XD 4" 45ACP or S&W M&P 45 with man.safety? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

buckeye49 · 06-18-2007, 07:11 PM

I am wanting to buy a new (plastic) 45 acp pistol. I have both XD's and M&Ps (in 9mm and 40S&W), but would like your input on why I should buy one (XD or M&P) over the other.

I reload using a Dillon RL550B and usually shoot 200 grain bullets. However, I would want to shoot factory hollow point defensive ammo while carrying (if the need arises).

Pleas share with me your suggestions, which are appreciated.

jeff221 · 06-18-2007, 07:29 PM

Knowing your intended purpose will help with the discussion...

Is this a CCW gun or range shooting? Competition?

I don't have much use for manual safeties anymore... Personally, I don't think I want to carry a gun that requires a "switch" to be safe.. My gun is safe all the time..

**philman** · 06-18-2007, 08:12 PM

I believe unless I had tons and tons of practice (more than the normal shooter) I would forget to hit the safety at the least opportune moment.

buckeye49 · 06-18-2007, 08:19 PM

I would NOT be shooting the pistol in competiton (I keep my CZ 75B SA 9mm for that!).

I will be shooting the gun at the range a lot, and may consider CCW with it.

I reload 9mm, 40 & 45 ACP bullets (usually Berry's Mfg. or Rainier Ballistics from Cabelas). I currently have a 9mm 4" XD with night sights now; HAD a 4" 40 S&W XD two-tone and had a 5" tactical in 40 S&W. I also currenlty have a 40S&W XD SC (3") which I think I personally shoot more accurately than the 9mm 4" pistol XD).

I also have the S&W M&P in 40. I wanted it as soon as they were available so, I bought one that has the mag disconnect safety; but now you can get them without it). The 45 ACP M&P I held at the gun store a few days ago had the 1911 style manual safety (which I kinda like) and they had the 45 acp model without the safety also. I don't know about the model without the manual safety, but the one with the manual safety DID not have the mag disconnect, which I liked.

I shoot the S&W M&P 40 very well. Better than I shoot the 9mm XD 4". But, I shoot the 3" XD 40S&W subcompact much better than the 9mm XD (go figure?).

Do you own any M&P pistols in 45 acp? If so, I just want to know how you compare them to the XD 45 acp (your personal opinion about how they shoot).

buckeye49 · 06-18-2007, 08:22 PM

The manual safety does NOT bother me. I have shot the 1911 for so long, my thumb automatically lowers and then rests on the safety just before I squeeze the trigger, from holster to grip to firing in one fluid motion.

However, I also like the XD because it has the grip safety (like a 1911), but also has the striker that sticks out the back and the loaded chamber indciator BOTH of which can be felt in the dark. I wont' go into reasons why I think those are important.

GlockConvert · 06-18-2007, 10:42 PM

I'd say stick with the XD. You have several, you know the grip angle, manual of arms... . I'm a big believer in staying consistent. If you are carrying the gun, you will want that system hard wired into you. I can't tell you the number of students I have seen that have multiple guns get totally muddled under stress. Flip the safety down for fire, or up if you have a beretta. Is that a decocker? A safety and decocker? Is that the slide release or the decocker? If its raining, and dark, and you get knocked on your ass, and some knuckle head is fixing to part your hair with a bat, are you going to remember to say "remember now, you are drawing a pistol with a manual safety and not your XD, you need to take it off". keep it simple. keep it consistent.

