XDS differences (3.3" vs 4.0") (9mm vs .45)

[zippyd8]

I am a new CCW holder and I wanted to know the pros and cons between the XDS models, like the 3.3" vs the 4.0" barrel, and the difference between 9mm and .45. Here is what I have determined so far:

3.3" barrel vs 4.0" barrel

3.3" - Shorter, lighter, and (I assume) more comfortable to wear & more concealable

4.0" - More accurate (farther distance between front and rear sights), more weight in the front means less recoil & faster follow up shots?


9mm vs .45

9mm - Holds 2 more rounds, faster follow-up shots due to less recoil

.45 - More stopping power




Are there any differences I am overlooking? Which would you experienced carriers prefer and why?

And I already determined I like the XDS so it's just a matter of which model I get. I like the feel, it has an ambidextrous mag release (I'm a lefty), already own a XD .45 tactical, blah blah blah. So please no "none of the above" answers from the XD haters

[kel-tec-innovations]

3.3 is perfect, 4.0 isn't necessary. The extra length won't make much difference in stopping someone but does make conceal more of a pain depending how you plan to carry. Ie pocket carry. Its a SELF-Defense gun not a target gun. 99% of all attack are within 5 feet distance. To make a shot more than 50 feet is not likely. Its not a Hollywood movie. Its self defense, not be a hero and hunt down shooter and engage them far far away and expect to not hit any bystanders. So remember self defense and majority of attacks 5 feet away.

I personally carry the XDS .45 3.3 Its a pocket canon the smallest .45 in its class able pocket carry if I want. Getting a 9mm in a XDS .45 size seems pointless. If I go 9mm it wouldn't be an XDS. Capacity isn't a concern for me. 6 rounds is plenty and reloading is very fast with a 7 round magazine, if you're worried carry two 7 round magazines a total of 20 rounds.

In reality at MOST you might be confronted by 6 bad guys. When you fire a shot or take one guy down the rest will scatter like cowards. Watch all the surveillance video all you want of robberies or attacks, those cowards always scram when they confront resistance. A gun battle is Hollywood mentality. Remember they are low life, cowards preying on victims not a fighter.

Maybe you might run into a guy hyped up on drugs, well shoot him till he drops. There's no magic bullet especially those on drugs. You can hit them with several 12 gauge buck shot and there's no guarantee especially if their on bath salt.

If you want to carry lots of bullets unless you are an assassin, or protecting someone from being assassinated you really don't need all those bullets. Or you have a target painted on your head by gang members/Mafia then maybe you should carry something with heavy fire power. Otherwise all the talk about having to carry tons of ammo on you for a extended gun battle with many bad guys is fantasy.

For 9mm which I mentioned wouldn't be in XDS because of its size, I rather carry a 9mm PM9, Sig P938, or Shield. But since you're a lefty with the ambi mag release XDS 9mm might be right for you.

If you have a range that can rent you a 9mm XDS and 45 XDS that would be best.

[KrisDSA]

I have both 3.3 and 4.0 waiting for pick up back home. Shot both and like the 3.3 better. Also have 9mm and 45ACP. Carry 9mm 99 of the time. Only carry 45ACP when i feel May need it.

[NiteQwill]

I have both in 3.3 (both with a PRP spring kit & Trijicon HD sights). Absolutely love the 45. Probably the best pocket sized 45 IMHO. But in reality, I carry the Shield 99% of the time.

[ConcealedKalifornia]

Tagging for more info. Im in the same boat as you man. I love the XD and i have decided on the 3.3 so now im just figuring out which caliber...

At the moment this will be my only handgun so im deciding on the 9mm (Mostly because cheaper to train with. or the 45 for the above reasons....

...my brain hurts....

[williamcm]

I own the 9mm and by budddy owns the .45, both 3.3 inch.

Having shot both side by side, they feel relatively the same. My buddy ended up getting the pinkey extension mag floor plate for better reliability, but I had no problems.

Was impressed at the similar recoils from both calibers.



