Best XD / XDM for my use?

[Superman]

So I've narrowed down my next purchase to a Springfield XD / XDm (9mm). It's going to be my nightstand, range, family (meaning wife will use it a lot too) gun but I'd also like to be able to use it for local competitions (haven't done any yet, but plan to get more info and start soon). So which of these models are the best "multi-purpose", but primarily for competition?

XD Service - 4.05'' barrel, 16 round mag

XDm - 4.5'' barrel, 19 round mag

XDm - 3.8'' barrel, 19 round mag

XDm Compact - 3.8'' barrel, 13 round mag

So much different between these :( Any advice / opinions welcome...just no "don't get XD" or "get ??? instead".

Thanks!!!

[lama]

If its just a house gun and range gun then go big. Less recoil, longer sight radius and full grip.

[sumyungai]

If you're not going to carry, is there any reason you shouldn't get the 4.5" XDm?

[E.Marquez]

Based on the info you provided.
XDm - 4.5'' barrel, 19 round mag

[JustMe]

based solely on the fact that you said your wife would use it a lot-I say make sure it fits her hand also. I have small/medium sized hands-full size is tough for me and the compact fits perfect. I had it narrowed down to the XDM compact and the Glock 19 when I bought my first one--I went with the glock

[Wes]

xdm for the small backstrap and in 4.5" for reasons described above

[srouse82]

I would go with the XDM 4.5". I have really enjoyed the one I bought

[NordicTexan]

I regularlly shoot with my brother in law. I have an XDM 4.5 in 9mm and he has two XD SC in 9mm. The great thing is the feel is very much the same for all the springfield line. We also tested the XD SC in 40.

I like the XDM, Its a bit easier to shoot and aquire targets with. Its also fun to have that many bullets, but its really not that much different from the SC version in a practical sense. The XDM is harder to conceal, if you ever decide to to that. Both of our guns have been pretty much trouble fee and and the easy of cleaning was a selling point for both of us.

Also most holsters that fit one, will actually accomidate the other.

I know that Springfield also has some new pistols on the horizon with the XDS (s for slim I think) line of single stack pistols so they are constantly trying to improve as well.

Again, I have a lot of rounds through my XDM, I realy like it, and it hasnt' given me any trouble.

[sivartdod]

Im not sure about the XDM but I have an XD 9 Tactical ( 5") I LOVE this gun, just took it to the range over the weekend, was getting 2" groups at 20 yards. Have never had any issues with it. Best guy Ive ever bought.

[Superman]

Thanks for the replies! I was leaning towards the XDm 4.5'' because of the 19 rounds, but was wondering if there was any down side of the 4.5'' vs. 3.8'' vs the 4.05'' XD. Also, any experience or opinions on this gun for competitions? And I know I'm trying to use this gun for multiple uses, but it's an easier sell to my wife that way...gotta plant the seed for a dedicated competition gun later I'm thinking I'm only going to be using this for range and competitions, so it will probably only be in OWB holsters...

I also want the XD sc 9mm for carry (waiting on my plastic right now). Glad to hear people like it!

[n5wd]

So which of these models are the best "multi-purpose", but primarily for competition?

Were you aware that SA has come out with a new "competition" XD(m) - the 5.25" barrel in 9mm, .40 and .45 calibers? The longer barrel gives a sight radius of slightly more than 7", has a fibre optic front sight as standard, is as light as a 4.5" of similar calibre due to a cut-out on the top dust cover, has a rail for mounting lights or laser (for the home defense role), and has the same high-capacity (19rounds in 9mm) magazines as all the other full-size XD(m)'s?

A lot of folks are using this as a basis for their competition guns (there are a few companies doing customizations of the gun - trigger jobs, magwells, etc.) but just right out of the box, folks are taking it and shooting it in competitions and go away just raving about it. Just drop by and read some of the reports on Brian Enos' forum http://www.brianenos.com.

I use mine primarily as the range gun, since I have a light/laser on my Walther, but I can easily see that it would do a great job in a home-defense role. I hope to shoot my first Steel Challenge with it down in Waco next month. For competition, I've got a Comp-Tac kydex OWB that I'll be using for the games, but for CCW I've got the Comp-Tac MTAC IWB holster for it and it's wearable... probably about like a full-sized 1911, but I do prefer to wear my PPS on a daily basis.

As far as the wife goes - took my daughter-in-law to the range a few weeks ago, and she wants one, now. Between my and my son's guns, she said the 5.25" was the easiest to point - I guess the long barrel and long sight radius is what she's seeing. I know it makes me look good when I'm playing with it.

I know you were thinking of the 4.5" and or 3.8"'ers, but you might wanna handle the 5.25" before you decide.

Wayne

[Superman]

Thanks for the reply Wayne. I will have to add that to the list now. I need to go rent all these with my wife and go from there. Hearing that it's still bearable to wear IWB is a plus for me too :) Thanks again!

[2up1down]

So which of these models are the best "multi-purpose", but primarily for competition?

Were you aware that SA has come out with a new "competition" XD(m) - the 5.25" barrel in 9mm, .40 and .45 calibers? The longer barrel gives a sight radius of slightly more than 7", has a fibre optic front sight as standard, is as light as a 4.5" of similar calibre due to a cut-out on the top dust cover, has a rail for mounting lights or laser (for the home defense role), and has the same high-capacity (19rounds in 9mm) magazines as all the other full-size XD(m)'s?

A lot of folks are using this as a basis for their competition guns (there are a few companies doing customizations of the gun - trigger jobs, magwells, etc.) but just right out of the box, folks are taking it and shooting it in competitions and go away just raving about it. Just drop by and read some of the reports on Brian Enos' forum http://www.brianenos.com.

I use mine primarily as the range gun, since I have a light/laser on my Walther, but I can easily see that it would do a great job in a home-defense role. I hope to shoot my first Steel Challenge with it down in Waco next month. For competition, I've got a Comp-Tac kydex OWB that I'll be using for the games, but for CCW I've got the Comp-Tac MTAC IWB holster for it and it's wearable... probably about like a full-sized 1911, but I do prefer to wear my PPS on a daily basis.

As far as the wife goes - took my daughter-in-law to the range a few weeks ago, and she wants one, now. Between my and my son's guns, she said the 5.25" was the easiest to point - I guess the long barrel and long sight radius is what she's seeing. I know it makes me look good when I'm playing with it.

I know you were thinking of the 4.5" and or 3.8"'ers, but you might wanna handle the 5.25" before you decide.

Wayne

Exactly = 5.25

[PR1042]

Does price matter? You are looking at 359-399 for a XD Service, 525-550 for 3.8/4.5 XDM, and 650-700 for 5.25 XDM.

[Superman]

Does price matter? You are looking at 359-399 for a XD Service, 525-550 for 3.8/4.5 XDM, and 650-700 for 5.25 XDM.

Good point...price does matter. I'm looking at around $500, give or take, depending on what I can convince the wife on The 5.25 XDm looks nice, but that may be a little too much if it's new. The price of the XD is definitely a selling point if there's not that much difference. I guess that's what I'm trying to gauge. Are the benefits of the XDm worth it?