I apologize in advance if this question has been asked before. I'm looking to buy a dual purpose CCW/HD. I have narrowed it down to the M&P 9c, FNS 9C, Sig Sauer P320C and the Springfield XDS. I know I need to look at the size and how it feels in my hand but I'm looking for people with experience with these guns to help me narrow it down even more. Everytime I get close to a decision I read or see something else that puts me back to the start. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
M&P 9c, FNS 9C, Sig Sauer P320C or Springfield XDS
- Thread starter jkt05_1
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Welcome to the forum!
I own two of the four: M&P 9c and XDS-9. My EDC is the M&P. 12 rounds and very accurate. The XDS is also a good shooter but only 7 rounds and it's picky about which SD ammo it will (or will not) chamber due to such a short feedramp.
Never shot the others you mentioned but I doubt you'd be disappointed with either.
I own two of the four: M&P 9c and XDS-9. My EDC is the M&P. 12 rounds and very accurate. The XDS is also a good shooter but only 7 rounds and it's picky about which SD ammo it will (or will not) chamber due to such a short feedramp.
Never shot the others you mentioned but I doubt you'd be disappointed with either.
Mosin Nagant
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2016
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 8
M & P 9c, IMHO. It is not fussy about ammo, is a delight to hold, shoots straight, and has a great trigger. Not to mention price. Mine is in FDE which looks awsome as well, and since buying it I retired my Glock. Well, I moved the Glock further back in the safe, at any rate.
I liked the Walther also, with the funny European mag release, but it was way more dough. And the S&W seemed simpler. And one thing the Glock taught me, simpler is better.
I liked the Walther also, with the funny European mag release, but it was way more dough. And the S&W seemed simpler. And one thing the Glock taught me, simpler is better.
I have a SIG P320 Compact 9mm/.357 SIG with over 5000 rounds through it. Here are its pluses and minuses:
Pluses: It is extremely well-made, reliable, and accurate. I've had only two jams in those 5000+ rounds. One was due to defective ammo, the other due to me limp-wristing it. It may have the best out-of-the-box striker trigger in the industry. Most are equipped with night sights. It can be easily converted to a bunch of other calibers using SIG's Caliber X-Change Kits. (Mine is currently a .357 SIG, which is a joy to shoot.)
Minuses: I think Compact is too large and heavy to be carried concealed (the subcompact version is easier to carry and gives up only 3 rounds), and until recently, no external safety was available, not even a Glock-style trigger safety. That, combined with a relatively short trigger pull kept me from considering it as a carry weapon. Now SIG is starting to equip P320s with thumb safeties, but I've heard that they're only for law enforcement. I may be wrong about that, so you should check.
My EDC is an M&P 40c. It has over 7000 rounds through it, and it is just as reliable and accurate (out to 20 yards) as my P320, and it's small enough to pocket carry. I imagine that the 9c would be similar. (I've never fired a 9c, though.) I suggest you go to a firing range and rent the guns you're interested in, and fire them yourself. One of them might jump out at you as THE one. Good Luck!
Pluses: It is extremely well-made, reliable, and accurate. I've had only two jams in those 5000+ rounds. One was due to defective ammo, the other due to me limp-wristing it. It may have the best out-of-the-box striker trigger in the industry. Most are equipped with night sights. It can be easily converted to a bunch of other calibers using SIG's Caliber X-Change Kits. (Mine is currently a .357 SIG, which is a joy to shoot.)
Minuses: I think Compact is too large and heavy to be carried concealed (the subcompact version is easier to carry and gives up only 3 rounds), and until recently, no external safety was available, not even a Glock-style trigger safety. That, combined with a relatively short trigger pull kept me from considering it as a carry weapon. Now SIG is starting to equip P320s with thumb safeties, but I've heard that they're only for law enforcement. I may be wrong about that, so you should check.
