Looking at getting a Springfield XD for CCW. I don't have any experience with IWB carry and was wondering if a 4" is more difficult to conceal/carry IWB than a 3 " or is there no big difference between the two. I will mostly be wearing jeans and a tee shirt.
3" or 4" for IWB CCW?
- Thread starter cliffjr
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Black_Talon
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The barrel's the easy part to conceal, the butt's what tends to print. Go with the longer barrel, you'll have a lot less issues with reliability. It's more difficult to get the shorter 3-3.5" guns to run as well as the longer bbl versions.
wally
Member
Really depends on where you IWB carry and how high you wear your pants at the waist.
For 3-6 o'clock (for a righty,with 12 o'clock being the belt buckle) barrel lenght isn't too critical so the longest barrel is probably the way to go.
I use 1 o'clock IWB and have a low waist so only 3" or less needs to apply unless I've never gonna sit down.
--wally.
For 3-6 o'clock (for a righty,with 12 o'clock being the belt buckle) barrel lenght isn't too critical so the longest barrel is probably the way to go.
I use 1 o'clock IWB and have a low waist so only 3" or less needs to apply unless I've never gonna sit down.
--wally.
Northslope Nimrod
Member
Your issue will not be with the barrel length as much as it will be with the width of the slide. I can carry a full size Browning Hi-Power just as easy as I carry a CZ RAMI 3". The XD's are a little thick...similar to my RAMI. I carry the RAMI fine...but with some tighter pants...my Hi-Power or Makarov allow for more breathing room.
PCRCCW
Member
Well in all honesty both are great. My vote is for the 4" you have more grip and more barrel length for more velocity/energy from your ammo. The 3" is actually a little less comfortable to carry IWB as it puts the thick muzzle of the gun/holster higher up and will put more pressure on you.
Just my thoughts.....I make holsters for both and people/customers comment on the 4" being more comfy. I find it more shootable also.
Shoot well..........
Just my thoughts.....I make holsters for both and people/customers comment on the 4" being more comfy. I find it more shootable also.
Shoot well..........
Grayrider
Member
My XDs are long gone, but when I had some I carried a 4" service model IWB quite a bit. I used a Blade-tech UCH and carried it at around 4 o'clock. It was no more problematic than any other similar sized gun at that spot. I am now carrying a Kimber CDP Pro. The XD was perhaps a little easier to carry due to less pointy bits sticking off, but then the large skin guard of the UCH may have prevented that.
GR
GR
I actually carry a 5" Government model MORE comfortably than a 3". For IWB, you'll probably want pants 1 size larger in the waist. A good IWB and belt will do wonders to make IWB easy and comfortable. I absolutely love the Versa-Max II holster and gun belts from Milt Sparks Holsters. Also, the wider the belt, the more evenly distibuted the weight of the pistol will be.
Regards,
Sam
Regards,
Sam
myrockfight
Member
My thoughts and experiences...
When I bought my Kimber Custom CDP, I had the same question. I decided to go with the shorter, simply because it was going to be my main carry weapon. When I was testing them for comfortability, I did not find a significant difference in the two.
If I was going to do it over again, I would have bought the 4". Although my 3" is very accurate itself, I personally will shoot a 4" more accurately, on average. My buddy has a Colt Govt. model which I can shoot much better. However, it is important to note the wieght difference between his Govt. and my Kimber CDP. My frame is aluminum vs. the Govt.'s all steel frame.
Obviously, the most significant difference that - I personally - do not like is the shortened distance between the front and back sights. While I have learned to shoot my Kimber CDP and other "shorties" more accurately than I could previously, I feel more confident with a 4" and can shoot a tighter group of follow-up shots in rapid succession with one.
Controllability and accuracy are the name of the game, as far as I am concerned, when choosing a defense pistol. However, you have to personally weigh what you want out of it. It is a give and take issue - ON AVERAGE - most people will shoot more accurately with a longer barrelled gun.
Do whatever it takes (well almost) to test out both models by shooting and carrying them if you can. Personally, I don't buy/sell/trade guns that often - mostly due to a lack of funds and time. So when I make a decision to buy a gun it is usually one that is long term! Don't get into a hurry about it, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Good luck!!
BTW - I am 5'11" and weigh about 175. I have a medium build with no spare tire to push the grip out and the barrel in. The "spare tire" has been brought up as an issue by others when choosing a gun for concealed carry.
When I bought my Kimber Custom CDP, I had the same question. I decided to go with the shorter, simply because it was going to be my main carry weapon. When I was testing them for comfortability, I did not find a significant difference in the two.
If I was going to do it over again, I would have bought the 4". Although my 3" is very accurate itself, I personally will shoot a 4" more accurately, on average. My buddy has a Colt Govt. model which I can shoot much better. However, it is important to note the wieght difference between his Govt. and my Kimber CDP. My frame is aluminum vs. the Govt.'s all steel frame.
Obviously, the most significant difference that - I personally - do not like is the shortened distance between the front and back sights. While I have learned to shoot my Kimber CDP and other "shorties" more accurately than I could previously, I feel more confident with a 4" and can shoot a tighter group of follow-up shots in rapid succession with one.
Controllability and accuracy are the name of the game, as far as I am concerned, when choosing a defense pistol. However, you have to personally weigh what you want out of it. It is a give and take issue - ON AVERAGE - most people will shoot more accurately with a longer barrelled gun.
Do whatever it takes (well almost) to test out both models by shooting and carrying them if you can. Personally, I don't buy/sell/trade guns that often - mostly due to a lack of funds and time. So when I make a decision to buy a gun it is usually one that is long term! Don't get into a hurry about it, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Good luck!!
BTW - I am 5'11" and weigh about 175. I have a medium build with no spare tire to push the grip out and the barrel in. The "spare tire" has been brought up as an issue by others when choosing a gun for concealed carry.
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