Springfield XD: compact vs....

[WestonSmith]

I haven\'t owned a handgun before and was wanting to get a XD-9 for concealed carry self-defense. Would you recommend a sub-compact unit (3\" barrel), service (4\" barrel), ported V-10 (4\" barrel), or tactical unit (5\" barrel)? I hear that there\'s strengths and advantages to having longer shorter handguns for personal self-defense.



Also, does anyone know what the differences are between the service and ported V-10 units? On the wikipedia website, it lists the models of the XD-9. It lists the service and ported V-10 as both having 4\" barrels with the same amount of rounds. When I look at online gun stores, often they don\'t say if it\'s service or ported V-10, but says 3\", 4\", 5\" barrels and what color it is.

 

[Mandirigma]

Also, does anyone know what the differences are between the service and ported V-10 units?

Basically the compact version of the XD comes with a 10 round magazine and a smaller grip for easier concealing. The "service" term refers to the higher capacity magazine with the extended grip. You slap in a "service" mag into the compact XD and presto-changeo you have a "service" sized grip.

The ported refers to ports, or holes in the barrel. In glock's its called "compensated". Basically what it does is reduces perceived recoil by directing some of the muzzle blast from the end of the barrel into those ports. Typically these are on top of the slide, and depending on the ports themselves it can actually help keep the muzzle on target.


Hope this helps

In general longer a barrel = longer sight radius = better aim but this is all subjective to a shooters skill. I know a guy who shoots a 3" 1911 better than I will ever shoot a 5", and we both know a guy that shoots a 4 1/2" better than the both of us.

EDIT: Sorry I can't help with the size of which XD you should carry. Its more a personal preference thing. It has a lot to do with how you carry, and your body type. I personally carrry a subcompact glock and/or a full sized 1911. A lot of the concealment comes from having a quality gunbelt and holster.

 

[Taurus44]

There are multiple configurations of XDs. There is the "Sub-compact" with 3" barrel and shorter grip, the "Service" model with standard grip and 4" barrel and the "Tactical" model with standard grip and a 5" barrel. The ported V10 is just a 4" Service model with holes in the barrel and slide.

If you're looking online and it does NOT say that it is a V10, then it is just a regular Service model. The V10 is also a little more expensive than a non-ported XD.

For CCW, I like the 3" Sub-compact. The grip is usually the hardest part of the gun to conceal, and the SC's grip is just short enough to hide, while still fitting pretty well in the hand (even better with the Pearce grip extension).

The Service and Tactical models will offer better accuracy at distance due to their longer sight radius, but for most defensive distances (7-10 yards), the 3" barrel makes little to no difference. Out to 7 yards, I am just as accurate with the Sub-compact as I am with the bigger XDs.

I currently have three XDs. I have an XD-9 Sub-compact, and XD-40 Service and an XD-9 Tactical. For daily carry I really like the little XD. My other two are setup as range/race guns, so I don't carry them at all.