I'm a research fanatic, often I'll research the heck out of a gun I'm wanting to purchase for months before actually getting it. Recently I've gone through a round of rechecking my CCW options, and looked at a number of other options available: the new slimmed-down Ruger SR9, the Sig P250, the latest options from Kahr, the H&K P30, the S&W MP compact, and others. I've concluded that the XD sc--despite the many other new guns and models that have come out--is still very hard to beat as a carry gun. I'm even considering buying ANOTHER XD sc in order to have one for backup, or to keep in the car, etc. They're so handy, it's well worth having two of them, to swap parts, mags, as needed.
10 reasons why the XD9 sc is still going to be my main carry gun:
1) Perfect height for me. It's under 5" tall (with 10rd mag), but unlike many of the Kahrs, it's big enough that I can get my full hand on it, if I use a Peace grip extender. Most smaller guns, including the Glock 26, weren't big enough in the grips for my big hands. Others are TOO tall, when you get over 5" they get harder to conceal on a thin person.
2) Perfect length. Because the gun is so short, when you conceal it, the muzzle doesn't hang way down and constantly poke you somewhere or cause the holster to chafe every time you sit down. The S&W MP, though a nice gun in some ways, is longer by half an inch, and is a bit harder to conceal.
3) Hi cap option. Unlike most other concealment guns--especially the Kahrs--this one has the OPTION of still having very hi capacity. I love the ability to throw in a 16rd mag!
4) Awesome trigger. The XD's trigger is in a class of its own. Mine pulls at just over 5 lbs, though it's never been worked on. I love the fact that the first trigger pull is the same as the second one, and the last one!
5) Simplicity of operation. Grab and shoot! No safeties, no decockers. This baby is FAST to put into action, and for lefties like me, truly ambidextrous.
6) Accurate. I can shoot more accurately with this 3" XD than I've been able to with some 4" and 5" guns by Taurus and Ruger and Glock. These things are amazingly accurate. Probably the S&W MP's are equal if not slightly better in accuracy, but the XD's are probably tied for best overall accuracy among lower cost polymer pistols. See
this test in Guns & Ammo to indicate how accurate the XD is.
7) Safer. Unlike Glocks, and the new Sig 250 DAO, the grip safety on the XD stands between me and an accidental discharge. To me, any gun like the Glocks/new Sigs that has a trigger pull of 6 lbs or less, needs to have something standing between that trigger and an AD, besides just a trigger safety. I think the XD does it right: you have the grip safety, but there are no extra controls or levers to operate. Perfect!
Springfield's great customer service and warranty speak for themselves. I have found none better in the gun industry. Recently they took a new 1911 that was throwing fliers and producing 4" and 5" groups, and their service folks turned into a tack driver that can shoot 1" groups at 25 yards! Cost to me under the warranty? $0.
9) Perfect reliability. In over 1500 rds down range, my XD has NEVER jammed, misfed, or failed to fire.
10) Ease of maintenance. This is the quickest to take down, and easiest to maintain, of all my handguns.
XD45 4" Service-OD Green codename: Evil
XD9 3" Sub 9mm Black. codename: Good
Bushy AR15 M4-gery codename: RoadRunner
S&W Model 19-4 .357 Magnum
Linear Mode
