If you like the XDm great, thumb safety and grip safety??? I find the XDm and glock 22,23 shoot high for me. The sigmas fit, are accurate, reliable. What state do you live in that you pay for a NICS check?? It is free??
I don't own a plastic gun, but how would you compare an XD to an M&P?
I warn all that this will be a controversal post that follows.
Polymer is Polymer.
I dont own a Sigma because I prefer metal frame lightweight trigger weapons-and the Sigma is the antithesis of my carry philosophy-but were I to purchase a poly frame gun id buy a Sigma over an XD or Glock.
Why? Because a Sigma does the same thing that the XDs,Glocks,poly-frame Rugers, and even the storied HK poly frame pistols do-they feed and shoot service caliber rounds reliably with a metal slide and barrel riding on a poly frame.
Yes, the Sigma doesn't have the best reputation which I squarely attribute to price, not function.Glock and others have made stinkers in their time too.
Except Glock, Springfield Armory, and HK make you pay $200+ over the price of a Sigma for what is fundamentally the same hardware.
Since there's no quantifiable difference in the performance of a brand new Sigma to a brand new Glock to a brand new P30,gun owners are reduced to trading e-punches over loaded chamber indicators and finger grooves on the frame.
One wonders what the legacy of the Sigma would be today had S&W charged $100 over the list price of the Glock back when the Sigma was new.
To the OP-trade as you need to get what you want.But dont expect people to yell amen on a S&W forum about trading an S&W for a competitors product.