XDM Full Size Carry Question
- Thread starter EdLaver
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Zundfolge
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The 3.8 seems foolish to me.
I would rather have a full length slide with a short grip (since grip length significantly effects concealment more than slide length).
If you're going to have a full length grip, might as well pack a full size gun.
The "short slide over full length grip" always seemed to me to be a "design by committee" thing ... one set of bureaucrats wants a compact gun, another set wants a full size gun because compact grips frighten them and you end up with a short barreled gun that is no more concealable than a full size.
Anyway, with good leather it should carry just fine. Folk carry larger/heavier guns all the time just fine.
I would rather have a full length slide with a short grip (since grip length significantly effects concealment more than slide length).
If you're going to have a full length grip, might as well pack a full size gun.
The "short slide over full length grip" always seemed to me to be a "design by committee" thing ... one set of bureaucrats wants a compact gun, another set wants a full size gun because compact grips frighten them and you end up with a short barreled gun that is no more concealable than a full size.
Anyway, with good leather it should carry just fine. Folk carry larger/heavier guns all the time just fine.
Mikhail Weiss
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Disclosure: I don't own an XDm, and I don't carry one, but I've handled and shot a few and quite like them. (Though I can't tell that the trigger has been improved at all, I do like the aggressive grip texture.)
For years I carried concealed what some consider to be a pretty big porky pig of a pistol, sporting a barrel of the same length as the XDm, and seem to have done so without discomfort or notice. As Zundfolge mentioned, it's the grip that presents most of the concealment issues.
The rest of what Zundfolge mentioned is true, too. Good holster, proper gun belt, some attention to where you carry and what you use for a cover garment, should solve most issues.
As to drawing, I've done plenty with guns of the same and shorter barrel lengths. I can't ell a difference.
For off body carry or transport, though, any dimensional shrinkage opens options.
For years I carried concealed what some consider to be a pretty big porky pig of a pistol, sporting a barrel of the same length as the XDm, and seem to have done so without discomfort or notice. As Zundfolge mentioned, it's the grip that presents most of the concealment issues.
The rest of what Zundfolge mentioned is true, too. Good holster, proper gun belt, some attention to where you carry and what you use for a cover garment, should solve most issues.
As to drawing, I've done plenty with guns of the same and shorter barrel lengths. I can't ell a difference.
For off body carry or transport, though, any dimensional shrinkage opens options.
Enachos
Member
..I never understood why they shrunk the barrel but not the grip.
Yep....the 3.8 doesn't make much sense to me with that grip. I thought the whole idea of the M series was to put a match grade barrel in it and focus it more towards the target/competition/ and possibly duty area. Why would you want a shorter barrel for that? If they shrank the grip too that would make it more towards the concealed carry spectrum and would make more sense to me. Oh well. I like XDs but I don't see the appeal of that model.
Extremely Pro Gun
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High noon topless holster!!!! It can make even the biggest guns disappear
SierraFiver
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I have to agree with Zundfolge as well, it's not the barrel length that'll make or break your conceal. It's the grip that's above the waistline. What matters is where the butt rests in relationship to your body and whether or not it presses against the fabric of your shirt. I'm not a large guy at all, being 28'' 'round the waist, and I have no problem concealing my full size XDm IWB on my hip as long as I have a coat, hoodie, or collared to cover with. A t-shirt alone will make a tell, unless it's very baggy.
If you're looking for something more concealable, go with something thinner and with a shorter grip, maybe look at the Kel-tec, Walther, or Kahr compacts. The sleekness affects your profile less, and shorter grip prevents a tell. Of course, those are little guns, an XDm 3.8 is what? A full size XDm minus an inch or so? In only one dimension?
If you already have a XDm, stick with it; or get something that actually is smaller. You'll have almost the same experience concealing the shorty as you will the full.
If you're looking for something more concealable, go with something thinner and with a shorter grip, maybe look at the Kel-tec, Walther, or Kahr compacts. The sleekness affects your profile less, and shorter grip prevents a tell. Of course, those are little guns, an XDm 3.8 is what? A full size XDm minus an inch or so? In only one dimension?
If you already have a XDm, stick with it; or get something that actually is smaller. You'll have almost the same experience concealing the shorty as you will the full.
harmon rabb
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too big i think, but some people do it.
a 5'0" woman at my office carries a full size xdm chambered in .40 all day every day
you can carry just about anything you want. it's just a matter of the right holster and how much discomfort you're willing to put up with.
most of the guys carry pocket guns. she's manlier than most of us
a 5'0" woman at my office carries a full size xdm chambered in .40 all day every day
you can carry just about anything you want. it's just a matter of the right holster and how much discomfort you're willing to put up with. most of the guys carry pocket guns. she's manlier than most of us
The Sarge
Member
I carry the 3.8 in a Yaqui holster...holds it in tight and totally conceals the gun.
I handled one at my shop today, it's actually the same size as the normal XD sub-compact with the extension mag. I like it a lot and I think its easily concealable. I am thinking about trading my USP .40 for one, the 3.8 would have more use to me. I have two other .40's that I am more fond of anyway.
rogerjames
member
Ed,
I agree with most of the others... a shorter barrel length has little to no affect on concealment, but affects bullet speed an accuracy. Grip length has greatest affect on concealment. Why sacrifice speed and accuracy without any gains in concealment?
I agree with most of the others... a shorter barrel length has little to no affect on concealment, but affects bullet speed an accuracy. Grip length has greatest affect on concealment. Why sacrifice speed and accuracy without any gains in concealment?
possum
Member
IMHO the xdm is too big for carry. As well i think the 3.8 is not any better. you get the same overall height as with the xdm, but a shorter barrel and sight radius. makes no sense to me at all. the height of the handgun is what is the hard part to conceal .
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