals really doesn't make a difference. I have zero trouble concealing the SR9c. When I go to work, I wear a long, relatively close fitting polo over a wife beater. The two layers (even thin ones) easily mute the already nonexistent print.


With those notions in place, I bought the SR9c. I plan on also buying the M&P9c. When I do, I'll continue to carry the SR9c. I find it to be the perfect carry pistol.


Having said all of the above, you really can't go wrong with any of these 3, or a Glock 26.

 

[CDR_Glock]

I have an XDM 9mm Compact. It's a big gun that is quite heavy if you try to conceal with 19+1. Not realistic or practical but I did carry it during the major power outage throughout WV, VA, and MD last weekend. The trigger of the XDM just feels great. The top heavy slide helps with recoil. It's very reliable and feeds any kind of ammo.

But for practical terms, the SR9C is a more concealable gun and it does have an external safety. I haven't been fortunate enough to get to try one on a range.

The M&P is not my thing because of how the split trigger feels. It is somewhat bizarre.

 

[Skribs]

Skribs Are you not considering the SR9C because of the butt?

Partially. I was looking for a pocket pistol, and that looks like a corner hook. The manual safety turned me off more, though.

RBid, good points. One thing to remember, though, is some things won't change (i.e. ergonomics, size, capacity, bore axis), but you can replace/tune the trigger.

XDm with 13+1 is easy to conceal. With 19+1 you potentially have 20 rounds without reloads. That's like 4 J-frames new-york style.

 

[RBid]

Skribs,

You are absolutely right about the trigger adjustment part. An M&P9c with an Apex trigger kit really shouldn't have a weak point. For those who would want a manual safety with that trigger kit, that's an option.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I don't think any of the three are suitable as a pocket pistol. Fitting in you pocket it one thing but drawing in with you fist on the grip is something entirely different. All three are solidly in the belt holster category. The G26 is the only one in that class I would consider for pocket carry because of its short grip. Even then its really too big to be a good pocket pistol for most.
That being said, I own and carry the M&P 9C. I don't like the trigger of the XDs so the Ruger would get second spot for me. Its a little thinner than the M&P and the trigger and reset are pretty crisp. My personal M&P has around 10,000 rounds down range and I have yet to find a pistol that is easier to shoot well. All three are fine pistols and none of us can tell you which would suit you better. Try to get your hands on all three and make an informed choice. You won't really get that from us.

 

[Skribs]

Jon, it matters on your hands and the pockets. I wear cargo shorts with massive pockets. Big pistols can fit and easily draw from these.

 

[wbwanzer]

I'm the OP here. I wasn't planning to pocket carry which ever one of these that I get. Probably IWB.

Good input so far. Thanks everybody.

 

[bannockburn]

wbwanzer

I tried all three before picking the Ruger SR9c. Of the three, it just felt the best in my hand, and the sights and trigger were easy to become quickly accustomed to. I also liked the manual safety and the convertible backstrap, though I could do without the loaded chamber indicator.

 

[herkyguy]

I carry a plain ol' XD subcompact 9mm just fine with 14 rounds. The compact is just a bit too big for my liking though and I'd lean towards the other two. I would argue that with a forward cant, the backstrap and bottom of the magazine is the toughest part to conceal. also, recoil from a 9mm is negligible with any XD pistol.

 

[TarDevil]

Have not shot the M&P, but own the SR9c and a decent bit of trigger time with my son's XD compact.

I honestly don't know I could find a more suitable CCW gun for me than the SR9c. Feels so incredibly natural in my hand, accurate, reliable. I wanted a safety. Even though the gun is either on my person or locked up when my grandkids are around, I feel better about one more layer between them and an accident.

Even though I would've paid more for the SR9c over the others, it in fact was less... another plus.

and the SR series have some big butts.

They do?

 

[Skribs]

Yep. Look at pretty much any other striker-fired compact (specifically right now thinking G26, XDm C, M&P C) and the butt is about even with the backstrap. On the SR, it juts out maybe a half inch behind it.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

I have the SR9c and use it as my carry in every season but Summer where I now use my Glock 36. It is an excellent handgun and I have never had an issue with it. Most free states can have the hi-cap 17rd mag so that's a plus. The 17rd mag also extends the grip to make it into an almost SR9 size which is great.

The XDm is also a good gun but a little heavier than both the M&Pc/SR9c. In MA, the XDm is impossible to find so I have not shot it but I am sure it's a great gun for the money. It comes with a lot inside the box so that is also a plus.

M&Pc is just a boring compact 9mm and I am constantly seeing them up for sale. They run of the ridgid platform of the M&P full size pistols and have great reliablity.

IMO, here's my list.

1.SR9c
2.XDm
3.M&Pc

 

[checkmyswag]

I've looked at all 3 extensively. Don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Just depends on what features you like and how they fit your hand. I do like the ruger triggers but don't find the S&W terrible. Never shot an XD but like the backstrap safety.

If you can shoot all 3 before buying.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[monet61]

I too, have and carry the plain old XD sub. Shoots good, eats everything I feed it, and has yet to not go BOOM. It's not as glamorous as some others, but IMHO, it's a good gun.

 

[wbwanzer]

I'm the OP. I have now played with a few SR9Cs and an M&P C. The M&P feels better in my hand, but I'm leaning toward the SR9c. I like the trigger better on the SR9c and it was about $100 cheaper in the store that I was in. The specs for width are about the same for these two, but the SR9c looked to be narrower in the grip area than the M&P.

So at this point I'm leaning toward the Ruger.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

I'm the OP. I have now played with a few SR9Cs and an M&P C. The M&P feels better in my hand, but I'm leaning toward the SR9c. I like the trigger better on the SR9c and it was about $100 cheaper in the store that I was in. The specs for width are about the same for these two, but the SR9c looked to be narrower in the grip area than the M&P.

So at this point I'm leaning toward the Ruger.

Go for the SR9c. Trust me, you will not regret it at all.

 

[wbwanzer]

Go for the SR9c. Trust me, you will not regret it at all.

I think I will. I just need to wait maybe another month. I'll see if one can be held for me with deposit. I need more money and I need to wait another week or two. Just bought a Witness Compact a few weeks ago. Maryland makes us wait 30 days between purchases. But I'm pretty sure that the SR9c is the one.