which caliber

[bentandbroken]

I'm pretty set on buying an XD. I just don't know what caliber. Recoil isn't a big issue to me, but a couple of things are. One i'm trying not to spend a ton of money on ammo (read: i'm a college student;on my own), and the other is my girlfriend will be shooting it too. She has fired my stepfather's Glock .40 S&W and didn't have an issue with recoil, but wouldn't mind less. I'm not a big fellow either 5'5'' and 155lbs so I'm looking at the compact. At the moment i'm torn between the .45acp and 9mm. I don't have the opportunity to fire an XD in any caliber, but i have access to a .40 S&W glock and .45 HK USP. Should I shoot them and decide?

P.S.-sorry for the long post, but wanted to give as much detail as possible.

[SpringfieldXD.40]

if you want cheap shooting, go 9mm

[chrisxd45t]

9mm is much cheaper than 45acp. I'm a college student as well, and buying 45acp is getting harder to do these days. Not that I regret getting the 45, I put up with the expense because it's what I like and what I'm comfortable with. Some ranges that sell guns will deduct the rental fee from the purchace price if you decide to buy a gun after renting it. So, you could try both if that option is available.

[Violator22]

Go with the happy medium, get the 40, it won't suck. Les

[matchstick]

Definitely shoot them and decide.

9MM, .40 and .45 are all great calibers for self defense (assuming you use quality JHP ammo).

The most important aspect is how comfortable you feel and how well you shoot them. I'm 5'6" and about 175. I don't mind the .45, but I preferred a 9MM.

If you feel comfortable with all of them and accuracy is the same then the next two things to consider are price and size.

The .45 is bigger, then the .40 and then the 9MM. Bigger holes means more blood loss which means faster "stopping". None of them have "knockdown" power. That's a myth. If you want to knock someone down, get a 12ga shotgun. But the size difference and penetration between each round is very very very similar. Similar enough that it's some what inconsequential IMO.

What isn't inconsequential is the price difference. 9MM is considerably cheaper than .40 or .45. So if money is a concern, you'll be able to practice more with 9MM. And practice important.

So... if money is no issue, and you enjoy shooting a .45 and can shoot it well, get a .45 because bigger holes are better.

Otherwise, consider other options.

[Sk0t24]

WWB box of 100 9mm 13.72 WWB box of 100 .45acp 26.74. 9mm is just a shade over half the price. If you plan on shooting a lot, and you're on a budget I'd go with the XD-9.

[zac07]

Originally Posted by Violator22

Go with the happy medium, get the 40, it won't suck. Les

+1

[KarolinaKid]

IMO the best one, if your just gonna get one, is the .45 ACP. But, if cheaper ammo is important to you, the 9mm is your best bet.

[Violator22]

I get WWB 40 S&W at wally world for about 15.00. les

[XD9Sub]

I'd have to say 9mm (cheaper, you can shoot 2X as much with the 9mm, for the same money, assuming you're buying factory ammo), especially if your girlfriend will be shooting with you (lower recoil, for her, with the 9mm).

My wife loves to shoot her XD9 Tactical at the range