XD for carry: couple of question

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Quoheleth

Quoheleth

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I'm thinking an XD is next on my "to get" list. I need to shoot one before buying (I'm learning!!!), but I would like a little first-hand opinion as I continue my hunt and research.

A couple of prelimary comments:
-I'm talking XDs. Don't suggest Glocks, Keltecs, M&Ps, or Rugers.
-This is not a caliber war. I own both 9mm and .45ACP and reload for both.

I'm wanting an auto that I can use for carry and range with a higher capacity but a smaller frame. I'm looking at two different XD models, the XD subcompact 3" 9mm and the XD compact 4" .45 ACP.

The Compact .45ACP is 5" tall with the short mag; 5.75 with the full-size mag. Weight is 29oz. Barrel is 4" long (OAL 7.3")

The Subcompact 9mm is 4.75" tall with short mag; 5.5" with full-size mag. Weight is 26 oz; barrel is 3" and gun is OAL of 6.2".

I can see the numbers, but what are real-world perceptions of the difference between the two guns as carry pistols? Is the 1/4" height difference signficant for carry? What about the extra 1" length? Again, this is a size of gun question; not caliber. I have an Officer 1911 (Rock Island Compact) which is right between the two, size-wise, but a full half-pound heavier.

Is the Compact .45 large enough that it can be used effectively in IDPA? I don't do the shooting games, yet, but that's a desire and goal for the near future.

I'm having to ask because local gun shops have the 9mm SC but not the .45 Compact. If I can get out of the house this afternoon, I am going to try to run to Pasadena to the gun show and see what I can find.

Q
 
I don't have answers to all your queries...and this is just my opinion...but i REALLY like my XD40 Sub-Compacts. (which I believe to be the same dimensions as the XD9.) They feel better in my hands than any other handgun I own...but that's just me.

The tactile chamber indicator and the grip safety are great, in my opinion...but some say the grip safety is extraneous. I had a Compact XD45 and the Tactical XD45...but they were larger than I liked for shooting or concealed carry, so I sold them both. This is partly because the XDs tend to be rather blocky and squarish and top-heavy in the slide...so not as comfortable to conceal as a more melted pistol like the S&W MP40 compacts (which lack the tactile chamber indicator and grip safety). The combination of outside dimensions of the Compact and Blocky shape made the XD45 less than perfect as a concealed carry piece.

Anyway....if it weren't for the lumpy square feel, I'd be carrying the XD40 SCs a lot more often. But, that's my opinion.

Robt.
 
I really like MrsBFD's XD9sc, if I had shot it before purchasing my CC pistol I might have chosen one of them instead.
You shouldn't have too much trouble finding one to rent, if you have a rental range nearby, and failing that, the XD's are tough enough to gamble on used models.
 
I have an XD45 with the 4" barrel. I've carried it for a few months. I like it, but went back to my G17. The XD45 is just a bit too big for comfort for me.

I'd say the compact 9mm would be just fine for carry or IDPA. I like the design a little better than the Glock (especially the gen 3 Glocks), but I have 5 9mm pistols now.
I'll get one some day.

The XD45 is OK for IDPA. I did some trigger works on mine and installed a trigger stop and TFO sights.

XD45wstopredbackground.jpg

The small difference between the guns you mentioned shouldn't be an issue. My G17 is just as comfortable as my G19.
The G17 is a 2nd gen police dept factory refurb to which I added TFO sights, lots of trigger work and a trigger stop.
I also had the slide refinished in a custom KG Gunkote color.
G17redbackground.jpg
 
For me, the height and weight matter more than the barrel length. .25" and 3 oz isn't the be all end all. I think an excellent belt and holster would make either one of them a joy to carry. Length isn't as much of an issue for belt carry...and for me, a pistol with a 4" or 5" barrel actually balances better on my waist than one with a 3" barrel. The 3" ones with good capacity feel a little bit grip heavy and feel unbalanced for some reason. The subcompact XD 9mm is a perfect example of that. It's pretty high cap for a gun that size and there's a lot of weight in that grip when there's a full mag in it.

