I voted for the M&P. I have no plans to buy any of the above - at least not right now...we all know how plans change aboug buying new guns,,, but I very much liked the feel of the M&P's I have handled and I like S&W autos if we are talking about TDA's,so...

I'm not really the right guy to ask, though. I have never fired a Glock, and I don't know what an XD is. I just know I like S&W autos based on the old 5904 that is my main house pistol.

mark

I am new here and relatively new to hand guns, being separated from fire arms in general for many years. In earlier days I was a fairly avid hunter for small game. I developed an interest in handguns but could not persue it due to the legal system in Canada.
Now I am a proud Citizen if the US and also retired. I decided to again persue my interest in handguns.
My first aquisition, a S&W "J" frame model 60 with a 2 1/8th inch barrel. I just love this little thing. Whether shooting 38's or 357's it is smooth and accurate (accuracy depends on me). I just keep working on it, like a leather holster and custom grips. I only shoot it about once a month, hell 357 cartidges are not cheap.
Second aquisition: A Taurus PT940. At first I hated it due to magazine problems. However, 3 months and several new mags from Taurus has fixed thre problem. It is a neet gun to shoot but a little bulky for CCW.
Aquisition #3: A Springfield XD9SC. Hell, what a weapon. I love it. I have pumped hundreds of rounds through it, various types and various manufacturers. It is flawless. and quite nice for CCW purposes. also, 9mm ammo is a lot more economical tha 40's, 38's or 45's.
Now I am looking for aquisition #4. Hell this is an addiction. I am seriously looking at the new Ruger 380. Any comments?
OK, this has been too long.
Gordo!

my next handgun (after the one on layaway) is (i hope) an xd-9 sc. Never heard of it till i tried it at a range last month. Almost walked out with it, but restraint came back

On another note, just read a review in some gun rag, they did a "shoot out" with these three pistols, and a PO lda 18.9 (as a 1911 base)
Conclusion
They are all great.

Voted Glock because of it's proven track record...you can even find sites online dedicated to people abusive Glocks worse than red headed step children and they just keep goin bang....Seattle Police Department broke some of the XDs that they had acquired to test for a possible weapon change over and i've heard some stories about XD having problems failing to fire...somethin wrong with the firing pin from the factory? I bought a 5" .45 XD and eventually traded it for a Glock 26...but then again bunch of the red necks around rural WA love XDs and speaking against them is a good way to get a good ole fashion pitch forkin!

Well I'm not a redneck (I don't think) but I do LOVE my XD45 compact. I've only had it a couple of weeks and about 600 rounds. I have had no trouble with it, neither has my cousin with his XD45 or .357sig. I like this gun more every round I fire.

To complicate things a little: my wife just got a SW M&P9 compact and I am very impressed with it as well. It's just a pleasure to shoot, I think I like it more than she does. I prefer my XD to her gun. The full size M&P45 just didn't feel as good to hold. I think we got a couple of guns that fit us well. Although I admit I smiled real big inside the other day when she said that she likes her gun but wished she had shot the XD9SC before deciding and would like to see if the range has one she can shoot.

I Have never shot well with Glock. I know they are good reliable guns but I do not like them and don't think I will ever own one.

So for now my 2 cents are.. "Anything but the Glock". In the future I may amend that to "Nothing but an XD".

I really can't decide between the xd and glock. they are both excellent. havent shot the mp, but Ive handled a few, and I don't like the feel, but then again, you can change the feel with grip changes. All three are excellent in their own way, and I think any of the three would suit most people, if the person was open to try a new gun. (god forbid a glock guy tries out an xd for a month, that would be a sin!) I do like the factory 33 round mag for the glock 17, that is some fun, but then again 17 rounds is more than plenty also.

I chose the xd 40 service model as my first buy, (next is the glock 17), because for a defense pistol, I like the 40 cal over the 9, and I would be nervous with a glock 22 because of the kabooms I hear about, because of their chamber not fully supporting the high pressure casing of the 40, the way the xd does. When it comes down to it, I just have to have both the glock and the xd because I love them both and i dont feel complete without having both of them.

I bought a S&W M&P 40 compact 2 weeks ago. I was between the m&p xd and the glock also. I shot the glock before my purchase and i liked it. But as soon as i picked up the M&P i knew i was gonna get it. It just felt better in my hand. so after alot of research and talking to gun shops and looking at every web site i could find i decided on the M&P.

Now after my purchase and about 300rds through the m&p i am very happy with my purchase. I shot it side by side a subcompact xd and the m&p felt better in my hand and the recoil on the m&p is not as bad as i thought it would be. I shoot much better with it than i have shot with glocks in the past.

This weekend I am going to shot the M&P side by side my friends glock compact 40 im not sure the # maybe the 26 or something.

The M&P will be my daily ccw as soon as i get my permit in the mail.

Hope this helps

Oh and one more thing the first time i went to the range i was very surprised how well i shot with the M&P. I have shot many guns in the past and I hunt but i wouldnt call my self an experienced handgun shooter at all.

