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I have a chance to get a Springfield XD with a 4" barrel in .40 cal for $450.00 and a Smith and Wesson M&P in .40 cal for $475.00. I can't decide which one to get but I am leaning towards the Springfield. Any advice from you guys would be appreciated. Both guns are new in the box. The XD comes with the XD gear system. Should I spring for the night sights on either pistol?

Thanks in advance,
Tim

I like the Springfield XDs, but I've never shot a S&W MP.

I like my Springers (.45 and 9mm), but don't put too much stock in the "XD Gear." While you can use the OWB slide and mag carriers, you probably won't want to. They're not Kydex; something softer, like an extruded polypropelene. They're okay, but not good.

I haven't heard nuthin' bad about the S&W, either. I wouldn't be surprised if it's starting to out-sell the XD. Others will have better comments (like SRVA, who likes the M&P...and when he talks, I listen ), but I don't think you can go wrong with either one of these pistols.

If you plan for it to be a carry gun, then a "yes" from me to the night sights. They add a lot of relative cost to an otherwise realtively low-cost gun, but if it's a carry gun you have to recognize that the majority of self-defense shootings occur at close range and in low light. I like adjustable iron sights against paper targets in the daytime, but my carry guns have Tritium sights.

For all practical purposes, durability and reliability will be the same. Therefore, I would go with the one that is less ugly. Or at least the one that fits your hand better.

The XD gear is ok for range use, but I doubt that you will use it for CC. I know I wouldn't.

If the cost of night sights is a potential burden, then you might do better with a good flashlight. You need to identify your target anyway. If the cost is insignificant, then what the heck. I did choose to have them on my Glock, but I don't feel the need to add them to my other auto's.

You did consider the Glock - right?

Whatever you do, don't handle a Walther P99. Doing so will just spoil ya....

PhilR.

Xd. I've got two, One .45acp the other .40. Don't know anything about the Smith and Wesson, but I'm sure it's a good pistol.

I have 3 XD's and 1 S&WMP9, I like the S&W best but it's not easy to decide that.

PhilR. wrote: You did consider the Glock - right?

The Glock is the "other" Brand in the question. I considered it for a minute or two. I had one before in .45 cal. I didn't care for it much. It might be allright in a smaller caliber. I mostly didn't like the grip on the Glock.

Tim

I have an XD .45acp for my CC. Can't say much about the S&W either, never have fired one. I don't use the XD gear except for the range either.

It all comes down to which one points naturally and shoots better for you. If you can, try to rent, or borrow the two, and see what you do with them.
Pick which one feels more natural to shoot good with.
Or, Get Both!!!!!


Dan

I have two XD's one Tac and one SubCompact and they have been great so far. Both of them are 9mm. I don't know a thing about the M&P but I have never been a fan of any of S&W's SA pistols. They have just never fit my hand well, or they weren't pleasing to look at. I have never had a malfunction with one though. Love their revolvers.

grandpatim wrote:The Glock is the "other" Brand in the question. I considered it for a minute or two. I had one before in .45 cal. I didn't care for it much. It might be allright in a smaller caliber. I mostly didn't like the grip on the Glock.

Yeppers. Other than the trigger, it's the angle of the grip that I think bothers people more than even the thickness.

All other things being equal, the grip angle on the XD is reminiscent of the Hi-Power, and by those genetics, the 1911. With its variable grip swells, I think the S&W M&P is also a cousin. Glocks, on the other hand, are more straight up and down.

If you primarily shoot a 1911, you can put an XD in your hand, close your eyes, point, and you'll find your natural point of aim will be almost spot on. If you do the same with a Glock, you're likely to find you're aiming too low.

For want of a better way to describe it, a 1911 "point" runs along a line drawn from the center of your extended elbow to the tip of your index finger. A Glock's "point" runs from the center of that elbow to tip of your middle finger. In terms of angle, it's slight, maybe one or two degrees.

For me, realizing that small distinction made me learn to love my Glocks more than I had. (Don't read this, Longtooth. )

Even though I do not have one yet...I put my mark in the S&W M&P .40 column...

Thats just my preference in the ones I have shot, and that doesn't mean I would not turn down the keys to a Springfield either...

You are certainly in a pickle, I'll give you that...

Good luck...

Love my XD 9SC and I can't wait to get my next XD a compact .45 My buddy has a SW and swears by it. I actually shot his before I bought mine and thought it was ok. But then I tried an XD and it was a much better feel for me. I suggest you find a way to try them both and see which one feels the best for you. It's hard to describe the difference but you'll know it when you feel it.

grandpatim wrote:Should I spring for the night sights on either pistol?

I'd get a good flashlight over night sights any day.

My answer: Yes.

I like both guns, but ended up selling my XD, and I carry an M&P.

I like the fact that I can take the M&P down w/o a trigger pull, and I like the trigger better.

You'll do fine with either gun though.