XDm 45

well pulling your pistol is absolutely the last resort you ever want to do. It's a huge responsibility and could lead to huge problems but if you do and fire?

What if you miss, and

Shoot a innocent person nearby

Or miss and Shoot through a wall and kill a child
Or, well I could go on. Best to be sure you do not miss but make sure you hit what your shooting at.

Did you know that FBI reports say that most gun fights happen at 7 feet or less, so if you miss you may not get a second chance.

Those are letter designation directly from Springfield. XD is just their designation
Starting for all their pistols. Like 3.8 means barrel length.

The small XDS means a small XD pistol. The barrel length is 3 inch on that pistol. The overall size is much smaller than the XDM 3.8 that CB likes. It's a thinner pistol being that it is single stack. That means one bullet stacked on top the other in the Magazine where the XDM 3.8 is a double stack in the magazine. The double stack means a fatter handle to accommodate the double stacking of the bullets or lets say rounds (proper term).
I probably would not start with the XDS pistol as they are very temperamental and require strict management. I would start with either a standard XD or XDM model. Not sure what the M in the XDM stands for but it's their designation for the newer model.
I have the standard XD model of their line which is also a fine pistol and they work very well. I can put every round into the black at 12 yards offhand with it. The only advantage that the XDM is a match grade barrel. Is it worth the extra cost, well many well known gun owners will say only if your planning on shooting in pistol matches.
As said go to gun shops (local gun shops or LGS) and please do yourself a favor and look at them all.
One tip when talking to someone at the counter and that is don't call the Magazine a clip. Have fun.

JB, here is a link to a very good Springfield XD forum. Lots of very good info from experienced folks and posts from others that are asking lots of good questions.

XDTalk Forums - Your XD/XD(m) Information Source!

CB, Maddog and I went to the indoor shooting range that I belong to today. Took my XD40 Sub-compact along with my 1911 22 cal. The XD 40 Sub-compact with 6 shots, 3 in the head and 3 in the heart. All three holes touching and the distance is 50 feet. The XD does not have the match grade barrel. Think it shoot pretty dang good.
Cost is about half what your XDM cost is.

They had a lot of ammo in stock but 38, 357, 45 were out of sight in price. They were still selling the assault style rifles to. Almost all of the hand guns were gone but they did have a XDM 3.8 in 45 cal in stock. Price was 659.00

I just traded in my XDm 5.25
nice gun but you can't carry it
well you can but why....

Buddy has one it's a target pistol, competition
maybe defense around the house if you have land pistol.
but it's got a comptrigger and barrel it's a range gun.

My comment on retired vs JB, if JB is still working
in an office his needs for carry are different, if you are
retired and you are on the bike , you can wear a long shirt
outside the belt, and put on a comfortable OWB holster
without an issue, or if you work for yourself...

But he has to contend with office protocol and
the presence of others some pro some no pro.

I don't carry when working, to hard to conceal with a polo shirt besides I can't even imagine carrying while crawling on my stomach through some damp dark and many times wet crawl space. I once had my camera fall out of a pocket and had to go back in to look for it. I have always said if most women here knew what lurked underneath their floor they would run screaming.

So what did you replace the XDM with?

M400 FDE

Way cool, like it. What make and caliber

CB won't get one cause his buddy Obama doesn't want him to buy one.

Ok,I missed the small print at the top, Sig makes some great rifles. 223 cal?