GoCodeBravo · 06-18-2007, 11:20 PM

IMO, I'd stick with the XD. I have NO pistol with a manual safety. I know the XD has "safety features" but in my experience (i.e. never having to shoot let alone draw under duress) I want a simple double-action where the only safety is me (my eyes, ears, finger, brain and instinct.) I find that if I'm truly in a hurry and "rushing" anything that requires precision muscle controls, it can drastically effect the outcome. Have you ever tried to put car keys in a car door in a real hurry? Hard to remember I bet, since most of us have remote openers these days. I broke off a car key once because of it. Darn glad it wasn't the time I left the girlfriends house at 3am when the sister found out what I was up to

ArmyGuy45 · 06-18-2007, 11:23 PM

i think springfield is better quality than S&W

Mephis · 06-19-2007, 12:17 AM

I don't trust manual safetys. I've always been paranoid about keeping a live round in the chamber with all my manual safety guns, but I feel 100% safe and confident having a live round in the chamber with my XD. All it takes is bumping a lever to make a manual safety gun deadly.

On an XD it takes gripping the grip and pulling the trigger.

para_org · 06-19-2007, 12:29 AM

Most .45 acp XD's do not properly cycle with 200 gr SWC (H & G # 68 style) rounds. Springfield's gunsmiths are well aware of the problem and there is no known fix except to weld a bead onto the bottom of the slide in the right spot.

If the S&W does feed these bullets better, you might want to consider that.

06-18-2007, 07:11 PM	#1
buckeye49 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24	XD 4" 45ACP or S&W M&P 45 with man.safety? I am wanting to buy a new (plastic) 45 acp pistol. I have both XD's and M&Ps (in 9mm and 40S&W), but would like your input on why I should buy one (XD or M&P) over the other. I reload using a Dillon RL550B and usually shoot 200 grain bullets. However, I would want to shoot factory hollow point defensive ammo while carrying (if the need arises). Pleas share with me your suggestions, which are appreciated.

06-18-2007, 07:29 PM	#2
jeff221 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northwest Indiana Posts: 2,364	Knowing your intended purpose will help with the discussion... Is this a CCW gun or range shooting? Competition? I don't have much use for manual safeties anymore... Personally, I don't think I want to carry a gun that requires a "switch" to be safe.. My gun is safe all the time.. __________________ Springfield XD40 Sub-Compact Bi-Tone (.40S&W) Springfield XD9 Tactical Black (9mm) Springfield G.I. Milspec Stainless 1911-A1 (.45 ACP) Kimber Raptor II 1911 (.45 ACP) Kel-Tec P-3AT (.380 ACP) Charter Arms "Off Duty" Revolver (.38 Spl) Ruger 22/45 Mark III (.22 LR) Smith&Wesson M&P15A 16in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) BushMaster Carbon-15 (.22 LR) BushMaster XM15 E2S 20in AR-15 (.223/5.56 NATO) Stoeger P350 Tactical Pump Shotgun (12 Gauge) Winchester Black Model98 Canon (10 Gauge)

06-18-2007, 08:12 PM	#3
philman XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Centerville, Southern, Ohio Posts: 752	I believe unless I had tons and tons of practice (more than the normal shooter) I would forget to hit the safety at the least opportune moment. __________________ *********************************** I carry a gun for the same reason I own a smoke detector...I never, ever, plan on needing them...but if I do need them, and have them in a box...I won't be able to get to them for use fast enough.

06-18-2007, 08:19 PM	#4
buckeye49 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24	XD 4" 45ACP or S&W M&P 45 with man.safety? I would NOT be shooting the pistol in competiton (I keep my CZ 75B SA 9mm for that!). I will be shooting the gun at the range a lot, and may consider CCW with it. I reload 9mm, 40 & 45 ACP bullets (usually Berry's Mfg. or Rainier Ballistics from Cabelas). I currently have a 9mm 4" XD with night sights now; HAD a 4" 40 S&W XD two-tone and had a 5" tactical in 40 S&W. I also currenlty have a 40S&W XD SC (3") which I think I personally shoot more accurately than the 9mm 4" pistol XD). I also have the S&W M&P in 40. I wanted it as soon as they were available so, I bought one that has the mag disconnect safety; but now you can get them without it). The 45 ACP M&P I held at the gun store a few days ago had the 1911 style manual safety (which I kinda like) and they had the 45 acp model without the safety also. I don't know about the model without the manual safety, but the one with the manual safety DID not have the mag disconnect, which I liked. I shoot the S&W M&P 40 very well. Better than I shoot the 9mm XD 4". But, I shoot the 3" XD 40S&W subcompact much better than the 9mm XD (go figure?). Do you own any M&P pistols in 45 acp? If so, I just want to know how you compare them to the XD 45 acp (your personal opinion about how they shoot). Last edited by buckeye49; 06-18-2007 at 08:26 PM.

