S&W's lower end model, combo stainless and synthetic. Trigger pull is heavy/long, 12 lbs. How do they shoot, are they worth they $399 they sell for?

NO. Pony up another $50 and get the M&P

Academy usually has them for $299 or $319 way cheaper then $399. Definitely wouldn't pay $399 for one. I'd rather buy a used Glock then pay that.

No their not. Much better options available for $400.00

Dont do it

So, would you purchase the M&P or Springfield XD instead?

M&P over the XD but I bought the XDM over the M&P

Booyah.

I personally prefer the XD to the XDM. Have shot both quite a bit.

Don't get the SDVE. Certainly not for $399. You can get an XD for that, and you don't even have to go used.

And Glock over them all

DQ here are some links to M&P police trade ins.

S&W Police Trade M&P40 15+1 40S&W 4.25" w/ 3 Mags & Night Sights $349 Some are in great condition others not so much, but everything comes with them 3 mags plus night sights.

Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Night Sights 3 15rd Mags Unissued $399 basically brand new with night sights.

I'd buy an SDVE for $299 but not $399.

I can remember when they were $249, and sometimes even $219, and had a rebate for two extra free mags. My BIL bought one then-wish I had. But I like my M&P well enough.

I would try to shoot one. The xd, xdm, glock, and m&p all shoot about the same.

After my truck got jacked and Glock 23 was stolen I decided to go cheap and bought a sd9ve. I've shot it quite a bit since and have zero issues with it. It's the only non Glock auto I own and it's just fine for a truck gun for me. I like it better than the 3 xd's I had and sold. I paid $289 at academy and bought some sigma mags for $16 each online someplace.

They were a decent gun with a good trigger, but turned into a decent gun with a horrible trigger and made Glock a little richer in the process for patent infringement...

Why?

Buy used and save some money

Ummm because they're awesome!!!