To give my advice on your questions:
1. Springfield XD is a great gun. I've shot a few of them and they really fit my hand well and shoot very well. Also very light, durable, and reliable. I've carried a Glock for 12 years now, and if the SA-XDs had been available 12 years ago, I might've carried one of those instead. But each gun will fit you and your hands differently and offer features that you may or may not want/need. So take some time to look at a bunch of different choices in person at gun shows or gun shops, and even go rent your top 3 or 4 choices at a range that rents guns so you know how they fire etc. In the general category of 9mm polymer framed guns you have a HUGE selection to choose from. Also look at these other comparable pistols: Glock, Beretta PX4, Smith & Wesson M&P, Ruger SR9, Walther P99 & PPS, H&K P-series and USP, Sig Sauer P250, various Taurus models.
In addition to 9mm (a good caliber choice), also explore .40 S&W and .45 ACP calibers. All three are widely available at relatively decent prices and are considered the "Big 3" of semi-auto self-defense pistol calibers. I don't recommend you go smaller than a .380 auto for self defense. And there are of course some other calibers that are a bit less common but still good defensive choices in a semi-auto weapon: .357 Sig, 10mm, 9x18mm Makarov
2. Holsters - search the forum for Crossbreed and Comp-Tac or M-TAC ... these are the two predominant choices of many forum members for the newer style of inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsters that combine a Kydex (plastic/polymer) shell with a leather backing and a "double-strut" design of either two belt clips or two belt loops, located on each side of the holster shell, for a remarkably comfortable and secure concealed holster. These holsters are fully adjustable for cant and ride height. There are a few others making similar designs - Tucker Gun Leather is a good one, but expensive and long wait time (most who have a Tucker say it's worth the $$ and wait). I would strongly recommend one of these types of IWB holsters for a quality polymer-framed gun like the XD or any other recommended above. There are of course, countless other choices. But this style is best, easiest to conceal, and most comfortable I've found.
2a VERY IMPORTANT - in addition to the gun and the holster you will NEED a quality gun belt. Everyone tries to carry with whatever belt they already have, but sooner or later realize they need something stronger. Some folks use any quality double-layer leather belt like can be found at Cabela's, a boot store, or even Wal Mart if you know what you're looking for. But I'd strongly recommend you explore a dedicated gun belt from a quality maker, even one with a kydex rigid insert between two layers of leather. I reviewed three different belts that I wear at this link: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... =+gun+belt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; And there are of course other good choices - both Crossbreed and Comp-Tac offer belts as well as holsters. But a belt is tantamount to comfortable concealed carry - equally as important as the gun choice and holster choice.
3. I like "bumper sticker wisdom" and there are some great one-liners to be found on this forum at the bottom of members' messages. Two of my favorite:
Concealed carry should be comforting, not comfortable
The reason I post these quips in answer to your question is they lead you into what I think is the proper mindset for concealed carry. You are starting off with a great mindset that CC is a right that comes with great responsibility and should not be treated lightly or started on a whim. The next step, after receiving your training and license, is to put yourself in the mindset that CC is a normal, everyday activity. Strapping on your gun/holster will be like tying your shoes and grabbing your wallet and keys before too long. Sure there will be some anxiety at first, but it quickly fades when you realize (as others have already posted) that the general public doesn't notice things too much. As long as you are properly concealing and obeying all laws, then you'll be fine.Carry 24/7, or guess right
In short, you quickly "get used to it" and it just becomes part of your routine. As the first quote above states, carrying becomes very comforting (and it can also be comfortable, relatively speaking, if you do it right). You'll read many forum members who venture to areas where CC is not allowed (a vacation to California, for example) who complain that they felt weird or out of place the whole time because they DIDN'T have their gun on them - like a part of them was missing
The second quote is sort of the "advanced" phase of CC. When I first got my CHL, car carry was illegal (it's now legal without CHL) and I only wanted my CHL so I could carry in my truck, and perhaps into a restaurant or movie theater if I was out late and not sure of the safety of my surroundings. Over time, I began to carry more and more regularly. But it wasn't until I read that quote (I believe it's on member Longtooth's signature line) that I made the decision that I was going to carry 24/7/365 everywhere it was legal to do so.
Anyway, again welcome to the forum. Please do take SIA's suggestion and tell us what part of the great state of Texas you call home. Good luck and please let us know if you have additional questions (trust us, you will ...)
