Hello all, I will start by saying that I am a new member and I am 28 years old. I am away from home most of the time, and have few chances to practice, let alone visit a range. Last year I chose my first pistol, a Springfield XDM compact 9mm. I spent several months researching, and tried out several at my local range before buying.

Two of the 10 pistols that I tried felt good, "right" in my hands, the H&K vp9 and the Springfield XDS 9mm. In the end, my choice leaned towards the Springfield XDS because the vp9 simply seemed too big for a carry firearm. During my research I was already leaning towards the XDM 9mm anyways so I figured the XDS was the closest to shooting the XDM as I could get, because they didn't have one.

Since then, I have tried to happy with my XDM because of its great capacity and warranty, but I have started to realize that I don't enjoy shooting it very much. After bringing it home, I immediately switched out the back strap to the smaller of the three, and it helped a little but I still cannot hit the mag release without losing my pointer or middle finger and losing most of my grip. Also after practicing to keep a proper grip, the aggressive texture starts to hurt my palm something fierce.

Now, coming close to 2018, I was truly happy to see H&K come out with their vp9sk, which it seems I would have chosen last year had it been available. So now I come to you all for advice. I have a decision to make, and I haven't found any answers researching because it seems to come down to personal opinion. It's a tough question to answer as an open question. When to customize and when to exchange?

Do I customize my XDM grip to fit my hand and stop hurting me, thereby voiding the warranty?
Or...
Do I trade in my XDM and get the smaller capacity vp9sk?

I am aware there is no perfect answer, but I would love to hear some outside opinions. Thank you all for your input! - Corey

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Thank you Sir =)

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Welcome!

I'd be reluctant to indulge in customizing an inexpensive pistol, especially if it would void a warranty. Kind of like throwing good money after bad.

I'd sell it and buy a gun that better fits what you want.

Treat any loss as tuition: learning what works for you and what doesn't.

Welcome from the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey.

If you can readily get a new handgun without jumping through permit hoops, I would go shopping for the handgun that you feel most comfortable with, especially since it will be a carry gun! Try different makes and models before you drop your money. For me, Glocks just don't feel right, so I avoid them like the plague. I find the 1911 frame to be comfortable and ideal, along with the 439. I also have a Mauser HSc, which fits well. I tend to avoid all other semi-autos.

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Judge control not gun control!

Welcome to the forum. Follow your heart.

Were it me I would keep what I have and buy the new one.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Unfortunately for me, where I live, they require background checks. Fortunately for me, I am a Boy Scout LOL, so it usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes.

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Welcome. I customized a handgun to my liking. Having said that, when you customize a gun and decided one day (it happens) to sell it, you won't get a fair price for the extra work done. A great deal for a potential buyer, but doubtful you'll make a profit. IMO, sell your uncomfortable gun and buy what makes you a happy gun owner. BTW, I used a handgun in competition sport shooting that performed flawlessly. Until the grip finally was not a good fit for my hand. That gun was the Xdm.

RPG- that is kind of where I was leaning, I'm a believer in customizing something, especially as important of a tool as a firearm. But if customization is required for something to work, it may be worth replacing with the right tool for the job.

Targets Guy- I have considered that as well, but if I am to be honest, I have already exceeded my budget this year for firearms, that is why I was looking into an exchange rather than an all-out purchase. You got to love those last-minute additions to a catalog LOL. I also feel that if I did keep the XDM, that it would likely being neglected in favor of a firearm I enjoy shooting better.

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

That's a good point regarding resale value, one that I hadn't considered. I would also agree that the XDM is an awesome firearm, and I would recommended to anyone. If I was to sell it, would you suggest offering all the holsters and mag holders I've acquired as well?

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Yes!

Sell it all (unless you have another use for the accessories).

By the way James, what did you replace your XDM with for competitions? Just curious.

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Thanks RPG, I probably won't have a use for them unless the vp9sk fits a Kydex XDM holster, though I doubt it. I know the mag holders won't work.

