XD-9 SC versus XD-9 Service? Your Advice Please

[TanItAll]

After reading many many reviews and opinions, I have decided to get a XD-9! I am heading out to the gun show this month and will be looking out for a XD-9 to purchase. Here is my issue I am facing myself, I am having a hard time deciding between getting a XD-9 sub-compact or the service model.

Here are my facts:
1) This will be my first gun purchase
2) I have been to the range and shot both a 9mm and a .45 ACP very accurately
3) I plan to get my CHL (Texas) and carry the 9mm everywhere permitted by law
4) I'm 5'7" so I don't know if the 4" service model is easy to conceal as the 3" sub-compact model for my body-frame size

With those facts, are there major pro's and con's between the sub-compact model and the service model? Gun accuracy? Recoil? Etc?

Basically, which one would you get and how much should I be paying for one?

[btadamsdvd]

If I was going to buy an XD9, I would get the subcompact. It definitely expands your options, especially if planning on using it for concealed carry.

[mnxd-9]

I would go with the Subbie, if its for conceal carry.

[vafish]

I'd go with the service model.

I have one in .40, I'm 5'7" tall and have no trouble concealing a gun that size. (I just got the XD and don't have a holster for it yet so I have not CCW with it, but I do conceal G19 and G17 Glocks with no problem)

It's really a matter of learning how to dress around the gun.

[Olivia Chillia]

Subbie. I carry one in 9mm. It is easy to conceal and a pleasure to shoot. It's more flexible in terms of concealment than a full size XD.

[caleqs]

I have both and I love the SC more than the service model. The service model is my "under-the-bed" (locked in a safe) gun. I bought it first. I then went over to The Bullet Trap in Plano and bought the SC with stainless slide. If given a choice of which gun I like to shoot more than the other, its hands-down the SC. Don't know why, but I like it.

You can't go wrong with either one, but for carry, I'd go SC. The diff in recoil between the two is unnoticable and the SC just feels nicer to weild.

Jeff

[JJG]

My pick is the service model. I just don't like the short grip on the subbie. Yes, you can put on a grip extension, but what is the point packin a subbie if the grip is as long as a service model.

My .02 is find which gun feels best in your hand, and wear clothes that best conceal your gun.

Josh

[j_a_espo]

Both terrific choices and you really can't go wrong with either. For me, the difficult part of hiding a pistol if carried on my waist is not the length of the barrel, but the size of the grip. Other factors come into play but it is mostly the grip that causes a pistol to "print" when carried on the hip. Either of the guns that you describe can be carried comfortably without any problem at all.

Sometimes the added inch on barrel helps to keep the gun stable. Especially guns that have a short barrel and double-stack or staggared magazine in the grip have so much weight in the grip that, unless specific types of holsters are used, the grip tends to pull away from the body more than they would in a single stack gun. The heavy-gripped guns sort of bounce when you walk. For example, in the same type of holster my 4-inch XD-45 pulls away from my body and my 5-inch 1911 sits comfortably. This doesn't mean that the 1911 is a better carry gun, it just means that I needed a hoslter that pulls the XD45 really close to the body because there is a lot of weight in the grip (a fair trade for 13+1 of 45acp).

The choice of IWB or OWB holster is of the utmost importance. You must buy a quality holster with the propoer cant and a good gun belt too. This doesn't have to be overly expensive (although it isn't cheap either), but choose wisely based on your needs and carrying is easy.

[wolfsburg_de]

I went through a similar decision making process, and ended up with the Service. For me, concealability wasn't as important as accuracy and balance. I figure for true CCW use, something like a Kahr would be a less conspicuous choice anyway since even the SC is pretty fat.

[AMBTX]

Go with the Subbie. Its a lot easier to conceal. I am from Texas and carry mine everyday in the hot Texas weather IWB. Most of the time I wear khaki shorts and a T shirt and it conceals just fine.