Day at the Range: Polymer Shootout

[FrankPro1]

My buddy is in the market for a new polymer .45 so we decided to head to the range and go through his list of possibles.
The List: Glock 21sf, Hk USP, SW M&P, Springfield XD

After going through about 500 rounds we began to find some interesting differences. Being that the 21sf is mine, I will be comparing the rest of the lineup to it.

XD: Felt better in my hand then the Glock. Liked the feel of the trigger pull "nice and smooth" but had a bit more travel in it during reset. Shot it almost as good as the Glock and maybe even a bit tighter at the far end "25-30 yard range". Also liked the striker indicator on the rear of the slide.

M&P: Really liked how far the handle sat in below the slide. Gave it a nice balance and overall feel to it. However I did not like the trigger. The pull seemed a bit long and it didn't snap at reset. I kept on waiting to feel the reset but it just wasn't there. Is this standard on the M&P? Groupings were decent at all distances and I could tell with time it could be a solid shooter, but the trigger just wasn't meshing with me.

USP: Great looking piece. The overall design, fit & finish of the USP is beautiful. Immediately felt great in my hand but was a tad heavier then I'm used to. This thing shoots like the bullets are on rails! Tight groups from all distances from the start. A very solid shooter but comes with a heavy price tag. The only gripe I had with it was the heavy/long DA pull for the initial shot. Overall an excellent fire arm.

[Blackhawk556]

My xd/xdm feels better than the g17 I use to own. I actually sold the g17 and bought the xdm with the funds. If the grip on the xd feels better than the glock and the groups are good, I say go with the xd.

[iareConfusE]

My buddy is in the market for a new polymer .45 so we decided to head to the range and go through his list of possibles.
The List: Glock 21sf, Hk USP, SW M&P, Springfield XD

After going through about 500 rounds we began to find some interesting differences. Being that the 21sf is mine, I will be comparing the rest of the lineup to it.

XD: Felt better in my hand then the Glock. Liked the feel of the trigger pull "nice and smooth" but had a bit more travel in it during reset. Shot it almost as good as the Glock and maybe even a bit tighter at the far end "25-30 yard range". Also liked the striker indicator on the rear of the slide.

M&P: Really liked how far the handle sat in below the slide. Gave it a nice balance and overall feel to it. However I did not like the trigger. The pull seemed a bit long and it didn't snap at reset. I kept on waiting to feel the reset but it just wasn't there. Is this standard on the M&P? Groupings were decent at all distances and I could tell with time it could be a solid shooter, but the trigger just wasn't meshing with me.

USP: Great looking piece. The overall design, fit & finish of the USP is beautiful. Immediately felt great in my hand but was a tad heavier then I'm used to. This thing shoots like the bullets are on rails! Tight groups from all distances from the start. A very solid shooter but comes with a heavy price tag. The only gripe I had with it was the heavy/long DA pull for the initial shot. Overall an excellent fire arm.

Many aftermarket drop-in upgrades available for the M&P from Apex Tactical. The DCAEK will smoothen out and lighten the trigger pull, and will also reduce overtravel. The Apex RAM will make the trigger reset audible and tactile.

[RollingCode3]

Sold the XD (hate the trigger and the high bore axis) and and bought another 2 Glocks and 2 M&Ps.

[fullrearview]

Everyone knows I don't care for Glocks (Don't Shot them particularly well)... But if given the choice between just the two(USP & Glock), I would pay 5k more for the glock.

[9mmepiphany]

M&P: Really liked how far the handle sat in below the slide. Gave it a nice balance and overall feel to it. However I did not like the trigger. The pull seemed a bit long and it didn't snap at reset. I kept on waiting to feel the reset but it just wasn't there. Is this standard on the M&P? Groupings were decent at all distances and I could tell with time it could be a solid shooter, but the trigger just wasn't meshing with me.

The instant cure for this are the Apex Tactical (DCAEK) parts kit. It's all DIY drop in pieces to make that trigger feel great

[Legasat]

I own 3 M&P's and really like them.

But let's face it, all 4 pistols you mentioned are great pistols. It's the nuances the strike everyone a little different. They all seem to stay in business and make money.

Sounds like a fun afternoon!

[esartori]

Thanks for the report! I've been looking at either the M&P or the Glock as my next. I feel like there are so many mixed reviews about the M&P trigger. Some people like the stock trigger and others hate it. Do you know if the M&P you tried was a recent model?

[IPSICK]

Sold the XD (hate the trigger and the high bore axis) and and bought another 2 Glocks and 2 M&Ps.

+1 on the XD experience. Trigger can be made fantastic but the high bore axis cannot be changed.

Thanks for the report! I've been looking at either the M&P or the Glock as my next. I feel like there are so many mixed reviews about the M&P trigger. Some people like the stock trigger and others hate it. Do you know if the M&P you tried was a recent model?

Funny enough of the 4 reviewed, I thought the M&P had the best out of the box trigger. But who keeps their triggers stock? After mods, the best triggers would rank XD (Springer Precision), Glock (Vanek), M&P (Apex), H&K (LEM trigger).

[ZX-10R]

I bought a M&P 45. I liked the way it shot and felt in my hand...None of the other guns on your list made mine. If anything, if I could get the FNP 45 I would but we can't. Have him shoot as many of those guns possible.

[Bryansix]

Out of those the only one I have not shot is the SW M&P. My only handgun is a Sig SP2022. Got it because of the price but love it for the simplicity and accuracy. I also like the XD and the USP but the SP2022 just has something special with ease of use and reliability.

[FrankPro1]

If the grip on the xd feels better than the glock and the groups are good, I say go with the xd.

The handle felt more natural on the xd but overall I like the Glock better "mainly due to crispness of trigger break, reset and travel"

Sold the XD (hate the trigger and the high bore axis) and and bought another 2 Glocks and 2 M&Ps.

Does the high bore axis create more muzzle climb? What is the detraction of it?

Everyone knows I don't care for Glocks (Don't Shot them particularly well)... But if given the choice between just the two(USP & Glock), I would pay 5k more for the glock.

What aspects of the USP do you not like?

I own 3 M&P's and really like them.

But let's face it, all 4 pistols you mentioned are great pistols. It's the nuances the strike everyone a little different. They all seem to stay in business and make money.

Sounds like a fun afternoon!

Very fun afternoon and don't get me wrong, the M&P felt great in the hand but the trigger was just so much different then I'm used to.

Out of those the only one I have not shot is the SW M&P. My only handgun is a Sig SP2022. Got it because of the price but love it for the simplicity and accuracy. I also like the XD and the USP but the SP2022 just has something special with ease of use and reliability.

I have shot very few Sigs but they all have been solid performers. A 9mm Sig is definitely coming to my lineup in the near future.

[FrankPro1]

Thanks for the report! I've been looking at either the M&P or the Glock as my next. I feel like there are so many mixed reviews about the M&P trigger. Some people like the stock trigger and others hate it. Do you know if the M&P you tried was a recent model?

I'm not sure how new the M&P was. Has there been radical changes from the old to newer models?

[esartori]

Yes, although I am not sure if the triggers have changed much. Either way, I am interested

[Irv]

My polymers:
HK45c
KZ45