[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Like many traditionalists, I was wrong in thinking that "plastic guns" would break quickly and not last the test of time. Though I steel prefer blued steel and old, "out of date" Hi Powers and 1911s, there are many who rather like these "modern" pistols using polymer in place of the traditional steel or aluminum alloy frame. Though there were such pistols before Glock, it was the design that entrenched polymer in handguns likely from now on.

Of late I've been reading and hearing about a newcomer to this field, Springfield's XD. The pistol's available in a compact version, the service version, and a longer, tactical version and is chambered in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W at present.

Some opine that's it's a superior pistol to the Glock, which it obvious emulates while others firmly disagree. Me, I don't know, but decided to add one to my collection and find out. Understand that while I will make observations and give opinions, such are frequently subjective and might not be true for you. This report is a bit more detailed than others I've done as not all of us are so familiar with the XD as we might be other guns. I'm well-satisfied that some are considering buying as well.

The Pistol: I traded off a gun that I've not shot in years and came home with the XD9 Service version of the gun. I suspect that this will be the most common version of the XD in use.

I find the XD to be comfortable in handling...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pff6c164a2509ddfd424ddccbab684e31/fc9adbe6.jpg

Specs from Springfield Armory:

Barrel Length: 4.05"
Weight: 25 oz.
Length: 7"
Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.7 lbs. (They have the Glock-like safety lever mounted in the trigger, but refer to it in combination with the grip safety as "Ultra Safety Assurance" (USA) action trigger system.
Magazines: 10 round stainless steel "Easy Glide"
Finish: Bruniral

I also took some measurements that might be of interest:

Slide Thickness: 1.04" (Glock 26 measures: 1.003" for comparison.)
Frame Thickness: 1.18"
(Both are at the widest points.)
Barrel Diameter at Muzzle: 0.53" (It holds this diameter rearward for 0.36".)
Barrel Diameter Beyond Above: 0.52:
Vertical Bbl Movement w/Grip Safety Depressed: 0.01"* (Gun not cocked.)
Vertical Bbl Movement w/Grip Safety Not Depressed: Same (Gun not cocked.)
Vertical Bbl Movement w/Grip Safety Depressed: 0.015" (Gun cocked.)
Vertical Bbl Movement w/Grip Safety Not Depressed: 0.02" (Gun cocked.)
Distance from Middle of Fully Depressed Grip Safety to Middle of Trigger w/o
Depressing Trigger Safety: 2.598"
*When released, the bbl moved back upward as do the Glock bbls when pressed in the same manner.

Unlike the Glock pistol which is close kin to a DAO auto in that pressing the trigger fully cocks and releases the partially-cocked striker, when a round's chambered in the XD the striker's fully cocked and blocked by a sear and also has an internal firing pin safety that allows the pistol to fire only when the trigger's in the rearmost position. In this instance, I DO like the internal firing pin safety as there is no half-cock notch should something go wrong.

The polymer frame around the magazine well, which is beveled on the sides and rear does not flex as do the Glocks, not that this really matters in terms of function. The front and rear gripstraps are coarsely checkered and do provide for a secure grip. The thumb rests are more like thumb depressions and are actually very comfortable to me. I find the grip angle and grip "feel" more comfortable than any Glock. There is a slight relief cut under the rear of the triggerguard.

The recoil spring system consists of two springs and the dual guide rods are steel. I don't have any idea what strength these amount to, but am guessing about 18 lbs. This system closely resembles the two-piece system sold by Wolff Gunsprings for the Glock 26. Unlike the Wolff, however, these springs are captive, something I don't like as it makes it more difficult to change out recoil springs. Also, the forward end of the guide rod consists of a flat disc, which protrudes from the front of the slide by 0.06". I'm sure that this prevents any problems or damage to the part, but this does not look all that great to me. Like most pistols these days, Springfield managed to squeeze in three front cocking serrations so as not to be out of style.

Here's the front of the steel spring guide in it's normal position. Looks kind of "wierd" to me.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pc77ad245ecccc11a2de2b362e5bbef26/fc9b7f15.jpg

Underside of the XD & Glock 26 slides. XD's on the left.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p153ad1557f65247bb1ab3052e83fec7f/fc9b7f17.jpg

Here you can see the XD's recoil spring system, which is similar to the Wolff two-piece unit installed on the Glock 26 on the right.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p4bb71b385869b4691a0531d15dc928d3/fc9b7f18.jpg

With the slides removed, you can see the similarities and differences between the XD (top) compared to the Glock
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p68a0ac2f81dd319a97683f3bf5980ba5/fc9b7f19.jpg