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Howdy from South Carolina, and welcome to the forum.

It took me half a dozen purchases before I learned what kind of carry I am looking for, and that was after trying everything in the range rental cases. I have to live with a weapon for a while before I know for sure if I like it.

You might want to try grip tape or a grip sleeve, before you give up. It can make a big difference in feel without altering the gun.

Welcome from Va.

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Roger

Bigwheel- I suppose that would offer some relief, but sadly that wouldn't bring the controls any closer to reach. I think my hands fall into a grey category, long fingers, big palms & short thumbs LOL.

Oldtimer- Thank you Sir. Glad to finally join the frey! I've been browsing this forum quite a bit, but never fully committed until today.

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Welcome from Tampa

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NRA Bene Life, SWCA 2372

Welcome from North Dakota

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John

Welcome aboard.

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Life is short,live it fully.

Thanks guys! =)

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Welcome A Board from the Sunshine State

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Spin The Wheel

Welcome from Wisconsin, Corey!

I'm not much into customizing firearms, especially carry weapons other than a light custom job.

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Former USN, Retired US Army

I just looked up the HK you mentioned and saw that it has the paddle style mag release to handle your short thumb reach.

The well regarded Walther P99C AS also has the paddle mag release and interchangeable backstraps like the HK. It also adds a feature unique among striker fired pistols, a decocker. This feature gives you the option of selecting either a 4.5 or 9 pound first trigger pull. That heavier first pull is a nice option to have on a concealed carry.

P99 - Walther Arms

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Keep on Chooglin'

Welcome from. Ohio! !

Welcome to the forum from Arkansas

When I sold my customized XDM I sold everything to the buyer; gun, Comp-Tac holster, mag holder and 5 magazines. He was very happy. I replaced it with an upgraded S&W M&P Pro9. Much different grip. However, I did like the larger designed slide release on the XDM.

Thank you all for the warm welcome, and great advice! I went ahead and bought the vp9sk yesterday, they had a good price of $630 out the door at Sportsman's Warehouse, and I couldn't resist that price.

Now I just need to get a good price for my XDM. One gun store I went to said 350 but they wouldn't take the accessories, that seems a bit low. I think I paid $450 for the XD Essentials package, but then I spent about 200 on holsters and a double mag holder. Do you all think I would get a better price on GunBroker or something? Thanks much.

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

I've sold and purchased guns/accessories on Armslist. Pick the city/state location for a local sale. Take a picture and the price you want. Get ready for haggling over the price. Gun guys do that, part of the game.

Welcome from the bootheel of Missouri, the Show Me State . . .

I'm sure you'll get some opinions regarding H&K vs. Springfield, but you'll get better ones if you ask about Smith and Wesson. I'm not a fan of either of the pistols you mention. Bulky and bad triggers, but that's just my opinion . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

No worries there LOL. Last weekend I fired it for the first time, and I love it. My groups were so much better than the Springfield, and even better overall using one hand, which surprised me. I guess I have to work on my support hand a little more.

And as far as Smith & Wesson is concerned, I love my 686 5 inch, it's the first revolver I ever shot, and it won't be my last!

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

I would seriously check out Talon Grips. I use them on my Glock 43 and it makes shooting more comfortable. Grips are very easy to install, I've put them on my Glock and Kahr. This is a stock picture. Also won't mess up your warranty.

Glad you are here , it is a great place to be .

Wow! That is very interesting, how much are they?

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

Looks like about $18 on Amazon, that's where I got mine. I watched a YouTube video before installing, really quite simple. Just take your time and wrap them on. Once in place and pressed down, use a hairdryer to heat them up and keep pushing. They mold right to your grips. Easy to remove too.

Okay, I will give that a try. Since I have an XDM compact, should I buy the full-size and trim it? that way I still have some to wrap around the mag extension. What do you think?

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Fav. Firearm: S&W 686-6+ 5"

I'm not sure if the dimensions are different. Personally I'd buy the proper grips as they are custom fitted to each gun.