Springfield XD Subcompact .40 vs 9mm

[ElPrez231]

Hey everyone, I plan on adding a 3rd handgun to my current arsenal and really want it to be a subcompact; I plan on using it as my CCW when my permits comes in the mail. I am really considering a Springfield XD SC 3" but I'm torn between the calibers since my P99 QA is a 9mm and my Glock 23 is a .40 cal. Anyone with experience have opinions on which is easier to shoot/handle for not only a subcompact pistol, but for ccw as well? I have seen aftermarket companies selling .357sig conversion barrels for the .40 cal, and have considered that as well but am concerned with the recoil and muzzle flip of a .357 round in such a small pistol. I would def go with the .357 conversion if it was the most practical of the three options. Anyone with experience or general opinions feel free to help me out. Any advice/suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[basicblur]

Anyone with experience have opinions on which is easier to shoot/handle for not only a subcompact pistol, but for ccw as well?

My main CCW is an XD40SC, and while I don't think the recoil is bad at all, it would have been nice to compare it with the 9mm AFA muzzle flip. I've told a number of folks if I had it to do over again, there's a good chance I would have gone with the 9mm, 'specially considering ammo prices.
'Course, when I'm deciding on caliber, the number of rounds offered by each in the same gun often is the deciding factor, which is why I initially picked the XD40SC.

Don't know why the 9 might be any different, but the XD40SC is more accurate than I expected. Over on the "Biggest Handgun Surprise in a Pleasant Way" thread, 3 folks have listed the accuracy of the XD40SC.

 

[evan price]

My personal feelings are that .40 is a very snappy round, and in a subcompact, especially a lightweight CCW subcompact, the .40 is too snappy. I like to shoot- a lot- especially what I intend to carry. Guns that are painful or uncomfortable to shoot don't get shot as much, and that's not good if you want to stake your life on it as a CCW piece.

My suggestion is to find a range that has a subcompact rental gun like what you want, run 100 rounds through it, and see how you feel then.

Modern 9mm and .40 S&W self-defense ammo makes the whole 9 vs 40 debate a moot point.

 

[skinewmexico]

I sold my 40, and bought a 9. I think it's more accurate (for me), and more fun to shoot.

 

[Paragon]

I own and carry a XD-9 subcompact. I picked it for the slightly higher capacity, ammo cost, and easier to manage. The recoil on the 40 isn't bad, but I prefer the 9.