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[theneko]

Zippy- I am sort of opposite from Kel-Tec...
I have both calibers in 3.3 as well as a 4.0 in 9mm.
I carry the 3.3 in 45 the most because its the only one on my permit, and I dont feel undergunned. However I prefer the capacity and recoil of the 9mm since I dont want to plan on having fast reloads. I dont like the extended mags on either gun so I go with flush mags + a pinky extension. I plan to shoot the 4.0 much more and see if I want to put that on my permit - to me the extra barrel is easy to hide and does help with sighting and recoil. So that may end up in the carry rotation.

PM me if you are in NorCal and want to try out my XDS's.

[zippyd8]

Can I just buy ALL of them? I wonder if my wife would kill me lol.

I feel it's true when you say real-life encounters are usually solved quickly with a few shots at a very close distance. I'll just need to hit the range more often to practice with the .45 and make sure those fewer rounds count.

Theneko - Unfortunately I am in SoCal otherwise I would be down to try them out. Thanks for the offer. I'll see if the local range has the different XDS models to rent and try them out.

This is all great input. It sounds like there are others making the same decision so hopefully this thread helps.

[Marktallica]

Keep in mind the law states very strictly that you absolutely may not open fire if you can retreat instead. If you're opening fire on a target far enough away that you'll need the extra accuracy of the 4.0, you'll probably have a REALLY hard time convincing a jury that you didn't have time to escape or hide. I'd go with the 3.3.

Another thing to think about is that many types of .45 JHP have trouble getting the velocity necessary to achieve full expansion upon impact from a subcompact gun, so you may have to be very selective about which brand you buy. There was a very good thread on this a few weeks ago that you might try searching for (something like ".45 for concealed carry" ) .

[Shenaniguns]

Keep in mind the law states very strictly that you absolutely may not open fire if you can retreat instead. If you're opening fire on a target far enough away that you'll need the extra accuracy of the 4.0, you'll probably have a REALLY hard time convincing a jury that you didn't have time to escape or hide. I'd go with the 3.3.

Another thing to think about is that many types of .45 JHP have trouble getting the velocity necessary to achieve full expansion upon impact from a subcompact gun, so you may have to be very selective about which brand you buy. There was a very good thread on this a few weeks ago that you might try searching for (something like ".45 for concealed carry" ) .

Where does the state law say that? http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/ag...df/cfl2013.pdf

[SLu]

My buddy ended up getting the pinkey extension mag floor plate for better reliability, but I had no problems.

What reliability issues did he experience without the pinkie extension?

[Steve_In_29]

Personally I don't care for the XD's but bigger bullets are better

[Marktallica]

I stand corrected, you are not required to retreat, but given this state's unfriendliness toward guns, do you want to explain to a LEO or a jury why you were firing at someone in public 50 yards away rather than running the opposite direction? The point is, as someone else stated, 99.9999x10^n percent of the time, you'll be defending yourself at a distance at which an extra .7 inches doesn't provide a significant advantage.

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[Shenaniguns]

I stand corrected, you are not required to retreat, but given this state's unfriendliness toward guns, do you want to explain to a LEO or a jury why you were firing at someone in public 50 yards away rather than running the opposite direction? The point is, as someone else stated, 99.9999x10^n percent of the time, you'll be defending yourself at a distance at which an extra .7 inches doesn't provide a significant advantage.

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Given the laws posted and training I've taken from reputable CCW trainers, our self defense laws are better than you think. I'm not going to get into the what if game, but there's plenty of active shooter type incidents lately to illustrate the importance of shooting at extended ranges. With a pregnant wife and a 3 year old, you can't tell me that my only option is to run away. 50 yards with my Glock 19 is not that far and I've effectively shot beyond that. Is it ideal? No, but I refuse to lay down and not defend my family regardless of the distance from an imminent threat of great bodily harm of my family. Ymmv.

[Stryprod]

The smaller and lighter the gun, the more comfortable it is, and the more often you carry it. Only upside to a 4.0 is a marginal increase in accuracy, accuracy you will never notice in the most common scenario that you'd need to use your CCW. Go with the 3.3 for sure.

Caliber is preference but I prefer 9mm for my XDs. Cheaper, more rounds, and slightly less recoil.