XDm 3.8 compact good enough for competition?

[chlag01]

I'm still trying to make a decision on which first gun to buy. Of particular interest are the Glock 19, XDm 4.5 or 3.8 compact, and M&P full size or compact. My primary concern is getting a good EDC gun, but since this will be my first handgun, I'd like something pretty versatile. In a previous thread viewtopic.php?f=23&t=47821 I asked whether or not the XDm 4.5 and M&P full size were too big for EDC, and though the consensus was "No," I'm leaning more toward the smaller compacts.

One question that came to mind was, if I want to get started in competition (3-gun?), are the XDm 3.8 or M&P compacts adequate, or would I need something with a longer or better barrel? Also (and I'm almost afraid to ask because I don't want this to become a .40 vs 9mm debate), which caliber would be better for beginning competition?

[74novaman]

Ammo price alone, the 9mm would be the better option.

Though I have 1911s and not XDs or M&Ps, I really don't notice any difference in my ability to shoot a compact or full size gun.

I think a compact would hold up just fine to competition.

[paulhailes]

If you get the short grip 3.8 XDm I would get some grip extenders for competition.

[chlag01]

That's along the lines of what I was thinking. The 3.8" compact + grip extension should be the same grip size and capacity as the XDm 4.5", but I was concerned whether or not the .7" shorter barrel and lighter weight would have any significant impact on competition.

[michael e]

Can get a Glock 19 and add a longer barrel for competion if you feel the need. Or just practice with it and you will be fine. I carry a full size now and them and the compacts are alot easier for me to carry than full size.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

It depends on what you want out of competition....

Some folks go just to shoot. Others go to win, or at least to be competitive.

NOBODY, serious about competing, uses the compacts, simply because you are at a disadvantage due to the shorter barrel. While the difference may not seem like much up close, once your range starts to hit 15M and beyond, most folks will shoot faster and more accurately with the longer barrels.

I've ran a compact 1911 a few times in competition, and there was a significant difference between it and the full size 1911 at those farther targets. The compact definitely required me to slow down a bit, and demanded a more precise sight picture prior to breaking off the shot.

I'd recommend going with a full size as they are quite capable and effective for both carry and competition. If you start to shoot competition with a compact, and you actually get "the bug", you'll end up looking for a full size "game gun" anyway.

As far as round size goes, you can't beat the price of 9mm, and it can get the job done for defense. Competition can be expensive, and if you want to do any type of decent training, your round budget will be a lot less shooting 9mm than .40 or .45. "In season", I'll burn through at least 300 rounds a week between training and matches, and even though I load my own, those .45 ACP rounds add up to a sizable chunk of change.

Good luck regardless.

[propellerhead]

I shot my first year of IDPA using my XD40 subcompact, my carry holster and street clothes. Competitive shooting isn't all about the competitive side.

[A-R]

One of the guys who always finishes in top 5 overall at local IDPA matches uses a Glock 19. And I see plenty of compact/subcompact M&Ps, Rugers, XDs etc too.

[G.A. Heath]

The advantage that the larger guns, like the XDm 4.5, enjoys over the smaller guns is twofold. First is sight radius, the longer barrel usually means a longer slide which means a longer sight radius which us humans shoot more accurately. The second advantage is debatable, and revolves around the mass of the gun. The larger gun typically has more mass which translates to less felt recoil and faster follow up shots, the debate comes into play because of the reciprocating (think about what's moving, and how it moves) mass. More reciprocating mass can translate to a slower follow up shot (slower slide movement) and less control over the gun as it fires (it wants to move more when the slide stops moving in either direction). Essentially many shooters feel the benefits of a larger gun outweigh the disadvantages, however you should always remember that its the Indian and not the arrow (or the bow) that makes the shot.