I'd go with the .45. I really like the XD45 Service model a lot. I've put thousands and thousands of rounds through them without a hiccup and carried them in summer and winter. The grip was a bit long sometimes...which was the only downside. They've made that better with the introduction of the compact model though. Truth be told, neither one is really super lightweight or super compact.
 
The biggest concern with carrying a handgun is a good holster and substantial belt. For all my XD's, I use Don Hume Leather Goods holsters. They offer several different types and styles for the XD series of pistols.

With that said, I carry a 4" Service Model XD in 357 Sig part of the time. Other times I carry my 4" Service Model XD in .45 acp. At other times, I carry one of my 3" Sub-Compact XD's in 9x19. I feel well armed with any of them, but more comfortable with either the 357 Sig or .45 acp, but I've been carrying a handgun everyday since 1969, with 26 years of that making a living.

Your choice of the XD is a wise one. None of mine have ever failed to feed or fire, and they are all exceptionally accurate and easy to shoot.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
With the right belt & holster, just about anything can be carried comfortably. Here is my service (4") model in a Brommeland Max Con V with Double Magazine Pouch. I have carried them several times for as much as 20hrs. at a time, almost forgetting they were there. I can give no opinion on the IDPA request but I have used it during informal competition and walked away with some trophies. I also have qualified for my CHL twice with a perfect score of 250. The only change I have made to mine is to add TruGlo Tritium Fiber Optic Sights.
MCVSET.jpg
 
When you lay out the 4" Service model next to the 3" Sub-Compact model, the extra length of barrel and grip really doesn't affect the carryability enough to bother with unless you are needing deep concealment. The thickness of the slide/frame are the same between the two, and that means they both bulge about the same in a holster. The length of grip is important, because that is what sticks out away from the axis of the body's centerline and makes the gun-shape that is so noticeable. The barrel goes parallel to the body's centerline (along the leg) and it is not that important in terms of concealability. It's easier to conceal a long barrel, short grip gun than vice versa.

I carry a 4" XD9 in several holsters; I'm a 6'1" 270# guy who likes jeans and work shirts, and I can conceal a Glock 21 effectively however.

I find with my big hands, with the Subcompact, I need to use the full-size magazine with the grip sleeve to get best control, and that defeats some of the benefit of having the smaller frame (since the longer barrel sits parallel to your leg, anyway, and doesn't really stick out).

With that consideration, if I want to carry a doublestack mag 9mm the XD9 Service 4" is my choice.

If I need really deep concealment, I use an even smaller 9mm, a KelTec PF9, which vanishes in a pocket, let alone a belt holster.

Either of the two- the Service 4" or the Subcompact 3"- will serve you well, it would really behoove you to find a range or somebody who will let you shoot them. If you can't shoot them, make sure to handle both at your local gun store before buying.
 
I've carried my XD45 Compact every day for two years. I started out with a Comp-Tac Infidel IWB holster I got cheap on eBay but didn't like getting torn up by Kydex-on-skin. On the advice of several people over at xdtalk.com I bought a Comp-Tac Minotaur (aka MTAC) hybrid IWB and it absolutely rocks. It is so comfortable that most of the time I can't tell it's there. I've been carrying it for 17 hours so far today and won't take it off until I go to bed in another hour. With this holster you would never know the difference between a Compact and a Sub Compact. You also likely wouldn't notice the difference between 4" and 5" barrels. Springfield added the XD45 Tactical Compact a while back but it seems a lot of people aren't aware of it yet. It's got the compact grip but has the long 5" barrel and slide. I've been thinking of getting one to be a dedicated .45 Super woods gun. If you're thinking about getting into shooting games a Tactical Compact might be a great choice. With the short mag you've got 10+1 for CCW and with the 13 rounder you've got a high capacity reload and range/race gun. The XD45s are a teeny bit wider than the other calibers but I cannot tell the difference between them. If you were in the NW I'd let you put a hundred rounds through mine to see if it suits you.
 
I have both the XD45 Compact and the XD40 Sub-compact (not the XD9). IMHO, the XD40SC fits my hand better and is easier to conceal - I would imagine the XD9 would be easier. Both have performed flawlessly in hundreds of rounds of shooting - no failures at all. Both are accurate and eat anything I feed them.

