M&P45 Vs. XD45

[RT13]

I have narrowed down my selection for a new polymer .45acp to these two models. Main purpose will be for home defense and some target shooting. I've handled both models but have never shot either. Just want to get your opinion and feedbacks on these models especially if you have experience with both.

The XD has been around longer than the M&P, I like the smoother, crisper trigger on the XD. Very good reviews on the XD and seems to be the better bang for the buck and seems like you get more for your money with the XD. But I'm not a big fan of the XD's looks.

The M&P looks really nice and feels very well in my hand, almost perfect. I don't like the trigger but can get used to it as I have, and done with many of my guns. Reviews so far for this pistol seems good.

That so far is my opinion and what I've learned about both pistols.

[powaybob]

I have a couple of thousand rounds through my XD 45 and really like it, more than my 1911s and Ruger P345. I just shoot better with it, and it is simple to field strip and clean. It feeds and operates well with a wide range of ammunition too. I don't know anything about your other selection, but I like my XD.

[sholling]

Both are excellent handguns but my M&P45 impressed me enough that I've since bought a 9c and a 40c. It's a good accurate and reliable pistol. You'll find that the trigger smooths way out in the first 200-300rds, or you can send it in for a trigger job. To me the three big advantages it has over the XD are 1) a much lower bore axis meaning less muzzle flip. 2) The interchangeable backstraps allowing you to better fit it to your and or install a Crimson Trace backstap. 3) It's made in the USA. At a time with 10% unemployment I think that's important. I own a lot of handguns and my M&P has become my bedroom pistol and designated SHTF pistol.

[Soldier415]

I am partial to the XD for a number of reasons.

My advice to you would be to fondle both of them side by side, and see which one feels better to you and gives you a better natural point of aim. Then shoot both and see which one you are most accurate with.

[Legasat]

Both XD and M&P are reliable & accurate. Both would serve you well. If you search, you can find a few stories about people who have had a problem with both guns, just like you can with any gun, but these days 99.99% of the problems have been worked out with both.

I have been through a process to buy handguns 3 times in last 2.5 years. I start with shooting over 20 guns, narrow it down to best 3, shoot those again, and pick the best one. The XD made my top 3, two out of the 3 times. All 3 times, I chose M&P for all 3 calibers and sizes of handguns I needed (.45FS, 9mmFS, 9c).

I chose the M&P because ultimately, it was more comfortable and I shot it more accurately (probably because it fit my hand better).

The trigger does smooth out a bit after several hundred rounds on the M&P. Apex Tactical is now making a drop-in replacement sear for the M&P that makes the trigger much smoother and about 4lbs.

Again, both are fine quality and likely serve you well. The only way for you to decide is to go shoot them both until one of starts to rise above the other.

Good luck.

[Iggy]

What light and holster is that?

[ChrisTKHarris]

What light and holster is that?

Streamlight TLR-1 and a Blackhawk Serpa Level 1 holster.

[Exposed]

I have both because they are both awesome!

[Exposed]

BTW. I'm thinking about selling one of them to fund a new TRP Operator with full size rail. (See my thread called "want to buy a TRP Operator w/ full size rail in this forum). However, I wouldn't know which one to sell as I love them both and both have their own specific qualities to them

[sholling]

What light and holster is that?

The light is a Streamlight TLR-1 (C4) and the holster is from Blade-Tech. I wouldn't own another Serpa (been there, done that, sold it). Blade-Tech has a few models but I went for the Tek-Lok version so the holster would be easy to slip on and off during power outages.

[ChrisTKHarris]

The light is a Streamlight TLR-1 (C4) and the holster is from Blade-Tech. I wouldn't own another Serpa (been there, done that, sold it). Blade-Tech has a few models but I went for the Tek-Lok version so the holster would be easy to slip on and off during power outages.

Why don't you like the Blackhawk Serpas? I love mine.

[sholling]

Why don't you like the Blackhawk Serpas? I love mine.

I don't like the idea of getting into a wrestling match with a holster over possession of my pistol in the middle of a gun fight. A Serpa can work fine if your hand happen to be just the right size and if your fingers just the right length to fall naturally on the release button, and if everything works perfectly. But I guess I'm not ones of the so blessed because no matter how much I practiced with I never got the warm and fuzzy feeling that it wouldn't get me killed.

[gwl]

I tried both the XD and M&P and I went for the XD. Both are great handguns but I couldn't get used to the trigger of the M&P.

[ChrisTKHarris]

I don't like the idea of getting into a wrestling match with a holster over possession of my pistol in the middle of a gun fight. A Serpa can work fine if your hand happen to be just the right size and if your fingers just the right length to fall naturally on the release button, and if everything works perfectly. But I guess I'm not ones of the so blessed because no matter how much I practiced with I never got the warm and fuzzy feeling that it wouldn't get me killed.

Understandable

[esnipe]

M&P by far for me. I have the 9c. After I bought mine, my two best friends went out and bought one for themselves. It was strange. Even my buddy who normally cannot shoot pistols picked up mine an shot great. Just something about the feel/weight. Can you tell I love mine?