9MM 3" barrel or 4"?

[thekeysguy]

I am buying my first handgun. I am going to buy a 9MM Springfield Armory. I like the subcompact 3" barrel or the standard 4" barrel. The long term goal is to carry it so the 3" seems more sensible but first item of importance is learning to use it safely and accurately. I have heard that the 3" barrel is much more difficult to accurately shoot. Any experienced shooters have advice for a newcomer?

 

[TX1911fan]

I didn't notice any difference in accuracy. If you can afford to get teh 3 inch in a while, then get the 4 inch first. Otherwise, just get the 3. It is fine.

 

[DerbyDale]

At first I was a little scared that I made the wrong decision on getting the 3" XD-9. I was worried I wouldn't be able to hit the broad side of a barn with such a short barrel. I went back and forth for a couple months and almost gave myself an ulcer trying to decide. :banghead: I needed a good reliable CCW pistol, which is why I went with the sub-compact.

Thankfully I was very surprised that I actually shot my 3" XD-9 the same (if not a little better) than my friends 4" XD-9. I would say the 3" is every bit as accurate as the 4".

It has been said before (which I now agree with) that the best way to go is to get both the 5" Tactical and the 3" sub-compact. With the 4" service model you don’t get the benefits of the longer sight radius of the Tactical, and you loose the conceal ability of the sub-compact. Go with whatever your needs are... Either go with a big range pistol (5”), or a smaller, more concealable CCW (3”) pistol... Or better yet, get BOTH! Which is what I plan on doing down the road.

 

[10-Ring]

As a first gun, I'd go w/ the longer sight radius.