Decisions, decisions...Which XDM to choose?

[Hawk99TA]

Originally Posted by mdx

Ask yourself this ---which round is carried more by all the law enforcement in general and wonder why ?

Ok. Well I've heard that the 9mm is the most common caliber used around the world. I've also heard that a lot of law enforcement is switching to .40 S & W. Am I right? So what is the answer to the question that I'm asking myself? lol. (Note-I'm not being sarcastic, I want to know the correct answer.) Thanks to everyone for the info so far. Keep it coming.

[cjjames]

the 40 delivers a lot more punch, knockdown power. Plus the heavier bullet will go through auto glass easier. People can still run if they are hit with a 9mm, the 40 will have the force to put him on the ground, especially with a good HP.

I think that's why more LE agencies are starting to carry the 40.

[xdmnut]

yeah what he said ^^^^^^

[700xcr]

Originally Posted by mdx

Ask yourself this ---which round is carried more by all the law enforcement in general and wonder why ?

They keep changing calibers. In my area they went from 9mm then 40S&W and now they are carrying 45acp.
Military was using 45acp in earlier years then switched to 9mm and now talk about going back to the 45acp.

[Cuda66]

Originally Posted by cjjames

the 40 delivers a lot more punch, knockdown power. Plus the heavier bullet will go through auto glass easier. People can still run if they are hit with a 9mm, the 40 will have the force to put him on the ground, especially with a good HP.

I think that's why more LE agencies are starting to carry the 40.

Sorry, but this is simply too wrong on too many levels to not comment.

First off, "knockdown power" is a myth. No bullet--particularly a handgun bullet--has the capacity to knock a person down due to sheer force of impact. Remember--"for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"; that means that a round with the capability to knock down the person shot would also knock down the shooter due to recoil.

Doubt it? Shoot a bowling pin sometime. A .45 will knock it back about six inches with a solid hit; and a bowling pin only weighs 3.5 pounds...exactly how far do you think it will move a person weighing 50 times that?

Second--actually, the common LE caliber that currently holds the best performance through auto glass is the.357 sig.

And finally--while .40 is the most common LE caliber at this time, it is also the most commonly abandoned caliber; more agencies are switching from .40 to 9mm, .357sig, and .45 than are switching from those calibers to .40.

[stuz92]

Originally Posted by Hawk99TA

I really love everything about the XDM's. I've almost decided on the XDM SC 3.8 9mm, but want the trusted info of you XD users. lol. Again, I love all of the XDM's features, I've held/handled the gun...but never shot it. I've really only ever shot a S & W .22 pistol. I want a gun with the ability to carry, serve as home protection and good on the range as well. My main concern is about the caliber as to carry. I've heard people say "9mm is all you need." or "This gauge is the best to carry." Ammo cost is, as you know, always an issue, but I want something that'll take care of business with no trouble. lol. So, How is the recoil of each caliber(9mm, .40, .45) in the SC 3.8 versions? What are the pros and cons of each caliber as far as: 1.Carry 2.Home Protection 3. Target/Range shooting? Any info or suggestions are gladly excepted. Thanks.

I suggest you go with the XDM SC, in 9mm. This will cover your home protection and carry need. A good modern 9mm SD round will do the job for you , the lower cost of fmj will allow you to get the practice you'll need with the firearm. The 147 gr 9mm SD rounds are a good choice if you feel the need for a heavier round.

[oldog]

I'm going through the same decision making process. My question is accuracy difference between the 3.8 and 4.5 in the 9mm? Has anyone compared them?

[TheXDude]

Originally Posted by oldog

I'm going through the same decision making process. My question is accuracy difference between the 3.8 and 4.5 in the 9mm? Has anyone compared them?

Depends on the person shooting it. Either is more accurate than you or I.

[oldog]

I would respect the opinion of a proffessional shooter who does firearm evaluations.

[prof_fate]

Originally Posted by mdx

Ask yourself this ---which round is carried more by all the law enforcement in general and wonder why ?

The why may have no logic in it at all. The military moved from 45 to 9mm. Why? 9 is more effective then, according to your logic. But then the miliary shoots FMJ 'ball' ammo, not HP.

The FBI in 86 had a shootout that left them wanting a more effective handgun round. The 10mm was developed, but many, especially women, found it punishing to shoot, so the 40 was developed as the 'solution' to the 'problem'. They wanted penetration through glass, cars, etc. The 357 mag would do it and offer a 38 as a lighter load option but they wanted more ammo to be available and double stack autos offered this.

What should YOU carry? If you're opting for a tiny auto, one of the ones that hold 6 or so rounds just get a 357 snubbie and you'll be better off. If the 'gun that you have is better than the one at home' then go for the lightest smallest option and ignore stopping power completely - a 22mag or 380 perhaps. Or a 'double tap' may be perfect for you.

What YOU should carry depends on what important to YOU. If you hit the perp in the right place with any of the self defense/home defense ammo in 9mm and up you'll be just fine. There is a small chance you'll have a 300 lb lineman whacked on PCP - then you best have a rifle handy as no handgun will do you much good.

Is accuracy all that anyway? Or is being close important and likely? If you're close than you'll hit the bad guy with most anything so might as well go big - get a judge or something. IMO a stupid weapon - too big to carry and what do you load it with? a little bit of everything so you /have/ to empty the gun into the perp? You gonna remember what's coming out next so you can aim/hold properly for it, or just 'spray and pray'? If that's the plan get a glock with a 30 round mag and have at it.

Join a club and get involved in the shooting sports - ppc, idpa, bullseye, steel, sass - anything. It gets you shooting.

Does this matter? I"ve been shooting PPC with my XDm9 5.25 since april, every wednesday night, plus some practice now and then. I got a SW 686 snubbie and on my 7th match beat my XDm score. With a SNUBBIE! Shooting DA no less. So yes, practice helps, shooting with a timer (as in competition) adds some stress, weekly/monthly scores enable you to track your progress, reloading under stress teaches you a few things too.

And it's a LOT more fun than going to the range and putting 50 holes in a paper plate at 10 yards and going home again.