[Slawth]

Another vote for .45 I don't really understand the point of the .40 cal. round- but that's just me.

[KBlue]

Odds are you're going to end up buying both. get the .45 first. The XD .45 was my first gun. It's easy to maintain and it shoots like a dream. The only issue is it's too big for me to conceal carry in warmer months due to printing. I tried a friend's XD .40 sub compact and decided I needed one of my own. I love my XD subcompact. With the short mag it's fantastic for concealed carry year round. The recoil on the .40 takes some getting used to. Once you practice a few hundred rounds it's no big deal.

edit: good lord I just noticed how old the original post was made, haha. I wonder if that guy ever got his XD?

[cbw]

Having a EMP 40 I speak up for the 40 cal. Big step from the 9mm and easy to carry. Snappy thing, but once you get used to it, accurate and fun to shoot. I have no 45 cal experience.

[canebrake]

No suprise to anyone, .45 ACP.

Big and slow.

Higher speed only means you miss the target faster!

An off center-mass 45 hit will slow down a BG better than a 40 S&W T&T.

[dnthmn2004]

My current carry is a 40. I might change my mind when I get a nice 1911.

[BrianMc]

I just bought a xdm 40. I heard everyone saying how bad the recoil was on the 40 but after shooting it its not that bad to me. I shot my dads glock 17 and my xdm and to me the recoil difference wasnt that noticeable. I like my xdm much better as far as feel of the pistol went. As far as availability of ammo, its hard to find any pistol ammo of any caliber nowadays. I agree that 45 has little bit more power and is a little larger size bullet, but I dont see that big a difference on how much damage its going to do to a person. I chose the xdm because of how much I liked that particular gun. If they made it in 45 I may have went with that. But I am perfectly happy with my 40 and totally confident in it to stop whatever threat exists.

[robocop10mm]

Welcome to the forum. On paper the 9, 40 and 45 are nearly equal. That is if they all perform properly, ie expand well and penetrate to the proper depth.
Since best case scenario to best case scenario is a dead heat, I prefer to compare worst case scenarios. If all three fail to expand, which is better. IMHO the .45 is best as it will make the largest hole.

[JoeCool]

I too was having the same question, so thanks to everyone who responded in this thread.

One technical question I have, and perhaps the OP is wondering the same thing, if the .45 is a larger round, why does the .40 recoil more?

On a side note, Robocop10mm, I really like your sig, it's a philosophy I try to live by.

[Phelenwolf]

Originally Posted by JoeCool

I too was having the same question, so thanks to everyone who responded in this thread.

One technical question I have, and perhaps the OP is wondering the same thing, if the .45 is a larger round, why does the .40 recoil more?

On a side note, Robocop10mm, I really like your sig, it's a philosophy I try to live by.

I believe that the .40 kicks its round out at a higher pressure, hence the more snappy recoil. I have never owned a .40 nor do I have plan on getting one. I try and keep my ammo needs simple. If the military is using the round I know I will NEVER run out of ammo.