Am I asking too much?

[kd7nqb]

I am about to turn 21 which means about to start the daily routine of CCW. Before we get any farther yes, I know the added responsibility and awareness that comes along with this choice.

In my last few trips to the range I have made a point of shooting a lot of different guns, either rented from the range or bringing buddies with me so I can try their guns. All in all I believe I will be choosing the Springfield XD in .40s&w as my CCW. Here's the deal, I will also be applying for a promotion to the armed division of my Security company. I want the ability to use the same firearm for both CCW and Duty. We have a very broad policy on what is allowed for duty weapons.

My question is, I can choose the XD in either the 3in Barrel with 9round capacity for CCW and then add the Mag/Grip extension for Duty thus giving me a larger capacity of 12rnds and full grip. Or I could choose the XD 4in tactical and get 12rnds all the time. Is a 4in too big to CCW with assuming I want the ability to do IWB carry? Any experiences? I really don't want to have to by 2 guns when I could use 1. (This way I can buy other fun guns)


Is their a better option I am not seeing?

 

[Geno]

I had the 4" XD-9 first, then a month later I bought the 3" XD-9. When firing it, I frequently used the grip extention with the mid-size magazines. It caused me no end of difficulty between pinching my hand (skin) and making the grip just plain floppy in my hand. Others may have a difference experience than I did, and I hope they do in fact. The XDs are excllent pistols. For me, I like the mid-size far more.

 

[sumpnz]

The holster you get can make a huge difference in the concealability and comfort of carrying most any gun. I have a Sig P245, which is a single stack .45ACP compact pistol. Not the smallest or slimmest pistol by any means, but a very good, reliable concealble gun in a manly caliber. With an HBE Com3 holster (very similar in form and function to a Milt Sparks VMII I've been told) it is very secure and stays well hidden. For your gun, you'll just need to try out a few different holsters until you find one that you like for whichever gun you choose.

If it were me, so long as the 4" was the same thickness as the 3" I would go with the 4". The extra barrel length helps the ballistics and doesn't hurt the concealbility. The extra grip length in the only part that would make it harder to conceal, but that is more a matter of choosing appropriate clothing than anything else.

 

[Werewolf]

To heck with those sissy guns!

Carry a full size auto...

With the exception of a S&W 638 that I carry in the ole pocket as necessary my normal CCW is a full sized auto in and IWB holster. I've carried over the years:

CZ-75B
SIG P220
Glock 22
Full Size 1911

Of those the only one that even came close to being not comfortable was the 1911.

I bought a Kimber Ultra Tac II for carry because I thought it would be more concealable IWB with it's 3" barreled 1911 frame. It wasn't. Concealability is a function of the holster. Get a well made comfortable holster and you can carry a full sized pistol with ease.

If you don't need to carry a really short barreled pistol then don't.

 

[Stretchman]

Firstly, for duty, you want to pick the best weapon you think will work for what you want. In other words, do not skimp, comprimise, or otherwise deter yourself from making the best decision that you possibly can concerning your choice of weapon for duty.

Your life is on the line when you work armed. That isn't a joke, and I did not stutter. What is more important to you? Being able to use the same weapon always, or having a duty weapon that is 100% reliable and trustworthy? Feelin' me?

Do not take chances when your life, and the lives and property of others, are on the line. Make your choice for duty based on that. Carry that 24/7 if you must. But do not comprimise.

That being said, I carry a G19. I carry a G19 because I like it. It is a 3 3/4 weapon. There is a bigger pistol, the G17. I do not carry the G17, I don't like it. I don't like the G26, but it might be better for concealed carry. I like , trust , and carry the G19. Would I carry a G19 on duty? Sure. I trust it completely. Do I carry it concealed? Disappears fine in a blackhawk leather IWB holster. I carry it concealed all the time.

Choose your duty weapon as the last resort, only thing you'd ever want in your hand when it all comes down. Then, furgure out how to make it work for concealed if you want to carry it.

Or get another gun, and have a BUG.Then carry the BUG off duty.

Duty is an obligation. There's a reason why they pay you to do it. Take no chances.

 

[hit or miss]

I own and shoot the xd 40 service. It is a fine gun and I regularly use it in IDPA style competition. It fits my hand to a T, the glock 22 it replaced didn't as I have short fingers. Nothing wrong with either gun and both never failed me in thousands of rounds down range. I just replaced the mainspring in the xd yesterday and plan on it serving me many more thousands of rounds in the future. It's the only gun I won't get rid of. Also I second the advice on the good holster. It is amazing how well they work. Also don't forget to get a dedicated gun belt made for carrying a gun all the time.

 

[kd7nqb]

Ok I agree with the comments about not giving in when it comes to my duty weapon. Looks like should get the 4in since that is the one that fit/feels me better and then play with holsters till I get what I want.

 

[olivedrab]

whatever you choose:

BA UU R

 

[Rattlesnake]

CCW has more to do with where you carry and the type of holster you use. I'm pretty damn slim and I regularly carry my department glock concealed off duty. It's either that of the P7.
Get the full size, you can probably conceal it just as well as the smaller version. Don't skimp on anything you trust your life to.