re: Springfield XDS

quote:

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I'm looking at getting a Springfield XDS to CC and for home defense

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These are two completely different roles. You need to either get two guns or get one gun that fills both roles better. Let me paste a bookmarked response I have about firearm sizes:

To the average person it seems easier to stick with one gun that does everything. But it's much more practical to get multiple guns for different needs so it's good that you're open to it.

Now, for a home defense gun and a car gun, the role of the gun will be generally the same since a full sized gun will fit both roles.

But if you're like me and like to have a mobile gun in the car that can be carried at times, I think it's good to go with a compact or a subcompact in this case. I like going with the subcompact in this case because I have a single-clip holster that is very easy to take on and off. A double stack handgun is carried more comfortably in a leather holster with a dual-clip design. I'll show you each.

Single-clip holster with a Glock 43 (size category - single stack subcompact)

Image: LINK


Dual-clip holster with an XDm compact (size category - double stack compact)

Image: LINK /


If you don't know what I mean about "single stack" and "double stack" I'm referring to the width of the magazine. If a gun uses single stack magazines it has a much thinner profile. Here's what I mean:

On the left is the M&P Shield (single stack) and the right is an M&P9 compact (double stack)

Image: LINK


As you can see one has a much thicker profile. The single stack gun will be more comfortable to carry but will minimize you on rounds. So it's really a question of how much comfort you're willing to sacrifice for number of rounds. For what it's worth, I have both a double stack compact (M&P9c) and a single stack subcompact (Kahr CM9) in my carry rotation. This is where buying multiple guns makes it easier to carry with different types of clothing.


quote:

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I honestly don't think I will need to carry but it is always a nice option.
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Missouri has pretty good gun laws and the permitting setup is very similar to ours if I remember correctly. You shouldn't have a problem getting a permit or anything if you plan to carry down the road.

I also cannot stress the importance of this enough:

Take a true defensive handgun course if you start carrying.

A defensive handgun course is not the initial CC handgun course. That is mostly a course on self defense law and use of force. A true defensive handgun course consists of different drills and different shooting positions. It also incorporates shooting on the move which is something no stationary shooting range can allow you to do. The most important thing is that you shoot multiple hundreds of rounds to build muscle memory and proficiency. Repetition is the only way for a skill to become instinctual.

Hopefully this was helpful.