Can't decide between 4" or 5" model?

[corba]

i wanted the 5" too, but i saw a report that the 4" were more accurate.

[TYFOON]

Originally Posted by corba

i wanted the 5" too, but i saw a report that the 4" were more accurate.

I'd like to see that report because I believe I have read and understood the opposite.

Foon

[IamtheNRA]

Originally Posted by corba

i wanted the 5" too, but i saw a report that the 4" were more accurate.

5" should be a bit more accurate because of the longer sight radius. The 4" is better for CCW, though.

[goodformeto]

I wanted the 4" for quite a while, but upon renting both (glad the salesman talked me into that) there was something about the 5" that can't be felt without firing it. Rent them if you can.

[Solid Snake]

A month ago I rented a 5" and my friend has a 4" .45 and I shot them both. I actually found that the 5" had more muzzle flip and felt recoil then the 4". The 5" does have a slightly lighter recoil spring in it, 18# versus the dual recoil spring set-up in the 4", 20#. The muzzle flip can be reduced with a heavier guide rod and you could put in a heavier spring to reduce the felt recoil. I was going to get a 5", but they are damned hard to get a hold of in my area, so I settled with the 4" version, and to be honest, unless you are going to be shooting at 25 yards or more, I didn't see a difference in my groupings between the two. Out of the box, the 4" felt alittle nicer overall then the 5" did.

[Captain Jack]

Great, now I'm all confused about which one to get. I thought the Tactical had less felt recoil and muzzle flip and was more accurate? I'm driving myself crazy...

[legion3]

Well I have all three and the 5" shoots very similar to the service 4" but the compact 4" seems to have more snap... maybe cause of the ability to get a full grip on both the original guns...as to accuracy all seemed to be in the same ballpark and range at closer ranges but the 5" did seem to be a better long shot option...FWIW

[Mountain Walker]

Originally Posted by Scrondar

Well, I got the XD-9 Service, so I decided on the Tactical for the 45ACP, and I'm glad I did. There's just something about holding a .45 caliber pistol with a 5 in. barrel.

I recently purchased the compact XD 45ACP with 4" barrel since it is very close to the same size as a glock 19/23.

If I were to get the full sized 45ACP, I would go for the 5" barrel, there is a lot to said for the orginal 1911 barrel lenght. Congratulations on your purchase. I fired one of the 5" Tacs at a recent match and was very impressed with it.

[happygunner]

If you really want to give them both a real test as to snap and recoil.Test them with some 185gr+P Ammo. I think this is where the 20# capative spring in the 4" will really give some input into making your choice.

[AKM]

I chose the 5" myself. And my fiancee went with the compact. I would suggest that anybody who wants a 4" get the compact. It's a compact with the 10rd mag and a service with the 13rd mag. Why limit yourself.
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