First Handgun Purchase: S&W M&P 9 Pro vs Springfield XDM-9

jbrooks39 · December 10, 2011, 07:19 PM

Greetings

I know there are a lot of "this" vs "that" comparisons, but I would appreciate some constructive feedback/contrast/comparisons between the following two handguns:

Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro
Springfield Armory XDM-9 (4.5" barrel)

This is/will be my first handgun purchase. Both feel good in my hands, but different from one another. I am left-handed shooter, so I appreciate the slide lock/release being ambidextrous on the M&P. Both seem comparable in pricing too.

This will be used primarily a home defense purchase, but I have the intention to receive NRA Basic Pistol training from our local range. I would also like to spend time becoming as proficient as possible with this pistol.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Joe

Microgunner · December 10, 2011, 07:48 PM

I own a 4.5" XDm-9 and think it's a fine pistol. Absolutely reliable, accurate and 19+1 capacity.
I won't hesitate to recommend it.
I've handled the M&Ps but never fired one. They also look to be a fine pistol, but no first hand experience with them.
I think either would serve you well.

Uncle Malice · December 10, 2011, 08:03 PM

I own both. They are both great guns.

I would say save the money on the M&P Pro series and get the standard model, then put an APEX Tactical DCAEK trigger kit in it. It's a significantly better trigger, and probably my favorite striker trigger available.

The M&P is probably more left friendly in that it has the right-side slide release. Both have ambidextrous magazine catches, so it's kind of a wash there.

If you plan on carrying the gun at all, the M&P is quite a bit easier to carry. It's a lot lighter when loaded up and the grip isn't as long as the XDM.

Both Springfield and S&W have the best customer service departments in the industry, so you have no worries there. My suggestion is to find some to test fire and see which one feels and shoots better for you. I personally prefer the M&P, but it's a pretty narrow margin - they're both superb.

Stoley · December 10, 2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Malice

I own both. They are both great guns.

I would say save the money on the M&P Pro series and get the standard model, then put an APEX Tactical DCAEK trigger kit in it. It's a significantly better trigger, and probably my favorite striker trigger available.

^This^
I too have both guns and both have aftermarket triggers in them. The M&P with the APEX sear has the best trigger I've ever shot in a polymer gun. There is almost no felt creep in that trigger, that is my only complaint about the XDm

ak2323 · December 10, 2011, 08:20 PM

They're both excellent guns. I sold the SA because I preferred the SW by a hair and had too many 9mms for my liking.

Whatever feels best should dictate your choice.

jbrooks39 · December 10, 2011, 08:58 PM

Thank you for the responses.

I am assuming these comments would also hold true for the .40 caliber versions as well since the guns are built on the same frames; correct?

Thank you again; I greatly appreciate the feedback.

Regards,
Joe

Wrothgar · December 10, 2011, 09:10 PM

I've owned both, and MUCH prefer the M&P!

BigShep85 · December 10, 2011, 09:29 PM

I own the s&w m&p compact and I love it, it is probably my favorite gun I own. It is with me at all times. Storm lake makes 9mm barrels you can drop in the m&p 40 cal so you would have a 40 and 9mm...just a thought. All you need is different mags.

Stoley · December 10, 2011, 09:48 PM

Yes they are the same just difrent barrels and mags. My XDm is a 9 and the M&P is a 40 and I have a 357sig barrel that drops in.

Jim Watson · December 10, 2011, 09:58 PM

I have the S&W and prefer it largely because of its placement in IDPA.
But the XDm looks like a decent gun.

I recommend sticking with the 9mm.
A .40 would just run up ammo cost and recoil which a new owner does not need.
I see little point in the conversion barrels that let you buy big and shoot small, but I may be the only one in step here.

Jamas · December 10, 2011, 10:15 PM

M&P. No contest for me. Whichever feels better in your hand and comes on target best. There is a big difference in feel (my opinion)

INMY01TA · December 10, 2011, 10:24 PM

I have both also. (well the M&P9c and an XDm9) i like both but tend to like the M&P a little better now. I agree with the guy above who said to save a little money and get the standard model.

MidwestRookie · December 11, 2011, 01:03 PM

I've shot an xd in 45 and an m&p in 40..

That said..I'd take the m&p without blinking. That plastic grip safety is horrible on the xd.

Uncle Malice · December 11, 2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

That plastic grip safety is horrible on the xd.

I admit that I'm not a big fan of the grip safety... but no part of it is plastic... It's metal, and it engages the back end of the sear, which is also metal.

Crunchy Frog · December 11, 2011, 01:49 PM

If you think you will ever shoot IDPA you will probably favor the Smith. Under IDPA classifications the Smith is considered double action; the XD is considered single action.

For some reason I really wanted to like the XD best of the polymer guns. I do prefer it to the Glock but the M&P is my favorite.

Mrgunsngear · December 11, 2011, 02:35 PM

I've had both and both will get the job done. But.... The M&P Pro is probably my favorite polymer frame gun (don't tell my G17...

