Was wondering about that, too, but everything I've seen so far says the recoil is very manageable.

Actually I was highly surprised with how tame it was! I expected it to be pretty snappy as well being a 45 in a small package, but it really wasn't.
Like I said I want one so bad now.

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like my wallet will get a tad lighter soon.

You won't regret it!

I have one for sale in the Classifieds with everything you need.

Thanks, but that's a 9. I'm talking about the new XDs, a .45.

I have the XDm in .45. 4.5 inch barrel, match grade. Equipped with Veridian laser/light combo. Sweet weapon. Have shot around 500 rounds through it in the few months I have had it. No FTL, FTF or FTE with any any ammo I have chosen. Extremely accurate. This is my home defense gun as it is too big for concealed. My son has the XDm in.40 and 3.5 inch barrel and shoots just as well. I have not personally had the opportunity to shoot the XDs, but have heard similar reviews.

Good to hear. I'm also hearing the XDs is significantly different from the XDm line, so the usual early adaptor concerns apply... but I'm willing to take the plunge on this one. Just waiting for the phone call...

Let us know how it turns out.......

I have an xd40. Had it for almost 7 years. No failures ever. Shot anything and everything. Also found out that if you in a jam. xd9 mags will work for 40 or 357sig.

i carry one of the first XD45's on duty, and have never had a problem with it. Only ammo it doesnt like is the Aguila flying trash can (90 gr) hollowpoint that i've not seen anything but a 1917, Blackhawk, or S&W 25 (revolvers) shoot reliably. Have another as backup, and have the 3.8" XDM as well. First rounds out of the 3.8 were great, and i proceeded to ring the gong at 50 yards with it 10 out of 10! But the extra four rounds are comforting, and to me there was not quite enough "thinness" to justify going to the XDS instead of the XDM.

I used to have a XD tactical in 9mm. It was a solid gun and felt very comfortable. It wasn't the most consistent gun that I've every shot; it would still group within the 9 and 10 rings on the silhouette, but my 1911 would stack 'em up much tighter. I did a comparison with that gun along with a RIA 1911, a Glock 17, a Ruger P90 and P89. The XD was reliable all the way through and I got about 6" or 8" group at 30 ft. (I have specifics, but I don't have my books in front of me to give the precise measurement taken.) The p90 and the 1911 would group tighter so I wound up going back to my 1911 as a primary carry pistol. If I remember correctly, the G17 was close to the XD but the XD came out on top. As much as it pains me to say anything bad about a Ruger product, the P89 came in last. Its reliable and I still like the P series, but it wasn't as accurate or consistent as the others.

For personal defense, the XD would deliver, not doubt about that, I just strive for the highest level of accuracy and consistency possible; for me that means the 1911.

I hear what you're saying, but for me, pure accuracy in a carry gun is fourth on the list. Why? On a scale of probability, any actual use of a carry weapon by me is most likely to occur at close range. As that range increases, the less likely I am to either have to -- or choose to -- employ deadly force. Any of the guns you mentioned would provide more than acceptable accuracy for the distances at which most legitimate self defense shootings occur. Notice I said "legitimate." As range increases, so may your potential legal difficulties in the aftermath of a shooting. To each their own philosophy, but for me, use of deadly force will always remain the option of last resort.

As a result, the three MOST important factors for me in a carry gun are:

1. Reliability. If the damn thing doesn't work when it absolutely, positively has to, who cares if it's a tack driver?
2. Stopping power. This will be debated until hell freezes over, but all things considered, I'll take the one that makes the biggest hole going in, with the added beneficial effect of using street-proven SD ammo. There are times when I'll carry smaller calibers when I have to, but given a choice, I'll take a .45 or .40 whenever possible.
3. Concealability. Some of us have a harder time concealing than others due to body type, wardrobe, etc. This translates into a smaller-is-better, lighter-is-better requirement.

Going small often conflicts with factor number two, stopping power, and there are always additional tradoffs in choosing carry weapons. That's why I find the concept of the XDs so appealing and why I'm going to get one. It just might strike an optimal balance for me.

By all accounts, the new XDs .45 is quite accurate. The main tradoff is capacity. Minimal acceptable magazine capacity is something each of us must decide for ourselves. Given my conservative lifestyle (apart from pursuing large, hairy animals), I'm comfortable carrying 5+1, with the 7-round mag in reserve. If I haven't solved the immediate problem with that firepower, I'd best be getting the hell out of Dodge anyway.

YMMV, of course. These are simply my personal priorities.

