I need to ask if this is your first pistol or your first CCW gun? If its your first pistol go with something around the size of Walthers Full size. As much as that seems contradicotry nearly all conceal carry owners end up with a Glock/Springfield XD Compact size pistol. They are easier to train with, magazine capacity is nice, and even though you think it would be harder to conceal it generally isn't for most people. I have seen many cops conceal full size pistols easily.
Onto the XD vs Walther.
-XD is probably equal to or lesser in the price range.
-Magazines are cheaper.
-Holsters are easier to find.
-Its a reliable and sturdy weapon and most of the XD teething problems are gone as well to include the rusty slide issue that were also seen in its predecessor.
Why I would choose a Walther over a XD
- I like the ability to modify my grip, and due to my hand structure thats more important. The grip angle is about the same.
- I can get SW99 magazines(identical to Walther except stamped SW99) for the same price as XD but a bit harder to find.
- The pistol looks great, and honestly its different which made it a great first gun just for the conversations and being a different gun.
- THE TRIGGER THE TRIGGER THE TRIGGER I am not a fan of the XD trigger, while nice its just not my preferred. I love the DA/SA trigger of guns like HK SIG and Walther. Its smoother in the end (500+ rounds) and is great for accuracy.
- I am going to add quality. Although both are very comparable in quality, German weapons have a marked higher standard then Croatia/US made weapons.
Things to remember CCW doesn't mean get the smallest thing. Get a pistol that is comfortable and easy to learn with/shoot especially if this is your first gun. Go small when you have a good handle, because the shorter sight radius means less accuracy.
Magazine reloads are more important then having 20+rounds on hand. Since magazines are the first thing to fuck up on any firearm and cause the most issues it better to have 20-30 rounds in 2-3 magazines, then 20 rounds in one magazine.
Being both are the same size thats not really a comparable issue. Honestly I would go with the larger Walther/Comparable XD over the compact unless its a necessary evil. I rarely use my Compacts unless I am going on a date, but I have done that with a full sized.
Both guns are great, if I had to pick one, and I didn't have brand loyalty/a love for DA/SA triggers I would go with the XD, but I don't hate the XD trigger. As noted before the Walthers end up being like sexy women on a gun range, the XDs are like the plain girl next door. You can fuck both, but one you brag about a bit more.
