The XD - .40 vs. 9mm

[Requiem]

So I'm hoping to buy a Springfield XD. It seems to be reliable and efficient from all the hubbub I've heard. I know I'd like one with a 4" barrel and OD Green frame. However, I want to think about which caliber I'd want this fine piece to be chambered in: .40 S&W or 9x19mm. I'm trying to factor in price of ammo BIG TIME especially since my girlfriend requested I do so.

What would you guys recommend? The pros/cons I can think of are:

.40S&W
more stopping power
more recoil for a new handgun shooter
more expensive

9x19mm
less stopping power
less recoil for a new handgun shooter
less expensive

Or should I just get a Walther P22 and learn how to shoot with that since I've only shot a handgun once and it was my brother's 1911 Kimber .45 (I don't remember how I felt so I can't compare)?

[MILLITIAof1]

So I'm hoping to buy a Springfield XD. It seems to be reliable and efficient from all the hubbub I've heard. I know I'd like one with a 4" barrel and OD Green frame. However, I want to think about which caliber I'd want this fine piece to be chambered in: .40 S&W or 9x19mm. I'm trying to factor in price of ammo BIG TIME especially since my girlfriend requested I do so.

What would you guys recommend? The pros/cons I can think of are:

.40S&W
more stopping power
more recoil for a new handgun shooter
more expensive

9x19mm
less stopping power
less recoil for a new handgun shooter
less expensive

Or should I just get a Walther P22 and learn how to shoot with that since I've only shot a handgun once and it was my brother's 1911 Kimber .45 (I don't remember how I felt so I can't compare)?

I wanna roll up a news paper and swat you with it while I yell "bad!"

[MILLITIAof1]

buy the 40 and start saving for the 9

[The SoCal Gunner]

Buy the .40s&w and add 9mm conversion barrel.

[Ishoot]

What's the main purpose of the firearm? Home defense, concealed carry, range plinker...? I have both and you can't go wrong with either. But since price is an issue, I would recommend trying both out at a range and seeing which one you are more comfortable with. That way at least you can make a more educated decision.

[sd_shooter]

I own the XD 40 4" and I just shot someone else's XD 9mm 4" last weekend - I would be hard pressed to tell the difference. Either one will give you about the same "stopping power" (ie. not much since they are small caliber hand guns.) Ammo price may not seem like a big deal to you right now but believe me it is - $9/box vs. $13/box adds up! (Walmart prices) These days I shoot gun show reloads and the price is about the same as 9mm. The only thing I might change is to get the 5" model instead of the 4" since I don't plan on carrying it.

If I were shopping for a 9mm today I'd probably go for a steel frame like the CZ 75B or a SIG, but if you want a polymer gun the XD is great.

This very question gets discussed all the time, so do a search on "XD40" and you'll get lots of results. Also poke around in http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ and try to rent the gun before you take the leap.

BTW, you should also get a .22 no matter what because it's cheap and fun to shoot. Get the P22 for your girlfriend and get yourself something else, eg. a Ruger Mk II/III, a Single Six, a Browning Buckmark...

[Requiem]

Militia.... you're of no help. please go away


The main purpose... well I'd want to use it for both home defense and a fun target practice pistol. No concealed carry, at least not while I live here in CA.

"Buy the .40s&w and add 9mm conversion barrel. "
why would I do this? why wouldnt i just buy the 9mm?

[Mr. Meeseeks]

IMHO, it won't make too much difference to a new shooter, as long as you have someone to help teach you how to avoid bad shooting habits, I learned how to shoot hand guns w/ .45 acp.

Get the caliber that you really want w/ proper practice you'll learn to master it.

Personally, over time I've come to favor 9mm, for both price and recoil which = longer range sessions. However, I do still have larger calibers if the dreaded worse case scenario were ever to arrive.

[Jack Straw from Wichita]

Buy the .40s&w and add 9mm conversion barrel.

+1. That's what I did. Two guns for a little more than the price of one.

[Cyclepath]

I had both. First the .40 and then the 9mm XD. I sold the .40 for the 9mm since I was consider doing IDPA, USPSA Production and wanted something with less recoil. Also that means lot's of practice so ammo price is going to add up - factory or your own reloads. .40 has good stopping power but I also have a couple of .45s so that fills that void.

If you were going to get a .22, I like the Ruger Mark III or Browning Buckmark. Can't go wrong with each and very accurate and most of all you can shoot all day with a brick of .22s for under $20. If you were going to like the sport, eventually you will get something larger anyways. Good place to start to get all the fundamentals down.

[Gryff]

What would you guys recommend? The pros/cons I can think of are:

.40S&W
more stopping power
more recoil for a new handgun shooter
more expensive

9x19mm
less stopping power
less recoil for a new handgun shooter
less expensive

Or should I just get a Walther P22 and learn how to shoot with that since I've only shot a handgun once and it was my brother's 1911 Kimber .45 (I don't remember how I felt so I can't compare)?

.40S&W
more stopping power - about 10%
more recoil for a new handgun shooter - about 10-20%
more expensive - about 25%

I have a .40S&W gun for concealed carry, but I would buy the 9mm if I was going to have just one gun that I would take to the range frequently. Ammo is cheaper, recoil is slightly less, and there is some high-quality self-defense rounds for the 9mm these days.

[lioneaglegriffin]

Militia.... you're of no help. please go away


The main purpose... well I'd want to use it for both home defense and a fun target practice pistol. No concealed carry, at least not while I live here in CA.

"Buy the .40s&w and add 9mm conversion barrel. "
why would I do this? why wouldnt i just buy the 9mm?

when you put the 9mm in the .40 magazine your less likelt get in trouble becuz the gun says .40 on the side. IANAL

[Buddhabelly]

I think the .40 is a more "violent" shooting gun, as 1 guy at the range put it the other day... I recommend the 9mm, as it has less recoil, the ammo is cheaper, which you'll realize VERY QUICKLY as you start shooting a lot.

If you catch the bug, you'll most likely get 1 in every caliber anyway.

[MILLITIAof1]

What? Can't take a joke???

I have been buying ammo almost everyday, and 40 seems to be on the shelves WAY more often then 9mm.
A gun is no good if you cant get ammo for it.

Dont worry about the price, you will be reloading before you know it.

[Z ME FLY]

Get a 9mm. Cheaper on ammo so you can practice with it more. Yes you can buy the XD40 plus the 40-9 barrel but that just adds the cost even more. If you must buy a .22 please don't buy a P22. Too many stories I read about problems with the gun. Some people have luck but not a lot.