The grooved trigger is steel with the safety being polymer. The trigger pull is long, but with a very minimal amount of overtravel. Despite this weapon's firing from a fully "cocked" pistol, the trigger pull feels about the same as that of the standard factory Glock, but maybe not quite as smooth. Whether or not this smooths up with use, I do not yet know. Trigger reset is considerably longer than the Glock; it proved no problem for me as I'm an old double-action revolver shooter and currently shoot Browning Hi Powers quite a lot. Those who are really quick and welded to the 1911's exceptional trigger and short reset might have a problem with this pistol during speed shooting strings. The XD trigger is approximately 0.373" wide, centered in a triggerguard that's about 0.603" wide. This means the trigger's about 0.115" narrower than the triggerguard on each side. For comparison, I measured my Glock 26 for these dimensions. The trigger measured 0.385" in width, centered in a triggerguard that's 0.625" wide. Thus, the trigger is protected by 0.12" of triggerguard on each side. I see no particular "threat" from either being too wide for the triggerguard.

Here you can see the steel XD trigger and the disassembly lever in the "up" postion for removal of the slide. Note that the pin in the trigger is peened and is so on both sides.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p21e480b494380abfe90b2b3d7dee23f8/fc9b7f14.jpg
The grooves in the frame allow for the use of a proprietary light source for those interested.

The ambidextrous magazine release is mounted behind the triggerguard ala 1911, SIG-Sauer, Browning HP, et al. Depressing the steel mag release retracts the catch from the notch located in the front of the magazine body. The stainless steel body is very highly polished and smooth as a mirror. It does drop free w/o hesitation. The follower is black polymer as is the magazine's floorplate. It loaded smoothly and w/o undue effort. Rounds stripped by hand did so very smoothly and the follower/spring/lips set up is such that loaded rounds are angled upward for slick feeding. Don't worry about losing this magazine at night. Just shine a flashlight in the general area and it should reflect like a diamond! Nothing bright shows while in the pistol. There is a hollow area behind the magazine well as is the case with the Glock.

A nice feature is the way the frame is recessed a bit in the area of the magazine release so that it's not so likely to accidentally be depressed. The grip safety is also visible.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p037f67cdc6aafac273668e72aaddb3b9/fc9adbf2.jpg

The slide release lever looks very similar to the Glock, but is larger and operates the same way.

Continued...

[Stephen A. Camp]

The firing pin locking plate on the rear of the slide does not extend downward toward the frame nearly so much as the Glock. I don't understand the reason for this as it appears that such might let gunk and debris more easily into this pistol that the one that is lower like the Glock's. There may be a reason for this that I flat just don't see.

Here's the locking plate gap I'm speaking of above.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pc352ddb1cd4ca9272817f981f9fdce0f/fc9b3336.jpg
You can also see the "firing pin status indicator" in the cocked position.

The pistol's take down lever is mounted on the left, forward side of the frame, but is rotated upward rather than downward for dismantling. It is an easier system than the Glock. Other than this, takedown is quite similar.

An obvious difference in these pistols is that the XD uses an internal extractor that's sort of similar to that of the traditional 1911's. There's a cylinder of steel at the end that fits a recess in the slide to hold it in proper position. This cylinder has a groove cut in it and it appears that the firing pin safety retaining pin fits in the cylinder portion's groove to keep the extractor in place. At the top rear of the very Glock-like ejection port is the loaded chamber indicator. This pivoting indicator does have what appears to be an extractor-like claw on it, but in checking it with 9mm hulls, it does not appear to aid in extraction. It does not protrude upward enough to interfere with sight picture nor does it present any potential snagging problems.

The extractor is on the cartridge's right side facing forward with the loaded chamber indicator on top. It holds the case pretty firmly, but appears to grasp it lower than midway. Though there's a claw on the indicator, it does not appear to aid in extraction. It does not push downward enough to move the round so my initial thought that perhaps the case was pushed downward during extraction is not correct.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p9250632fb78bb392c73ef256dd3d9946/fc9ba0e1.jpg

On the rear gripstrap, sits the grip safety. Much narrower than the 1911's, it is easy to depress and really isn't even felt at all when preparing to fire. When the pistol's got a round chambered a small pin protrudes from the rear of the slide through the locking plate in a manner similar to the HK P7, but it doesn't protrude nearly so far. With a round in the bbl, but the grip safety not depressed, the slide will move rearward only about 0.12;" call it an eighth of an inch.

