Several months ago I got a new XD45, 4" Service Model. I really like the way it shoots and the lack of manual safeties that need to be worked in order to fire the gun. It's pretty much what I would call an improved and safer Glock.

Today I saw (and realized I had to have) a bi-tone XD40 Sub-Compact. All the same features of my XD45 in a smaller and more concealable package. The .40 S&W is close to the .45 in power so I'm not giving up much as far as I can tell.

Haven't shot it yet but I'm looking forward to trying it out. I'm sure it will be just as reliable out of the box as my XD45 was.

Anyone else have one of these little XD's? If so, how do you like it?

I have one.. and I love it. It always fires and very easy to carry.

I have one which I used during a training course this last weekend taught by Gabriel Suarez. Approx 400 rounds and no problems. I have no complaints with it so far.

Well about 6 weeks later and I finally got around to giving the little gun an extended workout.

No surprises, couple hundred rounds of mixed ammo, hardball, hollowpoints, 165 and 180 grain. Never a bobble, perfect out of the box.

I was pleased with the accuracy, short sight radius but not hard to keep them all in a tight group.

I'm more or less settled on buying an XD9SC Bi-tone for my first carry gun. Can anyone give me a reason why the service model would be a better choice? No caliber advice, please. Yes, I'll buy 40s and 45s down the road, but 9mm is what I've decided on for now. Not to mention I've got a Colt King Cobra 357 mag for the glove box!

be careful of the colt in the glove box, the temp changes in winter will really promote rust!!!

Nothing wrong with a 9mm, I carry a 9mm over a 40 cal. because I shoot the 9mm better.

Hitting the target, is much more important than caliber.

Macphisto, having both the SC and a Service, I won't give up either but for concealed carry the SC hides better because of the shorter grip. I like the 14 rounds of .45 in my XD45 Service but 10 rounds of .40 isn't too bad either in a compact. The compacts today also come with an extended magazine that you can carry in your pocket if 10 rounds aren't enough.

I think the XD9 holds one more round than the .40 with the short carry magazine and 15+1 with the extended.

The XD SC Bi-Tones are very hard to find right now, especially the .40 which more people prefer for personal protection since it approaches the .45 in power. If you find one in 9mm or .40, grab it.

I appreciate the tip!

Ramoel, thanks for the advice. I really like the versatility of the extension mag and the small package for carry. Since you brought up calibers, I thought it was more like the 9mm approaches the 40 in stopping power, but the 45 is almost in a different league all-together.

If you check the ammo makers ballistics charts you'll see that a lot of the .40 loads have more muzzle energy than the .45ACP.

As far as real world stopping power, the .40 and .45 are pretty much equal from the latest stopping power charts for what they're worth. You lose a little with the 3" barrel of the XDSC but not much.

9mm is fine for carry too and easier for some people to hit with. 9mm is cheaper and available everywhere. Shot placement still trumps power in most cases.

Yeah, that's the main thing for me right now. I thought I was a 45 guy all the way, until I looked at ammo prices. While my hands may be able to deal with the 45's recoil, my pocketbook can't deal with the price for me to shoot it regularly and get good. 9mm now, other calibers later on.

My wife can shoot my .45, the .357 on the other hand hurts her hand and wrist.

Felt recoil has more to do with powder load (preasure generated & how quickly the pressure is generated), the weight of the firearm, and if the pistol is a revolver or semi-auto.

I have always considered the XD9SC more than enough for my needs. The price of ammo for it is less than "Big holes" and if 9mm does not take care of bizz in the XD you can use it as mallet against an opponent. It is just like a Timex "Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin".

rtk

LOL

[/img]

http://www.ballistics-experts.com/Law%20Enforcement/Ammunition/Caliber%20Selection.htm

.40S&W is a great caliber all around...

That chart is missing the data on the 10mm.