My EDC is an M&P 40c. It has over 7000 rounds through it, and it is just as reliable and accurate (out to 20 yards) as my P320, and it's small enough to pocket carry. I imagine that the 9c would be similar. (I've never fired a 9c, though.) I suggest you go to a firing range and rent the guns you're interested in, and fire them yourself. One of them might jump out at you as THE one. Good Luck!
Kind of hard to choose a gun that serves those two purposes. My HD gun is the M&P 45 and my carry piece is the shield in 9mm. I think the M&P9c might be the best option another alternative is the g19 or 26
I hate the XDS had two in 9mm and 45 flawless guns never had any issues with any but the grip is too aggressive, painful to shot, trigger is awful too kinda of mushy.. Never had a FNS, sig p320 too bulky and heavy to carry,
I hate the XDS had two in 9mm and 45 flawless guns never had any issues with any but the grip is too aggressive, painful to shot, trigger is awful too kinda of mushy.. Never had a FNS, sig p320 too bulky and heavy to carry,
Last edited:
Thanks alot everyone for the replies. I was able to go shoot a M&P 9c and hold the xds along with some others. The M&P is my favorite so far just by feel alone but also shot great. Trigger is a little stiff but I hear it gets better the more rounds you put through it. I read on this forum that the trigger can be replaced and be just as good as any of these others. I also shot the PX4 Storm (just because I used a beretta in the military) but it's far too bulky for a ccw since I'm a skinnier guy.
CBStuard
Member
Very happy w/ my 9c. I like the trigger mechanism design because it allows any number of different feels through easy parts swaps from Apex. IE, mine is heavier than normal using their duty/carry spring.
I have the 9C also and love it!! I put on a set of TruGlo fiber optic night sights and did a little polishing of a few parts and the trigger is great now. This gun is the perfect CCW package for me at work and off duty. A few of us bought our rangemaster one when he retired this week also.
I do have a few M&P 's in the safe but this and my 9mm shield are the two I shoot the most
Tony P
I do have a few M&P 's in the safe but this and my 9mm shield are the two I shoot the most
Tony P
Arik
Member
Sig 320.
"Feeling" is something that easily fixed with training.
I don't like the feel of little guns but I can shoot them pretty good. Glock 43 at 12 yards
HK USP feels weird in my hand but at 12 yards....
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
"Feeling" is something that easily fixed with training.
I don't like the feel of little guns but I can shoot them pretty good. Glock 43 at 12 yards
HK USP feels weird in my hand but at 12 yards....
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
fullmetal1911
Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2012
- Messages
- 197
- Reaction score
- 23
I own these same two. I carry the M&P9C more than the XD-S as I like having 30 rounds on tap with a single full size mag carried for a reload vs the 17 rounds I have with a flush mag in the XD-S and a 9 round spare. I can get close to the M&P's capacity if I carry 2 reloads, but that just adds to the amount of stuff I have to put on my belt/in my waistband.
I wouldn't go with the XD-S as a HD weapon, I hate short barrels for defensive purposes, but it is a compromise I make for concealed carry, I'd much rather have a 4.5" barrel or longer for the additional velocity it will provide which is why I have a CZ-75B for home defense duty at the moment. Not to mention that the larger grip on a full size gun is going to make it more controllable.
The ideal solution is two guns, one for HD and one for carry. Barring that option, I would say rent and shoot the P320, FNS compact and M&P compact and buy the one that you shoot the best.
Nobody's personal preference of the guns you mentioned is going to make them a better choice for you, only getting your hands on them and rounds down range is going to give you a good answer.
mooney7882v
Member
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2016
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 17
Your two finalists would be mine as well. I carry a shield but have a compact .45 and would argue the 9c would make a perfect fit for two uses. As already mentioned the Sig offers flexibility that is worth considering. I have owned Sig in the past (not the 320) and they are marvelous pieces of engineering but I don't know anyone who has a m&p that hasn't gone bang when it needed to...on any ammo they fed it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I have a 9c and a SIG 320 compact (& a 250sc). Of the three, I shoot the 9c best. It fits my hand best, has better sights (aftermarket -Ameriglo). I had an XDs(45) and while a reliable gun, it just didn't fit me well, and I no longer have it.
