Springfield XD .40 vs 9mm
I won a springfield XD 0.40 at a DU event. This will be the first pistol I've owned, but not the first gun. I primarily do a lot of hunting with shotguns. I've done a little research, and it seems like I would be better off trading in the .40 for a 9mm. Anyone have any opinions?
My use, would be a little fun target shooting, and a little personal protection. I am planning to get a CCW, but don't see a need to carry most of the time. My primary reason to carry would be for times when I'm duck hunting alone in isolated or urban areas, and feel "exposed" when I'm alone at the boat launch ramp, very early in the morning. I may get a small safe to put the gun under the bed, in case of a break-in, but the chances of a break-in are very low where I currently live.
I'm leaning towards the 9mm due to cost of ammo, and less recoil. For target shooting, I'm also planning to get a .22 pistol, just for fun.
Thanks for any help
My use, would be a little fun target shooting, and a little personal protection. I am planning to get a CCW, but don't see a need to carry most of the time. My primary reason to carry would be for times when I'm duck hunting alone in isolated or urban areas, and feel "exposed" when I'm alone at the boat launch ramp, very early in the morning. I may get a small safe to put the gun under the bed, in case of a break-in, but the chances of a break-in are very low where I currently live.
I'm leaning towards the 9mm due to cost of ammo, and less recoil. For target shooting, I'm also planning to get a .22 pistol, just for fun.
Thanks for any help
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If you can trade straight up for a 9mm then go ahead as the 9mm ammo is a little cheaper.
As far as recoil, the difference is not all that great, you likely will not care or think about it after a few shooting sessions.
If it is going to cost an unreasonable amount ( in your opinion ) to trade, then stick with the 40.
The 40 has a better stopping power rating, and is a very accurate round in the xd in my experience.
I would keep the 40.
Bob0 -
I'd say 9mm has three advantages over 40SW:
a. Higher capacity,
b. Lower cost of ammo.
b. Lower recoil (ie more pleasant to shoot and higher rate of fire).
Only disadvantage of 9mm over 40SW is less power; shot for shot, the 40 is going to be a more effective round. 9mm ammo may (or may not) be more readily available for purchase depending on where you live.
That said, the premium 9mm+P ammo is fairly effective; 9mm is hardly a "peashooter". Being Devil's advocate, there could be situations where having more rounds on tap (capacity) plus the ability to get them out faster (lower recoil) could be beneficial.
In reality, 12 rounds of 40SW should be plenty for defense, and if you don't think its enough, I believe bigger mags are also available (or you can just carry a spare mag).
40SW has more recoil, but its not a huge amount more, and if you are a normal adult male with a full-sized gun, it shouldn't be a big deal at all. Experienced shooters can put out 40SW rounds pretty fast.
Lower cost of ammo is a factor, but its not THAT much cheaper, maybe a few bucks a box less for reasonable brass cased ammo. If you're willing to shoot the steel-cased 9mm then cost savings with 9mm can be considerable. (Say roughly $10 a box for steel cased 9mm luger, vs $13 a box for brass 9mm, vs $16 a box for brass .40SW).
How much this means to your wallet depends on how much you shoot.
If you're shooting infrequently, a few bucks more or less probably won't make or break you. But if your budget is tight, you're probably going to be able to get in more practice for the same amount of money with 9mm, and I'd argue that your skill with the gun (ie the amount of practice) is more important than caliber difference.
Edit:
If you know you are going to be getting a .22LR for practice shooting, and you'll be doing most of your shooting with that, that mostly eliminates the cost advantage of the 9mm. In that case, I'd say stick wit the .40SW.0 -
I have an XD40SC, and I find the pistol to be very user friendly, and easy to shoot accurately. It has more stopping power, so you don't need so many rounds as you would with a 9mm. Of course any more than one, means you need more practice.
The recoil over a 9 is not very noticeable, and very easily managed. Keep the .40, you won't regret it.[:)]0 -
The XD40's recoil is not bad at all, with felt recoil noticeably less than other .40 caliber handguns I've tried.
I'd keep it.0 -
The XD-40 is a great gun! I would never trade a .40 for ANY 9mm!! Keep the .40, and pay a little extra for ammo, or start reloading your own. Reloading is a calming activity. Welcome to the forums!! 0 -
I have an XD-40 and an XD-9. I love them both, but if I only could have one I would pick the .40. The felt recoil on the 4 inch model XD-40 vs the XD-9 is negligible.
Enjoy your new pistol.0 -
Don't have the XD, but I have the Kahr K9 and K40. Same size, same weight (pretty much). Maybe one more round in the 9mm. It has been a while since I shot the 40. I like the 9mm better. It is more accurate (in my hands) than the .40. the recoil is pretty much the same, but the Kahr is a heavy little gun. A friend of mine has the .40 right now, trying it out.
I just got a CZ75 P01, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PISTOL. It is so much more accurate. It is immensely lighter, little recoil, and holds not 6+1, but 14+1. I serioulsy could not believe how stinking accurate it is. the ammo in my part of the woods is pretty close. No shortages of either.
Now, it all depends on what you have, what you really like, and what you have confidence in. I had a cheap S&W .40 years ago. It shot GREAT!! Wish I would have kept it.0 -
Thanks for all the information. I think I'm going to call about trading in for the 9mm, but now won't be hesitant about keeping the 40. I'm going to check again with my local store, and confirm the pricing of the ammo, and may end up just keeping the .40. Since the only handguns I've shot have been .22, .357 mag and .44mags, I think I'm over thinking the recoil. I did shooting them in my late teens, so it's been a little while - over 20 years. 0 -
Get an XDM9. Ninetine rounds in the clip, one in the tube gives you 20. I have one in stainless. Easy to clean. Got mine when you could 2 more clips plus clip holder for free from Springfield in Dec of '08. Bought a second one as an investment and got another 2 clips free. Took one clip & put it with the investment (now 3 for the pistol) and keep the other for myself. I now have 5 clips total (one in the pistol, 4 in holders on my belt) for a total of 96 rounds of 9mm. Now here's some fire power! This gun is fun to shoot & never seems to run out of ammo when shooting. As for how good a 9mm vs. 40, stopping power to the 40, but any caliber well placed kills! Get more practice out of the 9mm (far cheaper ammo then the 40) so your shots can be one for one stopping with the 9. 0 -
lets put it this way. the FBI uses the 40 S&W for years. I own the xd 40 service model and this gun is one of the best pistols i have ever used. i am an MP for the air force and we carry the barreta 9mm and to be honest i really don't like the 9mm round. knockdown power is minimal and i don't have the confidence that one shout would actually do the job if I "god forbid" ever have to use it. The 40 S&W has the knockdown power and is a tiny bit heavier than the 9mm. Its a good balance of a round. As far as the xd goes the weapon is good. Just last week I put 300 rounds through it with out one jam or misfire. keep the 40 S&W you won't be disapointed 0
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