Springfield XDM 4" 9mm w/ Grip zone CCW

[Donotfear_Roy_ishere]

Hey guys, seeing if there is anyone out there who conceal carries a springfield XDM (grip zone) 9mm with a 4" barrel.

Just a few quick questions:

• Do you find yourself printing a lot?
• Would I be better off getting the 3" barrel?

And lastly, I'm thinking about going with the Glaco king tuck for this carry. Do you guys have any ya or nays about this holster ( i know it's a little off topic but it applies a little.)

 

[oneoclock]

I do sometimes carry my XDm 9 mod.2 with 4" barrel in an Alien Gear cloak IWB holster. I find the barrel length has less to do with comfort and visibility than the grip length. Worn at the right spot and with the grip tight against my back at 5:00 there is very little printing.
Bend at the knees rather than the hip, and nobody ever notices.

 

[bofh]

The barrel length really has little to do with printing, unless you start carrying firearms with 6"+ barrels. At that point, the barrel will likely print and people may start asking you questions about your anatomy. Seriously though, printing is caused by the grip of a gun. The longer the grip, the easier it sticks out underneath your clothing.

The Springfield XD® Mod.2™ has the GripZone® and a 3" or a 4" barrel. The Springfield XD(M)® has no GripZone® and a 3.8", 4.5" or 5.25" barrel. I assume that you are looking at the Springfield XD® Mod.2™. The 3" version is called the sub-compact model with a height of 4.75" (Compact Magazine) or 5.5" (X-Tension™ Magazine). The 4" version is called the service model with a height of 5.5". The 3" version is more concealable with the Compact Magazine than the 4" version. Having said that, it is certainly not difficult to conceal the 4" version as many other firearms have the same or similar height and are being carried concealed every day, such as Glocks, Sigs and 1911s.

Do not worry so much about printing. Many people would not even notice an openly carried firearm. Only other concealed carriers may notice your concealed firearm.

Galco makes quality holsters, including the KingTuk™ tuckable IWB holster. If you like this style of hybrid holster, then check out the Alien Gear Holsters' Cloak Tuck 3.0 IWB holster. It is significantly less expensive.

Note that I don't carry any of this. I don't carry handguns with a grip safety, as it is an unneeded feature that only gets in the way of the operator. I usually carry a Glock 19. I don't carry hybrid holsters anymore as I find the NSR Tactical LLC-4 much more comfortable.

 

[mikestone967]

I conceal a Springfield Armory XD .45 Full size, (4 inch brl), two 13 round mags.. Alien gear holster...

No problems.

 

[TailDragger]

I carry my XDm 3.8 Compact 9mm in an Alien Gear holster like mike above and as others have said, the barrel length is not a great factor in concealing IWB because that part is hidden by your pants. I would go for the 4 inch for the greater accuracy and bullet energy.

As to printing, with my holster somewhere between the 3 and 4 o'clock position, I can easily conceal with a loose fitting T-shirt. When I first started CCing, I was really sensitive about printing. Living in Washington state, open carry is legal, so a small amount of printing is not a legal issue here anyway. Since I started carrying about 10 years ago, I have never spotted anyone printing when I have been in public places. As others have said, even if you printed rather heavily, few people would notice or make a connection that what they saw represented a weapon.