). Extremely accurate, great fit/finish, 100% reliable, ect...

December 10, 2011, 07:19 PM	#1
jbrooks39 Junior Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Posts: 12	First Handgun Purchase: S&W M&P 9 Pro vs Springfield XDM-9 Greetings I know there are a lot of "this" vs "that" comparisons, but I would appreciate some constructive feedback/contrast/comparisons between the following two handguns: Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Pro Springfield Armory XDM-9 (4.5" barrel) This is/will be my first handgun purchase. Both feel good in my hands, but different from one another. I am left-handed shooter, so I appreciate the slide lock/release being ambidextrous on the M&P. Both seem comparable in pricing too. This will be used primarily a home defense purchase, but I have the intention to receive NRA Basic Pistol training from our local range. I would also like to spend time becoming as proficient as possible with this pistol. Thanks in advance. Regards, Joe

December 10, 2011, 07:48 PM	#2
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	I own a 4.5" XDm-9 and think it's a fine pistol. Absolutely reliable, accurate and 19+1 capacity. I won't hesitate to recommend it. I've handled the M&Ps but never fired one. They also look to be a fine pistol, but no first hand experience with them. I think either would serve you well. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

December 10, 2011, 08:03 PM	#3
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	I own both. They are both great guns. I would say save the money on the M&P Pro series and get the standard model, then put an APEX Tactical DCAEK trigger kit in it. It's a significantly better trigger, and probably my favorite striker trigger available. The M&P is probably more left friendly in that it has the right-side slide release. Both have ambidextrous magazine catches, so it's kind of a wash there. If you plan on carrying the gun at all, the M&P is quite a bit easier to carry. It's a lot lighter when loaded up and the grip isn't as long as the XDM. Both Springfield and S&W have the best customer service departments in the industry, so you have no worries there. My suggestion is to find some to test fire and see which one feels and shoots better for you. I personally prefer the M&P, but it's a pretty narrow margin - they're both superb. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

December 10, 2011, 09:29 PM	#8
BigShep85 Member Join Date: April 9, 2011 Posts: 95	Think about this jbrooks. I own the s&w m&p compact and I love it, it is probably my favorite gun I own. It is with me at all times. Storm lake makes 9mm barrels you can drop in the m&p 40 cal so you would have a 40 and 9mm...just a thought. All you need is different mags.

December 11, 2011, 02:35 PM	#16
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	I've had both and both will get the job done. But.... The M&P Pro is probably my favorite polymer frame gun (don't tell my G17...). Extremely accurate, great fit/finish, 100% reliable, ect...

December 10, 2011, 08:20 PM	#5
ak2323 Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 190	They're both excellent guns. I sold the SA because I preferred the SW by a hair and had too many 9mms for my liking. Whatever feels best should dictate your choice.

December 10, 2011, 08:58 PM	#6
jbrooks39 Junior Member Join Date: December 7, 2011 Posts: 12	Thank you for the responses. I am assuming these comments would also hold true for the .40 caliber versions as well since the guns are built on the same frames; correct? Thank you again; I greatly appreciate the feedback. Regards, Joe

December 10, 2011, 09:10 PM	#7
Wrothgar Junior member Join Date: January 28, 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 778	I've owned both, and MUCH prefer the M&P!

December 10, 2011, 09:48 PM	#9
Stoley Junior Member Join Date: February 25, 2011 Posts: 2	Yes they are the same just difrent barrels and mags. My XDm is a 9 and the M&P is a 40 and I have a 357sig barrel that drops in.

December 10, 2011, 09:58 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	I have the S&W and prefer it largely because of its placement in IDPA. But the XDm looks like a decent gun. I recommend sticking with the 9mm. A .40 would just run up ammo cost and recoil which a new owner does not need. I see little point in the conversion barrels that let you buy big and shoot small, but I may be the only one in step here.

December 10, 2011, 10:15 PM	#11
Jamas Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 154	M&P. No contest for me. Whichever feels better in your hand and comes on target best. There is a big difference in feel (my opinion)

December 10, 2011, 10:24 PM	#12
INMY01TA Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: Marylandistan Posts: 262	I have both also. (well the M&P9c and an XDm9) i like both but tend to like the M&P a little better now. I agree with the guy above who said to save a little money and get the standard model.

December 11, 2011, 01:03 PM	#13
MidwestRookie Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2010 Location: IL Posts: 462	I've shot an xd in 45 and an m&p in 40.. That said..I'd take the m&p without blinking. That plastic grip safety is horrible on the xd.

December 11, 2011, 01:49 PM	#15
Crunchy Frog Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2008 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 591	If you think you will ever shoot IDPA you will probably favor the Smith. Under IDPA classifications the Smith is considered double action; the XD is considered single action. For some reason I really wanted to like the XD best of the polymer guns. I do prefer it to the Glock but the M&P is my favorite.