Sights are fixed and the common 3-dot style and mercifully, made of steel. I've read that SIG-Sauer pistol sights will work in this pistol; I do NOT know that as I've not tried it, but if that's the case, it might be of use to those wanting to replace the factory sights. Though more durable than the polymer fixed Glock sights, the sight picture's similar with both pistols and both sit on the flat slide top. To me the Glock's slide is "cleaner" than the XD's. The latter's is wider at the bottom than the top and kind of reminds me of SIG-Sauer P226, 228, etc's, slides.

Ammunition: Four handloads and six factory rounds were tried. They were:

Federal M882 124 gr FMJ
Speer Lawman 124 gr TMJ
Federal 115 gr JHP
PMC Starfire 115 gr JHP (This load's not offered in anything but 124 gr now to the best of my knowledge.)
Winchester USA 115 gr FMJ (This is NOT the same company's "target ammo.")
Remington 115 gr JHP +P

Handloads included cast, plated, and jacketed bullets. This was done as some will want to reload for this pistol.

124 gr Hornady XTP
6.0 gr Unique
Winchester SP Primer
Starline Cases
LOA: 1.11"*

124 gr Speer GDHP
6.0 gr Unique
Winchester SP Primer
Starline Cases
LOA: 1.115"*
*(Both of these hit over 1200 ft/sec from Browning Hi Powers.)

124 gr Rainier Plated RN
6.9 gr Blue Dot
Winchester SP Primer
Starline Cases
LOA: 1.15"

122 gr Rucker Cast FP
6.9 gr Blue Dot
Winchester SP Primer
Starline Cases
LOA: 1.075"

The handloads using Blue Dot average about 1140 ft/sec from Browning Hi Powers and have proven reasonably accurate, something frequently not so easy to find in 9mm pistols.

Note: I forgot to grab any of the Corbon 115 gr +P JHP today, but will try it in the near future. Should there be any feeding problems with this short, blunt 9mm round, I'll report it.

Continued...

[Stephen A. Camp]

Shooting: There was no 50-yard shooting today; it was sprinkling off and on between true showers and I stayed dry shooting at the closer distances as the 50 yard range was ankle deep in water. Groups were fired off-hand at 15 yards standing and w/2-hand hold. I did shoot the groups at 25 yards seated and using a rest. The 10-yard rapid-fire group was fired standing w/2-hand hold. Due to the rain, I did NOT chronograph ammunition from the XD today. I'd never fired this pistol before today and had no idea where it would hit so I aimed "dead on" at the 15-yard targets.

Fifteen Yards:

The arrow drawn on the groups shows the first round fired after being chambered by hand.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p713ede3664c298ab06c8881fa1d33d6c/fc9adbf0.jpg

...and the final groups fired at this distance.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pba2d26b614de742120ad3fc140d7103a/fc9adbef.jpg


Twenty-five Yards:

The cast bullet handload worked pretty well out of this service rifle and with conventional rifling there should be no kaboom problems.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pfe5283a5ce575e0dae30bfa99865efbf/fc9adbea.jpg

...with a warmer load...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/pcea6bf1c27ca3df88d2e511bf7d0ab65/fc9adbed.jpg

Remington's 115 gr +P JHP shot pretty well in this pistol.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p4cd4af6d878e558705728b424cd1f0da/fc9adbee.jpg

Ten yards:

This was not timed, but I'd estimate that the ten rounds were fired well under a second apart.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p1cc08064db118104a40883a5fdf56892/fc9adbf1.jpg

Continued...

[Stephen A. Camp]

Observations: The most obvious one to me was that this particular XD suffers from "first-shot flyer syndrome." The first shot fired (chambered by hand) usually hit a bit low and left from the subsequent group. Until I saw the pattern developing after a few groups, I had thought it was just my shooting. The range master came over and fired with the same results. (He is a very fine shot.)

Feeding, extraction, and ejection were 100% reliable in this admittedly low-round test. My concerns about the extractor's low grip on the case rims has proven unfounded….so far. The loaded chamber indicator caused no problems that could be seen. Fired cases landed about 5' to my right regardless of their being standard pressure or hotter.

All rounds chambered slickly and w/o hesitation.

Recoil from any service-size handgun in 9mm is not much and this gun proved no different. I did note more muzzle flip than expected, but whether this has to do with its bore axis being 1.79" above the middle of the trigger, grip angle or a combination, I don't know. (On the Glock 26, the same measurement yielded 1.48".) It was not "bad," but was there.

The XD bbl was conventionally rifled, having lands and grooves and appeared to be a 1:10 twist.

