Choices, choices...I've narrowed down my options for my first handgun purchase to the S&W M&P40, Springfield XDM 40 and the Glock 22. The handgun I buy will earn its living in home defense and at the range. I'd love to hear some comments from those of you that have experience using these firearms and advantages/disadvantages of each model as you see it. I'm trying to determine real distinctions between the models that I should be aware of before making a purchase. Thanks to all and I'm really enjoying the forum! I'm certainly learning a lot.
Looking at each, all of them offer something different then the other (or at least can depending on desired configuration)
1:
S&W M&P- The standard sized guns have a decent reputation for reliability. I don't like the take down as it requires that "lever" to be manually lowered prior to dis assembly. The M&P does have the interchangeable back straps as does the XDM, the GLOCK grip is what is is, some like it, some don't. The M&P can be had with or without a magazine disconnect safety or can be had with a thumb safety, the XDM and Glock do not have those features.
As there are different models of the M&P, be careful if you decide to purchase one and make sure it is equipped the way you want it. I had a brain fart and came home with the M&P9c with the magazine disconnect, it's wasn't a make or break issue with me, but I would have preferred a gun without one (yes I know it could have been removed) as it's just my personal preference to not have the magazine disconnect.
2:
XDM Based on the original XD but with some improvements, such as the interchangeable back straps and other tweaks. The XDM offers a grip safety which the Glock and M&P do not have, and does not require any other steps in take down like the M&P, the XDM does not require the trigger to be pulled to take the slide off like the GLOCK, but the grip safety MUST be pressed in to move the slide. The XD and XDM have good track records, and the XDM has a little more ammo on tap than the other models. Holster selection is not quite as good as the M&P or the Glock, but it's getting there.
3:
GLOCK , if you don't like manual safeties, this is the gun for you. It has a proven and hard to beat track record and accessories (holsters/aftermarket pars/mags) are available anywhere. It does not have the grip safety, thumb safety, or mag disconnect that you can get on the other models, so if those are features that
YOU find favorable, the GLOCK is out of the running. As noted above, the trigger does need to be pulled to remove the slide, and while that's not generally an issue, complacency happens. As long as one is responsible and doesn't make an opps followed by a boom, it's not an issue.
All three guns are about the same size and about the same capacity, so it really boils down to what features you want. The M&P and the XDM both come with a Melonite finish (excluding the XDM in w/ stainless slide), the GLOCK has a Tennifer finish (Google these and read the Wikipedia summaries) both are tough finishes. The early XDs
NOT XDMs had finish issues, as well did the M&P where the Melonite was flaking off.
I had an M&P9c and I would say that the GLOCK and the XDM are better made, the 9c just felt like a little toy.
Grip angle: As this is your fist gun, it's not an issue, but if you get other guns, you will find in most cases that the GLOCK has a different grip angle than
most guns, this is one reason that I went with the XDM over the GLOCK, I like the GLOCK, but I like keeping my guns as similar as possible and the XDM has the same grip angle as my 1911s, HK P7, Browing Hi Power and Browning Buckmark.
All three are as accurate as you can shoot them, the XDM is a little more costly than the GLOCK and M&P, some say that this is because of the XDM Gear (holster, mag carrier etc) that comes with the XDM, I think this is crap as the XD/XDM Gear isn't all that great, so don't let that be a deciding factor.
All thee have great warranties behind the guns, so if anything does go wrong, you WILL be taken care of.
I don't like the grip angle and lack of ability to really change it on the GLOCK. I don't like that I have to hold in the grip safety of the XDM to move the slide. I don't like the overall construction of the M&P and I don't like that lever to take down the pistol.
What I do like about the GLOCK is that it's one tough as nails gun and accessories are everywhere. I do like the grip of the M&P, and I like the XDM for the single action trigger (pulling the trigger releases the striker, just like my P7, again it's a commonality thing) and just points better for me than the GLOCK and that it's a well made gun.
The GLOCK has polygonal rifling while the others have traditional rifling, GLOCK does not recommend using lead only projectiles, it's not a big issue, but if you plan on using lead only projectiles you may want to replace the barrel with an aftermarket. The polygonal rifling is reported to last longer than traditional and slightly increases velocity. I say reported as I've never wore out a barrel and have done no chrono testing of my own.
Take some more time, research what options are available. Use the search tool here and see what's being said on mag safeties, grip safeties and thumb safeties etc. Some like them, some don't.