I know a bunch of you out there have the XD and I'm looking into getting one as a home/self defense and possible concealed carry.

What are y'all's thoughts and opinions?

I'm pretty much set on passing up the extra power of the .45 in favor of larger clips.

- NCSU

 

Xd's are great. I have a service model in .40 cal. No problems what so ever. But you can get hi cap mags for the 45.

 

I have the XD 45C which is the compact with the 4" barrel. It comes with 2 different clips, a short 10 round clip for concealed carry, and a 13 round longer clip.

To be honest I haven't carried it so I can tell you how easy it is. I bought it because I like .45's since I don't have to worry "if" the bullet will expand.

I guess if I were looking at the subcompact, I would probably get the 9mm.

 

If you want more rounds go 9mm, 16+1 with the service. FWIW, hold an M&P, I love mine.

 

I actually have both, they are both nice guns. I held a Beretta PX4, it was nice.

 

I have the XD .40 Subcompact. It came with 2 magazines, one 12 round and 1 9 or 10 round. I carry a Sig 226 .40 on duty and it's too big to carry concealed. I also have a Keltec P3AT .380. The .380 is the easiest to carry, just throw it in your pocket and rock and roll.

I just got a Cross Breed Super Tuck IWB holster and I'm still breaking it in. The comfort level isn't there yet because it's still forming to my body but it is totally concealed when I wear the Super Tuck. If I had the money I would have bought the Sig 239 .40 just because I love the way my 226 shoots.

 

I have the XDM 9mm in Bitone. It has a mag cap of 19+1 which I like. I bought it more for plinking, but plan to carry it some. Not a whole lot of difference between the 9mm and .40 other than knockdown power. My I choose based on the price of ammo. 9mm is the cheapest while .45 ACP is the highest.




jrbhc8

 

Basically if your concerned about knockdown go with the 40, if you are concerned with price to shoot go with the 9mm. Both are good rounds, the 9mm is cheap to shoot and with the right ammo can be good at stopping someone. The modern 40 ammo has almost exactly the knockdown of a 45, but with less recoil and is slightly cheaper.
BTW I carry a xd40 service model, I have shot 1500-2000 rounds through it with no FTF and no other problems.

 

I have and would recommend the .40.

 

I think I'm leaning towards the .40 at this point. What is the difference in recoil b/t the 9mm and .40? My wife has never shot before, so I'm thinking she might be more comfortable with the 9mm.

jrbhc8: How are you liking your 9mm? Put many rounds through it yet? I saw your posts in an old thread about Thumper's XD.

There's a big gun show in town this weekend so I'm going to head over and check out a couple different models.

I'll check out the M&P, any other suggestions?

- NCSU

 

My wife is 5'2" with small hands and she handles the .40 just fine. It does kick and her hands are tired between 50-100 rounds.

 

As far as recoil goes, my wife shot the crap out of my old Glock 30 which is a compact 45. It didn't bother her a bit. That's not saying your wife may find 230 grain jhp's a little to stout.

I sold my Glock a couple years back and headed to my local gun shop to look at the XD's. Just got tired of the Glock. Fondled every XD in the place. The only thing I didn't like about it was the grip safety. Not a big fan of grip safeties unless they are on a 1911. I'm also not a big fan of the scissor style trigger depress safety (such as the one on my old Glock).

After much hemming and hawing, I asked to see the M&P 40. Loved it the minute it hit my hand. The feel just plain felt better than the XD. Shoots great. Check them out.

PS - This is just my opinion on the two guns. All XD owners please do not torch me to death. I know we M&P owners are out numbered here.

 

In my experience the .40 has more recoil than the .45 or (of course) the 9mm.
The .40 is sort of a quick sting, more muzzle flip. The .45 is more of a slow straight push back into your hand. I traded my G23 for a G30 and have not looked back since, the .45 is much more enjoyable to shoot.
Don't know how your wife is, but she will most definitely prefer shooting the 9mm. My wife is about 5'2" with small hands, and she does okay with the 9mm, but I don't think I even got her to shoot the .40. The recoil is a big difference between the two, imo.
If this is your first pistol (I'm assuming it is because your calling a magazine a "clip"), the 9mm will be easier for both of you to get used to, and will be much cheaper to put lots of lead through.
For reference, I have a G26 (subcompact 9mm) and G30 (subcompact .45), and used to have the G23 (compact .40).

 

There is some difference in recoil, but your wife should be able to shoot the 40 with no problem. Just like any other shooting make sure she has the proper stance and grip and is leaning into the gun. As far as having more recoil than the 45 I don't think it does, it is different but I don't think as bad. I actually like the recoil of my xd better than I do my Kimber 1911.

 

The M&P is a very nice weapon, and I would love to own one. I have nothing bad to say about that gun, one of my good friends just became a police officer and he carries an M&P.