I have a springfield xd 45 compact, i was wondering how does a sprinfield xd 9mm subcompact compare for shooting. If anyone knows i would appreciate input.

I have not shot the 45 but I have the 9mm and it is an easy shooter. The guns are the same physical size so no savings on gun dimensions. Biggest difference is price of ammo

My SC XD40 is a lot more manageable than I thought it would be. I would susupect the 9mm to be even more so.

I went to bills and rented one before buying my 40.

I'm not sure about the sub-compact, but i know the 9 will accept .40 magazines, and that means you can get an extra 2-3 rounds in each mag. I don't know about .45 mags though. But if a .45 fits into a 9mm frame, assuming that the mag feeds correctly, i wonder how many 9mm rounds would fit...I would test this out but I don't have any 9mm anything.

I'm almost positive the 45 mag will not work with any other XD.

I have a 4 inch XD not a sub, so I can't really answer the question, I know mine shoots really nice for me. I think a 45 compact is in my future, we'll have to see.


Srigs, I do believe the compact 45 and a regular 4 inch are almost the same size. Can't get my hands on a compact 45 though...

My XD-45 is a compact 5" if that helps at all and anybody want ot compare.

I have an XD 9 sub if you want to take it for a spin, I live in the west burbs.

I, too, have one and am at Bill's North regularly.

I have the XD45 4" (full size grip) and the XD9 SC 3".

They are different. 10 rounds of 45 acp in the mag weighs more than 10 rounds of 9mm so you start with a heavier piece in 45. Then, add in the extra weight of the longer barrel and slide of the 45.

9mm is also in my opinion snappier than 45 acp. The 9mm is a higher pressure loading. The 45 acp, to me, feels more like a push than a snap.

Most people say the same thing to the point that it may very well be fact, not opinion. It's one of the reasons I enjoy shooting my 1911 far more than my XD9 sub.

<reloading drift>
Until recently, the only powders I had used in my 9mm loads were Unique and Blue Dot, the two hottest loadings according to Speer. I recently tried 4.3gr. of Win 231, which was still quite snappy. Anybody have any recommendations for a pussycat 9mm load using 115gr. FMJ? I'm thinking < 1000fps, if it's even possible, yet safe.
</reloading drift>

I assume the same would be true comparing the XD 40 to the 45 even if both had 4" barrels? I'm planning on upsizing from my 3" 9mm Kahr for better control and power and I'm torn between an XD40 Service (4" barrel) and the XD Compact (4" .45). The ammo prices are what's causing internal debate....enough to consider reloading But, to add another anecdote, I have to say that everytime I've shot 45 it's felt very manageable compared to the .40, 357sigs and tiny 9mm's I've shot.

A lot of people, including most police departments, seem to love the .40S&W. I'm not one of them. I understand the logical arguments: bigger holes than 9mm, more capacity than .45. The cartridge just doesn't do much for me, and for reasons I have a hard time articulating.

Maybe it's the recoil or maybe I'm harboring ill-feelings because .40 brass always gets mixed in with my 9mm and .45 causing sorting headaches.

Shoot them both and find out what works for you.

You've just given me an idea for a late winter project...

To me, the .40 is the snappiest and highest pressure round of the three. If you want even more snap go to the .357SIG. (there are exceptions, of course based on the load)

9mm 28-32,000 psi
40 S&W 33,000 psi
45acp 18-20,000 psi
357sig 34,000 psi

I will. Gotta find the time.