I have the xds 3.3 in 45 and love it. It did take some practice to get use to it(accuracy) and for me personally it doesn't punish my hands. I use a concealment express iwb holster for carry purposes and love the holster. Definitely going to be my summer carry gun.
Parabellum has one on the rental wall.The XDs is a good choice. I alternate between one and an XDm depending on the circumstances.
If at all possible I highly recommend you find a range where you can try it out before you buy.
After several years of carrying full size pistols, I am looking at a compact. I am thinking about an XDS (the four free mags makes the decision easier) and a sneaky pete holster. Anyone tried this and have any words of advice before I dive in?
Never used a Sneaky Pete, but you aren't fooling anyone. People who recognize it as a gun will recognize it, everyone else is clueless anyway. During the week I carry a Walther PPS (substitute any other single stack 9) in a Comptac Mtac (again substitute other tuckable holsters) with my shirt tucked in. Been doing this every workday for the past 8 months. The only people who have spotted the gun are other gun guys that know I am a gun guy. Even then they spotted the C clips and not the gun.
I have really grown to like my little single stack. But it is still no replacement for a larger gun.
How do you prevent the bulge in the waistband from being horribly noticeable? Every time I try to carry my shield in a Foxx fullsize holester and tuck my shirt in, a very unnatural bulge seems to stand out on my waistband right where the gun is.
It does bulge a little bit. But at the 4 o'clock position it is behind my hip and nobody notices. If they do they don't say anything. If you opt for AIWB the bulge will be in front where nobody looks and broken up by the body. The most noticeable part of the rig is the clips on the belt.
I could not pull off a Glock 26 in this manner because of the width of the gun. Commander sized 1911s have to long a grip and print. But on the belt in a IWB holster is the natural place for the newest crop of single stack 9s.
I guess that makes sense. A non gun peraon wouldn't figure the bulge was a gun. I just like to be completley concealed so as not to freak people out. Thanks Vert.
"completely" concealed is tough. That pretty much requires a micro .380 and some type of alternative carry position. Personally I feel this is giving up too much but every persons situation is different. Prior to some policy changes I carried a Smith 642 in a SmartCarry as a deep concealment option. Even this bulges a bit but people don't make a habit of staring at your crotch. Although I did get a funny look from one of the secretaries early on when I was still trying to fine tune the position of the holster.