CW9 vs Springfield XD9 SC - newbie

[georgepittenger]

Hi everyone . I'm a newbie to handguns period . Took a basic firearms course with my daughter and have shot maybe a total of 400 rounds .
I've been looking at buying a CC , possibly a PM9 , and lurking around trying to get some education . My daughter and I went to a gun show last weekend and she liked the larger CW9 . So we went to a range today that had a CW but not a PM .
We shot the CW9 and I did ok but she did real well with it . We switched off to a Springfield XD9 sub-compact ( why do they call it a sub when it's bigger than a CW9 compact ? ! ) Well , I shot really tight groups right from the start . It felt really good . Seems like a nice gun . Has a double stack so it holds 13 and is wider . In checking other on-line sites it gets generally good ratings . Is more expensive than a CW9 but that's not a big factor .
So what do you think ? Any feedback on long term reliability / quality of the Springfield would be appreciated .
Don't worry , I think that I'll be a Kahr owner no matter what I buy for myself . My daughter will probably be using it though !

[Bawanna]

The XD has a great reputation. Very solid good performing gun. It's not an apple/apple orange/orange comparison as it's larger and a different trigger set up than the CW.

That being said if your comfy with it and if fits your needs go for it. The CW is actually a bit large for pocket carry also so you need to consider your carry options for both.

Being as you are so new perhaps daily carry isn't in your plan yet. In that case the size wouldn't be an issue.

If your looking for a home gun with some range visits the XD might be the better choice.

[bigbob68]

Both are good choices. IF it is for her, get the one that she is most comfortable with. I think the XD line has been a HUGE success for Springfield Armory. The CW9 is a fine choice if that is what she likes. I carry the CW9 because it is what I like.

[hdsteve69]

The XD's come in 3 sizes Standard ,subcompact and compact im pretty sure and now they have the xdm3.8 which has a .3" longer barrel then the compact. I own an XD9 sub and an XD40 compact I love my xd's never had a failure with either one and I shoot the hell out of both of them . Im in the range at least one day everyweekend and usually add one to two days a month at lunch time during the week and I always bring one or both the XDs .I am new to kahr today was the first day shooting my cw40 and I loved it but my xd's are still my favorite until I have to carry one all day the double stack is nice but makes them bulky were as the kahr is single stack and slim which is nice for carry. If springfield was to make the xd in a single stack I might not be here on this site ok well I probably would own both cause you can never have to many guns thats why I just ordered a kahr k40.

[jocko]

Hi everyone . I'm a newbie to handguns period . Took a basic firearms course with my daughter and have shot maybe a total of 400 rounds .
I've been looking at buying a CC , possibly a PM9 , and lurking around trying to get some education . My daughter and I went to a gun show last weekend and she liked the larger CW9 . So we went to a range today that had a CW but not a PM .
We shot the CW9 and I did ok but she did real well with it . We switched off to a Springfield XD9 sub-compact ( why do they call it a sub when it's bigger than a CW9 compact ? ! ) Well , I shot really tight groups right from the start . It felt really good . Seems like a nice gun . Has a double stack so it holds 13 and is wider . In checking other on-line sites it gets generally good ratings . Is more expensive than a CW9 but that's not a big factor .
So what do you think ? Any feedback on long term reliability / quality of the Springfield would be appreciated .
Don't worry , I think that I'll be a Kahr owner no matter what I buy for myself . My daughter will probably be using it though !

u gonna shoot the xd better, two different trigger systems. Kahrs have looooong by desing trigger systems, nothing smoother out on the market than the kahr trigger system but it is looong and it takes some shooting time to get comfortable with it. If u after pocket carry the PM9 is the way to go or better yet buy trhe cm9, the same gun except less bells and whistles but cvertainly the same top quality.

Like most have already said, WE canot tell u what is going to be good for you or the lady. take some time, test out other guns find one or two that you think both of u like and then test shoot um alot more. no sense getting in a hurry and buying something and then notliking it. Hell they all call their guns anymore compact, even the 1911 makers try that crap to, COMPARED TO WHAT, ??? maybe a 50 cal desert eagle but most are still big ass guns.

[O'Dell]

I guess you should carry what is most comfortable and that you can shoot. For me, that's mostly a CW40 because it's easy to carry and I shoot it well. I shoot my HK's and 1911's even better, but they're larger and harder to carry. An XD c 45 was among the guns I had stolen. I never replaced it, not because it was a bad gun, but because there were others I liked better.

