Good choice in purchase. A co-worker bought one and is very very happy with it. I've shot only a few rounds with it, and I was seriously impressed. However, I did not feel comfortable with it in my hands- the grip is too short for my liking. BUT, it is very easily concealed and shoots as straight, if not better than my Kimber. When it comes time to replace the Kimber, I'll look a little more into the XD and try to get comfortable with it. But a friend has a HK P7 I fell in love with and it is just a bit bigger...
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07:48 PM
Jan 27th, 2008
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
all of my pistols have short handles. so that's nothing new to me.
i'll give everyone a report as soon as i get the damn thing in my hands
Hmmm, the 10 round mag is flush with the bottom of the grip, the extended (16) round mag should have a nice rest for your pinkie! Yes, a wee bit less concealable but 6 more rounds and place for your pinkie, too. BTW- Outdoor World (Bass Pro Shops) had the 9mm Cor-Bon DXP ammo in stock. Same price as the Cheaper than Dirt url.
All this talk of shooting made me go out yesterday with my wife and download a couple of hundered rounds. She took her laser sighted Bersa Thunder .380 and I with my PT 111 9mm. After she wasted about 100 rounds in the .380, she took over my 9mm. After about 50 rounds through it, she informed me that she wanted it! Told me to go buy a XD subcompact, hehehehehe! AWWWW, what can I say.
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08:07 AM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by JohnF: she took over my 9mm. After about 50 rounds through it, she informed me that she wanted it! Told me to go buy a XD subcompact, hehehehehe! AWWWW, what can I say.
funny that the chain of events: thread, gun talk, firing range. you get the wife's aproval to buy a gun you wanted.
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08:40 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Actually, that is the real reason we went to the range Saturday. To "sight in" my wife's Lasermax on her .380! Now that she has decided that she wants my 9mm PT111, I'll have to do it all over again when I get my XD.
Let us all know how you like yours Tuesday!
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08:07 AM
84fiero123 Member
Posts: 29950 From: farmington, maine usa Registered: Oct 2004
I’ve been thinking about one of those for my Glock for a while now. What was your take on it JohnF?
Personally, I think it is a total waste! If you have time to turn it on and place the dot where you want to hit, you have time to RUN (which is always my FIRST option)! To me, a concealed carry weapon is the option of last resort and to be used quickly and when there are no other options. It is a defensive weapon for close, quick protection to STOP a possibly lethal act, not intimidation. My wife thinks "Ahhhhnold's" (Teminator) laser, is cute so she wanted one. In the event she ever has to use her carry gun as a weapon to stop an aggressive act, she will not have time to think about the laser.
A tactical light under the barrel of your carry gun would be much more useful, I think. With it, you have a flashlight along with you when you need it for changing a tire, hehehehehe! Actually, professionals in the field, say that there are two items needed for protection, a firearm and a light. The problem with either a laser or a light under the barrel is holstering. The "in the gun" laser shown by buddy above solves that problem for the laser but I have never seen a tactical light so installed. If so, I might consider getting one.
In defense of the laser though, it is FUN on the indoor range!
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10:04 AM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by JohnF: If you have time to turn it on and place the dot where you want to hit, you have time to RUN (which is always my FIRST option)!
agreed I prefer the pressure switch type. but again, if someone is so far away that i need a laser to target them, then they are far enough away to not be a threat. i would assume they have a lot less range time than i do.
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10:30 AM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Hmmmm, looks like the light is mounted on the holster. If so, putting the light on a potential target would be a problem. I have a Fobus paddle holster for my PT111 that I use regularly. It is great for holstering the gun and holds it very securely. A firm draw is required to unholster the weapon. To remove the holster itself to point a light at a target would require some contortions as the holster snaps into place with spurs under a belt. So, to remove the holster, it is necessary to use both hands - something I don't think a perp would allow in a fight-or-flight situation.
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11:11 AM
PFF
System Bot
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
Went to my local gun shop today. They have the gun for $489.00. I've contacted an FFL dealer friend that will get me one wholesale if I'm willing to wait a couple of weeks. He lives about 80 miles from me and I'll have to go get it if the price is right. I notice that two mags (a 10 round and a 16 round), paddle-type holster, two mag paddle-type holder, mag loader and some silly lock affair comes with the gun in a polymer carry case.
I am starting to get interested in the light (XML) on the holster shown in the pic above. Is that holster the one that comes with the gun?
The XML light looks ot be around $50.00 on ebay.
