Hi bigbulls,

My brother-in-law purchased one of the 4" in .40 S&W. We......him, his wife, their daughter and son-in-law, my wife, and I (whew).......went shooting at an informal range. We put several hundred rounds through that gun collectively, (plus many more rounds....through a number of other guns). Everyone liked his XD so well that he went and purchased another 4" XD in 9mm for his wife's "house gun". She had a KelTec P-11 before but didn't like the recoil of the little gun.

A month or two later we (basically the same group plus another or two) went out again and had the new XD along this time.....as well as the older one. Pretty much the same story all over again. Collectively shot hundreds of rounds through the 9mm XD....and everyone agreed...it was nice! The 9mm recoiled even less and the women liked it even better! Plus we put another couple hundred through the .40 again.

Both pistols functioned well. I think there was one or two failures to completely eject an empty case. But you have to remember, these were both brand new pistols....never fired before. And a large number of people were shooting. Some more experienced and some less experienced. Once we explained that pistols needed to be fired without "limp wristing" the grip.....the problem stopped! I don't think the pistols were the real source of the problem.

Personally, before I'd put either of these pistols into service as defensive weapons......I'd personally fire 300-500 rounds minimum (but I do that with all guns meant for protection). Half of that could be inexpensive practice ammo. (Actually I might fire 500 rounds of just inexpensive ammo to facilitate break-in.) And I'd follow with 200 rounds minimum of the ammo I intended to carry. If I experience any operable reliability issues with either the pistol.....or later the carry ammo...I continue to try different ammunition until I had something that I knew would function. Failing to find that.....I'd look for another gun!

But I think both of these pistols are going to be just fine! And have no qualms recommending them, (with the caveat.....that I'm basing that on the limited experience I just described).

Good luck with your decision!

Dave