[JAR0023]

Sounds like you're doing a good job with you selection. You have caliber and budget considered and you've narrowed this down to a couple of guns that feel good. Go fondle some more guns and if possible actually shoot them. Any ranges in your area that rent? Feeling good in your hand is important but that doesn't always translate to accuracy in actual shooting. I have a M&P .45c that for the life of me just doesn't ever feel 100% right to me. That being said I shoot plenty tight groups with that gun. So it remains a tool that fits a need.

Both the Ruger and the XD have a reputation for going bang every time and for addressing any warranty issues that might arise. Springfield has one of the best reputations for customer service around. I'd take either in a pinch and not loose any sleep thinking the gun wasn't going to work.

All that aside I have an XD40 that is one of the early ones, back when it was a $425 gun. Unlike the M&P it feels like it was made for my hand. It's been great. 1000's of rounds and not one single hiccup. Ever. More that one freind has purchased their own XD after shooting mine. I carried it for a long time and it's since been moved to bedside duty. Once broken in the trigger settled in somewhere between 4 and 5lbs. Some complain about the long reset but I shoot relvolvers as well and it doesn't bother me.

At some point you'll have to ingore the fanboys and just pick a gun from a reputable manufacturer that shoots well for you.

J