Buy XD(M) .40 - Full Size ?

[rpseraph]

Hey everyone,
There are about a million threads about XD(m) and buying handguns... but I am hoping for an opinion on a situation I am in.

I love guns. I have a couple shotguns, .22lr for rabbits/squirrels, and recently got into bolt guns for coyote hunting. I have several friends that have handguns that I have really enjoyed shooting and seem to have some proficiency with them... I also have been mulling over having a handgun for home protection.

Primary POUs:
- Home defense
- Plinking
- Possibly Conceal Carry in the future.

All of this and shooting various guns has pointed me towards an XD(m) 3.8 Compact in 9mm...

However, a buddy of mine wants to sell me his full size XD(m) in 40. $500 for the two tone, 4 total mags, customer holster, and all the original XD goodies.

So the question is... get the gun I wanted originally? Or get the full size 40, see if I love handguns, and then later either trade for something more concealable or buy a second gun. It's such a good deal, but not exactly what I wanted to start with...

Thanks!

 

[Nathan]

I would get it. Standard size guns can get you going in a caliber and platform. Then you get the compact later for CCW, if required.

 

[Lee6113]

That's a good deal. I'd grab it. Mags are at least $25 watch, so four extra is a $100 value without even considering holsters and stuff.

.40 isn't my preferred caliber but I could live with it, haha. Welcome to TFL, btw!

 

[B.O.F.H.]

No, just because I own the 3.8 9mm that you want. By far my favorite shooter, and I wonder if the raucous 40 cal will detract from that. Also, with full sized magazine in place, there is no way I can carry my 3.8.

Springfield is also giving away 3 free magazines with each new purchase until the end of the year. Finally, I paid $475 for my xdm bi tone maybe 2 months ago. Also picked up the additional promo mags from a trade someone had made at my local pawn shop for $35. Buy the gun that you want.

 

[Shotgun Slim]

I have a 3.8 in 40 and traded a 4.5 for the 5.25 as soon as it came out so I have experience with all sizes of XDm. My 3.8 is not a compact but it is my favorite gun. It for me is as close to a do all gun as there is. I carry it sometimes (those are the times I wish it was a compact),and shoot IDPA with it sometimes(it's a good choice for the new CCP class) and I love plinking with it because it shoots better than I do. If I had to ever end up with only one gun the 3.8 would be it. The aftermarket gives strong support to XDms so you can get trigger kits,really good sights,and other goodies to step up your performance so you may never miss not having a full size. Go with your gut and spring for the 9mm 3.8. If you feel you need a bigger gun down the road then snag a 5.25.

 

[rpseraph]

Thanks for the replies thus far...

My thought process on wanting the 3.8 Compact in 9 was that I can put in the full size mags for when I am at home or at the range, but if I want to CC then I can put in the flush mag. I wanted the 9mm because I shoot it well, and if you pick the right load you can have (in my opinion, no ammo wars please) plenty of stopping power!

But that $500 deal is such a good deal... maybe I should just buy both and forego feeding the kids, hahahha

 

[lee n. field]

However, a buddy of mine wants to sell me his full size XD(m) in 40. $500 for the two tone, 4 total mags, customer holster, and all the original XD goodies.

So the question is... get the gun I wanted originally? Or get the full size 40

Hmm. OK. Considerations:

1. "Custom holster" may or may not work for you.
2. Magazines are going to be $25-$30 each, and 4 is a better number to have than 2.
3. The original XD goodies are nothing to get excited about. Springfield actually sells an "Essentials" version of some of their guns, without that stuff.

is it a good price? I think so. XDM's run more than the original XD series.

Will it do what you want? Yes.

And a couple more considerations:

1. It would probably be better for you to start with a full size gun, rather than a compact.
2. A lot of folks in the "Interwebz gun enthusiast community" complain about .40, how it's hard to handle, "snappy", blah blah blah. The full size XD is big enough and heavy enough that that should not be a problem.