Introducing the Springfield XD pistol (part 3)

Also, since I primarily OC, I wear my XD in a Blackhawk Serpa CQC holster. So CC really isn't an issue.

If you truly want to CC then it becomes more of a comfort issue. There are some nice compact 1911s, but you lose accuracy and ammo capacity.

I am looking to eventually get the XD-M in 9mm. It's got a good mid range size (4.5" barrel), easy to conceal and holds a whopping 19 rounds of 9mm.

There's a new model out in the XD, with a 5" Barrel and a compact 10 round grip. Also the 1911 has a Hi-Cap version, yet is definitely higher priced than the Compact Tactical 5" XD.

After some digging on their page I see what you're talking about. Seems rather silly to me. If you're going to get the big barrel, why have the compact frame. The idea of compact is to make it small.

I can CC with my .45 Tactical, but it's not always comfortable. The 1911 double stacks are just as bulky as the XD and heavier.

I think they did that because they figure if you have a deep enough conceal, with a compact hand grip, it'll conceal better regardless of barrel length, so you get the accuracy of a 5 inch barrel with a compact handgrip. So would you just recommend the 4" Service Model as a CC handgun?

Again it will depend on your comfort level. One issue I have with the full size Tactical is when wearing IWB in the small of my back while driving is like leaning against a large rock. It's ok for short distances, but long drives give me a back ache. I think out of the XD line, the best for CC would be the XD-M 9mm. They have a different shape to the slide and frame, and it looks like it might be more comfortable, but only trying them out will tell.

Damn that's unfortunate, there's only one gun shop in this city that has a range, and they require you to be a member to use it. Which is why I'm doing intensive research to figure out which one I'd prefer.

Well, there's only one way to find out which gun best suits you for CC, and that's to CC it for more than just an afternoon. We're not just looking at how well it shoots for you, but how it feels on your body. My S&W 6904 is more comfortable as a CC than my XD, but I don't use it as my daily carry, just when I really want to be discrete.