I live in Arizona with open and concealed carry without a permit. I currently carry an original Sig P365 in 9mm. I am looking to get another carry pistol and 40 smith and Wesson. The two that I am looking at most are the Smith and Wesson shield or the Springfield XD. I want to get a barrel in 357 Sig and change it out with the 40 since I have tons of 40 caliber ammo and reload 357 Sig. do you think that is a good idea or should I stick with 9 mm which I also reload.
I personally own and carry a Springfield XD 9mm.
I like the weight and fits in the small of my back perfectly.
It shoots great and is an accurate pistol that you won’t go wrong in getting.
I personally have not shot the S&W Shield so I cannot comment on that pistol.
I have hellcat RDP from Springfield and I love it. I own and have owned many of thier pistols and they have always performed very well. I would lean that way.
I have not shot the Springfield xd but I have experience with the shield and 357 sig caliber. I’m not sure how big the Springfield is but I would not want to have the shield in 357 sig. it would be way to snappy and hard to keep on target for controlled pairs or any follow up shots. Personally I would stick with the 9mm round for sub compacts. Just easier to control.
My personal opinion, I EDC a Sig 365 - a Shield or XD would be a step down - I have owned and rehomed both, as well as the Beretta Nano, Body guard, Kahr, Rugers, etc. When I am not carrying a Sig, the Glock 19, or 43 gets a rotation. Also, after Sandy Hook I rationalized on calibers - sold every handgun that I owned that was not 9mm, made ammo purchasing easier. The Sig 365 to me is the best EDC for capacity and accuracy, just buy another! I recently purchased a .380 LCP MAX that only weighs 14 ounces loaded, I thought it would be the perfect pocket gun at 10+1, but I can’t hit the broad side of a barn with it - back to the 365.
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I couldn’t agree more. I carry the 365xl. Nothing better.
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I like 365xl and hellcat
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I didn’t like the grip/feel of the hellcat.
I am writing from California where I am just about to receive my permit post-Bruen. I applied last June, so it’s taken nearly a year. I am sticking with 9 mm. I like 40 S&W, and I also currently shoot 45 acp, 357 Mag, 38 Special. I have my eye on a 10 mm as a hunting sidearm, but for carry I am standardizing on 9 mm. With the improvement in self-defense loads I have confidence in the ability of the round and that makes the ammo side easy.
Unfortunately, the Sig 365 is not an option. We are limited by the handgun roster in California, unless you want to pay 3x the price and can find a gun being sold by a private party, so I will be carrying a Glock 19 and adding a Glock 26 to the rotation. I do have a question for you all. Do you carry in kydex or leather? I have a decent kydex holster for the Glock, but really don’t like the feel of it against my body. I’ve seen the hybrid holsters as well. Any recommendations?
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Hi Gage,
I used to run solely 40S&W (when I was a CO Ranger), but shifted to 9mm when I qualified with a 9mm and actually shot better. I still have a lot of 40S&W ammo, so I keep those duty weapons as backups for if the cr@p hits the fan.
I still have my primary & backup duty weapon that are 40S&W, but all of my current pistols are 9mm (Sig M17, Sig P365XL for CCW and also a vehicle pistol that is a Sig P365XL).
Thinking about ammo availability, I think it is wise to stick with one caliber whenever possible (i.e., 9mm), but do understand wanting to have options when you have a ton of other ammo.
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Excellent question. I normally use Fobus for CC and I also have a handmade leather holster from my uncle. I do like leather much better for comfort.
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Mark, I can get you a good job in AZ if you want. 
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Pete, I have 226 for sale. I just don’t shoot it or carry it. I think it’s between the 365x and the 365xl unless I sell the ammo, too.
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226 is a nice pistol, but a bit heavy IMO. I have all the pistols I ‘need’ right now (lol; subject to change on a whim).
Without a doubt, I’d rather have a 226 over a 365 when it comes to pistol whipping.
I hear ya Mark the Kydex can get a little uncomfortable and pinch and poke. Leather is more comfortable but can be heavy and make you sweat. I like both for different reasons and have a bunch of different holsters. Just bought a hybrid to try out. On my kydex I take mole skin and apply it to the spots that dig in to my body. It helps relieve some of the pains associated with them. Hope this helps.
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Thanks Ken, I’ll give the moleskin a try.