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06:19 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
Originally posted by JohnF: Is that holster the one that comes with the gun?
i believe so. as i think they are the only people that make a holster with the rail grooves. the "extra" gear says that it's supposed to be a belt holster. which it looks like it has the grove on top.
i see the groove on the "adjustable" paddle holster
but not on the one piece type
and i cant find the dang flashlight on springfields web page, but http://www.impactguns.com/store/706397551117.html " CR2 Battery version of the XML mini-light. Springfield Armory, in close collaboration with Insight Technology, Inc. has led to the development and introduction of the smallest tactical light in the world. Power: 3v Lithium Battery #CR2 Compatability: Fits Any Standard Picatinny Rail Activation Switch: Ambidextrous Momentary/Steady On Rocker Switch Illumination Source: High Output Xenon Bulb Length/Height: 2.32/1.56 overall Brightness: Peak Output 50 Lumens Attachment: Patented Slide-Lock Interface "
[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 01-29-2008).]
I love my XD. I've got the 45 in the compact model and it is a nice shooting piece. I will be buying another 45 in the tactical version to begin competition shooting. The only thing I plan to do is install better sights and get a trigger job. Trigger pull is lllloooooooonnnng on the XD's. Fine for carry but not so good for competition.
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12:23 AM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
I love my XD. I've got the 45 in the compact model and it is a nice shooting piece. I will be buying another 45 in the tactical version to begin competition shooting. The only thing I plan to do is install better sights and get a trigger job. Trigger pull is lllloooooooonnnng on the XD's. Fine for carry but not so good for competition.
The light rail on the adjustable paddle holster only?
Where the heck are you in North Richland Hills? I live on Tipperary Court.
I am having a hard time figuring out which XD I want. I can only carry one comfortably, hehehehe. I went to the local shop (Pioneer Gun Shop on Bedford-Euless Rd in Hurst, Tx) yesterday and fondled/molested the 4" barrel XD in .45 (which I love but I think I decided it was a wee bit too large for concealed carry) and the XD subcompact in .40 cal. (again, which I love). Now I am having a difficult time deciding which one I want between the 9mm and the .40! Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I carry a 9mm now and loaded with good defensive rounds (Cor-Bon or Hydra-Shok), it is potent. The .40, even more so according to statistics. For fun, relatively cheap shooting though (which I and my wife do often), it is hard to beat the price of 9mm FMJ for simply punching holes in targets.
In one of my earlier lives, I shot a Springfield 1911 compensated 5" barrel race gun in IPSC competition, so I am really a .45 man at heart!
If only Springfield would come out with the .45 ACP in XD subcompact my problem would be solved!
The only holsters I have seen that have the accessory rail on them are the XD models. I have seen some custom holsters that have been made with a little extra room for a laser mounted on the pistol.
quote
Originally posted by JohnF:
The light rail on the adjustable paddle holster only?
Apartments at Rufe Snow and Hightower, right across from the drilling rig!
quote
Where the heck are you in North Richland Hills? I live on Tipperary Court.
The 45 is fairly large and difficult to carry but doable, the compact model is a little better. As far as I know, Springfield will not make a subcompact 45. The 45 ACP frame is defferent than the 9/40/45 GAP frame. I have heard Springfield doesn't want to spend the money on designing one and they feel it will be too difficult to control. The 40 was going to be my next purchase, I still go back and forth sometimes between the 40 tactical and the 45 tactical but I'm pretty much set on the 45 right now. Might change when I go to get it.
Practical shooting sounds really fun. I've looked into some of the local clubs but I know one of the clubs shoots mainly at the Shooting Gallery on 820 and I will never go back to that place.
I am having a hard time figuring out which XD I want. I can only carry one comfortably, hehehehe. I went to the local shop (Pioneer Gun Shop on Bedford-Euless Rd in Hurst, Tx) yesterday and fondled/molested the 4" barrel XD in .45 (which I love but I think I decided it was a wee bit too large for concealed carry) and the XD subcompact in .40 cal. (again, which I love). Now I am having a difficult time deciding which one I want between the 9mm and the .40! Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I carry a 9mm now and loaded with good defensive rounds (Cor-Bon or Hydra-Shok), it is potent. The .40, even more so according to statistics. For fun, relatively cheap shooting though (which I and my wife do often), it is hard to beat the price of 9mm FMJ for simply punching holes in targets.
In one of my earlier lives, I shot a Springfield 1911 compensated 5" barrel race gun in IPSC competition, so I am really a .45 man at heart!
If only Springfield would come out with the .45 ACP in XD subcompact my problem would be solved!