The XD bbl showing how much it supports the case.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p4624b4ec0a07180c6215c03769ea9c29/fc9bf092.jpg

For comparison, here's my Glock 26 bbl.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid39/p4a1d4a908292fde8a2760d1e1182e46e/fd07f80d.jpg

This pistol hit a bit high for me. Switching to a 6 O' Clock hold helped, but it is still on the high end on POI. Windage seemed about right out of the box and while I prefer plain black on black fixed sights, these were not hard to use.

I found this pistol "hard" to shoot accurately in slow-fire @ 15 and 25 yards, but got a little better as the testing proceeded. While I had no scales by which to measure the trigger-pull, it did not seem that much different than the Glock, although it did seem less "smooth." I could get decent groups, but had to work/concentrate for them more so than with some other pistols. In rapid-fire, I could tell no difference between this pistol and a Glock in terms of getting good hits.

Certainly, this pistol would need to be shot more before I'd consider it for self-defense use and I plan to use it as a "loaner" in CHL class I teach as well as personally shoot it quite a bit. Should there be dramatic changes, I will report them, good or bad. I have no idea how this gun's dark rust-resistant finish will hold up compared to the Glock's tennifer. Time will tell and so will I.

A personal concern that I've had with striker-fired pistols is reliability in firing "hard primered" rounds. I recall some Greek surplus 9mm that was not recommended for Glocks due to this. I checked primer strikes with CCI,known for harder primers, a military Federal load, and a +P Remington load. Though not definitive, it does show reasonably well-centered strikes along with some cratering and firing pin "wipe." This caused no problems, but I'd sure be sure of my ammunition, not only in feeding/extraction, but in firing.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid52/p4b6075c367a4d22bc59af3099a2bfcb1/fc9adb31.jpg

It's my opinion after looking the gun over pretty closely that its intrinsic accuracy potential is there, but I had a somewhat challenging time in practically being able to get it due to the trigger. Part of this is just me as I can usually be found shooting light, crisp 1911 triggers or very nice BHP triggers. However, some more practice and familiarization with the XD might result in some tighter groups.

So what's it good for? I think it's obvious that the pistol's meant to be a down-and-dirty defensive tool rather than a match-precision target pistol, but I do think it has the mechanical capability of doing some tight groups with practice and ammo it "likes." If you like holsterless carry and prefer the Glock genre of defensive pistols, this would be the one I'd pick over the Glock. Fully loaded, weight is NOT a problem and I personally find the feel of the XD more comfortable than the Glock 19. (I think the G19 is the best Glock to compare the Service XD to, but I only own one Glock, the G26.) Assuming reliability, I would not hesitate to carry this as a trusted personal defense pistol and think it would be capable of "rescue shots" at 15 yards in my hands right now. However, in a tactical type situation or taking small game, I'd have to go with my 1911s and P35s. This does not mean that I wouldn't take a shot at a jackrabbit 40 yards out, only that I'd have to "work at it" more. I'm sure that this is due to my having used the single-action automatic pretty heavily for just over 3 decades now.

I've heard that some of the gun magazines are writing up the XD pistols now; I've not read any articles on it so I have no idea if the scribes' opinions will match mine or not. I don't really care as this is what I experienced and is true as I can put it out. I know the report is long, but wanted to inform as much as I could for those interested in the XD series.

I have no perfect pistols and didn't find it with the Service XD, but I do like it. It will fill a nitch in my perceived firearm needs. I wouldn't be surprised to find this thing riding with me in the car console on occasion or concealed in a waist band if unexpectedly wanted.

Best.

[Tecolote]

Mr Camp,

Thanks for another excellent review. I can assure you that it's tenfold better than anything printed in the rags.

[Akurat]

God thats a great review!! Nice detailed pics. Thanks, add the XD/HS to my list of maybes for tommorow's gunshow :)

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks for the compliments. I'm glad it appears to've been of some use. That one was some work to do! Bahahaha!

Best.

[cratz2]

Hello Stephen! Glad to hear. Your reports are one of my very favorite parts of visiting the various forums on which you post. An honest, heartfelt, 'Thanks'.

I may have to pick up an XD9.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Thanks. To me, it will never be the favorites that certain P35s & 1911s are, but it is a "good" gun...at least this far and it can serve a definite need.

Many folks seem interested in these, but information's been more limited than with the older, more well-known pistols.

Best.

[New_comer]

Thanks for the excellent review on the XD/HS2000, Stephen! :D

Ever since the HS came to our shores, more and more people are being attracted to it, considering that it's $200 cheaper than the Glock19/26.

I have also placed the XD in my "to get" list, one in .40 SW, to be my beater gun. Just so to save my USP from further abuse (not that it can't take it :D)

[Kahr carrier]

Great Range Report Again.:D

[Hkmp5sd]

Is the "firing pin status indicator" a cute feature or is it needed because you cannot tell by the trigger position if the gun is "cocked"?

