Springer XD opinion..

[Bidah]

I know that the XD has been a hotplate for the last year or two, especially with the introduction of the XD-45. I thought that I would start a thread about my observations.

I will start out by saying that I have been a long time 1911 person, and I still am. I have owned a number of pistols such as a CZ-75B (still have), some Ruger P series, and some Glocks. I am not here to bash any of these pistols, because frankly they are all good weapons. Last year I decided that I wanted to replace the CZ-75 and get a new pistol. Silly boy.. I ended up getting a new pistol, and keeping the CZ.

After some debate between myself, and my wife, I settled to give the XD a run. What I purchased was an XD-9, or 9mm XD. I preferred the grip as it is darn near identical to the 1911, and I could shoot lead reloads out of the box and not need a new barrel (Glock and a few others). As is common on the XDtalk forums, I had immediate problems shooting about 2 inches to the left of center. Common problem when starting with the XD. After about 300 rounds, and lots of dry firing, I am back on center. I am still not totally happy with the trigger, so off it goes next week to get a job done on it. This is more of a problem with the fact that I have nice 1911 triggers, and I am used to them.. :)

So far I am at 1000 rounds. Not a lot overall, for me anyway, but enough for me to understand. A friend bought the XD-45, and that pistol is incredible. For a grip just a bit bigger than my 9mm, and about the same size as a 1911. So far he is still wringing his out, but I know of 2 others that have gotten a lot of use in our local club, and so far 100 percent.

I am not a big basher of one firearm over another. I did this post to start some discussion. If you don't like the XD, fine. If you hate 1911's, so be it. If you love Glock, great for you. I am more of a find one that works for you, and keep at that whatever it is. I have used 1911's for years, been sneered at, and mine just keep on ticking. But, I like to try new things now and then just to see if there is something better I might be missing. I will note that I may have gone with the M&P, but I wasn't too keen on the tool needed for disassembly, and stored in the pistol.. Small issue I am sure, but hey, I can be narrow minded too.. :)

-Bidah

[Dr. X]

I have used 1911's for years, been sneered at, and mine just keep on ticking...


In the late 70's/early 80's 1911's and the .45 in general were the pigs of the pistol industry. It was the age of the wonder-nine and I took constant ribbing for carrying a .45. I was away from firearms during the ban and when I got back into it, imagine my surprise to see all the makers of 1911 clones..."They always were the best and .45 was always the caliber!" Puh-leeze...I carry a 1911 because they are what I'm most familiar with.
That said, I wouldn't be averse to trying a new style handgun, but my problem is I just don't trust polymer. I've owned three different Glock17's and never had problems, yet, for me, that uncertain feeling is always there. I want metal, (preferably steel) and I'm willing to carry the weight of it. I've never had a pig from SA and I've owned several different models over the years, so it's not that, it's just that I ain't diggin' on no plastic gun...

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[MdlMkr 7.62]

A friend at work own a XD 45. I've shot it a few times and I have a favorable opinion of it. I still like my tuned Glock 21 but the XD seemed good. I like Dr x like metal (steel) guns but I've made an exception for the G21. If the shtf I'd feel comfortable with the XD but it wouldn't be my first choice. I believe in picking a gun that you're comfortable with and for me that's the G21 however my overall impression of the XD is favorable.

BTW they are only marketed by SA. They are made in Croatia. My Glock was made in Georgia.

7.62

[jrayborn]

I LOVE my XD.45 and I have been a DIE-HARD 1911 fan for my whole life. I still am actually but the XD is a really nice pistol. What disturbs me about it is the complete lack of parts available for it. I would like to have some spares to set aside if needed and I can't seem to find anything but springs and aftermarket barrels and magazines.

Oh well, it is a nice pistol and doesn't quite have the sweet spot oh the 1911 to me, but it is close.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I think the XD is becoming a strong contender for the 1911's title but it's still a fairly new design in the marketplace. Time will tell how well it performs. I don't predict that it will dethrone the 1911. There's just something special about an all metal shooting iron. The XD is sweet though...

I still like my G21 :D

7.62 :cool:

[MiamiARFan]

I'm glad to see you're enjoying your XD. I just got mine 2 months ago and love it as well. I'm also glad that we aren't playing hte bash this or that. The purchase of a handgun is a very personal decision based upon individual ergonomics as much as the reliability of the platform.

I started back in the late 70's with my S&W Model 59. I've moved to the .40, 1911 and now the XD. I've never traded in any of my guns and still have my original 59 that I enjoy shooting as much today as the day that I received it from my wife.

Anyway, back to my XD. The ergonomics are perfect for me and mine shoots like a dream. Felt recoil on my 4" tactical is acceptable and the accuracy out of the box was acceptable. I am looking to replace the sights with some night sights.

Overall, Excellent value for the money.

[Bidah]

A buddy of mine sent my XD in for the service the same time that he sent his XD in. I have not been home to fondle it yet, but he says that it is now quite good. I hope it is, I am pretty picky.. :)

Yeah 7.62, I have shot the G21 and I liked it, but just never could bite on buying one. Probably bad timing on my part.

I don't consider it to be my SHTF pistol to carry yet. Those jobs fall either to the 1911 or to my CZ75. We will see how it does this summer, or rather me with the XD, during the IDPA comps. and stuff.

-Bidah

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Looked at Springfield XD's at the local gunshop today. Decent prices on them right now and they come with a lot of extras. The mags are a little pricey compared to Glock mags though.

