Having just moved to the somewhat more free Commonwealth of Virginia, I find that I now have many more options for polymer Production guns - not limited to 15 year old Glocks versus fixed M&Ps. I have really been looking hard at getting a 5" longslide gun - ideally I would get an M&P9L, install sights of my choosing and an Apex competition kit. I could also do a Pro Series but would essentially be spending extra money on things that I would end up replacing anyway.
Of course, the biggest problem with that plan is that, for the life of me, I can't find one of the friggin' things anywhere. I've searched two Gander Mountains, two Bass Pros, and 6 of Virginia's larger firearms retailers and none of them have so much as seen a 5" M&P9 in many months. Their distributors are all out, as is Bud's. The MCX told me that they wouldn't be able to get one for a long time either. Anyone seen one of these goddamned things around lately?
With that said, I was at a large gun store in central Virginia today - they had a visiting trailer from a distributor outside with a number of different manufacturers spotlighted. I wandered in and saw a rack of XDs and XDMs - I picked up one of the 5" XDs and it felt pretty good in the hands, pointed really nicely, with a very nice, smooth trigger pull. I think I can get one for under $500. Does anyone have experience with XDs? I've seen a few at various MA USPSA matches but can't really tell whether they're a popular choice or whether people have success with them (I'm guessing the fact that they're difficult to get in MA may have an effect on that - I saw a few more at my first VA match). It seems like a nice gun but I know nothing about their quality or reliability, and, frankly, even though I can get one much cheaper (and faster!) than a M&P9 L or Pro series, the fact that I'd have to buy more mags and a new holster negates some of that savings (I currently have three M&Ps). Does anyone have any experience with an XD over time that would be willing to offer some thoughts?
Of course, the biggest problem with that plan is that, for the life of me, I can't find one of the friggin' things anywhere. I've searched two Gander Mountains, two Bass Pros, and 6 of Virginia's larger firearms retailers and none of them have so much as seen a 5" M&P9 in many months. Their distributors are all out, as is Bud's. The MCX told me that they wouldn't be able to get one for a long time either. Anyone seen one of these goddamned things around lately?
With that said, I was at a large gun store in central Virginia today - they had a visiting trailer from a distributor outside with a number of different manufacturers spotlighted. I wandered in and saw a rack of XDs and XDMs - I picked up one of the 5" XDs and it felt pretty good in the hands, pointed really nicely, with a very nice, smooth trigger pull. I think I can get one for under $500. Does anyone have experience with XDs? I've seen a few at various MA USPSA matches but can't really tell whether they're a popular choice or whether people have success with them (I'm guessing the fact that they're difficult to get in MA may have an effect on that - I saw a few more at my first VA match). It seems like a nice gun but I know nothing about their quality or reliability, and, frankly, even though I can get one much cheaper (and faster!) than a M&P9 L or Pro series, the fact that I'd have to buy more mags and a new holster negates some of that savings (I currently have three M&Ps). Does anyone have any experience with an XD over time that would be willing to offer some thoughts?
I haven't had problems with my M&P pro, but I prefer the feel of my XDM much more. It's all the matter of preference...seeing as you are in Virginia, go to the local indoor range and try out a regular XDs/XDMs/M&P (don't need to be the longslide versions) just to get a feel of the trigger and recoil during live fire.
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