I agree 100%. Accuracy should be fourth behind the other factors that you had mentioned. I will not hesitate to bench a pistol that is unreliable and will probably only shoot it at the range. If I remember correctly, my CCL instructor said that most instances of using a CC pistol for it's purpose happen within 5 yards or closer, so a malfunction is not desirable.

I would have chosen the XD in .45 myself, but my uncle bought it in 9mm and gave it to me, so I didn't argue one bit. Like you, I've never been hung up on high capacity craze, my 7+1 1911 has always felt good to me. It may be cool for some to say that they have a Glock 17 with 18 total rounds ready to go (and I was one of them), but like you said, most gunfights are either over way before that many rounds are fired or elevated to the point of bailing.

Just a little tid bit on caliber. I have a very good friend who is an ex-cop and he swears that due to colateral damage that may occur and the fact that your name is on that bullet until it stops, that his .22 auto pistol is his favorite CC pistol. His arguement makes sense, being that no critic of the idea would agree to stand and get shot with it. Just a little something that I've been thinking about.

Misses and pass-through are always a concern, but I would never allow that concern to limit me to a .22! There are things you can do to minimize collateral damage. The first is training. Know when to shoot, and how to hit what you're trying to hit. Second, choose your SD ammo carefully. Self defense ammo has greatly improved in recent years. Most ammo used by LE and knowledgeable civilians is stuff that penetrates sufficiently to do the job, but still expands impressively and very rapidly. Win Ranger Talon is a great example, as is Federal HST. Both are marketed as LE ammo, but civilians can buy HST readily online.

At present, I'm with you. I don't criticize him to heavily though, I still wouldn't want to get hit with a .22, and he's very confident so I let him be. I still feel better with a bigger hunk of lead at the ready. Totally agree, training is so critical. I can't stand the folks that MIGHT take their CC pistol to the range every few months. I try to go as often as I can and train for what I may find myself doing in a SD situation.

good guns for the price. I've got a xd 9mm sub and i love it

I love my XDs! Very easy to carry in a CrossBreed MiniTuck! Carry with 5 round mag and 7 round as extra. I can actually pocket carry the thing in my cargo shorts very easily! Has taken the place of my Ruger LCP in the pants it will fit in. I've been carrying the XDs as my primary and LCP for my BUG. But I don't feel outgunned with it alone with an extra mag though. My only compliant is with some heavy Winchester PDX1 230 grain loads it's more than a handful! LOL! Call me a wuss, but getting slapped in the trigger finger under recoil with that load is no fun. It doesn't hurt it's just annoying. I carry PDX1's in all my handguns from .380, 9mm, .38-.357, and .45 ACP and Colt. So I went with some 185 grain Hornady Critical Defense and it shoots like "butta!"

Thanks, that's good info.

the Springfield Xd's and XDMs get my vote for the best handguns on the market. But thats just my opinion. I have the XDM 40 and the XD subcompact 9. Both are extremely reliable. I have shot just about everything i can find in mine with no problems. Even reloads with lead cast bullets. So far in thousands of rounds fired. Not one misfire or jam in either of them.

In fact i know 4 different officers who once they shot my xd's...they sold their glocks and got themselves and xd instead.

I've never been a Glock fan. There's just something about them... On the other hand, the gun that sleeps where I sleep is the H&K P2000, so I'm not totally against polymer pistols. I'm sure a lot of the XD models are fine guns, but I'm really looking forward the checking out the new XDS. From what I understand, there are some differences (some say improvements) over the rest of the XD line. Will be interesting to find out.

I'm gonna veer slightly since the glock came up. I've been thinking about either getting another XD or a Glock since I get the discount on them at a LE dealer based on my military service. I've heard lately that there is an increasing population of those less interested in glock. It's been awhile since I've personally owned one and I didn't have any major problems with it that I can recall. Is there some things different or substandard in the new model glocks? just curious. Also, the XD that I had was the first model, I've never fired the XDM, the main difference that I noticed is that the newer one came with different grip options that I wouldn't need because the stock model feels right to me. Anything else that anyone can comment on? I could probably pull up the specs, but I'd rather hear from field experience that specs on a mfg. website.

Thanks,

I'm a big XD fan. My go to gun is a 9mm 5in tactical model. I had a subcompact XD 40 as my carry, but got the 1911 bug and sold it. I wish I had never done that.

I haven't personally shot the XDm, but now that they have the compact model, its time to go shopping. The main advantage the XDm has over the standard XD is that the (m) stands for "match grade". The XDm's all have match grade barrels.

Anyone interested... Mother-in-law is at B&S guns in Garland right now. She called to tell me they have the XDs in stock starting at $569 +tax.

i have the .40 compact and it is a great gun... have fired around 600 rounds with not a single failure.