I'm buying my handgun next week and I've settled on the XD in 45acp. The local gun store has a compact with the 4" barrel and a tactical with the 5" How much power/accuracy will I be giving up if I go with the 4"? I'll be using it as a truck gun when I'm on the road and as a side arm for home defense and hunting. They also have a tactical with the stainless steel slide, are there any advantages other that aesthetics that I would get with that?
I have the 4" service and have no problem with it. With a shorter barrel you give up accuracy, but not enough to matter at the ranges you will use your weapon for self defense. The normal ranges for self defense engagements are between 7-25 feet. As far as fps loss at those ranges it won't make a difference, they still will be dead. Just pick your ammo with at least a 1000-1075 fps rating in a good HP round and you will be good to go. I use factory loads of Hornady TAP 200gr or 230gr. Or hand loads with 185gr. Hornady JHP-XTP backed by 10.3 grs. Power Pistol. Either way the results are the same one shot and it all she wrote for the bad guy. Just check your local CCW laws before you carry hand loads. So the answer is a 4" is easier to conceal than the 5" and the loss of 1" of barrel length won't make a difference at a normal encounter range.
I'm 5"7 and 145 pounds and carry a tactical 5" .40 XD and no one notices. Either the 4 or 5, it would really not make a difference...plus, with the out of the box accuracy of the XD, it wouldn't matter. I carry everyday, concealed.
I have the 4" service and have no problem with it. With a shorter barrel you give up accuracy, but not enough to matter at the ranges you will use your weapon for self defense. The normal ranges for self defense engagements are between 7-25 feet. As far as fps loss at those ranges it won't make a difference, they still will be dead. Just pick your ammo with at least a 1000-1075 fps rating in a good HP round and you will be good to go. I use factory loads of Hornady TAP 200gr or 230gr. Or hand loads with 185gr. Hornady JHP-XTP backed by 10.3 grs. Power Pistol. Either way the results are the same one shot and it all she wrote for the bad guy. Just check your local CCW laws before you carry hand loads. So the answer is a 4" is easier to conceal than the 5" and the loss of 1" of barrel length won't make a difference at a normal encounter range.
+1 Accuracy (or more specifically, elevation changes and range estimation) or stopping power within close contact distances anywhere from 2-20 meters will not be affected significantly by barrel length. I also agree that a load like the Hornady TAP 230gr CQ +P JHP rounds are an excellent choice for a carry load. In firing behavior, they snap a little more than a practice WWB round, but are on par with say a Federal Hydrashok.
The main benefit to a 5" barrel is the sight radius which may help your sight picture. But for comparison I use the 4" XD-45 Service and I have no problems putting all 14 rounds into a 3" circle at 7 meters within 6 seconds with the TAP CQ rounds.
Slide finish is really aesthetics since the black slides are all a melonite finish which is very durable.
When I bought my SW1911PD, I went with the Commander model and he barrel is 4.25? Accuracy couldn't be any better. I'd add, if I ever move to a state that allows/has CCW, or if Illinois ever votes it in (yea, right), then Ive already got my carry gun. A 5 inch is a little on the big side, but will work. Just something else to think about.
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
4" and compact (if they don't want a lot extra for the compact).
When you are old enough to carry, you'll like it!
You lose very little accuracy with a shorter barrel. It's the velocity you lose more. And as has been said, unless you're shooting at 50 yds,
you won't notice.
__________________ Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
go with the 5 in although i am biased i pretty much bought my truck be cause of a xd .45 5" the darn thing was haunting me night in day while i was in iraq i knew it was meant to be so i purchased it second day of r&R and i am 5' 10" 215 lbs and hide it easily enough
I have the XD 45 4" and it shoots like a dream and never had any trouble with mixed loads. Have shot 23 gr hardball, reloads 230 gr RN cast Lead, 200 gr SWC lead and 180 gr Hornady HP-XTP. All in the same magazine never missed a lick kept on ticken!
Okay, I should be getting it Saterday, need to wait for dad to get time off from work so he can buy it for me (I'm 18 not 21). I was looking at the custom options from SA. If I get some extra money I might get a combat trigger job done and mabye a match barrel. What do yall think? What would I get with the Stainless guide rod? Which of the night sights would be best? Thanks guys.
As a defense gun you really won't notice much of a difference in accuracy. If you are target shooting or match shooting I'd say 5" all the way but for defense it's a toss up. Rent one of each, shoot a few boxes and decide based on how they feel.
You can not go wrong with either one. I am 6' 1" 275lbs and can damn near hide any handgun short of a 8" bbl 44 Mag. I like the 4" barrel because when you reach over your head or bend over at the waist your shit always seems to ride up. Here in Az showing your weapon is grounds for having your CCW revoked. Just make sure you check you local CCW laws to be sure. Hope you have fun with your new XD. Keep us informed.
