I have long been a fan of SA autos for defensive purposes. Quick first shot with consistent follow-up shots, there is certainly something to be said about it. It is also a safe and proven system, either with the additional grip safety like in the 1911 or without like in the BHP. Those who are concerned with the safety of the system I think are worrying over a non-issue. However, it does take some training specifically geared towards making sure you remember to disengage the safety in a SD situation.
That said, I have decided (at least for now) to move to using a DA first shot (or even buying a DAO) for exclusive SD use.
Why? Because I love revolvers and my primary HD gun is a revolver (actually I alternate between a few) and when I move to a carry state I intend to primarily carry a revolver. For training and muscle memory purposes I think it would be smart to use self defense autos with as similar a manual of arms as possible if I plan to occasionally switch off (less to go wrong if I am always using the same manual of arms). For that reason I plan to use DA autos for defense from now on, either decocker only, decocked and safety disengaged or DAO.
If you are not a revolver guy and you want to consoladate to only one action type for SD purposes then go with what is most comfortable for you. There are some things to be said for DA or DAO guns (such as no safety to worry about, and the DAO still gives the consistent shots) so it isn't cut and dry that a SA gun is better. Thus, my advice is go w/ the action that the gun you shoot best or feel most comfortable with is in. Then any other guns you may chose to carry or use for HD just needs to be of the same action type for consistency.
Oh, and out of the two guns you have narrowed down to, well I can't really help. I love 1911s and should I ever change my mind about how I'm going to do things (like if I decide to do away w/ revolvers for SD work or if I go back to my original- revolvers, DA decocked or DAO autos that work like revolvers AND SA guns with the safety that works in the right direction- the only safeties to deal w/ in that plan are SA safeties) then I will certainly plan to get some carry 1911s. However, I do like the XD alot, the one I shot was nice and I certainly would like to pick one up sometime myself (yes, as a possible carry gun if I move to a CCW state).
Deciding on the XD I think you made the right choice, but then since I was undecided based on what you narrowed it down to I guess I could have said that either way