OK - My dad's looking for 9mm hand gun - the leaders are the SIG P226 and the Springfield Armory XDM.?

If you like the Sig P226 then you'll love the P250. With different grip, frame, and barrel sizes available, you can customize this gun to fit you perfectly and adapt it to any use you might need it for.

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Straight-forward this is my opinion:

A handgun only has two distinct advantages compared to long-guns. These two advantages are conceal ability and single handed operation. This is true for both home defense and conceal carry. Having a handgun that you can conceal on your person and answer the door is a significant advantage over a firearm that is too large to conceal. Keep that in mind when choosing your handgun unless your father already has a gun intended for daily conceal carry (even though you mentioned CC is not a determining factor – Springfield XDM are now available in a 3.8” barrel | Sig P229 have a shorter barrel than P226).

Both will be good handguns for the range however, I believe the Sig is a better defensive pistol. In addition these are the main reasons why I would choose the sig:

1. Sig 22 Conversion Kits are available (cheaper ammo for developing skills)

2. Sig’s are time tested, dependable & a proven firearm. XDM is still a new comer.

3. Pull the trigger it goes bang! No manual safety to disengage.

4. Large selection of aftermarket/replacement parts (i.e. barrels, sights, triggers and etc.).

5. I prefer the Sigs trigger pull (10 lbs Double or 4.4 lbs Single) vs Springfield XDM (5.7 – 7.7 lbs). Although the XDMs trigger pull is consistent the Sig’s lighter trigger pull in single action translates to better accuracy at the range.

6.I have found that the XDM with a fully loaded magazine will not freely drop without user intervention (requires a nudge). In my opinion this is a critical flaw for a defensive pistol in the event a physical altercation occurs for the firearm (wouldn't want 19 rounds to fall into the wrong hands). I Did not find this issue with the XD versions.

Of course Sigs aren’t perfect. They look like a brick but are surprisingly ergonomic. The Nitron finish on some models wears horribly in a holster. The tilt up barrel will show wear on the slide (won’t affect performance or reliability). They are significantly pricier than a Springfield. However Sigs really have to hell and back realibility.

You really can’t go wrong with either the XDM or the P226 at the range. However, the Springfield XDM has a lot of nice features but many of which don’t necessarily translate from the range to a better defensive pistol. Honestly, I would prefer a Springfield XD over the XDM for self-defense purposes.

Several years ago I took a half dozen guns out of the safe and brought them into a local gun shop. I wanted to trade these safe queens for something new to carry for personal defense and a fun gun.

I looked over all the Sigs, S&W, Colts etc and then found a Springfield Armory XD in 45acp. They has just put it in that morning. I have a SA match rifle, so, I knew the brand was good - but I did not know squat about the XD. After an hour of looking, testing, and checking I walked out with the XD - because - I liked the hammer ready indicator and the loaded chamber indicatior, and especially that it did not have a slide safety to get in the way during an emergency.

Two months - the same model of XD started winning all kinds of awards and recognition - and on all the magazine covers for over a year. I am an Olympic Class pistol shooter with gold leg points, and, have carried concealed in three states. Been a pistol instructor for 30 years. I did not buy that XD because of the hype - I bought mine because side by side it had the best features

When you get down to it - both the Sig and XD are great guns. You need to physically handle a firearm and check out all the features before buying. Sometimes the most perfect specificed firearm on paper can be totally annoying when holding or shooting.

Whichever pistol dad shoots the best is the best one for him, as neither is intrinsically better than the other and either one would make an excellent choice for the intended role. (He should rent and shoot them enough to know which he prefers when cranking out slow-fire attempts at precision as well as rapid bursts during defensive drills, which may colour his perception of grip ergonomics, balance, sight tracking, trigger reset...)

Some people are more comfortable with the Sig's DA/SA trigger than striker-fired guns like the XDM, though some prefer the grip safety of the XDM and would rather not have to decock a pistol like the P226 after firing. The XDM gives dad three interchangeable grip panels to help tailor the fit of the grip to his hand (if he doesn't mind knocking out a roll pin to do it); the P226 does not. Some prefer the XDM's chamber-loaded indicator; the P226 doesn't have one. Sig lists something like fifteen P226 variations on their web site (offering different colors, finishes, minor frame, grip, and barrel variations), whereas the XDM comes in either all-black or bi-tone (stainless steel slide, black frame).

The Sig P226 has a sterling reputation and long service history as a sidearm used by military, police, the U.S. Secret Service, and many others. The XDM, at present, does not.

SPRINGFIELD XDM

barrel length: 4.5”

weight: 32 oz

trigger: 5.5 – 7.7 lbs.

capacity: 19+1 9mm

magazine release: ambidextrous by design (pushing either side releases magazine)

SIG P226

barrel length: 4.4”

weight: 28.3 oz (34 oz w/magazine)

trigger: DA/SA standard trigger, or DA/SA short-reach trigger (10 lbs DA, 4.4 lbs SA), or DAK (6.5lb Double Action Only trigger)

capacity: 15+1 9mm

magazine release: one-way (but can be reversed from right-hand operation to left)

Both are fine for the uses you mention. The XDM has 2 advantages:

1. Price. It's a good $100 or more cheaper than the Sig

2. The XDM is available in a Tactical version with a 5" barrel vs. the standard 4" barrel. Makes for better target shooting.

Both are great guns. The Springfield will cost 2/3 what the Sig will. Unless it's a police trade in. Then go Sig

I just put 100 rounds through my XDM 9mm yesterday, and it performed flawlessly (again!) The deep grip serrations feel great for factory grips. The XDM also has a factory match-grade barrel and 3 changeable back-straps to get the right grip size. I get very nice groups at 25 yards with any ammo I try. You can field strip it for cleaning in about 5 seconds, too.

There's nothing wrong with 9mm as a defense caliber as long as you use quality jacketed hollow point ammo such as Remington Golden Saber, Federal Hydra-Shok, Speer Gold Dot, etc..

Good choice on the XDM as a finalist. You won't be disappointed!

If you have the money the Sig but trust me I have the XDM and you would not be disappointed. Plus you can get the trijicon nights sights for about $60 more. But I would never recommend buying a 9mm to anyone. Its underpowered and the stopping power is just not there. I shoot a .357 sig but the ammo is hard to find. I would go with the .45 and you will have no doubts.

Both of them are great guns. I lean toward the Sig because I like the grip better, so make sure he holds both for ergonomics. The Springfield is also very nice, and is basically their version of a Glock. Either one will be very accurate, reliable, and will dispatch a bad guy pronto.

So, basically I am saying it is about the "feel" of the gun. And for that, only he can decide. The Sig might cost a bit more, but might also fit his hand a bit better.

Both are good, but I like the feel and handling of the SIG. Yes, it's pricey but you're getting good value for the investment. It's got an alloy frame, a longer barrel, it's very reliable and well-made (it actually beat the Beretta 92 in Army testing but Beretta came in with a lower price). In .357 SIG, it's the standard issue sidearm for the Texas Rangers and Highway Patrol and the troopers I know really like it.

Truth be told, however, I chose the FN-Herstal FNP-9 for myself. Known as the "poor man's SIG," it's hundreds of dollars less than the SIG, handles well, shoots anything you feed it, has a great trigger pull and is easy to maintain. It does have a polymer frame but it balances very well with a loaded magazine. Speaking of magazines, the FNP-9 comes with three of them.