And with the second mag at about 15-18ft away i unloaded the 10rd mag at the targets head at rapid fire and hit the head every time with nice grouping. I tried this with a glock and it was everywhere.

but with any of the guns you listed you cant go wrong good luck.

its all bout personal preference and what feels good to you.

i think the reason that you see more votes for the glocks and xds is because they have been around for longer than the m&p and more people have shot glocks and xds if you look at the responses some people say that they voted for glock or xd and have never shot a m&P.

I vote Glock. I have Glocks and one XD, but no M&P. I really don't like the XD's grip, guess I'm just used to the Glock grip. Don't have a M&P so can't say anything about them.

I'd go with the M&P second chose the XD.

I would take my XDs over my glock

^^^^

Talking totally Tactical here....

I fly the OH-58D and I have flown with the Right/Left Serpa Lvl 2 Drop Leg Holsters and I have to say that besides being the best drop leg holster blackhawk also puts out a lvl 2 Serpa that accepts their Xiphos Tac-Light (light fits better on the glock!!), but only for a Glock 17/21/33? not sure on that last model number. BUT what I do know is that Blackhawk isnt making that holster for any other pistol.

Ok I am a XD9C & Glock 17 owner, and between the two pistols I'd go Glock.

Today at the range my XD saw far more jams and double feeds than my Glock. This could be my choice in cheap Remington Ball Ammo, but still the fact is that the Glock didnt have any issues.

Also the Glock is lighter than the XD.

Glock Mags ARE the Shizzo!

Glock Mags hold more rounds than the XD's

I feel like the XD is top heavy, and I really dont like that.

The Glock has a small hole at the bottom of the grip for a tactical restraint strap. (Incase it falls out of your holster in a fire fight.)

Not sure if anyone has noticed this but, if you dont have a great grip on your XD and you go to lock your slide to the rear. (In other words the grip safety is NOT fully engaged) The XD Won't Lock to the rear.

That right there was my #1 reason for switching to Glock. I plan on taking my G21 to Iraq when I head over and I want zero excuses for not getting rounds down range if I need them.

My choice is Glock...

I know XD is sexy, and I was a huge XD guy till I got my hands on a Glock. I will never go back.

Temper the following comments with your own experience on which gun YOU, not some anonymous guy on the internet, shoot best.


M&P

The M&P has a magazine disconnect safety (optional delete on LE special order). I prefer a weapon without this feature. I do understand that it can be a life-saving safety feature. Some folks drop the magazine, and think that the gun is safe without checking the chamber. This is using a mechanical device to correct a training issue. There are also some who like a magazine safety for police work, in the theory that if an officer is about to lose his weapon in a struggle, he can drop the magazine, buying a bit of time to reach for his backup gun. Early production had a number of unexpected magazine drops, avoid used.

One feature I do like is that you don't have to pull the trigger to disassemble as the M&P comes with a sear release. But the texture of the grip rubber is a little too neutral for my tastes (ie. sweat, mud, oil would reduce firmness of grip contact).

DAO, heavier trigger, but restrike capable.

Glock

Great 3rd party support
Fairly soft shooting
Blocky grip, finger grooves spread fingers, not for small hands
Disconnector allows Glocks to fire out of battery
Unsupported chamber
Thin/weak chamber walls > 9mm (.40 use a bored out 9mm barrel, removal of material makes thinner chamber walls)
Do not use +P in a Glock per Glock's advisory on kB!

XD

2 Nice features:

Fully supported chamber
All billet internals

Grip not adjustable for size like M&P, but has no Glocky finger grooves. Grip safety redundant to split trigger. Higher bore axis than Glock. I like that Subcompacts come with a short (10rd in 9mm) mag and an extended mag (16rd in 9mm) with grip extension for the best flexibility of all 3 in concealed carry;.

Originally Posted by djnevoc

I fly the OH-58D and I have flown with the Right/Left Serpa Lvl 2 Drop Leg Holsters

If you are a Kiowa driver, as you claim, then you already know a drop leg holster will interfere with the collective control.

Originally Posted by djnevoc

The Glock has a small hole at the bottom of the grip for a tactical restraint strap. (Incase it falls out of your holster in a fire fight.)

"tactical restraint strap"??? Its called a "lanyard."

tactical restraints are flexcuffs

Sounds like you are planning to go to Iraq and flexcuff Haji to your G21.

Originally Posted by djnevoc

I plan on taking my G21 to Iraq when I head over and I want zero excuses for not getting rounds down range if I need them.

Bringing non-issue weapons in theater is contraband under UCMJ. Period.

The M&P has a magazine disconnect safety (optional delete on LE special order).

i may be misunderstanding here but...

its not difficult to find the M&P without the mag safety,most ive came across did not have it,or the internal lock.

mine has neither,im not LEO nor did i need to "special order".

again,not sure if im reading you right though.

also...

