Newbie Question

[est777]

Hello. Sorry if this is a stupid question however I recently put a XD40 on lay away at one of the local stores here in TN. I purchased it for work being that I am training to be an armed guard. It's been a little more then 10 years since I last owned a gun so I am a little out of the loop reguarding what's new with guns. I went looking for a Sig however the one I wanted was sold out. The owner showed me the XD40 essentals and proceeded to sell me on it. I am well aware of the Springfield name reguarding the 1911 however I had never heard of the XD.

All that being said, is the XD40 a good buy? I have been reading through the posts which seem to praise the XD9 and the XD sub-compact however nothing on the 40 Cal. Also, I have never fired a 40 cal. The last handgun I owned was a .380 s/w Sigma. Is the 40 Cal a good round or should I have gone with the 9mm?

[Russ7777]

The xd is a good quality gun. You will do well with it. Springfield also has very good customer service.
The .40 is one of the calibers that you love or hate. I have the .40 xdm compact and really like it. The .40 has a lot of muzzle snap, but delivers the bullet with a real punch.
I think you will be happy with your purchase.
You said you are getting for work, an armed guard. The company does not provide a weapon? Also do they have specific approved weapons?

[est777]

Originally Posted by Russ7777

The xd is a good quality gun. You will do well with it. Springfield also has very good customer service.
The .40 is one of the calibers that you love or hate. I have the .40 xdm compact and really like it. The .40 has a lot of muzzle snap, but delivers the bullet with a real punch.
I think you will be happy with your purchase.
You said you are getting for work, an armed guard. The company does not provide a weapon? Also do they have specific approved weapons?

The company only provides either a .38 or .357 in a Tauris if I go that route. I don't like .38 and the .357 is a little heavy for my taste. Plus they only provide revolvers. When you test for being an armed guard there are two things to keep in mind. 1. If you test with a revolver then that's all you will be able to use. Same with a semi-auto. 2. Your training is set by the caliber you train with.

The highest caliber you can use is either a .40 cal or .357 magnum. If, for instance you test with a 9mm, then all you are legal to use is either a 9mm or something lower. However, by testing with either a 40 cal or a 357, you can use any caliber you wish on the job.

Keep in mind however different states do have different policies as well as the company you work for. Mine for instance requires I contract with them for one year should I take their gun. If I bring my own I don't have to worry about it. Also, if it's a gun you own you are more familier with it rather then to be stuck with a gun you don't like.

[richeyo2]

Most people either love or hate the .40. I have a XDm .40 3.8" & was my first Springfield purchase & really like it. The .40 does have more muzzle flip than a 9mm or a .45, but nothing that can't be over come w/a little range time practice. I think all in all you should be happy w/your purchase. My biggest down side w/the .40 is ammo price over 9mm. Wal-mart sells Federal 100rd. bulk for $27.97 a box which is the best deal I've found. Use to only be $25.97 a couple months ago!