I am going to buy a new .40 pistol this week, had sold myself on the M&P and all reviews show it's a fine pistol. However after just joining this forum yesterday I see many happy SD owners. Can anyone tell me if the extra money for the M&P is worth the expense compared to the SD? My use of the gun would be at the range and the occasional CC in my briefcase or truck. Thanks so much for the help!

The M&P is the better gun, If you have the extra money buy it. That being said the SD's are also nice guns. There basically "refined" Sigma's. Better trigger, look nicer etc. Your not going to go wrong with either one. I own both a Sigma & M&P, I still shoot my Sigma regularly. The only thing that effects me on my Sigma (and still would on an SD) Is I have big hands. The M&P changeable back straps help me A LOT! Only way to know is go to the range and shoot both. Good luck and post an update on what you buy.

I was going to ask the same question. I currently own a Sigma 9ve and I really like the pistol. Now I’m looking for a 40 s&w to replace my Glock 22 (nice gun but hate the 2X4 grip). I had a chance to fondle a M&P the other day and immediately fell in love with it.. CDNN has them for $430 which makes it very, very tempting.

If you have the cash M&P all the way.....the SD is only a slight improvement on the sigma

1.little better trigger
2.actual rail you can use
3.steel sights front is a night sight

On the other hand the M&P is a completely different pistol you really cant compare it to the Sigma or the SD.

It would be like buying a Dodge Dart when you can afford a Viper

For the uses you mention, the SD would be perfect. I have one that goes bang every time I pull the trigger. So, to answer your question, if you pay more money for an M&P you will have a slightly lighter trigger pull, adjustable backstraps (I see no need to improve on the SD ergo's), and more holster options. It's really all about personal preference.

If money is an issue, the SD is a little bit better value for the money. The SD is a fine pistol and in situations I prefer it to all others -- it carries well (thin & not too large) and is completely reliable.

If money is not an issue (well, within reason) then the M&P might be the better pistol for you to start with, assuming you want a striker fired pistol. (The value there is that every trigger pull is the same. The down side is that they are not as crisp as a good SA/DA pistol can be).

The M&P is good value for money, and also very reliable. As a new shooter, you are going to be relating to other shooters and asking for ideas and trading impressions -- with the SD, you might end up at the short end of the range snobism thing that might take away some of the fun for you. (It doesn't bother those of us who have had a couple of guns, maybe even some expensive ones, and can put the value of the SD in context for the casual critic).

For a bit of heresy on the S&W forum -- if you are really looking for a SA/DA pistol with a very, very nice trigger, for a reasonable price, take a look at the SigPro SP2022. Of course, you don't get S&W's legendary customer service, in case you need it, and you don't get the consistency of a striker fired system. But they are nice.

Bottom line here, and I've gone on too long, the SD would be fine, but I'd lean towards the M&P. I bought my first M&P, then doubled back for my first SD...

Thanks for the great information! I have decided it's the M & P for me. The extra money will be well spent! So hopefully my permit to purchase will be ready today and it will be off to the gunshop and then to the range! Thanks again and I'll report back in after I have a chance to purchase and shoot the M & P!

My first handgun was a SD9 and I have no complaints with it at all. I have shot a few different glocks, and a rock island 1911, and an xd9 and also the m&p 9. The m&p has a lighter trigger, but for the money I can really say the SD9 hasn't given me a bit of trouble, got 500rounds through it of various brands and not one problem.

I own a Sigma. Good gun with a heavy self defense trigger. The SD line seems to be a Sigma with a few upgrades, including a lighter trigger pull. I just bought a M&P Pro. All around better gun than the Sigma & the SD. Higher quality gun for a few hundred dollars more. The Sigma, SD & M&P are all good guns, but in this case the more you spend, the more you get. The M&P is worth the money, the SD is worth the upgrade from the Sigma if only for the better trigger, but the Sigma will protect you in a self defense situation just as effectively as the other two. That's my take on these guns from a Glock guy.

I just picked up an SD9, and I chose it over the M&P because it just felt better in my hand. The price difference was never an issue to me, but I preferred the thinner frame and the lack of a beaver tail on the SD.

Honestly, if you ask 100 people, you will get 100 different answers, but I think both are fine weapons and will perforate whoever or whatever you need them to.

Checked out same 2 guns today (M&P9 vs SD9). I think the SD9 is just about as big as you can get away with for double duty concealed carry and OWB holster use (a la Glock 19). The MP9 is probably "better" (whatever that means) BUT puts you over the edge in to "chopped down duty gun" (4.25 bbl) mode. Regards.
PS: The SD9 is a definite trigger improvement over the Sigma.

Just do what my wife suggested the last time I was torn between two pistols...get both!

Does your wife have a sister? :-D

(Mine always says "why do you need another gun?" and I always say, "what does NEED have to do with anything?")

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Gary

Holster options should be equal.

My SD40 fits in the Bladetech that came with my MP9 FS
very well.

Good Luck