I wonder if it has the potential to be mistaken as a bullet chambered indicator by the less knowledgable or attentive.

[Tropical Z]

Excellent post! Thanx:)

[hksw]

Another excellent report.

From what I've read concerning the recoil spring guiderod for the HS when it first appeared, the slight extension past the muzzle/slide in the front is meant to be used as a stand-off device if needed. That is, if the front of the gun is pressed up squarely against something, the stand-off will prevent the obstruction from pushing the slide/barrel rearward and disconnecting and/or unlocking the action, which would render the gun inoperable in a potentionally critical moment.

[stevec]

Stephen,
Thanks for another excellent review. Someone I know was looking at polymer compacts and I mentioned that the XD's had really good reviews from users, but that I'd never had a chance to shoot one.
Well, he ended up picking one up - and its going to end up as an off duty carry weapon. I feel better of about mentioning the XD to him, knowing that it got a positive review on the "Camp Report"!

Steve

ps.
By the way, one of the things that John Jardine likes to point out on his Valtros is that the extractor grabs the rim a little lower than the center. His argument is that during extraction, the barrel unlocks and drops lower. If the extractor starts on the center of the rim, then when the barrel unlocks, the extractor will be grabbing higher on the rim, and getting less engagement. With the extractor a little lower, even as the barrel unlocks, the extractor claw is grabbing the rim closer to the center - resulting in more reliable extraction.
Is it true? I dunno, but it makes a lot of sense - and nobody seems to complain about extraction problems on the Valtros. Maybe the XD uses the same trick.

[10-Ring]

Bravo! Another fine review Stephen, thanks :)

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks. Dang! There you are! I think that very well could be why the extractor claw is below center on the round; the chamber area DOES drop during the unlocking process. Looking at the gap at the top of the bbl at the muzzle/slide area, the amount below center is about the same as that gap. Thanks, SteveC. I should have seen that myself.

Best and thanks.

[M58]

Superior to any gun mag review.
Wow!;)

[38snapcaps]

I was at the range yesterday for the first time with my newly purchased XD. I found this range report to be quite accurate.

I have had three nines previously (CZ-75, BHP, and Ruger P-94) and was so disappointed in them I was about to give up on 9mm handguns. I saw the new stainless slide model in the case at a gun shop as I walked by and had to take a closer look. I picked it up and WOW, it felt just GREAT, like the designer used my hand for its ergonomics. I instantly liked the trigger especially and how quickly the sight picture came into view from a low ready. Out came the credit card, I just had this amazing feeling this was going to be good one.

I took it out to shoot the next day and I am now more excited about the gun than in the store! Very comfortable, controls are all nice to operate, a nice trigger feel, soft recoil, and very accurate considering it's new and I'm new to it. Field stripping is a breeze. Its what I would call a "clean shooting" gun. You know how some guns are just a mess to clean up, well, not this one.

These guns are really nice, I highly recommend it.

[Schuey2002]

Wow! Another brilliant range report from the master!!

Way to go , Mr. Camp! :cool:

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I'll continue to shoot the XD and if there's any noteworthy changes in accuracy, reliability, or function, I'll report it here be it good or bad.

Best.

PS: I'm also not going to clean the interior to see how many rounds go down range w/o problems...or until I can't stand it's being dirty anymore.

[Kcustom45]

Stephen,
Great review and great pictures. I'm not sure if you were aware of this or not, but according to Springfield the XD is designed to use the 6 o'clock sight picture at 25yds.

By the way is anyone else's Operation and safety Manual stapled together wrong?

[Island Beretta]

Stephen:

Great review. Sometime ago I posted a thread concerning reports about 'flyers' with the XD. I tried it also and got flyers. I notice that you had some too, along with a shooting colleague. What are your thoughts on this?

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. First, I am NOT a gunsmith by any stretch of the imagination, but it does sound reasonable that when chambering by hand vs the gun chambering right after firing results in different dynamics, vibrations, forces affecting the way the bbl relocks into battery. One fellow mentioned that his "first shot flyers" diminished after about 750 rounds or so as the gun's parts seated themselves and the gun broke in.

We'll see. I'll keep shooting mine and will report any observations, good or bad.

Best.

[Blackhawk]

Thanks for another great review, Stephen! :D

I've been interested in that pistol for a while, and it always amazes me how you manage to find and review pistols I've got an active interest in!

