Springfield XD subcompact vs XDS 9mm

[mansysinatra]

!! Spoiler Alert: it's not about Glocks or other brands!!


Some of you may be considering these for CCW and know that the XDS is off roster, and therefore much more. This is a quick comparison for California CCW deciding between the XDS and XD SC in 9mm.

XD SC 9mm Specs

Height (flush/compact 10rd mag): 4.75"

Length: 6.25"

Width: 1.2"

Weight (unloaded): 26 oz


XDS 9mm Specs

Height (flush/compact 7rd mag): 4.4"

Height with extended 8rd mag: 4.75"

Height with extended 9rd mag: 5.25"

Length: 6.3"

Width: 0.9"

Weight (unloaded): 23 oz

Why Does It Matter?

California restricts us to 10 round magazines. The height of a standard 10 round magazine on the XD SC is 4.75"; compared to 5.5" for a standard size XD 9. With the height of the XD SC, I can fit all of my fingers when I grip with thumbs forward. Additionally, 1.2" width is shared across the standard size XD line, and it fills/fits my hand more easily. Simply put, it's a more comfortable grip and easier to control for me.

The XDS height of 4.4" leaves my pinky finger completely off and the ring finger just barely squeezes in...and this is for the standard 7 round magazine. The extended 8 round magazine increases to 5", which is 0.25" longer than the XD SC, and you're still losing 2 rounds. You can get a 9 round magazine, but then you're much closer to the full size height of 5.5", and height/grip length is very hard to conceal.

I think the overwhelming majority of people will have a more an easier time controlling the XD SC, for essentially 0.3" more width, if you carry the XDS with an extended 8 round mag.

Is a slight reduction in width, for the tradeoff of ease of grip/control, worth it several hundred more dollars?

If you want to carry more than the 7 round mag, is having the difficulty of having to conceal 0.25" (more than the XD SC) worth it?

Obviously it's up to you, but with the XDS so hard to find for Californians to test/compare, I think the XD SC is worth another look.

Sidenotes:

-XDS has fiber optic sights, which you may or may not like.
-grip pattern is deeper/greater on the XDS, but polymer still gets slick with sweat

[russ69]

I sold my subcompact. Not sure why I didn't like it but it only fit my hand with the extended mag and it's pretty heavy in the barrel/slide. Sorry if I get too far off of the subject but a nice slim single stack is a lot easier to carry. I use a S&W Shield EZ. It's a 380 and not on the roster but it's perfect for CCW. A full size 9mm is a big hunk of steel and plastic.

P.S. ...and in free states it's well under 400 dollars.

[BigPimping]

My boss got the compact out of a pawn shop here in South San Francisco. It came with two mags and was in the original case. He paid $300.

[690 Enduro R]

[RollingCode3]

The ony reason I dont carry XD or XDS because it is damn too heavy compare to other carry pistols. Almost 6 or 7 oz heavier.

[plumbum]

XDS 4.0 and we’ll talk...

[omega]

I prefer the XD9 SC 3"

the weight feels good in my hands and handles better , the grip is also compact and not too short, I use standard magazines, no extra extension, I like to keep it as compact as possible, it's a very nice shooter.

I tried at least a dozen different brands and types of ammo, with no malfunctions at all.

(steel cased Winchester Forged, Steel cased TULA, Fed Aluminum case, Fed Brass case, WWB, AGUILA 124 gr fmj , MAGTECH, S&B , Remington , standard fmj Reloads, SIG SAUER V-Crown JHP, Rem JHP, reload JHP, Rem MIL / LE Training ammo, WIN 124gr 9mm NATO , WIN Q loads 115 fmj, MAXX TECH, FEDERAL 147 gr FMJ, 115 gr Polymer coated , others)

[UPSMike]

For me I have an XDs and XD SC, I carry both depending on what I’m wearing and where I’m carrying. I carry the XDs IWB and the sub compact OWB. With either gun I make I am using a good quality gun belt. Bigfoot makes an excellent belt so that with either carry style the gun does not weigh down and cause the belt to sag. For me weight of the gun is not a factor. Both guns I use the Pearce magazine extensions, they make a world of difference and don’t cause the gun to print.
Just my 2cents worth

[Route5.56]

[waveslayer]

Personally I prefer either if its between both of those guns. I don't shoot my XDS's much. After a while the XDS 45 hurts. I'm not a fan of their grips. I do like the Sub XD.

Depends on how thick you want your CCW gun to be.

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[broadside]

I EDC an XD9SC. The XDS is too small for me.