DAO, heavier trigger, but restrike capable.

still talking M&P here?

heavier than what?ive found the weight to be very similar to a Glock(although i prefer the Glock reset out of the box).

the M&P doesnt have a re-strike feature either.

although i dont feel im missing anything,as i see it as a useless feature.if i have a round fail,i clear it.

Do not use +P in a Glock per Glock's advisory on kB!

ive been shooting +P in Glocks for over a decade without issue...never even heard that one before.

Originally Posted by JJ

i its not difficult to find the M&P without the mag safety,most ive came across did not have it,or the internal lock. mine has neither,im not LEO nor did i need to "special order".

Circled in red below:

Originally Posted by JJ

still talking M&P here? heavier than what?ive found the weight to be very similar to a Glock(although i prefer the Glock reset out of the box).

Trigger pulls

M&P 6.5 lbs
Glock 5.5 lbs
XD 5.5 lbs

Originally Posted by JJ

the M&P doesnt have a re-strike feature either.

All DAOs except revolvers restrike

ok,yeah the mag disconnect is an option.know very few who have excercised that option though.

Trigger pulls

M&P 6.5 lbs
Glock 5.5 lbs
XD 5.5 lbs

well,a pound is barely noticable if at all(for me anyway).i also did a trigger job on my M&P which lightened things a bit(although the goal was simply improving the reset).

All DAOs except revolvers restrike

if they have a hammer,rather than a striker.

again,maybe im misunderstanding...

"restrike" as in if the round fails to fire you simply pull the trigger again for a second chance at it?

because the M&P does not...at least not while dry firing(havent actually had a primer fail,and if i did it would have simply been cleared)).

i was under the impression the Glock was technically a DAO in the same way as the M&P as well....in that the last little bit of the striker being cocked is done with the trigger pull...not at all like whats typically thought of as a DAO.

Example 1

Originally Posted by JJ

its not difficult to find the M&P without the mag safety,most ive came across did not have it,or the internal lock. mine has neither,im not LEO nor did i need to "special order".

Originally Posted by JJ

ok,yeah the mag disconnect is an option.know very few who have excercised that option though.

Example 2

Originally Posted by JJ

heavier than what?ive found the weight to be very similar to a Glock

Originally Posted by JJ

i also did a trigger job on my M&P which lightened things a bit

Example 3

Originally Posted by JJ

i was under the impression the Glock was technically a DAO in the same way as the M&P as well....in that the last little bit of the striker being cocked is done with the trigger pull...not at all like whats typically thought of as a DAO.

Originally Posted by JJ

ive been shooting Glocks for over a decade

Your credibility is in question.

funny,im begining to think the same of you.

how about answering the points i made?the M&P(and other striker fired pistols which are technically DA) do not have restrike.

ive never been inside the Glock while firing it.whether the striker is fully cocked before activating the trigger(which would make it a SA),or whether a small ammount of the cocking of the striker is done during the trigger pull(which would make it DA)...isnt something i could ever see while firing thousands of rounds through them over 10~ years.

although if im not mistaken the Glock is indeed DAO and it doesnt have restrike either...going back to the actual topic here.

now that you've edited to add more examples i'll answer them as well...

example 1:
im pretty sure that was a simple misunderstanding(which i said it may be in my original post ...twice).i thought you were saying that the mag disconnect was the norm and you needed to special order to get one without...so taken in context(too much to ask?) my comments make perfect sense.

example 2:you gotta do better than that...i found the trigger weight to be very similar before doing the trigger job on my M&P.ntm i think 1 pound could easily be considered "very similar".

example 3:already addressed.

I checked and M&P is not a true DAO. Slide partially cocks trigger. Therefore no restrike. Corrected.

Similar to "Glock Safe Action", where the slide only half-cocks the firing mechanism, and the trigger fully-cocks and releases it, and then the slide-action (recoil) re-half-cocks it (used in Glocks, S&W Sigma, etc.). XD's USA trigger is single action since slide fully cocks action.

True DA all cocking done by trigger. Restrike dependent on a true DA capable trigger. Striker Fired Pistols with restrike:

Walther P99 AS
Walther P99 DAO
SW99
Taurus 7/24 (OSS)

Originally Posted by JJ

you were saying that the mag disconnect was the norm

Yes it is. Just as circled. Mag disconnect is only optional for LE. Street availability may be relaxed now, but that was the original position for M&P sales as indicated in brochure. On slide right below the ejection port it will say "Warning: Capable of Firing Without Magazine" if you do not have this feature.

heckler & Koch is better than all those. The German quality is the ultimate. Even the US forces uses it.

i wonder of all the post given, the percentage of people that have put in there hand al 3 of the pistols listed and shot with them as well, because i can tell you that before i handled the m&p ,i owned the other 2,and i was already dogging the m&p out ,untill one day when i was the gun store, and the fellow put a m&p 45 in my hand i was sold, i mean the ergonomics ,comfort ,and feel of the pistol is second to none, just my opinion ,but smith & wesson got it right on this one, and to tell you the truth before my m&p pistols, i 've never owned a smith &wesson...i always thought they were to high on price, but go figure...