[This message has been edited by afRaceR (edited 01-30-2008).]
Hey neat! Thanks. I notice that Fobus SP 11B paddle holster that fits my PT111 is the exact same paddle holster that is for the XD and it has rail! I just noticed it. I wonder now if it is the light/laser rail. Guess I'll have ot check it out.
BTW - why haven't you been out and about with the NTFC bunch. We've had a great time in the area and are planning on many activities for the year.
My wife wants to go skeet shooting. She is a teacher at the college and one of her students last semester told her to get into that sport. She has never been so I will try and take her to Alpine Range this Sat. or Sunday. She is having a ball with the shooting sports of any kind!
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10:22 PM
Jan 31st, 2008
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
I'm lazy mostly and been out of town alot on the weekends. But now I need to get a new clutch master cylinder cuz the reservoir cracked on mine. I just haven't been looking forward to messing with the clutch, I've been putting off going to the dentist too. Neither is very much fun. I plan to meet up, even if I don't show up with a fiero.
I'm sure she will enjoy skeet. I haven't done it in awhile but some of us used to get together out at my parents church and shoot with the preacher.
quote
Originally posted by JohnF:
Hey neat! Thanks. I notice that Fobus SP 11B paddle holster that fits my PT111 is the exact same paddle holster that is for the XD and it has rail! I just noticed it. I wonder now if it is the light/laser rail. Guess I'll have ot check it out.
BTW - why haven't you been out and about with the NTFC bunch. We've had a great time in the area and are planning on many activities for the year.
My wife wants to go skeet shooting. She is a teacher at the college and one of her students last semester told her to get into that sport. She has never been so I will try and take her to Alpine Range this Sat. or Sunday. She is having a ball with the shooting sports of any kind!
Prices are pretty good but some of the items haven't been in stock for awhile. I've been wanting to place an order for awhile but I'm waiting for a few things to restock.
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09:10 PM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
I can't wait to shoot this thing. i've been walking around the house drawing on stuff. not using the sights, just keeping my eyes on the target. i freeze and hold still as best i can. then look at the sights and they are lined up with the target. I *knew* this gun felt good in my hand.
i bet i can make 5~6" groups at 7 yards without using the sites. that may not impress most of you, but when someone is running at you @ 14 feet a second, 1/2 of a second counts.
i'll give a report once i get some rounds through it.
i ran some dry fire drills tonight, and all i can say is HA... i was worried about hitting the mag release button with my thumb while shooting.
i cant reach the mag release if i hold the gun on target. my thumb is just to short. I the only way I have found to release the mag is use my right middle finger to press the right mag release. yes i understand that i'm loosing my grip, but i have to completely let go of the grip to use my right thumb.
guess i need to practice using my support thumb to release the mag from the left side.
and BTW, I still think the slide lock lever is way too hard to release. i better practice doing a tactical mag replacement with one still in the pipe as well.
[This message has been edited by buddycraigg (edited 01-31-2008).]
I think its a pretty comfortable weapon to fire. Very easy to point and shoot, practiced this quite a bit. If the need for it arises, I want to be comfortable knowing I can.
Grouping with actually aiming rounds is very tight, even shooting cheap Blazer ammo. Gun is predictable and easily controlled even with a 45 compact model. I'm interested in how range time goes.
The mag release is not a problem while shooting, they actually sell extended mag release buttons. It is a little weird to release mags. I have tried a few different ways and I think the way I like best is to use the shooting hand thumb and grabbing the other mag at the same time. The 45 frame is alittle bigger so I have to rotate my hand a little to reach it. I'm going to try an extended release to see how it feels. The slide lock is alittle hard, it will get lighter after a few magazines of ammo but still takes some work. I have heard talk of making an extended release but have only seen custom pieces and some people have modified the lever slightly. I usually just rock the slide back and then let it fall. Gotten fairly quick practicing the whole motion.
And where's pictures of the new toy?
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10:17 PM
Feb 1st, 2008
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002
I am having a very difficult time deciding between the 9mm/.40 XD SC and the .45 XD Compact. I am going to try and find someone who has the .45 compact that will let me carry it for a bit. I really, really do want the .45 (as I've said, I just am a .45 man at heart). I just don't know if the .45 is feasible as a constant/comfortable carry weapon for the size trade off. The 9mm/.40 will fill the bill, I'm sure. So, if I can carry the .45 for a bit, I can then make a rational decision.
