Springfield XD vs S&W M&P

[A. Wayne]

I am thinking of purchasing one of these, and have just begun research.
Are they both DA only?
What are trigger pulls on these like?
I've heard some bad things on Smith semi's?
I've also seen some info that the XD's have a tall barrel axis, more flip?
Apparently the XDM is the compact version, any particular issues with this?
I've recently been exposed to PA steel shooting, and may be looking for a suitable gun (thanks Tom).

[Semper Noctem]

I the the pull on the M&P. It feels like 10 pounds of crap.

[BradMacc82]

Originally Posted by A. Wayne

I am thinking of purchasing one of these, and have just begun research.
Are they both DA only?
What are trigger pulls on these like?
I've heard some bad things on Smith semi's?
I've also seen some info that the XD's have a tall barrel axis, more flip?
Apparently the XDM is the compact version, any particular issues with this?
I've recently been exposed to PA steel shooting, and may be looking for a suitable gun (thanks Tom).

Both are double-action-only strikers.
Both have decent triggers, but improve slightly after some range use, don't expect a 1911 trigger in stock form though.
Bad things like what on Smith's M&P series? - I've had my M&P .45 for a while now and it's had exactly 0 issues, so I'm drawing a blank there.
XD's bore is slightly higher than the M&P's, either are going to work as intended, muzzle flip on XD's I've shot was still manageable. M&P's muzzle flip (on .45 anyways) has been very pleasantly surprising and easy to control.

Biggest difference to me - XD is a Croatian built gun, sold by Springfield. M&P - right here in the states.

[Indiana Jones]

Personally I like the S&W more. The XD wasn't my thing. The two I shot had more than enough FTF/FTE. But it could have been the owners fault I don't know. Just not a fan.

[BradMacc82]

Originally Posted by Semper Noctem

I the the pull on the M&P. It feels like 10 pounds of crap.

To each their own, I know on my M&P it's at 6, maybe 6.5 lbs in factory form.

Still like it better than an certain Austrian-made pistol.

[Vjornaxx]

I had an XDM .40 for a while. The difference between the XD and XDM is that the M has more aggressive texture for better grip and the take down doesn't require you to pull the trigger. Actually, I can't think of an easier gun to strip than the XDM. The trigger on my stock XDM was very nice. The striker is apparently 90% pre-cocked so the trigger pull felt pretty close to a single action pull. I didn't notice that the bore axis was an issue as muzzle control wasn't very difficult to achieve. The grip safety is tiny and that was sometimes an issue when I would take friends to the range and they wouldn't always have a high and heavy grip. Also, if they would limp wrist then the gun would sometimes misfeed. I didn't have that issue, but one of my friends seemed to get that a lot. He just wasn't aggressively gripping the gun, I think.

I've rented the compact and standard M&P 9mm many times and the standard felt better in my hands than the XDM. The stock trigger wasn't great as it had a lot more pre-travel than the XDM and the pull itself was a little heavier, but you can get an Apex trigger kit to address pre-travel and trigger weight. You need a tool or a long thin finger to take down the M&P, but the tool is integrated into the heel of the grip. I like that the M&P doesn't have that grip safety and that you can buy one with a thumb safety.

If I had to do it again, I'd buy myself a standard M&P 9mm and get an Apex kit later.

[Demoneyes86]

I have an xd .40 compact bit of flip but manageable. I love my xd will never get rid of it. Several hundred rounds through it not a hiccup either.

[05dodgedaytona]

My first handgun was a XD. I sold it. I got tired of it stinging my finger every time I pulled the trigger. I have 2 M&P 9's and love them.

[stu929]

I have a original xd .40 the muzzle flip seems very manageable. Only pistol we owned was an SA 1911 tried to talk the wife into a police return G22 and she picked a xd .40 over the Glock, Sig, and smith but at the time the m&p wasn't out yet so I can't directly compare.

[PMD354]

I have a XDm in 9mm. I think that it's a great pistol. Trigger pull is nice, not too hard or long. I also like the fact that the mag holds 19 rounds. I put a Viridian green laser on it. The wife like to shoot it and without the laser she can't the broad side of a barn. She's not to bad with the laser on.

[CrawfishStu]

XDm 9 and M&P 9 are both nice pistols.
Each have had minor issues with a gun here and there but neither is a lemon.
You can get trigger work on both to address trigger issues.
Stock, I liked the XDm trigger better.
I have the Apex kit in my 9(Comp kit) and 45(Carry kit). They are fantastic and super easy to install. I haven't shot an XDm with trigger work yet.
I like the XDm 5.25 because of the target sights. XDm capacity is higher. 2 rounds in the same size 9 and 3 rounds in the same size 45. IIRC
The Xdm can't shoot in SSP in IDPA due to the way the striker works. It puts it out of a double action only first shot.
They both run specials from time to time to include more gear with the gun. Extra mags can be pricey. But if you only need two.....then it doesn't matter.
Typically, springfield comes with a nicer case, holster, etc.

Go to a range. They should have both for you to shoot.
I know On Target does.

[ffemtreed]

I have problems with the mag dropping free out of my XD. Thought it would loosen up after awhile but hasn't been the case.

I don't have any complaints about my mP 9 or 45

[INMY01TA]

I have an XDm, an XD, and an M&P. I used to be all about my XD's, still am, but give the nod now to the M&P. Better sights than the XD, changable backstraps (that actually change the whole palmswell), stainless slide, all for less money than the XDm.

Originally Posted by BradMacc82

Both are double-action-only strikers.

These guns are single action only.

[pasayan73]

Go for m&p. I have a m&p pro 9mm. I love it better than my xdm. Take down is very easy on my xdm. Not a fan of glock. Why, because for a lefty m&p pro can be changed to a lefty mag release and the xdm is ambi mag release from the get go.

[Name Taken]

Originally Posted by pasayan73

Go for m&p. I have a m&p pro 9mm. I love it better than my xdm. Take down is very easy on my xdm. Not a fan of glock. Why, because for a lefty m&p pro can be changed to a lefty mag release and the xdm is ambi mag release from the get go.

I love my MP's as well... I own 3 of them.

However the Gen 4 Glocks can be switched for a lefty as well.

It's a selling point as to why a Gen 4 might end up in the safe finally.

Go lefties.

[Demoneyes86]

I am a lefty my xd gives me no problems. I like the feel of the reg xd. The feel of the xdm is not appealing to me at all have not shot the m&p yet but i do hear good things. Never had any probs with my xd i am considering buying a 9mm next.

[hvymax]

You could get a CZ75 or EAA Witness. SA/DA with the cocked and locked option is the best of both worlds. With the Witness you can get slides and barrels th cover box stock to unlimited class major and minor in most any event.

[tdt91]

An add in this months issue of American Rifleman states that the M&P has the following but the XD(m) does not.

s,m,l, Patented palmswell grips
ambidextrous slide stop
embedded stainless steel chassis
ambidextrous thumb saftey, optional
made in the USA

[fivepointstar]

you should try and shoot one and decide which feels more ergonomic for you. both are equally good pistols.

[knownalien]

S&W got it right with the M&P series. I wouldn't kick one out of bed.