9 or 40?

[mooch1300]

I am looking to purchase a xdm springfield 3.8 or 4.5 but am unsure of both what calibur to buy and barrel length. my main goal is for target shooting ana home defense. do plan on my wife shooting it with me. any suggestions?

 

[finnegan]

The Springfield XD 40 subcompact (not XDm, mind you. The XDm Compacts are a different length of barrel at 3 vs 3.8) can hit water bottles in the hands of novice shooters at nearly 30 yards. You gain nothing by downgrading to 9mm in this weapon system, esp for home defense. Get the .40sw and load it with proper rounds (Speer Gold Dot or Hornady).

 

[crispy]

Google 9mm vs. .40

Read everything you find.

Report back when done.

We'll see you in a year or two.

 

[rugertoter]

I am looking to purchase a xdm springfield 3.8 or 4.5 but am unsure of both what calibur to buy and barrel length. my main goal is for target shooting ana home defense. do plan on my wife shooting it with me. any suggestions?

I would buy the 3.8 in 9x19mm. JMHO.

 

[Tripp11]

Crispy is right...the debate will rage on for years and years and years...and most people will have a preference and tell you their preference is the RIGHT choice.

My thoughts? You should go shoot, if you can, the model you're looking at in both the 9mm and the 40 cal and see which one fits you and your wife better by shooting them.

 

[Denny347]

Shoot them and buy the model you A:shoot the best with B:Is the most comfortable for you. Either caliber will protect you just fine.

 

[Bob45]

Check ammo prices..I bet 9mm is a lot cheaper

 

[dice dealer]

Shoot them and buy the model you A:shoot the best with B:Is the most comfortable for you. Either caliber will protect you just fine.

^^^THIS^^^

I sell plenty of both, The main difference between the two Honestly is 1MM and the price of Ammo .

 

[shaynster]

I would also go with the .40, but unless your going to be carrying I would go with the full size. It holds more rounds and it's a little heavier and might be a little less felt recoil for your wife if your shooting alot.

 

[Rocket57]

I have an XDM 3.8 9mm with the full size grip. For target practice I regret not getting the 4.5 barrel version. I can shoot all of my full size pistols better than the short barreled Springfield. That is not to say it is a poor shooter. It has NEVER had any type of malfunction and is way more accurate than I am. The longer sight radius on full size pistols makes them easier to shoot.

As far as 9 over 40? For me it came down to cost of ammo. Not a huge difference, but enough to influence my choice.

Excellent choice either way!

 

[mcolford]

9mm will be cheaper for your monthly (or more) trips to the range. A few bucks or so a month that is. It doesnt matter how big of round you use, if you cant hit your target (or b.g. in some situations)... caliber is useless.

Like mentioned, shoot both calibers if you can, and go with whats best for you and the Mrs.


-MColford

 

[mwg]

i would go with the 9 mm because cheaper ammo,less recoil ,and more shots per mag. i would pic the 4.5 because it is more acurate with a longer distance between sights.

 

[ATM]

XDm9 4.5"

Perfection redefined.

 

[goinggreyfast]

Yesterday I got to shoot the XDm 40 cal for the first time and I really liked it. I certainly would not choose it for EDC, but for HD it would be a very nice choice. Ammo for the 9 would be a lot less expensive though.

I would suggest you consider the 9mm because of that. If you are concerned with what I call "the splat factor" for HD, the Hornady Critical Defense round should provide you with enough stopping power and a few more rounds in a SHTF situation. By using the 9mm when you do go to the range, it doesn't cost as much.

My personal EDC is the XD9sc BTW.

 

[williamsburg]

tangerines and oranges imo friend about the same but .....
the xdm has the backstrap adjustments
hold/feel see where you/wife are with the comfort in hand
9mm v. 40 cal. does not really matter...its what you two feel best wll work

just cannot go wrong with springfield xd/xdm series imho

 

[U.S. Patriot]

You need to shoot both calibers and find what's most comfortable.

 

[jodus]

if you reload go with the 40. a 40 loaded loaded "down" is a lot of fun to shoot. in my opinion feels better than a 9

 

[iwork4pepsi]

I'd go shoot both and see which one you are more comfortable with. IMO it doesn't really matter if you are shooting a 9 or 40 as long as you can put the round where you want it to go.

 

[mooch1300]

thanks for all the input. im sure that personal prefrence is most of it. gonna take advice and go handle the guns.

 

[goinggreyfast]

thanks for all the input. im sure that personal prefrence is most of it. gonna take advice and go handle the guns.