XD or M&P?

[DrewN]

Hello folks, I generally only lurk here and don't do much posting but I thought I could actually give some honest input on this one.

I have a full size M&P 9 and a XD 9 subcompact. My mom carries a M&P 9 compact (yes my mom, she's 68 and she packs heat).
All of these are excellent guns. I carry my XD because its getting warm here in FL and its much easier to conceal. In the end it will probably come down to which you feel more comfortable shooting. you're not going to go wrong with either one. the teething issues the M&P had starting out are almost unheard of anymore unless its someone with an early release gun. I have over 1000 rounds through mine and its perfect. over 200 through my xd and also perfect. go shoot them both and if you have the money you'd be smart to buy them both.

[Maddcat1]

Im not "brand" specific nor a diehard loyalist. I have both and Glock, Kel-tec, FN and Taurus. They are all good pistols. I havent found any issues with them. Like others have posted, it really comes down to how it feels in your hand. Reliability, warranty, customer service, etc. all come next

[loonybin]

You could just wait until the XD-M comes out and have both rolled into one!

[robin48]

I have both and love them both.

[afmo]

I like the XD just because of the feel....

[bigjimmy57]

I have shot both and while both shot well. I personally shot the xd better. I have both the sub-compact 9mm and a tactical 9mm. The xd just feels better in my hands. I also like the grip safety, it just makes me feel a little better.

[rufusdog]

I like the XD because as far as I know they haven't sold gun owners down the river.
Action America - Smith & Wesson Betrayal Boycott

[Kaboom]

My first M&P 45, my first report.

[TG13]

my brother-in-law bought an M&P 45, the 4.5" barrel model.. the first thing i noticed was that the trigger is really gritty feeling through out the entire pull.. this was before he brought it to the range and put 150 rounds through it.. i helped out.. but, after taking it home and cleaning it, the trigger still feels gritty.. we then took it out again and put another 200 rounds through it, and it's still feels like it has sand in the trigger action.. if you pull the slide off, it's smooth, with it assembled it's like it's dipped in sand..

and this is the point.. with the gritty trigger on it, he's having a really hard time shooting with it.. he's used to his 1911s triggers and just prefers it over anything else..

i've put at least 100 rounds through it.. and i can't hit what i'm aiming at 60% of the time, because of the trigger's feel.. it's very distracting..

i don't know if it's just the break in period.. or if there's something actually wrong with it, or not..

i think that the M&P is a fine pistol.. but, i don't like all the printed warnings on it, nor the sear's little flip lever to take it down.. which i've just read that you don't actually have to use..

it feels fine in the hand.. i don't think the trigger pull itself is too heavy.. and the recoil is very manageable.. it's not that bad at all.. i like the slide serrations, it's very positive feeling.. and i think it looks nice.. the melonite finish on it is just as nice as the XD's finish.. the sights are easy to line up..
i do like the high cut grip (like a beavertail) on it, it makes it easy to get a higher grip on it.. and the ambidextrous thumb safety on it.. although, the printing on the top of the chamber "45 AUTO" is pretty large and goofy looking.. and it has a little peephole to see if there is a round in the chamber, which i don't think is as nice as the tactile indicator that the XD has.. and it has an external extractor, which i don't prefer, but it does work well.. the spent casings are ejected much farther and with more force than the XDs will..

his M&P came with 10 round mags, but he's supposed to get a 50.00 rebate check and two hi-cap mags for free from S&W.. which is actually nice.. i wish SA would do the same thing for the XDs.. if they did, i missed out..

as for the XD45 Service i have.. which was my brother-in-law's, he put 150 rounds through it and didn't like the trigger at all.. now it has about 700 rounds through it, and the trigger has smoothed out dramatically.. i'm getting used to the trigger on it, and now have become more accurate with it.. i find the grip comfortable, and the recoil is different than the M&P.. the XD's recoil has more snap to it.. the muzzle wants to flip up on it, but with practice comes back down in the same spot very quickly.. i don't really know how to clearly explain it, other than it's "snappy", rather than the slide coming straight back..

i'm biased, because i own the XD45.. but, i'm impressed with the M&P, other than the gritty trigger it has.. if it does smooth out, it would be a really fine pistol to own.. if not, then something has to be done about it to get the grit out of the trigger..

it's a tough choice..

[casio02478]

You really need to try both. The others really did a great job describing pro and cons of both systems. I do like the changeable grip on the MP but I love the trigger ona XD.