06-18-2007, 08:22 PM	#5
buckeye49 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 24	XD 45 versus M&P 45 The manual safety does NOT bother me. I have shot the 1911 for so long, my thumb automatically lowers and then rests on the safety just before I squeeze the trigger, from holster to grip to firing in one fluid motion. However, I also like the XD because it has the grip safety (like a 1911), but also has the striker that sticks out the back and the loaded chamber indciator BOTH of which can be felt in the dark. I wont' go into reasons why I think those are important.

06-18-2007, 10:42 PM	#6
GlockConvert XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PAC NW Posts: 422	I'd say stick with the XD. You have several, you know the grip angle, manual of arms... . I'm a big believer in staying consistent. If you are carrying the gun, you will want that system hard wired into you. I can't tell you the number of students I have seen that have multiple guns get totally muddled under stress. Flip the safety down for fire, or up if you have a beretta. Is that a decocker? A safety and decocker? Is that the slide release or the decocker? If its raining, and dark, and you get knocked on your ass, and some knuckle head is fixing to part your hair with a bat, are you going to remember to say "remember now, you are drawing a pistol with a manual safety and not your XD, you need to take it off". keep it simple. keep it consistent. __________________ Damien in Seattle I don't list my guns - I know glocks, FALs, and AKs but I'm not sure my ability to fill a gunsafe with guns make me an expert on anything. All that you can depend on from a 45 is that it will drill a .45 - .70 inch hole about 14 inches into someone. There will not be "energy dump", people will not fly backwards, and they will not necessarily fall as if they have been struck by lighting.

06-18-2007, 11:20 PM	#7
GoCodeBravo XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Harris County Posts: 206	IMO, I'd stick with the XD. I have NO pistol with a manual safety. I know the XD has "safety features" but in my experience (i.e. never having to shoot let alone draw under duress) I want a simple double-action where the only safety is me (my eyes, ears, finger, brain and instinct.) I find that if I'm truly in a hurry and "rushing" anything that requires precision muscle controls, it can drastically effect the outcome. Have you ever tried to put car keys in a car door in a real hurry? Hard to remember I bet, since most of us have remote openers these days. I broke off a car key once because of it. Darn glad it wasn't the time I left the girlfriends house at 3am when the sister found out what I was up to

06-18-2007, 11:23 PM	#8
ArmyGuy45 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa,AZ / Ft Carson, CO Posts: 3,490	i think springfield is better quality than S&W __________________ US Army 2005 - Present XD45 Compact - My Carry Suresights Springer Precision Trigger Kit/Bar ( needs install ) NRA Life Member Myspace "One Country, One Culture, One Language!" - Thomas Paine

06-19-2007, 12:17 AM	#9
Mephis XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 587	I don't trust manual safetys. I've always been paranoid about keeping a live round in the chamber with all my manual safety guns, but I feel 100% safe and confident having a live round in the chamber with my XD. All it takes is bumping a lever to make a manual safety gun deadly. On an XD it takes gripping the grip and pulling the trigger. __________________ All guns lost in tragic boating accident until 08 president is decided.

06-19-2007, 12:29 AM	#10
para_org XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 375	Most .45 acp XD's do not properly cycle with 200 gr SWC (H & G # 68 style) rounds. Springfield's gunsmiths are well aware of the problem and there is no known fix except to weld a bead onto the bottom of the slide in the right spot. If the S&W does feed these bullets better, you might want to consider that.

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