gun quality

[Kevin 45]

Originally Posted by Keltyke

My daily carry is a Springfield XD40SC, and I love it. It's 100% reliable and extremely accurate. You choice for a personal defense weapon is just that - personal. No one can tell you which gun is better for YOU. If you follow these criteria, it may help you. Good luck and welcome to the Forum!

The "best" gun is the one YOU like, not anyone else. It will be a compromise of:

1. Fit - It should fit in your hand like you were born with it there.
2. Reliability - It should go BANG about 99.99% of the time you pull the trigger.
3. Accuracy - In YOUR hand. It's how well YOU shoot it.
4. Concealability - It should be comfortable enough to wear and easy enough to conceal so you won't leave it laying on the dresser at home.
5. Cost - You don't want to scrimp on your "life protector" weapon, but you probably don't need a $1,000 Kimber, either.
6. Enjoyment - The caliber and gun should be fun to shoot. If it isn't, you won't practice with it like you should.

Amen.

[scooter123]

As others have noted the S&W M&P line is a very good product. However the SD series isn't as bad as implied, it's to a large extent an M&P that has been redesigned to a lower price point. So, the feature set is more limited as is the selection of models. As a result you don't have replaceable grip inserts or a compact model but you do get a reliable semi with a decent trigger. Quite simply if your budget is a bit limited there isn't anything wrong with a S&W SD.

The Springfield XD series is also a "budget" line to a certain extent and also lacks replaceable grip inserts. However, it's been in production for a longer period than either the S&W M&P or the SD series. It's also a semi with a large following and an excellent reputation. Spend a bit more and you can step up to the XDm series that offers replaceable grip inserts and a bit more attractive updated appearance.

As for quality of function and manufacture I would rate the S&W and Springfield polymers to be basically equal. This means that what is most critical is how well the guns fits your hand. Personally I find the grip of the M&P to feel extremely good in my hand but I don't like that flipper trigger and it doesn't point as naturally as an XDm so as a result I'm a bit more accurate with an XDm. Note, this is an evaluation that can only be made by shooting each pistol and I would suggest that you rent before deciding on a purchase if it's at all possible.

I'll also note that I do NOT find any of the polymer handguns to have any visual appeal. To be blunt they have about as much eye appeal as a 2x4. If you want a handgun that not only works well as a tool but is also plain good looking I would suggest that you look into a 1911. Which are pistols offered by both S&W and Springfield. Here is an area where Springfield has a long history and a lot of experience and a well earned reputation for quality. However, S&W is catching up and IMO they build a 1911 that is fairly equal to Springfields at a price point about 100 dollars lower for equivalent features.

Now for a bit of bad news that as a rifle shooter you may already be aware of. However you may not be aware of the extremity of Demand and it's effects. Basically, that is that you won't find every model listed in any makers catalog sitting in the showcase at your local dealer, you'll have to go with what you can actually find. If you consider selecting and finding a suitable handgun as a bit of a "hunt" it can become a rather enjoyable experience. However, I'll warn you now that revolvers and 1911 pistols are a very slippery slope leading to a collection, because no matter what you have one just isn't enough.

[rharp]

One thing that turned me off of the M&P was the fact that is has no safety at all. The XD/XDM line-up have the grip safety. I know its not a necessity and most people could care less, but if there was the smallest chance that my daughter got a hold of it, it would make it that much harder for something bad to happen. And its not like the grip safety hurts anything.

[rambro]

look at one of the 40 cal SW mp variants, the cd is sigma based, sigmas were sorta turds, i think they were always budget focused, they were designed around a price point.

SW mp is a world class gun. It is right up there with the glock and springfield, sig p series, cz75.

Most people would be equally well served by any of the three, and never wear out or even be able to break any of these guns, so in some ways its a moot point. The quality, ergos, features, are the differences.

If you can spring the cash for the spring field, do yourself a favor and ante up about 100-150 more for the MP, which is usually priced competitive to the Xds.

Then it becomes a what is better mp or xd, and the subtle difference like nuances of the trigger, if you like safeties. MP is a safe gun, but not one with safeties on it, not the trigger system glock uses or SA uses, or the grip safety SA uses.

You can get the 4-5 inch slides with a slide safety special order, or may stumble upon one in the store. Mostly no external safety, just finger off the booger hook, thats the safety.

[richeyo2]

The S&W M&P's or Springfield XDm are both great guns IMO. The best thing to do is try & shoot both to see what you like better.
Good luck!

[Snaphook]

As someone who owns 3 XD's I think they're the best polymer guns out there. That said, not much difference quality wise between the XD's and the M&P's. Shoot both and pick the one you like.

[Bluto]

IMO most of the top brand names these days are building some pretty fantastic pistols in the $500 +/- price range. Some are poly, some are steel or alloys with different features but most are very good. Try out many different brands and styles and pick the one you like best not the one that's best for someone else.

Beware of anyone who tries to tell you that the brand they have is the greatest gun since the invention of the copper jacketed bullet.

[Brickboy240]

The 40 caliber M&Ps had some early teething problems. Mostly, the mags releasing early and other small problems. Now, they have that fixed and the 40 caliber M&P is a pretty solid beast.

- brickboy240

[spyderman2k4]

The M&P is the only S&W I'd consider, only because you're looking at a 40. S&W has been cuttin costs lately and quality has been going down (poor accuracy and compromised reliability), but it seems to be mostly an issue with the 9mms, the 40s, by all reports, seem reasonably unaffected.

[Brickboy240]

Yes, there are tons of reports of the full size 9mm M&Ps showing accuracy problems. The other M&Ps seem to be GTG, including the new Shield.

There are aftermarket barrels for the full size 9mm M&P and they seem to totally change the accuracy of these guns. Apex also has you covered on a better trigger. The trigger (...and lack of re-set) is my main complaint on the whole M&P line.

The full size 40 M&P does seem to be a pretty safe bet, though.

- brickboy240