Decision Time: XD-40 vs XD-45

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

scurtis_34471

Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2006
Messages
1,014
Location
Ocala, FL
I am buying a gun tomorrow and I'm trying to decide between the XD-40 and the XD-45. I was going to get the .45, but the shop owner was selling the .40 very hard. He thinks my wife will have a much easier time handling the .40 than the .45. My wife does like the grip diameter better on the .40 and finds it more comfortable. For that matter, so do I. I have not shot either gun. I have shot .45 and know what it feels like. I've never shot a .40. Any input would be welcome.
 
Pick whichever works best for you. The .40 will probably have a slightly smaller grip due to the cartridge being shorter than the .45. Both will stop a bad guy in a hurry. .40 ammo is cheaper than .45.

I own an XD40 and an XD9. I've never shot an XD45. The XD40 is excellent. It has never malfunctioned in about 3000 rounds I've put through it. It's definitely a bit snappy, but not bad with a bit of practice. Anything with a lightweight polymer frame is going to be snappy.
 
I would say that .40 has more snap than .45 so it's probebly a matter of opinion either way. If you and your wife like the way the .40 feels better than the .45, well, that is a pretty big deal.
 
What do you plan to be using your XD for? For self-defense I would suggest either the compact or subcompact 40.

For just range shooting I like the XD45 Tactical if you want a 45, but I personally would rather have a Tactical or Service XD9 unless you want to supressed weapon since the ammo is cheaper.

Now you noted the difference in grip size, though the recoil is different I wouldn't say that one is stronger then the other. The 40 has a recoil that is more verical, but the 45 seems to push the gun back more (at least in my USP). The 45 seems to work the forearms while the 40 seems to work the wrist.
 
from reading your post and your needs it sounds like you should go with the
.40 i also recomend them too as i have 2 xd .40's. they are awesome shooters and accurate as all get out. not to mention that with the change of a barrel you can have a .357 sig gun, change the barrel again and have a
9mm gun. good luck! let us know what you decide!
 
I have both... I really have to say I do like the XD45 Service better than the XD40 Service but both are really nice.

I currently have an XD40 Tactical and the .45 Service.

The XD40 frame is significantly slimmer and trimmer with a shorter grip. The XD45 may be super sleek, but it's still a .45 and will be too big for some people.

As far as pleasant to shoot, it's all about what you're used to, but the .45 will be easier I feel. It feels like most of recoil comes straight back at you as opposed to the .40, where there is both significant "blowback" (I use the term loosely) and muzzle climb at the same time.

Both are entirely manageable. I feel the recoil of .40 S&W is greatly over exaggerated. Then again I cut my teeth on .357 Magnum.
 
In my experience with my wife, a comfortable grip trumps how big the hole is at the end of the barrel. She prefers to shot my 1911 over my Steyr 9mm because it fits her hand better.

Of course... ymmv.;)
 
on the occasion and rare at best that the recoil of the .40 is to much for you, which i have not experienced, with anyone shooting it especially the sc for some reason. but worse case scenario you can drop a on's guide rod and heavier recoil spring an that will cut down on the muzzle flip!
 
I have both pistols and use the .40 most often.

The .45 is BIG and HEAVY and uncomfortable to carry.

Both shoot very well and are tough pistols.

My carry gun is an H&K P2000 in .40 cal or the S&W M&P in .40

More often now, following the VT shootings, I carry the M&P Compact in 9mm with the new loads made with Gold Dot 124gn bullets and loaded specifically for short barrels.

Guess Col. Cooper may have been wrong about the 9mm in view of the deadly performance at VT.

Hope this helps you.
 
I've been doing some reading and love the fact that you can put in a 9mm barrel. That could save a lot of money on ammo at the range.
 
It's easy for me. One of the ranges I frequent rents both models. I could try them both and figure out which one would suit us both. But 40 cal ammo is cheaper.
 
from reading your post and your needs it sounds like you should go with the
.40 i also recomend them too as i have 2 xd .40's. they are awesome shooters and accurate as all get out. not to mention that with the change of a barrel you can have a .357 sig gun, change the barrel again and have a
9mm gun.
Click to expand...


I can do that with my Sig P229, can you do it with XD's, too?
 
No choice here, XD45! :D :D .40 what? :neener: Pick the one that fits your hand the best or better yet get one of each.:D
 
I have the XD45 service and it's not that difficult to carry IWB. I haven't shot the XD40, but I would imagine that it's a shooter as well. If you shoot the XD45, try using CCI Blazer Brass sold at WalMart. It is a very soft load compared to the Remington/UMC sold at Walmart. If you reload, you could always lighten your loads for your wife to practice. I used to be a big 40 fan, but now that has given way to the mighty 45ACP.
 
switch to 45

I had the XD40SC and switched to the XD45C...

Hands down the 45 is the better shooter. milder recoil and quicker back on target..



steve:)
 
45 caliber

...

I don't care what the salesman says your wife will like about a 40cal vs a 45 cal. ~ RECOIL is a 40cal, takes a lot to handle, IMO, non-forgiving, and all the 45 cal's I have shot have far less recoil, and more of a even push, and you both will be able to re-acquire the target faster, and with far more accuracy with a 45 cal.

Go to a range and shoot both.. then you'll know what the difference is in recoil vs the 45 cal.

40cal goes SNAP ^.. 45cal goes < Boom


LS


PS.. if money, ammo cost, is a concern, then you should REALLY look into a 9mm.. That gun will work for both you and the little lady, that I'm sure of.. 115gr FMJ very little recoil, re-acquiring of target for rapid shots is there for less money and more ammo than both the 40cal and the 45cal. And, like the 40cals grip, thinner than the 45's, a 9mm holds, depending where you live, 10, 14 or 17 round magazines vs 8 -10 rounds for most 45's due to both size of the bullets and the wider grip of the 45 to hold mag and ammo, in many of the 45 makes/models.
 
Last edited:
XD45 service or compact. The little lady can handle a 45. Give her credit. In fact it has less snap in recoil than the .40.
 
If the gun is a stay at home gun the longer barrel will work better, you do not need the compact size grip on a nightstand gun. The tactical is a bit big for edc with a CCW< but not a whole lot bigger than a 1911. and we all know that people carry that every day.
 
Part of why I'm leaning toward the .40 is that BarSto makes conversion barrels for both 9mm and 357Sig. That gives me three calibers choices in one gun, which is kind of attractive. I can drop 9mm in for maximum practice time at the range and then drop the .40 back in for carry and for practice with my carry load. If I don't like .40, I can try .357Sig.

Do any of you have experience doing that?
 
The .357sig has even more snap than the .40. I know in some guns, its better to convert from a .357 in a gun made for the .357 to a 40 which has less pressure than the .357, rather than from the 40 to a higher pressure round like the .357. The wear on the pistol would be higher. I have an HK USPc in .357, that I have considered getting a .40 barrel for.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Used XD .40 price question
Replies
8
Views
1K
Freeze N
F
D
  • Locked
S&W MP .40, XD-40, XD-9 Which would you choose?
2 3 4
Replies
76
Views
14K
flatline
F
joneb
  • Locked
Springfield XD-45
Replies
14
Views
2K
XDKingslayer
X
CZF
  • Locked
XD Xtasy??
Replies
1
Views
586
StexFJR
S
F
  • Locked
Springfield XD 45 -- Opinions Sought
Replies
24
Views
2K
Sean Dempsey
S
Back
Top