re: Top a Springfield xdm 9mm for home pistol

The S&W is a fine piece. I don't think you can go wrong with either.

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I love the "stopping power" arguments.

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There are nearly infinite numbers of variables in an armed exchange with small arms, pistols especially.

You have, primarily, limited range self-defense situations. Often an aggressor selects a pistol for portability and concealability, but those are the same reasons they are selected for defense. Household distance ranges are common for these pistol on pistol engagements, as the effective range is quite limited.

"Stopping" power is largely a myth. As bapple and many others maintain - shot placement trumps all other considerations. For example, if I could ONLY hit with .17HMR, I would carry it exclusively, because despite all other considerations, I have to be able to reliably strike the target.

This is why reliability, availability and simplicity of the platform trumps other considerations such as aesthetics or even trigger and shootability. All things considered, I would select the platform I could keep loaded, as near to condition 0 as possible, and one which can be drawn and brought to bear on the target as quickly as possible trumps all other considerations, other than possibly shot placement.

Choice of caliber, particularly between recent designs of hollowpoint ammo for 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP pistols is supremely subjective. I choose Sig platforms (primarily) because I am most accurate with them. Ditto for .45 ACP. I recognize that I cannot carry as many shots so, psychologically, I will make them count more.

Those are my "preferences" although my ready gun now is a Glock 23. My next ready gun may very well be a Sig P226.

1. Shot placement

2. Simplicity/usability of platform

3. Cartridge choice


In that order and 3 is purely a preference issue.