Springfield EMP vs XDS 4.0

MaverickZ71 · January 7, 2015

Looking at both in 9mm for personal defense and occasional range use. I know the EMP costs roughly twice as much, but I like the idea of a small 1911. I have a friend with a subcompact original (double stack) XD in .40 and it shoots pretty good, but even though it is relatively short, he says it is so heavy when loaded with the extended mag that he doesn't carry it anymore. That's one of the reasons I'm thinking about a single stack and carrying an extra mag on my other side.

Around here, there are no gun ranges that will rent you a gun or let you try before you buy. You pretty much have to special order anything to get it, and then you are stuck with it if you don't like it.

I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone with experience with these pistols and what you thought about them. Thanks!

phwe9774 · February 6, 2015

"Personal defense" and "occasional range use" don't belong in the same sentence. Ever. If you're going to carry a weapon knowing there's even a slight possibility of using it against a human being around other "innocent" human beings, you must practice regularly.

Now that my rant is over: any time someone asks me which gun they should get, the first thing I want to know is which one is more comfortable in the hand. Personally, I love Glocks. I also know people that hate them because they aren't comfortable. The next thing I would suggest is to find both guns you're considering and actually fire them. You can hold a gun in a store all day and you still won't know what it feels like in your hands when you fire it. Then, this is almost an after thought for me, determine which one is more comfortable on your hip. Single stack are a lot lighter but now there are a ton of comfortable holsters that distribute the weight enough that it becomes less of a problem. I'm only 5'8" and 150 lbs but I have a holster that allows me to comfortably carry my G23 all day.

When it comes to pistols, it's all about how comfortably it fits in your hands in my opinion. After you find one that fits, practice as much as you can afford until that pistol becomes less of a pistol and more an extension of you.

8.1HD/ALLISON · February 7, 2015

As stated best bet is to try both out. See what you like best.

Imcrazy · February 7, 2015

I've shot a 3" Kimber Ultra Carry extensively in 45 acp, its a good shooter for it's size, carries great but, the 45 was stout in the small package so I went in a totally different direction and started carrying S&W M&P's for about a year in 9mm. Then I wanted to go back to a 1911 for edc but, I wanted a 4"ish barrel so I got a 4" 1911 kimber in 45 that had been my EDC until I picked up my XDS, I shoot it almost as well as my 1911's, it's light, cheap and if it gets stolen / put in evidence after a SD shooting etc, I won't be out $1200 for my Kimber. I do carry the Kimber and the my gov't size 1911 is still my main range gun but, I really like the cheaper polymer XD series guns for carry. Also unless you want to practice a lot I don't think the 1911 is good for carry, the manual of arms is slightly complex and IMO until you put 500 rounds down range you can't consider it reliable for self defense, especially a 3" gun as they do tend to have more issues than 4 and 5" guns

phwe9774 · February 7, 2015

Unless you want to practice a lot? If you're carrying a weapon everyday, you best practice a lot. I'd rather face a criminal with a gun that knows what he's doing than face a do gooder that doesn't have a clue be anywhere near me

BlackZ71Silverado · February 7, 2015

For daily carry, you are much better off with an XDS over any size 1911 style pistol. They cost too much to be banged around and abused like most EDC pistols. All of the pistols that I use as a CCW show more wear than my duty pistol. If you get a 1911, keep it in the safe for range use.

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phwe9774 · February 7, 2015

The 1911 was designed for the military and was carry by most of the military in WWII, it can take any beatings you throw at it and keep firing safely. The biggest problem with a 1911 for EDC is its size and weight. They are bulky and hard to conceal

Imcrazy · February 8, 2015

Unless you want to practice a lot? If you're carrying a weapon everyday, you best practice a lot. I'd rather face a criminal with a gun that knows what he's doing than face a do gooder that doesn't have a clue be anywhere near me

Let's be realistic, most people don't take enough training or practice enough and to add a gun with a complicated manual of arms to that equation is not going to help anything. I'm not suggesting that someone wouldn't 'have a clue' I'm saying unless you're willing to put several 1000 rounds down range a year a 1911 might not be the gun for you. Many people just can't get to the range that often or have the budget for that much ammo, getting a point and click gun like a glock, xd or m&p you'll be able to become proficient with less time and ammo.

phwe9774 · February 8, 2015

You want to be realistic? The only "point and click gun" is a shotgun. If you buy a gun and don't practice regularly, you're a liability to yourself and others. A gun owner that carries and doesn't practice only fuels the gun control fire.

Imcrazy · February 9, 2015

You want to be realistic? The only "point and click gun" is a shotgun. If you buy a gun and don't practice regularly, you're a liability to yourself and others. A gun owner that carries and doesn't practice only fuels the gun control fire.

Ugh,are you looking for an argument. Point and click is glock, M&P XD series etc.... I'm not saying that people shouldn't practice regularly but, you don't need to put 1000 rounds down range a month to be a safe shooter. I've been carrying for about 7 years, I've put over 10k rounds through just one of my 1911's I know a little bit about that which I am speaking about.

phwe9774 · February 9, 2015

I'm not looking for an argument. Conversation and maybe a little debate, sure, but not an argument.

For the last 6 years, I've had a job where I've carried a gun. I've unfortunately had to fire a weapon at something other than a piece of paper or an animal. I know what I'm talking about too. I've seen proficient, highly trained people lock up and I've people that pretty much just spent hours a day at the range do fine in bad situations. I understand that just going to the range isn't all the practice one should have for a combat/self defense type scenario, but there is something to be said for the blunt repetition and resulting muscle memory of squeezing of dozens, if not hundreds, of rounds at the range everyday. I also understand that most people don't have the time or money to do that. My problem comes from people getting hurt for dumb reasons then seeing someone say he wants a gun for personal defense and occasional range use.

Imcrazy · February 9, 2015

Occasional could be two times a month or two times a year, I agree people need to practice more than less but, for instance I don't practice with my EDC carry gun a lot but, I do run a 1911 a lot and I occasionally carry a 1911, I used to carry one every day but, prefer the XDS for it's small size. I would say my XDS gets occasional range use compared to my 1911's just because it's not as pleasant to shoot but, using my 1911's then picking up the XDS I'm certainly combat accurate with it and can't shoot the center out if I try. I'd like to get more involved in IDPA or something like that to gain some practice under stress.

TJay74 · March 23, 2015

I have carried for 10 years now, and though while I think I would be prepared as said you will never know as 99% of us will never be in a situation that will require us to make that decision.

I have carried a S&W MP40c, S&W MP9c, S&W Shield 40, Sig 4" ultra compact 1911 and just picked up a Sig P938 9mm. As said make sure to shoot and shoot frequently the gun you plan on using. There are similarities and differences in the poly/1911 guns. Nice thing about most poly guns is they are ready to go, some don't have safeties that need to be disengaged and some do. Neither of my S&W MP series have a true safety. As long as they are chambered it is a mere pull from holster, acquire sight picture and shoot.

When you get into 1911 guns you pay more attention to the carry conditions. I carry with one in the chamber, hammer cocked and safety on. Because of that you have to drill yourself in knowing that as you un-holster the weapon and begin to come up to find the sight picture that you also need to sweep the safety off as well.

So practice (safely) and become proficient with which ever gun you do decide to carry.