As to the mag release issiue, in IPSC shooting, I've always raised/rotated the weapon slightly in my hand and been able to hit the mag release button while simultaneously reaching for the next mag with my other hand and in one motion slam the new loaded mag into the butt of the gun/releasing the slide with my shooting hand/assuming the two handed hold/resuming shooting. Now, question, does the XD slide release and chamber a round when it is locked back and a loaded mag is firmly inserted into the butt? My older Springfield required that I release the slide manually before continuing shooting, my wife's .380 automatically releases the slide and returns to battery. Of course, in IPSC combat shooting, the object was to never let the slide lock back (gun empty) before inserting a new mag and continuing to shoot.
Originally posted by JohnF: Now, question, does the XD slide release and chamber a round when it is locked back and a loaded mag is firmly inserted into the butt?
no, you have to do it manually.
and IMO, it is very firm. It takes a strong thumb to release it. someone on the XD forums suggest that it is easier with a loaded mag, but i just read that this morning so i have to try it when i get home.
Well yesterday I had a really good day at the gun shops.
I was going to go to Elite like you had mentioned but they were closed. So I went to SMR which is in the same shopping center. Picked up a enlarged mag release button for $10 and an enlarged magwell adapter for $5. These were the last ones he had and made me a really good deal. Both retail for around $30 a piece at the company's website http://www.smartlock.com I didn't really need these pieces but it was too good to pass on and I figured these would be great for a tactical pistol later. I wanted to see the difference in the button so I went ahead and installed it. Took 5 minutes tops and all I can say is WOW! No longer need to rotate my hand to reach the button. I need to take the button back out to coat, can't have any shiny stuff.
Here's the new button installed:
And here's the old compared with the new:
I also started a new build, I figured I might as well start this now incase the Clintons get back in office and recesitate the assault weapons ban:
The lower is complete except for the stock which I'm still looking for one I like, trigger gaurd which I'm ordering the enlarged gaurd, and I will be changing the pistol grip to a MAGPUL, the one on the lower now is the cheapy that came in the parts kit. So far I am at $215 including the MAGPUL magazine. I can already tell the trigger sucks, it is really rough, and will be ordering a Rock River Arms trigger kit soon.
[This message has been edited by afRaceR (edited 02-03-2008).]
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11:48 AM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
Elite and SMR? Have you been a bit futher east on Bedford-Euless Rd to Pioneer Gun Shop? They have the Springfield's where I molested/fondled the XD compact and the XD subcompact (trying to further confuse myself, I guess).
BTW - The enlaged mag release is nice, I'm sure. The enlarged mag well adapter is a NECESSITY! Congratulations! I'm glad to know they are available for the XD. Thanks.
No I didn't even know about that one. Some how I got it in my mind that you wrote Elite, doesn't even look like Pioneer though so i don't know how I did that. I'll check them out. SMR doesn't have much. I do need to go back to get some 7.62 ammo, he's got a good deal on some plinker ammo. Now that I'm building this AR I'm thinking about building a 3 gun setup. I found a pretty good deal for a 1911 kit online that's really reasonable priced and comes with 80% frame, slide, a barrel and trigger group.
Where do you go shoot? I know you said you were going to Alpine to go skeet shooting but is there any indoor ranges you go to local? I've been to the Shooting Gallery off east loop 820 and I wasn't impressed.
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01:48 PM
JohnF Member
Posts: 2622 From: Redeye's Ride is from D/FW, Tx. Registered: Jul 2001
hey afRaceR, what you gonna do with your old release button?
I don't know. Thinking about modifying it to an extended release. You want it? I'll probably never do anything with it.The website lists a different versions for the 45 frame and the 9/40 frame but I don't know the difference in the buttons. I know the frame is wider on the 45. So just dropping a factory 45 button into 9/40 frame might be like adding an extended button? I don't know. I can bring my micrometer home tomorrow and measure it.
The XD is made in Croatia. It was actually designed and first imported from there under the name HS-2000. I guess it was built in 2000? I don't know. But Springfield bought the license and has the original company make them and logo them as Springfields. And if you look in the symbol, it still sails "HS Produkt Karlovac" under the "Springfield Armory". And as far as I know, this Springfield is not the same company of the famed Springfield Armory that was the US weapons arsenal during the revolution and civil war times. And I believe it was Springfield, Mass not Springfield, Illinois. I may be wrong and its too late for me to go back and research that so don't flame me.
Either way this is one hell of a nice weapon, I don't care who makes it or where its made.
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02:02 AM
buddycraigg Member
Posts: 13606 From: kansas city, mo Registered: Jul 2002