[hlpsr]

Hey Stephen,

I've been hanging around the gun boards for the last couple of years and have always found your replys and comments very worth while. I like the BHP as you do and have three of them as well as a Kimber Custom Royal 45 ACP along with a number of other 9mm's. My latest 9mm is a S&W 952 which probably has the best trigger of any of my current pistols but some what on the expensive side. Keep up those tests, I agree they are better than most gun magazine tests.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks. How about a report on that 952?

Best.

[hlpsr]

Stephen,

If I could shoot half as good as you I might but my 71 year old eyes just don't cut it anymore but I do have fun at the range.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir, and thanks. Well, you've got 20 years on me. I sincerely hope that in twenty I'm able to get out and enjoy myself.

Best.

[CB900F]

Mr. Camp;

Nice to see you again. Found this site after Shooters went down.

My son recently bought the Springfield XD in .40 S&W. He and I are looking forward to comparing it with my H&K USP compact in the same caliber. Thanks for the excellent report, it will give us a much better starting point with the XD, having that information.

My personal preference is to avoid the striker-fired guns. I simply prefer both the hammer and a slide mounted operating lever. As a side note; were you aware that the H&K's can now be had with an ambidextrous operating lever? I had mine retro-fitted by H&K USA, with reasonable cost & quick turn around time. I also specifically denied them the authority to mount the new safety lock device on my gun & did not get any argument about that at all. Best to you, 900F

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks for the information on the HK pistols. I was not aware of it. My preference is for the visible hammered pistols and cocked and locked, but I kind of like this XD, too.

Best.

[Glock_17]

And another excellent review from the master!

Thanks Stephen!


Glock_17

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks, but no "master" here. Glad you liked the post.

Best.

[CB900F]

Mr. Camp;
Good to see you again. Since Shooter's shut down, I'd been wondering where some of the folks got off to.

My son recently bought the XD in .40 S&W. We are going to compare it with my H&K USP compact in the same caliber. Your article will be a great help with the information that it presents.

As a side note, were you aware that the USP series now can have an ambidextrous operationg lever? I sent my compact into H&K USA for retro-fitting earlier this year. The work was done quickly and at reasonable expense, with the exception that the only way they would return the gun to me was UPS next day air.
That mandatory 'service' was seriously overpriced. I also specifically denied them the right to add the new lock-out 'safety' to my gun & didn't get any argument about that whatsoever.
Best to you - 900F

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello and thanks for the information concerning the HK USPs.

Best.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. The ice/bad weather was enough improved to head to the range with the XD9 again to do a bit more shooting and testing.

Today, due to the weather, each group fired was done at 15 yards in slow-fire while one rapid-fire group was done at 10 yards.

Furthermore, since most would consider the XD series pistols as defensive arms primarily, only ammunition from all over the defensive type was used.

Ammunition Used:

Left to Right: Remington 147 gr Golden Saber, Corbon +P 115 gr JHP, Federal Nyclad 124 gr HP, Federal 115 gr JHP, Federal 124 gr +P+ HydraShok, Corbon 124 gr "Bonded" +P JHP, and Glaser 80 gr "Silver" Safety Slug.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/pfce92b255a7d34e2417733b08cbea78f/fc937d20.jpg

15-Yards: Five-shot groups were fired slow-fire with each brand shown. While not a definitive reliability test, 10 rounds were loaded into the magazine, a round chambered, and the magazine topped off for a total of 11 rounds in the gun. That way, the XD was being fired as it would likely be carried.

Groups were satisfactory considering the temperature. I was not sure whether it was me or the ammo with the normally very accurate 115 gr Federal JHP, but the groups are about the same. In my earlier "Range Report" on the XD, this load grouped considerably tighter; this was from a different lot and shows the need to check one's carry ammo on a regular basis.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p71d5a7aec5b8fd85a562e3ce7b73c0b1/fc937d1f.jpg

I did use a 6 O' Clock hold this time and the work at home dry-firing does seem to've helped. Also as one gentleman had advised, after some rounds went downrange in his pistol, "first-shot flyer" syndrome went away. I did NOT notice it this session. The gun's had about 350 rnds or so through it since the original report and before today's shooting.

The second set of ammunition fired for group at 15 yards.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/pdfd22770ecf03ff6f4aebf6a2eb9c9de/fc937d1c.jpg
I remembered wrong. The Glaser is 80 gr, not 70.

Were I to experience any problems, I would have expected it to have been with the blunt Corbon 115 gr JHP, but such was not the case. The round fed "slickly" from both magazines be they full or only partially loaded.

