Posted: 8/29/2007 9:04:35 AM EDT
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Ok, so after 15 years of shooting 9mm pistols I bought my wife a XD sub-compact in 9mm and love it... So I am looking for a 45 for me. The XD sub-compact 9mm impressed me so I though I would go XD on the 45... I have looked over the various options and I would like to get opinions on the tactical version versus the standard, should I go for a 4 inch barrel or the 5 inch barrel. I am looking for this pistol for target/home defense etc. etc. I am not a LEO or Military. Opinions is what I am looking for. Thanks |
I have an XD45 Service and XD45 Tactical. If you are going to carry it concealed, go for the four inch. If not go for the five inch. The Tactical shoots softer than the service, has less recoil and muzzle blast. ZM |
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I have a XD45 Compact. I bought the 4" so I could have the CCW option. Add a 13 round mag and I've got myself a full sized gun. Having shot both, like most I couldn't tell the difference but I do value the compactness of the 4" barrel. That said, given your parameters of use, I'd opt for the 5" as you have no intention of carrying concealed. 
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+1
+1 I can definately tell a differnece in recoil between my XD45 Tactical and my friends XD45 Service. The muzzle blast is a little closer although the Service is a little bigger than the Tactical. Of course, YMMV! ETA: You can carry the XD45 Tactical, as long as you dress for it! I plan on carrying mine this Winter! 
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I would have to agree with you on that point. I have the 4". The only issue I have is with the grip size not the overall length. The grip will cause a "print" if I am not careful how iI move with it. I wish I would have gone for the compact. If it was not going to be carried I would definitley go with the tactical instead of service. |
If your carrying concealed using an inside the wasteband holster , that 1 inch difference can force you to wear your holster in an uncomfortable position. Of course this is very dependant on the height of the user. I CCW an XD45 4 " in a Crossbreed Supertuc Deluxe IWB holster. I honestly forget I even have it on . I drive,eat dinner,work on stuff,sit at theatres, take walks with the wife ETC. all day with mine. If the barrel was 1 inch longer I would have to alter the angle of the holster to drive a car comfortably and then change it again to comfortable walk/work with it on. For me the 4 inch barrel just barely bottoms out to the seat when driving ,with the holster in a comfortable spot. A 5inch barrel would force the holster up and be uncomfortable. A 5 inch IWB is also not very compatible with wooden restaurant chairs .You know ,the kind with wood rods for the backing ? If your not using an IWB holster ,then I don't think it would be much of a problem. If you prefer IWB like me,it's noticable. IMHO ,for IWB ,the 4 inch is perfect . |
i use an IWB with a 5" 1911 and have none of those issues. this is why everyone must make their own choices. |
i talked to efk about the 5" last year. they will custom make a TB for ther 5" as well for a slight bit more. |
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I have the 5" Tactical Compact and plan on carrying it. Question...Can you just buy a 4" upper slide assembly and drop it onto the lower frame? I can't see why not, but I'm sure that made it so you would have to buy two guns. I also have a 1911 Loaded Operator coming in, but I might want to start looking around for a real compact 45. Other calibers aren't an option. |
I agree. One of my CCW pistols is a XD 45 Compact with Trijicons, it would be more than enough for a HD gun, with a white light. I'm not sure what the possibility of getting a CCW in Illinois is. Whatever hoops are neccessary to jump through to obtain one, I would try. When I lived in California, I was able to "navigate" the bureaucracy and obtain one, so maybe its possible ??? An XD Compact could perform both duties. If I had to choose a dedicated HD gun, it would be a full size 45. |
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I have a selection of 45's, hk,1911 in all sizes,sig 220+245, para and the xd. When compairing the xd to the others, I find the only difference is the higher preceived center of the slide in the recoil stroke. It causes me to shoot high but I usually shoot the first round low anyway so no problem. Over all one of my best running guns for carry/plinking. The only thing I would change would be to add night sights. Currently I am having problems of deciding on a carry holster for ccw. my xd is a 4 inch standard size. Going with any xd is a good choice. |