[Mudinyeri]

Both are good guns. I own both in .40 S&W. Here are a few quick comparison stats and pics (keep in mind these are .40 S&W comparisons). Weights were measured fully loaded with a round in the chamber.

Kahr CW40
Weight: 1 lb 8.1 oz
Width of Slide: .94"
Width of Grip: .935"
Height: 4.848"

Springfield XD40 SC
Weight: 1 lb 15.4 oz
Width of Slide: 1.089"
Width of Grip: 1.218"
Height: 4.751"

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/Mudinyeri/Guns/DSCN1286.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/Mudinyeri/Guns/DSCN1287.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/Mudinyeri/Guns/DSCN1288.jpg

I'm more accurate and consistent with my XD than I am with the CW. Then again, I have 1000's of rounds through the XD and probably only a little over 1000 through the CW.

The thickness of the XD makes it a little more difficult to conceal. However, with that thickness, you get a considerably higher round count.

If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask.

[rquack]

You're talking about the two handguns I own and carry. First the Kahr: a bit thinner, less capacity, longer trigger pull and longer reset. But, my favorite carry weapon, by far for everyday due to its thinner stature and slightly less weight.

The XD9sc: holds 13 rounds, bit heavier and thicker. But my XD9sc is the most accurate handgun I own; it even outshoots the full size XD I keep for home defense. I now carry this weapon in a OWB holster when wearing a longer coat or suit jacket. [Or when the pants have "shrunk" to a point where IWB might be uncomfortable.]

These are two different guns. Both are very reliable and accurate. They both function well on my handloads. The XD is a bit more comfortable to shoot at the range due to the extra weight and thicker grip. The CW9, because of its thinner grip gives a somewhat enhanced sensation of recoil, but certainly not unmanageable. Just the difference between an 200 round range session and a 100 round session. But since I take them both and alternate between them, and enjoy shooting them both, a nice day is enjoyed by all.

You won't go wrong owning either of these pistols. Both are reliable and enjoyable firearms. Good luck with your purchase.

[jocko]

looks like alot of slide on the xd compared to the cw..

[Mudinyeri]

looks like alot of slide on the xd compared to the cw..

... and a lot of grip (width).

[TheTman]

The XD is a fine pistol, I just find the CW series to be slimmer and easier to conceal on my skinny frame. My brother has the XD Subcompact 9, it just doesn't conceal as well as my CW pistols do. That fat grip seems to print a lot worse. If I feel that round count is going to be an issue, I strap on my Beretta Cougar .40 with spare mags holding 12 and 11. Not very concealable in warm weather, but it fits nicely in the console storage area of my car. I usually also have my Charter Arms .44 with the Barami hip grip for going into a store, once I get out of the bad neighborhood. It just tucks down into the front of my pants and the protrusion on the grip keeps it in place, hooked on my belt. That is the only weapon, other than my little .32 Tomcat that I'll carry without a holster. The Tomcat has a 1911 type safety on it so I'm not too worried about a negligent discharge. It only goes places I'm 99.9 percent certain I won't need it.

[espresso]

Hi all.
New here and new to guns in general.

I’m researching CC guns and these 2 (9mm) are very high on my list, I’ve never shot either one but have handled the CW9 a few times. On the Springfield web site they list the trigger as 5.5-7.7 pounds....is it adjustable? I’m assuming the pull and reset is much shorter than the CW9 but would like to hear more about it.

My house gun is a GP100 .357 so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble with the CW9’s trigger It feels like a revolver’s but much smoother and lighter. This will be my first semi auto purchase so I don’t have much to go on.:confused:

I’m going to try to shoot both but my range has a limited selection of guns to rent I don’t think they have any Kahr’s but I think I saw some Springfields.

any input would help me ....thanks

[Bawanna]

Hi all.
New here and new to guns in general.

I’m researching CC guns and these 2 (9mm) are very high on my list, I’ve never shot either one but have handled the CW9 a few times. On the Springfield web site they list the trigger as 5.5-7.7 pounds....is it adjustable? I’m assuming the pull and reset is much shorter than the CW9 but would like to hear more about it.

My house gun is a GP100 .357 so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble with the CW9’s trigger It feels like a revolver’s but much smoother and lighter. This will be my first semi auto purchase so I don’t have much to go on.:confused:

I’m going to try to shoot both but my range has a limited selection of guns to rent I don’t think they have any Kahr’s but I think I saw some Springfields.

any input would help me ....thanks

I'm assuming your talking Springfield XD versus the CW. These are two very different platforms, both very good but different. The XD will be much more of a Glock type trigger, not much take up, much shorter reset. The trigger is not adjustable in a traditional sense. A smith can clean it up of course but not a user adjustable situation.
The CW is much more similar to your to your GP 100 in the trigger dept but probably much smoother. The reset is nearly the same as well, almost full forward return and start over.
I like both XD's and of course Kahrs so I won't even try to push you one way of the other. You'll have to make that call yourself which of course is exactly the way it should be.

