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Thank You (everyone) for your replies and suggestions.

This has helped me immensely.

We will definitely add the XD to the list of firearms to look at.

loosecannon wrote: Which gun will be the safer one for her--in terms of having an accidental discharge? Will the pistol be carried on her person or in a vehicle? Will she carry it with a round in the chamber?

Definitely with a round in the chamber.

She will be forced to carry a variety of ways.

Most often... the weapon will be in her purse or secured in her vehicle.

Now, before you guys go off on a (she needs to have it on her person) rant, let me explain that she is a college student, and after this year she will be moving to Houston to start her residency. Between school and the hospital...there will be very little time that she will actually be able to carry on her person.

Of course, she already has O.C., a S&W HRT sheath knife, and a brown belt in Shen Chuan (I did raise her right), but I am worried about her adjusting to life in the big city. She was born and raised in little old Nacogdoches...and has NO "street smarts".

The handgun will primarily be for home defense and travel to and from school/work.

In the next few years she will have little time to practice, so I don't want her to carry anything that requires her to thumb off a safety, just point and shoot.

Those with XD's in .45 with 4" barrel, how do they compare in terms of felt recoil to a 1911 with similar barrel length?

The reason I ask... is that I'm still wrestling with what weapon to get my daughter for concealed carry this spring/summer. She shoots my commander length 1911 fine, but the XD may be different.

I don't want to get her a .40 because I have yet to shoot one (any make) that didn't feel pretty "snappy" in recoil. That leaves 9mm (manageable recoil, high capacity) but I'd rather see her with a .45 if the chips are down.

She is an experienced shooter (started her at 9) although she hasn't shot recently. I am not worried about her being able to handle an XD-45 if it compares favorably to a 1911.

I know recoil perception is a subjective thing, but what are your thoughts anyway.

Thanks,

Flint.