XDm 9 - did I make a mistake?

[XDfan]

I recently sold a couple of guns that I'd not really "bonded" with all that much, and with the proceeds, I went out today and got a bi-tone XDm in 9mm. I really like the look of the bi-tone, although the black finish would not have been a deal breaker, and the store had the .40 as well. My reasons for the 9 are:
-capacity. something about 20 rounds in one loading amazes me. And with the current administration, you can't have too many large-capacity mags.
-cost. I should be able to shoot more 9mm than .40 at current prices.
-competition value. About all I shoot locally is IDPA, and havel always felt that I can shoot faster and more accurately with the 9 than the .40

I'm not concerned about 9mm stopping power v. .40 stopping power. If I have to defend myself, I don't think the bad guy will care what he's getting hit with, and all I care is that he's getting hit and stops his attack. Besides, if I want to throw bigger bullets out there I have a S&W M&P in .45...

I've read a lot here and it seems the .40 is the preferred caliber in the XDm. Did I make a mistake going for the 9, or should I have gone with the .40?

I get to bring it home on Monday, I plan to shoot the snot out of it next week, then get it ready to take a trip to Arizona in a couple of weeks (a very gun-friendly vacation destination!) I hope I can find a suitable holster for it before March 14th.

I've been without an XD of any kind for quite awhile; it feels good to have one again...I think next will be a tactical .45...or an XDm in .40...or....???

[JonXD]

Alot of people have been in the same boat as you. Me as well, I am still trying to save for mine. I keep going back and forth on the 9 and 40. You can get the 40 and buy a conversion barrel and shoot the 9 in your 40. So I guess the 40 is an all around good deal. However you need to chip in a couple hundred for the barrel I believe. I truly want the 40 but the 9 is much cheaper and I hope I don't get buyers remorse!

[chg211]

I have a .40 and have also shot my buddys 9mm. I think they are both great pistols. Some guys prefer the 9mm because of a little less recoil -- espically when shooting double & triple taps. I don't feel that in the XDm the muzzle flip is to bad but it is definetly more noticeable on my subcompact 40. I have a solid guide rod and a viridian laser mounted on my XDm so it did reduce the flip. I don't think you made a mistake with the 9mm. One of the main reasons I purchased the 40 was because I have two other 40's & I reload. Good luck with your new pistol & have fun shooting.

[mp3mogul]

I shot both... I liked them both, but I favored the 9mm, and I converted to just two calibers for myself, and .40 wasn't one of them... nothing wrong with the 9mm... it's superbly accurate and the xdm is a wonderful handgun.

[Old Stumps]

I already had two .40s so the move to the XDm .40 was a given. You have a .45 though so I like the bracketing you get - more rounds in the 9mm and more energy in the .45 and a choice to shoot either. I'd keep it or you might wind up getting rid of the .45 too and center on .40.

[oillogger]

I got the .40 to be sure I had a big enough caliper for self defense. If you want to play around a lot then also get a .22. The .22 rounds are dirt cheap compared to the .40 and the 9mm so you can do a lot of playing without much investment in ammo.

[rclose]

Originally Posted by mp3mogul

I shot both... I liked them both, but I favored the 9mm, and I converted to just two calibers for myself, and .40 wasn't one of them... nothing wrong with the 9mm... it's superbly accurate and the xdm is a wonderful handgun.

I'm with mp3mogul - I've standardized on two pistol calibers, and .40 isn't one of them. Good shooting buddy has the .40 (I have the 9) and they both shoot well. I just didn't want to add .40 to my list of calibers. Plus, I reload, and don't want to have to buy another set of dies

[Zombie Hunter]

I have the XD45 so I was looking for a 9mm to compete with cheaply. I love my XDM9, however since hearing about the 9mm conversion for the 40 I think that would be the way to go.

[rjss]

For me personally, I don't see a need for a .40 at all. 9mm is great because its cheap, smooth to shoot, and is enough power for self defense. If I want something bigger I go with the .45 because its about the same price as .40, shoots easier, and has superior stopping power. There is nothing wrong with the .40 round itself, but its the solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

[klwheat]

Got to agree with most of the above. If you really NEED a bigger round...you already have a .45 right? The 9mm will be cheaper to shoot...ie you get to shoot MORE!
Besides, in the balistics tests regarding "stopping power" differences between 9mm and .40....the differences are minimal! (and you get 20 rounds to put the BG down!)
Just my $0.02