I am far more comfortable carrying the 9c than the 320. That said, I've had the 9c longer and have shot it much more, especially in IDPA.
I freely admit the 320 trigger is much better out of the box. It's up to you what you are comfortable with in terms of trigger weight, length of trigger travel before sear is released.
M&Ps are less expensive than the 320- savings that can be applied to training ammunition and or holsters.
If I were to start all over again, think I could be happy with either gun. Both are good guns, backed by reputable companies.
Good luck with your decision making.
I am far more comfortable carrying the 9c than the 320. That said, I've had the 9c longer and have shot it much more, especially in IDPA.
I freely admit the 320 trigger is much better out of the box. It's up to you what you are comfortable with in terms of trigger weight, length of trigger travel before sear is released.
M&Ps are less expensive than the 320- savings that can be applied to training ammunition and or holsters.
If I were to start all over again, think I could be happy with either gun. Both are good guns, backed by reputable companies.
Good luck with your decision making.
Last edited:
ultratec00
Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2011
- Messages
- 755
- Reaction score
- 337
I'm a big an M&P fan as anyone, but DON'T discount the FNS9C. I own a M&P 9C and have worked on/shot the 9FS. They're M&Ps, no issue with either. The 9C is chunky, but that's to be expected with a double stacked mag and short grip. My 9C is apexed and also has a stormlake barrel. It shoots okay, but the short, stubby, chubby, grip takes some getting used to depending on hand size. It is what it is. People probably said the same thing about the 6906 vs. 3913 back in the day.
Picked up a P320 compact in 9, quality firearm but thoroughly unimpressed. Shot decent, trigger pull is "eh" and not near as good as an M&P with an apex kit considering you typically pay noticeably more for the Sig. The P320 is noticeably larger as well, particularly the slide. It's currently on my short list of "to sell" given the opportunity which is something I typically don't do.
I own an XDS45, very accurate but finicky about ammo just not overly pleasant to shoot. Trigger pull is typical XD, okay but again not as good as an apexed M&P in my opinion. It has long since been surpassed by my Shield 45.
The LGS had FNS9s on sale for a really good price considering it came with night sights and 3 mags. Had been thinking about a full size 9 for a while. Didn't take much persuading to walk out with it. My M&Ps have the external thumb safety, The FNS came with an ambi mag release AND safety. Very accurate firearm, well made, and a true sleeper. Out of the box the trigger was a bit stiff. I polished a couple points, which helped some but ended up sending it out to a gunsmith who works on FNSs. I think the cost was $70, which included shipping back. He was slow and I had it back in like a week. Well worth the $70. I'm as big a M&P fanboy as many on here but would take the FNS9 over an M&P9 and that would include the FSN9C. The only downside is probably the cost of spare mags. They're a bit pricey.
Picked up a P320 compact in 9, quality firearm but thoroughly unimpressed. Shot decent, trigger pull is "eh" and not near as good as an M&P with an apex kit considering you typically pay noticeably more for the Sig. The P320 is noticeably larger as well, particularly the slide. It's currently on my short list of "to sell" given the opportunity which is something I typically don't do.
I own an XDS45, very accurate but finicky about ammo just not overly pleasant to shoot. Trigger pull is typical XD, okay but again not as good as an apexed M&P in my opinion. It has long since been surpassed by my Shield 45.
The LGS had FNS9s on sale for a really good price considering it came with night sights and 3 mags. Had been thinking about a full size 9 for a while. Didn't take much persuading to walk out with it. My M&Ps have the external thumb safety, The FNS came with an ambi mag release AND safety. Very accurate firearm, well made, and a true sleeper. Out of the box the trigger was a bit stiff. I polished a couple points, which helped some but ended up sending it out to a gunsmith who works on FNSs. I think the cost was $70, which included shipping back. He was slow and I had it back in like a week. Well worth the $70. I'm as big a M&P fanboy as many on here but would take the FNS9 over an M&P9 and that would include the FSN9C. The only downside is probably the cost of spare mags. They're a bit pricey.
