Springfield XD 40- any experience?

[GeneinTX]

I am considering this pistol in the sub compact for a carry gun. Has anyone used this weapon? I have fondled a couple and am leaning towards this psitol.

thanks in advance!

[PaparockArk]

I am about to purchase a Springfield XD CUSTOM in .45 ACP for my concealed carry gun when I finish my CCL class. Excellent pistol! I have owned and shot a Glock 21 and much prefer the XD to the Glock but then that is just my personal opinion.

I see no reason the .40 would not be a great gun also.

[flechero]

Gene,

One of my friends has the 9mm and a .40.  He loves them and says they are the best shooting pistols he has ever owned.  Very comfortable in my hand also, but that's subjective.  They get all kinds of great press and very little bad press... which is pretty rare.  

My best bit of advice it to order your holster(s) now... many of the custom leather makers (and several of the kydex) are running 20-30 weeks out!  

There are some other options depending on your needs/wants.  Let me know if you need some links.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Somewhat off topic, but relative to Flechero's post...

I was at Gander Mountain the other day and saw the Kydex holsters for these, almost 100% sure.

Let me know if you are having trouble with the holster and I can verify that for you.

Wayne

[GeneinTX]

I too own a Glock 21. I really like it but obviously it is not a carry gun! I know that I don't want a nine and many .45's are just too big.

Keith, Thanks for the advice on the holster, I will start looking tonight. There is a place in Killeen called Quantico Tactical that has a lot of holsters (I may even get the pistol there if they will come down in price a bit).

SPEEDBEAD, which Gander Mountain?

[burleytog]

Why isn't a G21 a carry gun?

[alger319]

Why isn't a G21 a carry gun?

because it is a full sized glock-> too bulky to hide

[GeneinTX]

Just a little large and heavy. With a full hi cap mag I would say it is about 3 lbs. The handgrip is bulky as well. I want something that is concealable, and I am short.

It is very nice to have in the car though. I have certainly enjoyed firing it as well.

[burleytog]

Why isn't a G21 a carry gun?

because it is a full sized glock-> too bulky to hide

Pshaw...no bigger than a 1911.

[alger319]

good point, they're both big but hard to conceal, which by law they cant be visible (even a noticable bulge)

[burleytog]

A good IWB solves all!

That said, I never conceal. VA is quite open carry friendly.

[GeneinTX]

Burley what is an IWB?

Having carried a M1911A1 for a long time, I know that it is not a concealed carry gun and if you have carried much, the weight gets to you even with a good holster. I live in TX and we have concealed carry so it would need to be hidden. I had a colt combat commander years ago and it wasn't too bad but the sub compact XD40 seems like the weight would be perfect for all day. I would also need to keep it on the beltline for the places i would carry it.

[moby bass]

I have an XD in 9mm. Not the sub compact, but still very nice and a comfortable weight.  Fits my hand well and shoots very well.

[GeneinTX]

Moby,

They seem well weighted wehn empty does it hold true with a full mag?

[moby bass]

Better balance when loaded. The slide and barrel seem to be a little top heavy because of the polymer frame.  The cartridges balance it nicely.

IMHO.

[WIII-60]

IWB = inside the waist band.

Maybe look into a holster with some degree of retention. If that's not for you, you might want to study up on how to keep a hold of your gun in a fight.

If I were a bad guy and I didn't have a gun, I'd take yours.

[GeneinTX]

Thanks WIII-60

Yeah, that's what I was looking for, inside the waist band. I had one for my combat commander when I was in Los Angeles. I had to keep mine concealed at all times back then too.

I have carried many times in the past. I think I should be able to keep mine in a fight. At least I have been able to in the past, I am getting older though .  

[burleytog]

If I were a bad guy and I didn't have a gun, I'd take yours.

:

Concealed...

[WIII-60]

If I were a bad guy and I didn't have a gun, I'd take yours.

:

Concealed...

Nice eye roll. Why not be prepared?

Thanks for your opinion on my opinion though.

Just to validate that it is possible, here's an example

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22940455/

What's the difference between under a counter and in your waistband?

Since we're sharing. A 1911 is a terrible choice for a concealed weapon.  :

[burleytog]

A 1911 is a terrible choice for a concealed weapon. :

Boy you showed yourself there...

[WIII-60]

A 1911 is a terrible choice for a concealed weapon. :

Boy you showed yourself there...

I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean Burley..........I guess it's better than a remington 870 or conan's sword. Different strokes for different folks. Anyways, you're obviously an expert on concealed weapons and weapon retention and I'm way out of my league. You win.

Genein - If you could get away with something other than a waistband holster, check out the blackhawk by CQC. It's super light and made of a durable plastic material. It has a retention lever which, in my opinion, is important. You may have to get a holster for the opposite of your dominate hand also. Example: If you're right handed and going to carry the gun IWB in the small of your back, it may need to be a left-handed holster so that you can draw it with your right hand. Make sense? It's hard to explain now that I try. Disregard if oyu already knew that.

Also, if you're not set on the springfield, the glock 27 is a great little pistol. Light weight at full capacity with a plusone grip extension to. It makes for a nice compact concealed weapon. That's what I have.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Gene, The GM is in PA.  Just up the road from me.

[flechero]

A 1911 is a terrible choice for a concealed weapon.

I can't disagree more with that statement.  Especially with a bobtail or officer's length grip!!  A good concealment holster will snug the grip up to your body.   I carry a Kimber ulta CDP on average about 5 days a week.  (and a Ti-framed snubbie the rest of the time)

The 1911 is super easy to conceal because it is so thin.  Most holster makers agree it's one of the easiest full sized weapons to conceal.  With an IWB holster the problem people have with many guns is the width... it looks like you have a giant growth on your belt!  The 1911's narrow profile is a huge plus.

A good holster (and belt) conceals so well that my wife has to ask me if I'm carrying... (unless she hugs me first and brushes it)  

Gene- sorry for the topic drift!  Have you considered a lightweight combat commander?  You can get them with alloy or titanium frames these days and they are pretty light.

As far as holsters go, lots of great stuff out there these days...  I like custom leather for comfort but some of the kydex and hybrids are also pretty good.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I've shot the fullsize 45 and its a sweet gun.  Its no different the the compact except size.  Great guns.  I've been kicking around getting me one also.

[GeneinTX]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I carried a colt combat commander for 3 years on the mean streets of LA. I like the .45, I really do, I always have. 1 well placed shot and it ain't getting back up. I sold that combat commander when I left LA in 94 and wish I still had it. I am a small dude (roughly half a Flechero) though and I really need to conceal my weapon some of the places I carry it (enough said!). I sold that combat commander when I left LA in 94 and wish I still had it. I have a Glock 21 full size and I can shoot the heck out of it but I really wouldn't want that in my waistband.

I am really wondering if anyone has fired an XD 40 sub compact. It just seems like a really well balanced and capable pistol. The dimensions seem good for what I have in mind. The .40 S&W seems like a good cartridge.