Are you still carrying an XDs 45: I need some input.

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Zaydok Allen

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When the XDs 45 first came out I was still a big believer in the inadequacy of the 9mm cartridge. I no longer feel that way. I think for my situation, lifestyle, and potential risk, 9mm in a small gun is adequate to get me out of danger in a concealed carry situation. These are the two carry guns I carry most.

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I am finding that the P938 is a much more pleasant gun to shoot, easier to shoot faster due to the more mild recoil, it's lighter, smaller, holds more ammo, and I just LIKE it better, as it feels like it has a little more class...……..

The XDs 45 is also punishing to shoot compared to my sig. 150 rounds in a session through the Sig is not too bad, but my hands will be sore. 300 in the Sig, no problem. I feel old...…...

I also clocked some 124 gr HST +p ammo at an extremely consistent 1100 fps from that short little 3" barrel on the Sig. Very respectable I feel. My XDs 45 on the other hand struggles to reach 825 fps. So I question how reliable expansion may be.

I'm in the process of downsizing my arsenal in size, but increasing the perceived quality. I don't really like polymer guns much any more, and I've pretty much settled on HK as my polymer gun of choice because they work for me, and do have practical utility. My winter carry gun is a P30SK, so I can shoot it a bit faster due to its size and it holds more ammo.

I barely shoot the XDs anymore, so I feel like I'm better off ditching it and getting a second, backup P938 Legion since I do really like that gun. Also, I had to send the XDs to the factory because the trigger safety broke. Rather than just replacing the blade, they replaced the entire trigger. And it is worse than the original. It's heavier, mushier, and feels like a piece of crap compared to the Sig.

The XDs kind of feels like a bastard child sitting in the corner at the moment, being neglected. I also have a S&W E Series 1911 that I haven't shot hardly at all in the last two years. I'm thinking about trading both of these guns toward a Dan Wesson 45 bobtail commander, which I've wanted for years. I may ditch another gun towards it as well.

Last night I dug out all the magazines and crap I have for the XDs as I felt determined to trade it. This morning I'm thinking "But what if I need a small little 45?" I have no situation anymore where I feel like this gun will provide me a significant advantage over a small 9mm. I also do not gain the benefit of the extended magazines because this is a summer carry gun for me, which means small, and also means flush base pad.

I open carry in the woods, which is where I am more inclined to need a bigger cartridge, so I guess I don't know what role the XDs serves anymore.

But I can't shake this feeling. Seems if I do pick up the Dan Wesson I mentioned, and want to carry a 45, that would serve fine. So why can't I shake this uncertainty.

Curious if some folks have gone through the same on the XDs 45. I also see the original no longer on SA's website, so maybe that's playing into things.
 
I had the XDS 45 and sold it for many of the reasons you mentioned. In your case, the only reason I could think to keep it is if you need a concealed woods gun, but even then Underwood now has 9mm ammunition that fits that need for many of the 4 legged threats you'd come across. Since you can open carry you already have a gun you can use or can could trade up for one that fits that need. I say trade it for something you want.

https://www.underwoodammo.com/colle...in-hard-cast-flat-nose?variant=18785691598905
 
If you laid out that case to try and help me decide to keep or sell an XD I would sell.

If you really like the Sig P938 and carry it most you might as well well off the XD and use the funds towards a backup P938 like you mentioned.

My son is carrying an XDS but in 9mm and he is lusting over the Sig P938 lol.

Good luck on deciding.
 
Went through nearly the same rationale with the XDS 40. Heavy trigger, punishing recoil, only 6 rounds in a not-very-small package. Replaced it with a G19, but it was too big. Went back to an M&P40c. Just right.

But the M&P40c will never be as accurate as my XDS. It is freakishly accurate for a sub-compact at 25yds...

XDS1.jpg
 
My son is carrying an XDS but in 9mm and he is lusting over the Sig P938 lol.
Let him know that the P938 Legion has a little smaller footprint and is lighter. The extended magazine allows me to get three fingers on the gun even though I wear XL gloves, while the flush fit magazine on the XDs does not. The Legion also has night sights, and given that many attacks happen in the dark, I feel that is important.

The manual safety is the only thing he'd really need to get used to. If he shoots 1911s, it'll feel natural.
 
But the M&P40c will never be as accurate as my XDS. It is freakishly accurate for a sub-compact at 25yds...
Mine is really accurate as well. However the heavy and gritty trigger they put in it as a replacement has damaged the end result accuracy. I used to be able to get 1.5 inch groups at 10 yards with mine. For a little gun shooting fat bullets, I thought that was pretty dang good. Now I'm struggling to get 3" groups at 10 yards due to the trigger.
 
