imported post
I bought an M&P 357 Fullsize when the rebate and free mags began... Brought it to the range with my XD-357 Service and did a general comparison of the 2:
http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2733
The result was overwhelmingly in favor of the XD (for me), and I noted a few issues with the M&P which concerned me enough to replace it after about 500rd.
I replaced it with another XD.
I don't care for Glocks, never did, never will... I think they are functional, adequate pistols, but they aren't very refined or ergonomic. The M&P struck me to be essentially an ergonomic Glock, and it simply didn't suit me.
The issues I noted (if you don't want to read the whole review thread) were:
1. The gun will release the striker when significantly out-of-battery... My wife had a cartridge misfeed and chamber with the extractor claw behind the rim instead of over it, which prevented the slide from closing all the way. The striker still fell when the trigger was pulled (she didn't notice the gun was not in battery fully)... luckily, the firing pin struck on the edge of the primer and did not discharge it. If it had contacted more solidly, the result would have been catastrophic. I checked all of my other pistols, and they would not release their hammer/striker when the barrel was nearly unlocked, but the M&P would release it's striker even with a gap between the barrel-hood and the breech-face. :shock:
2. The fired brass from the M&P was expanded significantly, moreso than any other .357sig pistol I've ever seen... the spent casings would not even start to slide into the XD's chamber, but would fall easily into the M&P. Now, I know that all chambers are a bit different, but it was pretty obvious that the M&P's chamber was throated HUGE. No reloading those empties.
3. The pistol shot really low... I thought it was me milking the grip at first, but even from a supported hold the gun would print 3"-4" low at 15yd, and I've heard the same complaint from several other owners.
In summary, the ergonomics and build quality of the M&P are excellent... but many of the details of the gun are lacking. From the weak mag-release, to the gritty trigger and poor recoil characteristics (they chose too weak of a recoil spring), it simply didn't meetthe expectations set by other reviews, advertisements, and my other pistols. You might like the M&P, plenty of people do... especially those who prefer Glocks over XDs.
Myself, I'll keep my XDs.
Edit: I should add, I've fired the M&P 45, and 2 M&P 9mms since I got rid of my M&P .357... The M&P .45 was an excellent, balanced pistol...far better thanmine.I would have gotten one of those instead, if I was in the market for a .45 (then again, the XD-45 is a sweet shooter too).