9 or 40..? You tell me

[clemco51]

Which one to get in a XD Subcompact?

Is the 9mm a good choice? Is the .40 too snappy?

If you have any thoughts or pictures on the XD Subcompact - please share


I am going to carry this gun, but I am not going to shoot this thing 1000 times a month, so cost of ammo is too important..

I want a caliber that is reliable, and good to shoot

so again if ou have any stories, experiences with the XD SC please share with me

 

[repo]

I went with the XD9 simply because the practice ammo is cheaper. Also I think the 9 holds 1 extra round but I might be wrong.

To be honest the chances of getting in a situation where the difference in size of a 9mm and .40 bullet affecting the outcome of your life are very slim in my opinion. You would do better worrying about your diet and exercise regime, regular doctor and dentists checkups, car safety ratings, insurance, CO and smoke detectors, and so on and so on.

 

[tantrix]

I went with the XD9 simply because the practice ammo is cheaper. Also I think the 9 holds 1 extra round but I might be wrong.

To be honest the chances of getting in a situation where the difference in size of a 9mm and .40 bullet affecting the outcome of your life are very slim in my opinion. You would do better worrying about your diet and exercise regime, regular doctor and dentists checkups, car safety ratings, insurance, CO and smoke detectors, and so on and so on.

+1

Don't sweat the ballistics, unless you're packin something in .44 Mag or better the difference is minimal. Just learn to shoot it accurately.

 

[tnieto2004]

I own both and I like the 9mm for carry and range use .. The .40 is a good bedside gun.. The 9mm is SOOO much cheaper .. I am paying a little over $5.00 a box for 9mm .. and over twice that for .40 cal

 

[tbtrout]

For the purpose of a lot of shooting I would say the 9mm. There are also some really good defense loads for the 9mm.

 

[RP86]

Personally I dislike the .40 cal round, I prefer 9mm or .45. 9mm is much more affordable as well so you'll get more practice in at the same cost. Grab a box of Speer Gold Dots 124grain +P and you are set. streichers.com You also get another round in the mag with the 9mm version, if I read Springfield's site correctly.

 

[Black Snowman]

I like size over quantity since defensive shootings are typically very low round count and I don't have any trouble handling the larger rounds. My EDC is a CZ RAMI in .40 S&W. I wouldn't feel bad about carrying a 9mm though and if I didn't reload I'd probably have a lot more 9mm.

If you'll practice more, get the 9mm. If the ammo cost isn't an issue and the recoil doesn't bother you, get the 40 S&W.

Either way, take some training in defensive pistol techniques. Training is the best money you can spend on firearms IMHO. Wish I had started taking courses years ago. I wouldn't have been so frustrated and I wouldn't have to un-learn so many bad habits.

 

[trueblue1776]

If you're going for compact go with the smaller round, 9mm is plenty strong

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

I just got rid of my last .40 caliber today. All my autos are either 9mm or .45

 

[obxned]

I'd rather have it in .45, but the .40 is not too bad. The only point in favor of the 9mm that comes to mind is cheaper ammo.

 

[10-Ring]

I'm not a 40 fan so I'd go w/ the 9mm. I shoot it faster & more accurately, the cost of ammo is less so I can shoot it more often and it should hold a couple more rounds....I'd go 9mm

 

[ZeSpectre]

I'm a fan of the .40 S&W round but I will tell you without hesitation that I consider it one of the more challenging rounds to master especially in smaller guns. I think, in part, that this is because it really does have a lot of snap.

I already had a looooong history with the .357 Magnum and I strongly suspect that is why it wasn't a big issue to me but I know a few people who just can't get the hang of .40 S&W. (BTW, no snub towards them at all, I can't shoot .44 Magnum worth beans, we all have our preferences).

If you don't want to dedicate the time and cash then go with the 9mm. It's a much friendlier round to gain proficiency with.

 

[3 gun]

Either caliber is fine for SD with modern ammo. Since you don't plan on shooting it a lot go with the 9. The 40 can be a hand full and would take more practice to master.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Buy the one you shoot the best, nothing else matters!!

 

[Ala Dan]

9m/m, as the .40 S&W is way too snappy~!

 

[DirksterG30]

I'd go with 9mm as well. It will do the job if you do yours, and it's much cheaper to shoot.

 

[rmurfster]

Yea, go ahead with the 9mm. At least the UN will love you as it is their round of choice since it is "more humane".

 

[Exmasonite]

Before i can answer, do you have any other guns? If so, and this is for carry only, go .40

If not, you SHOULD spend a fair amount of time shooting this gun and 9mm would be cheaper.

personally, there's been rumors for months about a possible 9mm SC conversion barrel for the XD. if they can pull that off, get the .40 and the barrel.

 

[Alan Fud]

Personally ...

9mm's for compacts & sub-compacts

.40S&W's for compacts & mid-size

.45's for mid-size & full-size.

 

[johndoe1027]

I like 9mm better but I have not shot either XD SC. I have shot the 4" XD .45 which was too jumpy for me to be comfortable for more than a mag or two. I like .45 better than .40 in most cases too. The only .40 guns I have shot were too snappy for me. They were both polymer 4" pistols.
If it were me (I almost got one 2 weeks ago) I'd go with the 9mm. Not to hijack but have you held a S&W compact M&P? That is what stopped me from getting the XD. Two more rounds, smaller in every direction, and I think a little cheaper too. Just a thought. They come in 9 and 40 too. The smith was much more comfortable in my hand at least.
I know that the .40 is a "better" defensive round but I'd rather be able to fire accurately and quickly all the way through the mag as opposed to drifing and getting all shakey and crazy after a few .40's go bang. I heard on here somewhere that "Shot placement is King." It doesn't matter that you are shooting .50ae if you can't hit anything IMO.

 

[skidooman]

my pick would be a glock 27, its a .40, but you can buy a 9mm barrell and mag, and you have a 9mm for practice, and if you feel like it another barrell purchase and you have a .357sig. but .40 is a good defense round IMO.