Let him know that the P938 Legion has a little smaller footprint and is lighter. The extended magazine allows me to get three fingers on the gun even though I wear XL gloves, while the flush fit magazine on the XDs does not. The Legion also has night sights, and given that many attacks happen in the dark, I feel that is important.

The manual safety is the only thing he'd really need to get used to. If he shoots 1911s, it'll feel natural.
Thank you Sir, I will tell him...
 
In your case, the only reason I could think to keep it is if you need a concealed woods gun
That's a good point and one I've considered. Where I live the biggest threat is a mountain lion. No bears. No wolves. Just people, stray dogs very occasionally, and lions. Lions are generally no heavier than a human, and I am pretty sure a 9mm would be plenty for them, and I question the velocity of 45 acp from that short a barrel. I mean even if it weren't to expand, it's still poking a big hole. Honestly though if I want a concealed woods gun, and I can think of situations I would, like going to a heavily trafficked National Park where big bears do live, I'd probably want a G29 in 10mm, or something where velocity will be less limited. I'm not saying I'd want expansion, but I would want adequate speed to facilitate deep penetration.

So I land in a place where I think perhaps 9mm is plenty, but if it isn't, maybe a small 10mm is what's really needed. I dunno, I'm probably over thinking that.
 
I've been using a G20 and G29 for woods guns for a long time and have always liked the versatility. With heavy for caliber hardcast bullets 10mm is just as effective as magnum revolvers for predator defense. Plus you can change mags and have as good a defense pistol as anything else for 2 legged threats. In a small compact package.

But with some of the results I'm seeing from heavy for caliber hardcast bullets in 9mm, 40, and 45 I'm starting to question if there is any need for 10mm. All of them have shown penetration in ballistics gel between 50"-65". With 9mm penetrating the most followed closely by 10mm. The 40 and 45 loads are still pretty respectable.

I sorta reached the conclusion some time ago that with good bullets 9mm gave up nothing to 45. But I have an older G21 in 45 ACP that I like and shoot well. It is bigger than needed for carrying, but I didn't want to sell it either. Mine is now the dedicated night stand gun with a light mounted on it. If you like the XD, and if you find it worth more to you to keep than sell that would be a good role for it.
 
So, this is and XDs we are talking about not just an XD or XDm. So only 8 rounds max with heavy recoil is the situation.

My bedside gun is a VP9 with a 15 round magazine. For a bump in the night gun I want a full size gun with more ammo than the XDs can provide. I just couldn't recommend it for a bedside role. Even with low flash powder, I have seen a lot of muzzle flash in low light settings due to the short barrel.

It wouldn’t be a bad truck gun. But I don’t leave unattended guns in a vehicle.
 
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I have the xds mod 2 and would not trade these as I think they’re great shooters. Never warmed up to the original xds though. Grip in my opinion is horrible, especially in 45. If you wanted a small 45 I’d sell yours and get the mod 2. However, since you seem most interested in having something for woods carry I suggest the G29. It’s fantastic and easy to carry.
 
Carried an XDs for a few years as my shorts and T-shirt gun.
The gun worked as intended, has always been reliable/accurate/etc. However, I never really cared for it much. Even though it did check all the boxes, I was always looking for something to replace it..
 
So I just went back and checked out my velocity data from last year. My carry load is the Federal 230 gr HST +p. I was getting 850 FPS on average. Not too bad, so that kind of eliminates my concern about poor velocity and lack of expansion. I totally forgot I’d collected that data.

Still considering. If I’m this unsure then maybe I aught to just keep it.

It’s not like I’d get much for it now. They sell pretty cheap new.
 
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Carried an XDs for a few years as my shorts and T-shirt gun.
The gun worked as intended, has always been reliable/accurate/etc. However, I never really cared for it much. Even though it did check all the boxes, I was always looking for something to replace it..
I really wish HK would come out with a single stack to compete in that market. I know it’s not their thing though.
 
Well, I couldn’t get it out of my head. That dang Dan Wesson bobtail commander. They’re like crack.

I still have my XDs but my S&W E Series was traded away today as a down payment towards putting that DW on layaway.

It’s going to be awhile but I’m really looking forward to getting it out of jail.

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I’m planning on trading a few more guns in on it. I just wasn’t sure about giving up my XDs. I have 30 days to mull it over. Right now I’m kind of thinking I’m going to do it. I’m a lot more excited about owning this than a plastic gun that kind app f beats on me.

On another note, they had a CZ TacticalSport Orange. I was drooling. If it’s still available once my bobtail is home, I may be tempted.
 
460Shooter,
I only have experience with the original XD line with my XD357, personally i think a "regular" compact XD45 and/or service XD45 might be a better option, and IIRC the XD45 was rated for 45 Super, that gives you good large 4 legged defence and you can go with 400 Corbon and/or 40 Super and even a 50 G.I. conversion kit.
 
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