While I dont carry, I bought the XD45 for home and the XD40 for carry (if NJ will ever allow that!?!?!?)
 
I have an XD-40 Service and an XDm 9. I used to have an XD-40 Subcompact, but I sold it. Why? It wasn't that much smaller or lighter than the Service. I found that I prefered the Service for IDPA, Pin Shooting and range time. I found that I mostly carried my Kahr P9 Covert. The XD SC filled a niche I didn't really need and collected dust. This is not a criticism of the gun. The gun was great. A lot of people really like them for carry. I just found it a bit chunky for a "subcompact" and figured I'd rather have the full-sized version if I wanted to carry a largish gun.
 
I have both. In fact, those are the only two handguns I own.

My experiences/opinion:

1. Both fantastic guns
2. The subcompact conceals great...I like it with the pearce grip extension. (wife's EDC)
3. The XD45C conceals great...I like it how it is. This is my EDC.
4. They BOTH fit my Crossbreed Supertuck
5. No noticeable carry differences IWB...the .45 weighs more but I do not care since I am using a crossbreed gunbelt and I usually carry an extra mag on my belt anyways.
6. No noticeable accuracy differences.
7. The .45 just fits my hand...it is the perfect carry package.
8. The XD9SC has a hogue grip on it..my wife likes it that way. It works well.
9. The .45 has a home polish job done to the barrel and tip of guide rod. It is a brushed steel look...very sweet.
10.The ammo cost more for .45 and is sometimes harder to find. I hate it. 9mm is everywhere.
11. I think you really need to handle them both. I have both, and I like it that way. I find myself ONLY carrying the .45. Why would I carry the 9 when I can carry the .45 just as easy? My wife loves the 9 and carries it when I can convince her to.

In closing, they are both good choices and no, there is not really a difference in concealability with the right holster.

I would just buy one and if you don't like it...sell it online or FTF and get the other. Heck, someone off xdtalk will trade you.

Don't get the thumb safety model.

~Norinco
 
I really wanted to like my XD40sc for carry but I just couldn't get it to ever feel comfortable. It is a great shooter and extremely well built but I just can't comfortably carry it and noticed a trend of leaving it behind rather than dealing with the hassle. People can say that the right holster is the ticket, and I wholeheartedly agree but I tried several setups and spent hundreds of dollars only to find myself not wanting to "bother with it" whenever I went out. This is 100% a preference thing but I now split my EDC duties between 3 other guns that are much easier to conceal.
 
I have six XD's, 9 to .45. My carry gun right now is the .40 sub. When I work the range I generally carry my .45 GAP tactical, outside with a DeSantis holster.
I have two types of IWB holsters, Uncle Mikes shoulder rig, and BladeTech. The beauty of the XD's is those are the only holsters I need, every gun fits.
The .40 sub has the most muzzle flip but the 40 service is much "smoother" and the one I use for IDPA. I carry the 9 sub sometimes, and it as the least muzzle flip of all my other XD's.
As far as carrying, the only one that pinches is the 5" tactical when I carry it IWB.
I also load my own bullets which are a little on the high side on all my handguns.
 
I'd call SA,(they're finally answering the phones now). They helped me in finding a couple of my XD's
 
I carry a .45 compact xd all the time. I actually bought it to replace my little .380 as a carry gun and I cannot be happier. The main problem I had with guns was the long grip that bulged in my clothing, but with the compact I had a big bore caliber that was easier to conceal. Now that winter is closing in at North Carolina I now have the option of carrying the bigger magazine of 13 rounds plus one in the chamber making it a service model. I like that I have the best of both worlds. I can carry the same .45 in the summer as the winter. Now I only carry the .380 as a back up. I don't see why if you tailor your dress for carry that you can't carry a compact xd. I haven't changed my mode of dress that much. I always wore loose fittng button up shirts before so now I am just adding fuction to my style.
 
I've owned a XD45 Tactical for a few years now and absolutely love it. I recently bought a XD9sc and liked it so much I sold my G19. I also ordered an OD XD45c, and can't wait to carry and shoot it.
 
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