The Corbon 124 gr "Bonded" JHP is an older lot of their ammunition from when they used the Speer 124 gr Gold Dot instead of Sierra's 125 gr JHP. I didn't have any Speer 124 gr +P GDHPs to try so I used these as the GDHP from Speer's a pretty popular round and velocities between the Speer and Corbon are very similar.

Not so popular as in the past, I also fired some of Glaser's +P Safety Slug. There was a problem with this round which will be brought out under "Observations."

Some prefer the heavier bullet weights in 9mm and to my surprise, I found a box of Remington's 147 gr Golden Saber and included it in today's shoot.

10-Yards:

The group consists of 11 shots firing in 5 sets of controlled pairs with the final shot fired as quickly as a sight picture picture could be obtained. It does appear that at speed, I'm "slapping" the trigger from the number of hits that are low and left. I'll work on this.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p53b3cd391413931f2a2eb8a7488e6a41/fc937d24.jpg

I used the Corbon 115 gr +P as it had the sharpest feeling recoil of any load test, though this was not at all "bad."

Observations:

The gun's capable of very good accuracy. I was not able to wring it out today, but am satisfied that it'll group better than I'm capable of. I'm becoming familar with the trigger which helps and has not proven difficult.

Ejection was similar to that reported in the initial report. However, I did have two malfunctions today, both with the Glaser. Both were failures to eject. It appears that the XD does not like this light, fast round's recoil impulse.

Note that the extractor seems to've torn the rim of this case. Though this exact same jam was repeated in firing 3 more Glasers, the rim was NOT torn. After noting this, I checked every fired case, particularly the +P rounds, for defects like the one shown; there were none. Checking the extractor claw itself showed nothing wrong.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p9791371dc3557572ff3306bc0bda0693/fc937d21.jpg

I also included the "scientific mud expansion tests" on a couple of rounds. Doesn't prove anything, but folks seem to like it. If interested in how these rounds do in 10% ballistic gelatin, one site you might find of interest is www.ammolab.com , and others.

Two Corbon 115 gr +P JHPs fired from the XD.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p2c934a1b08131a0383234ed9af4d4ed0/fc937d22.jpg

...and Remington's "heavy" 147 gr Golden Saber.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p5c72c5d771ce408d2bb48e752415826b/fc937d1b.jpg

In closing, the Federal 124 gr Nyclad standard pressure hollow point is discontinued for public sale, but if you locate some, I've found it to be accurate and reliable in all 9mm pistols I've tried it in. Accuracy runs from "good" to "excellent" in my experience. In animals, it has expanded pretty nicely...should you prefer a standard pressure load.

Best.

[care-less]

Wow!! This guy needs to be on our Olympic shooting team. 15yds!!! No scope! No red dot! I am impressed; not with the pistol though.:what:

[Beav]

Great work Stephen!

Is there anywhere that I can find all of your reviews in one place?

Thanks

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Thank you. You can find most at www.pistolsmith.com under "Gun Tests."

Best.

[JohnKSa]

Very nice. I think the Shotgun News would publish an article like that. It's packed with way too much useful and interesting information to work for most gun rags!

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I continue to shoot this pistol and have had zero problems other than the one mentioned in the original report concerning Glaser 70 gr Pre-Fragmented rounds.

Today, I chronographed a number of rounds through the XD9 "Service Model" w/4.05" bbl using conventional rifling. Most of the 9mm pistols I shoot have longer bbls than this so I wanted some results with a 4" bbl to add to the data provided by other 9mms I shoot.

Information provided is from 10-shot groups fired about 10' from the muzzle. Extreme Spread and Standard Deviations are also provided.

Though I did fire some handloads, I'll provide data on the factory loads as they're likely of more interest.

Hirtenberger 100 gr JSP
"FL-Bullet":
Av. Velocity: 1311 ft/sec, ES: 70, SD: 23

Though frequently touted as "hot," I do not find this to be particularly fast for this bullet weight. This load IS a penetrator and does better on sheet steel than I've seen with many FMJ loads. I have no idea if it will open in "soft targets." There are dangerously hot SMG rounds out there from this company that I'd not shoot in my pistols, but this is not one of them. It also groups pretty darned well.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid48/p1c116904fdf426599fd9ff6665c7e441/fcbeee2f.jpg

Winchester 127 gr +P+ JHP
RA9TA:
Av. Velocity: 1257 ft/sec, ES: 29, SD: 11

Somewhat difficult to obtain if not in LE, this round does expand well under most conditions and barriers according those more knowledgeable than I. I found it consistent and accurate as well. The bullet pictured was fired into water.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/p21d092b18a7e5a13e82f0ae3c528cad4/fc8c8480.jpg
The recovered bullet weighed 116.4 grains and the expanded diameter was 0.68"X 0.71" and the bullet was 0.365" tall. I estimate penetration at something around 13 or 14".

