Glock, XD, S&W, they're all the same, point down range, pull trigger and BANG. All are quality makers with S&W probably having the better CS after the sale. I've owned several small S&W auto's and liked them all. Currently, I shoot a XD Tactical. The new XDM has a match grade barrel, but I doubt any of the shelf S&W auto's have such a barrel. Now you could save and save for a Performance Center S&W 952 which is a top of the line shooter. I have one and you cannot compare it to a stock everyday handgun. Why are you trading away your current XD for a new XDM? As far as S&W backstraps, just the M&P can be changed, not the other models.