Last edited:
I have both. Trigger has improved on my 9C using the "H" trigger bar and PC sear but is still a far cry from my 320C. As others have said, you can "Apex up" but that washes away any cost difference. I really dislike the hinged trigger.
The 9C comes with interchangeable backstraps to adjust the grip. You can swap out the grip modules on the 320 but they cost around $40. BUT, you can put a subcompact grip module for CC, then a Carry module for HD/range. You can even use full size mags in compact/SC module, just like you can use FS mags in the 9C, Xgrips optional. I also have a FS and Shield in 9mm.
In the end, they are both fine weapons. There are just too many personal preferences to state that one is "better" than the other.
So which is my HD/SD you might wonder? Neither, I'm a DA/SA man, and Yes, it's a Sig.
LoneStarWings
Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Messages
- 111
- Reaction score
- 69
M&P compact is a nice pistol. I just won a local IDPA match using the .40compact, won CCP division and finished with a better score than all 30 SSP competitors using up to pro-sized guns. It won't hold you back, and is very reliable, although I'd be tempted to wait and see if they release an M&P compact 2.0 sometime in the next year.
Philadelphia Patriot
Member
I say Sig P320C. I have the Sig P320 Carry. I can conceal carry mine without any issues, and I don't believe I've ever had a jam. If I was allowed to carry anything I wanted at work, I'd carry my Sig P320 Carry.
...but don't get me wrong, I still like my Glock.
...but don't get me wrong, I still like my Glock.
medicmanpat
Member
The XDS is a sleeper of a gun and quite pleasant to shoot. The standard fiber optic sight is a plus and is easy to sight in.
I had a 320 and it was a nice pistol but you can get trigger slap with the older triggers. Sig remade triggers for it in the next gen(if you can call it that) which did away with it. I had a love/hate relationship with it and it was with the trigger pull. It is a nice/clean pull which was great at the range or for competition but made me a little nervous for carry as the trigger pull was short and I was concerned about an accidental discharge in the heat of the moment. I didn't feel comfortable with it,but that was just me. Also, trying to find grips and kits for it now is getting harder and expensive,one of the other things that made me want to get one. The widths are a nice option but it doesn't seem cost effective as one grip may fit you better than the other and it would be nice to have it offered with different grips instead of just getting a standard. You can sell the original grip if needed but being everyone else has one, you won't get much and will have a harder time selling it. If you want to change calibers,you may as well buy another pistol as the kits are just as much as a complete pistol, so for me, that is a moot point.
The Shield is a nice little gun and is very comfortable to shoot and control. The M&Pc is a little wider than the Shield which can make a difference with ccw/carrying, depending on clothing worn and body type. I like the fact the Shield and XDS have a second magazine with a higher capacity/grip feel.
I had a 320 and it was a nice pistol but you can get trigger slap with the older triggers. Sig remade triggers for it in the next gen(if you can call it that) which did away with it. I had a love/hate relationship with it and it was with the trigger pull. It is a nice/clean pull which was great at the range or for competition but made me a little nervous for carry as the trigger pull was short and I was concerned about an accidental discharge in the heat of the moment. I didn't feel comfortable with it,but that was just me. Also, trying to find grips and kits for it now is getting harder and expensive,one of the other things that made me want to get one. The widths are a nice option but it doesn't seem cost effective as one grip may fit you better than the other and it would be nice to have it offered with different grips instead of just getting a standard. You can sell the original grip if needed but being everyone else has one, you won't get much and will have a harder time selling it. If you want to change calibers,you may as well buy another pistol as the kits are just as much as a complete pistol, so for me, that is a moot point.
The Shield is a nice little gun and is very comfortable to shoot and control. The M&Pc is a little wider than the Shield which can make a difference with ccw/carrying, depending on clothing worn and body type. I like the fact the Shield and XDS have a second magazine with a higher capacity/grip feel.