7.62

[xdshooter]

reliability doesn't seem to be much of an issue, see xdtalk.com or

http://springfield-armory.primediaoutdoors.com/SPstory11.html

the only real downside is a lack of parts availablity and certified xd smiths. not everyone can get xd certification from springfield.

that said, the issues I see most commonly with my XD is from newbies shooting it. the most common problems are from failing to rack the slide properly and "limp wristing" the firearm. not the guns fault at all. and I have never had a FTF or jam.

my cousins both have way more firearms and pistols than I, and they are impressed with my little 3 inch barrel's accuracy. now I just gotta work more on my left hand/left eye accuracy!

later
xdshooter

[MdlMkr 7.62]

XD's seem like good guns at a good pricepoint. Hard to wrong with one

7.62:p

[Bidah]

7.62, I am not sure what you were seeing as prices on mags, but the most I have paid is $23, and most of the time I get them for $20 each. That is about what Glock mags go for. Heck, my Wilson 1911 mags cost more.. :)

There have been a whole bunch of new poly pistols come out lately, especially in .45. I still have not been home to fondle my new trigger job, and won't be until the end of next week.. :(

-Bidah

[jrayborn]

Please share the source of the $20 Springfield mags. I'm poor and could use the help!!

Thanks!!

JR

[MdlMkr 7.62]

13rd Glock 21 mags are easily found for $15. natchez and Miday have them. A little cheaper than the Springfield mags. The price of the mags and the aftermarket parts has been a factor in me not jumping on the XD bandwagon (yet)

7.62

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Here's jeff Quinn"s article on the XD. Good article and food for thought.


http://www.gunblast.com/Springfield-XD45.htm

7.62

[Bidah]

Midwayusa has them on sale, which is when I get them. You can also get them from Pistolgear.com.

I don't disagree with you 7.62, which is why for now it is a toy, not a tool.

-Bidah

[FREE RIFLEMAN]

I know this may start something, but I stand behind the Glock 23 for two reasons:

1) It is what Springfield copied to make the XD.

2) I will find Glock model 22, 15 rd magazines on just about any dead cop or model 23, 13 rd magazines on many feds here in AZ. Morbid, I know.

My wife and I have a pair so we can share magazines, and she doesn't have to learn a complicated SA system or safeties on the M1911. I think I can handle having 20 spare mags when they cost $12.99 new from CDNN, and almost everyone I mix with carries it too. My wife keeps a Streamlight TLR-1 LED light on hers.

I carry the 13rd with every spare a 15 rd. Normally, I have 1-2 on my person (depending on which paddle I wear, 1 and a SureFire at night, or 2 during the day) with 2-3 spares in my Maxpedition, with 2 more in the vehicle. That should get me back to my rifle, which, I should have never left behind in the first place.
;)


Depending on the mission, if I go it alone, there is always the premier... HK USP .45 V-1, but those mags are so expensive to leave behind, plus, I could only afford 10 spares.

Currently, I am looking for a good deal on XS Sights, I'd like to put the Large front sight set on all of them to keep the sights standardized.

[MdlMkr 7.62]

I like the XD and would consider buying one if more aftermarket parts were available for it. Time will tell. The Glock series of pistols were designed as combat pistols and have seen alot of use in that role - not as much as the 1911 though. I don't know if the XD has been purchased by any agency for their officers.

Combat usage is a good benchmark for durability and seems to wring out any design flaws.

I've handled and shot the XD and I like it. I'd consider buying one in the future. Right now I'll stick to my Glock.

7.62

[Bidah]

Not to be too nitpicky, but Springfield did not design the pistol, a company in Croatia did, which is who builds them. They first came on the market as the HS2000. From what I have heard, the parts availability is more due to demand is way ahead of supply, but you do see more aftermarket parts showing up.

Up here, the Sig in .357sig is king, so no luck there for me anyway. I know that there are departments that allow it, but I don't know of any that issue the XD. The local Armored company issues the XD45 for their agents, what ever that is worth.

Ah, to each their own anyway. I was offering up some discussion, and as I had said, it isn't my go to, mainly because my wife will only shoot the 1911, and I need to stay common with her. I may change her mind someday, but in 20+ years she hasn't changed it yet.

Ok, I will go and STFU now..

-Bidah

[MdlMkr 7.62]

Bidah

Thanks for bring up a great topic to talk about. I hope we all stayed away from bashing one particular design in favor of another. Lots of good information on the XD.

7.62

[Dr. X]

That should get me back to my rifle, which, I should have never left behind in the first place...

A cosmic truth that should graven in stone...;)

as ever,
Dr. X :cool:

[Clayman]

I have a couple of XD’s. I have a standard and a compact both in 9mm. My brother has a tactical in 45 so I’ve shot that quite a bit as well. None of them has ever failed to fire when I pull the trigger. I can’t say the same thing for either of the 1911s that I’ve owned and they weren’t cheap-o’s either. I still have a 45, but it’s not a 1911 style.

The XD is accurate out to 25 yards. I don’t usually shoot at that distance at the range but it will hit the bull if you do your part. 15 and 7 yard shots are a snap. None of my XDs are picky about ammo either. Everything from the cheapest crap to the premium stuff all work just fine.

I understand how some folks want steel rather than a polymer frame but it’s something I got over a long time ago. The advantages are just too numerous for me, but to each his own. In the end reliability trumps all when you are talking about a self defense tool like a pistol though. I carry my compact every day because I trust it the most and it’s small enough for all day carry.

[Beprepared]

I still like my G21 :D



My 21 or my 30 go with me everywhere, my 1911 stays in my go bag... :D