M&P 9, XD9, Ruger P89

[Vermillion]

Trying to decide on a next firearm and would like some opinions because I am actually starting to lean away from the XD bandwagon even after shooting an XD45 last weekend and loving it. I've decided on 9mm as the caliber because I can use +P ammo for SD and cheap generic for range.

I dont want to hear stuff about go out and shoot them to try them out, blah blah, I want first hand experience with them, anyone that has owned both or all 3? Do you love/hate? Reliability, ammo pickiness, accuracy...comments all around on anyone with hands on experience.

I am leaning towards the full size M&P 9

[Badshot]

Had a P89, hated it. Horrible fit and general feel, and I couldn't hit crap with it beyond 10m. So I'd recommend against the P89. You can't really go wrong with the other two, but being that you are on the XD board, I'll say XD9 then maybe a Taurus 24/7

[robinsre]

Have owned and XD9 and have extensive experience shooting a Ruger P89...I'll give you what I like and dislike about both.


XD-9 Advantages: Lightweight polymer frame makes for easy carry, proven reliability, Springfield's great lifetime guarantee, large community of shooters here, lots of accessories available, decent trigger, good looking gun.


XD-9 Disadvantages: Hasn't been around as long as the P89, Manufactured outside the US (if you care about that sort of thing), Lightweight polymer frame makes for greater felt recoil, price has risen to be somewhat high.


P-89 advantages : Great price (369 where I'm at), heavy duty metal frame makes it almost indestructible and reduces felt recoil, manufactured within the US, DECENT repertoire of accessories available, available in several different action configurations, de-cocker, proven reliability, long service record and have never heard of anyone having even a single hiccup with one.

P-89 disadvantages : Grittier trigger, heavier weight makes it harder to carry, uglier than sin (IMHO), people tend to think of them as "cheap guns".

As far as accuracy my XD-9 was easier to shoot accurately, but I have no doubt that the XD-9 service and the P89 are pretty on par as far as mechanical accuracy goes.

[nikon777]

Originally Posted by Vermillion

I dont want to hear stuff about go out and shoot them to try them out, blah blah, I want first hand experience with them, anyone that has owned both or all 3? Do you love/hate? Reliability, ammo pickiness, accuracy...comments all around on anyone with hands on experience.

I want to buy a car, I refuse to test drive any of them. Just give me your opinions and ill buy based sheerly on that. Make sense? Go shoot them!

[Vermillion]

Originally Posted by nikon777

I want to buy a car, I refuse to test drive any of them. Just give me your opinions and ill buy based sheerly on that. Make sense? Go shoot them!

I am looking for opinions because I am going to go shoot a M&P 9 and M&P 45 today. Both full size. I can't find ANYWHERE in South Jersey or Philly area with a P89 I can tryout....

Nobody has anything to say about the M&P? I had a Taurus 24/7 and it was jacktastic and I sold it

[hikeeba]

Originally Posted by nikon777

I want to buy a car, I refuse to test drive any of them. Just give me your opinions and ill buy based sheerly on that.

Subaru, Acura, or Honda. Can't miss with either one.

Just my $ .02, I handled an M&P 9 prior to purchasing my XD. Just doing that was enough to turn me off. The fit and finish of the M&P didn't seem as fine as the XD, and it just plain didn't feel right in my hand.

[Pinedawg]

I own the P89, bought it probably 15 years ago, it was my second handgun. For what it was then, it was top notch. Stainless steel, high capacity 9mm ( 16rds at the time was a lot) and built like all Rugers are, tough as nails. I still have it, but don't shoot it much, though it is my bedside piece from time to time. They make stuff for it you can't get on the XD ( Crimson Trace grips for one) and it has the decocker and manual safety, and a hammer. It will eat anything you put in it. It does have an awwwwfully long trigger, but that was part of the safety built in to it.
If your buying a handgun for self defense, accuracy to 30 feet is plenty, and it will shoot better than that if you practice, as will most guns.

I also have the XD40, service length. Much more fun to shoot, a little lighter, and snappier since it's a 40 but no manual safety, no decock, no aftermarket grips( aside from stickers). It is more accurate as well. I prefer the XD to the Ruger, but I would and do protect myself and family with both from time to time.

Buy what fits your hand well and you can afford to shoot enough to become competent with......that's the important thing. Just because most of us like XD's, we couldn't all order a pizza together because we'd still want something different.

[nikon777]

Originally Posted by hikeeba

Subaru, Acura, or Honda. Can't miss with either one.

I couldn't agree more, throw Toyota in as well.

Originally Posted by Vermillion

Nobody has anything to say about the M&P?

Oh I could talk about it all day, what do you want to know? Its a fantastic weapon. Feels great in the hand, dead reliable, and very soft recoil. Go for it. Im currently deciding between M&P compact or a Glock 19. I already own a full size M&P in 9mm.

[Loves2Shoot]

M&P mas a barrel design that has an issue with sear the barrel lug according to a very well know barrel maker (that is why he won't make barrels for them.) The Ruger is a work horse, but pretty much a pig to shoot.

[Eeyore]

FWIW, when I was shopping for my 9 mm, I rented and shot both a P89 and an XD9 at two different ranges. (I was actually considering the P95, but nobody rented those.) The results at both ranges were the same: the P89 had failures to feed. Admittedly, these were rental guns and the feed ramps looked pretty dirty, but so were the XDs and they had no problems. I took that as a sign. If it won't feed ball ammo once it gets a little dirty, how reliable would it be feeding hollow points?

That, and the size/weight took the Ruger out of the running for me.

If you're looking for an all-metal 9 mm like the P89, try the CZ 75 or its clones (Tanfoglio/EAA Witness or Baby Desert Eagle). Also look at the FN Herstal. If you're looking at other polymers besides the XD, try the Steyr and M&P. I wouldn't recommend a 24/7--definitely not in the same class as the others.