If your a big guy why would you want a subcompact? My son in law is of medium build and he carrys a full size XD-45. His cases exit out to the right about 3 feet away from him. The ejector needed to be adjusted on your pistol as they should never come back at you. Good luck.

Best Baldy.

Baldy is right. A lot of people believe that a small guy can't conceal a mid or large sized gun, and that is just a myth. It all depends on mode of carry and dress. That being said I am a big guy,with big hands that carries a M&P compact. I had the XD sub-compact and did not like the muzzle flip of the XD's. As far as reliability and function they are great. I don't know I have heard of the shell casing problem you had taking place very often,grip might be a factor.
If you just want a compact DAO type gun you might give the compact Glocks or the M&P compacts a try. Both will have a lower bore axis, cutting down on muzzle flip. The Glock will have a similar trigger, the M&P be a little tighter without that scissor type trigger. Now, if your comfortable with the revolver then why not just go with it?

My "new" 9mm Tactical XD will sometimes throw brass backwards and hit me in the glasses. 99% of the time it ejects out to the side. It seems to eject backwards with WWB ammo. I've seen videos of other gun models where that happens as well. That question probably has several answers. But, I'm sure a dirty rental has something to do with it.

My XDSC 9 has never had an ejector problem. It has been perfect from the get go. Never once have I had a FTE. I rented a Glock 27 a while back, and it spit some casings on my head, so maybe there is something to rental guns being less than perfect.

I use an XD40SC for CCW. I also have big hands. I have not been hit with a spent case ever and I have put over 6000 rounds through the gun.