[rkirk]

I have both pistols. There is a real difference in the weight and size between the two pistols. I shoot the XD9sc better than all of my other pistols, except my Browning Hi-Power! The CW9 is a close third in my ability to shoot accurately, is more compact, thinner and lighter. I prefer to carry it or my new CM9 over over these bigger higher capacity guns.

In past years I have carried both the XD9sc and then the BHP. The size and weight of the XD9sc and BHP became harder to carry IWB. The only carry method that worked to conceal them for me.

I would carry the pistol I shot the best and was able to always carry. Very good question. Everyone has different needs and abilities. Good luck in the search for the perfect pistol for yourself.

-- Richard

[espresso]

Thanks for the input. I think the CW9 is going to fit my needs better as I plan on this being my CC gun. I'll be hanging out here learning all I can :nerd:before I get my hands on one.

[Dirt doc]

You have already handled and shot both pistols so there isn't much I can tell you about size, weight, trigger or felt recoil that you haven't already observed. I have a 4 inch XD9 and a Kahr P9 which although not exactly the same as the ones you are considering they are close enough for comparison purposes. Both of my guns are equally reliable. I can't remember the last time either gave me a problem. I have never carried the XD. For me it is too big for that. Besides it is my wife's range gun and it resides in a small safe hanging on the back of our headboard. My wife won't shoot the Kahr because "it kicks too much". The P9 is a gun I carry. It's size and weight make it easy to conceal. Actually, I only carry my single stack pistols because of the reduced bulk. Some might say I'm at a disadvantage because the single stacks hold fewer rounds. The gun itself holds fewer rounds but I always carry a spare mag which will give me 13-16 total rounds depending on what I have on my hip or in my pocket -- roughly the same count as in the XDC. Yes one could double the ammo with an extra double stack mag but geez how will you keep your pants up. I really don't want to carry that much weight. As has already been mentioned you can't go wrong with either so double your pleasure and buy both. Then go the range and shoot and shoot some more. You'll catch on to the Kahr trigger. I did. It took me awhile and there were times when I wondered if I would but it happened. From what I have read most people catch on much faster than I did.

It is great that you and your daughter share an interest. Enjoy the pistols and your time with your daughter at the range.

Dirt doc

[Dirt doc]

You have already handled and shot both pistols so there isn't much I can tell you about size, weight, trigger or felt recoil that you haven't already observed. I have a 4 inch XD9 and a Kahr P9 which although not exactly the same as the ones you are considering they are close enough for comparison purposes. Both of my guns are equally reliable. I can't remember the last time either gave me a problem. I have never carried the XD. For me it is too big for that. Besides it is my wife's range gun and it resides in a small safe hanging on the back of our headboard. My wife won't shoot the Kahr because "it kicks too much". The P9 is a gun I carry. It's size and weight make it easy to conceal. Actually, I only carry my single stack pistols because of the reduced bulk. Some might say I'm at a disadvantage because the single stacks hold fewer rounds. The gun itself holds fewer rounds but I always carry a spare mag which will give me 13-16 total rounds depending on what I have on my hip or in my pocket -- roughly the same count as in the XDC. Yes one could double the ammo with an extra double stack mag but geez how will you keep your pants up. I really don't want to carry that much weight. As has already been mentioned you can't go wrong with either so double your pleasure and buy both. Then go the range and shoot and shoot some more. You'll catch on to the Kahr trigger. I did. It took me awhile and there were times when I wondered if I would but it happened. From what I have read most people catch on much faster than I did.

It is great that you and your daughter share an interest. Enjoy the pistols and your time with your daughter at the range.

Dirt doc

[Mick3411]

Like several others, I now have both. I started with the XDSC as my carry gun and really like it. I have over 1000 rnds thru it without a problem. I just bought the CW9 because the XD is a little chunky (like me) and it can make it uncomfortable to carry in dress clothes. I like the thinness of the CW9 for my work environment.

I also have a XD Tactical (5" barrel) that is my favorite gun at the range and for home defense. It is an excellent tool for those situations.

Mick

[O'Dell]

An XD c 45 was one of the pistols I had stolen in Feb. The one thing I did like about the gun was the trigger. Although it was billed as a DA, it was in reality more like a SA.