Federal 115 gr JHP std pressure
9BP:
Av. Velocity: 1152 ft/sec, ES: 43, SD: 13

This one, an old standard, was also fired into water. There was jacket separation. This frequently happens when doing expansion tests in water and may or may NOT happen in tissue.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid53/pf8edeb1ea7091db65f53e00d51824dfc/fc8c8482.jpg
The recovered bullet weighed 107.8 grains. Expanded diameter of the bullet was 0.65" x 0.71" and the jacket, 0.65" x 0.88". The latter figures may not be of value, but someone always asks about that so I included it before I lost the figures.

Federal 124 gr +P+ HydraShok:
Av. Velocity: 1189 ft/sec, ES: 36, SD: 15

Remington 147 gr
Golden Saber:
Av. Velocity: 1031 ft/sec, ES: 30, SD: 10

Federal 124 gr Nyclad HP:
Av. Velocity: 1119 ft/sec, ES: 74, SD: 23

Corbon 115 gr +P JHP:
Av. Velocity: 1373 ft/sec, ES: 25, SD: 7

This XD seems to really like this Corbon load. It grouped darned well, too. Both it and the other Corbon round tested exceeded the factory's advertised velocities.

Speer "Lawman" 124 gr TMJ "Clean Fire:"
Av. Velocity: 1127 ft/sec, ES: 24, SD: 8

Corbon 124 gr +P "Bonded" JHP: (Discontinued load that uses Speer's 124 gr Gold Dot Hollow Point.)
Av. Velocity: 1290 ft/sec, ES: 47, SD: 14

None of these rounds caused any failures to feed or eject and none showed any dangerously swelled cases that could indicate iminent case blow-outs. Ejection was pretty much in the same vicinity although the rounds fired varied quite a bit.

Having seen that the XD (at least THIS one) does not have a "slow" bbl and its reliability remains 100% with the exception of the Glaser, I'm nearly ready to trust it as a self-defense pistol. I'll likely give it a "practical" wring-out in the next day or two.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid54/pbe9ce984b6252d7edd5df2fbd5ed2df5/fc8b5835.jpg

Hope this is of use.

Best.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Today, I fired roughly 300 or so rounds through the XD9. There were zero malfunctions. Plates and pins at 25 yards were generally no problem, but I did NOT do as well with this pistol on bowling pins at 100 yards as with pistols having lighter, crisper triggers.

The thing is capable of better accuracy than I expected and as mentioned previously, other than with Glaser Safety Slugs, it is reliable with both standard pressure, +P, and +P+ ammunition. Today, it was fed primarily plated RN reloads along with some reloaded Hornady XTPs and Speer Gold Dots. Ejection remained positive & consistent.

Three other shooters fired the pistol and all three did pretty well with it. No malfunctions for them, either.

This evening, I finally cleaned the pistol. There was some crud at nearly a thousand rounds, but wear consisted of just the usual bright rub marks.

I do trust this relatively new pistol for defensive purposes now, but as always, the wise thing to do is test your individual pistol before trusting it for anything important.

Best.

[Beav]

Thanks for the review, I've had my eye on an XD 357SIG ;)

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, and thanks. If you get the XD .357SIG, please let us know your impressions.

Best.

[Leadbutt]

Stephen,as always an excellent write up, I have one of the first imports when they were the HS2000 in 9mm, and and now have the 40 and 357sig to go along with them,
I have found the first round flyer to be the norm with them , the guys at Black Water training seem to think its the way the slide reacts from hand chambering to recoil caused chambering. The dovetails are in fact cut so as to use SIG sights,have mounted the Ashley big dots on all of mine, and accoding to some of the first paper work put out the recoil spring guide is as another posted, a stand off to keep the muzzle from going point blank on an object.

[stevec]

A few folks over on the HS2000talk site reported on a new trigger job the first week or so of February. Looks like they can get a trigger comparable to a good 1911 trigger on the XD (almost no takeup, very short reset and anywhere from 2.5 - 4 lbs pull weight).

Hmmm, a polymer gun that feels good in your hand, points like a browning, is accurate and has a 1911 level trigger? Sounds a little too good to be true!

Steve

[dairycreek]

can be taken for what it is! Just fact and considered opinion and experience. I'll probably never buy an XD but that in no way detracts from what was a most enjoyable review. Keep up the good work. Good shooting;)

[albanian]

Excellent report as always Mr. Camp!
I thought I would bump this up to the top since there seem to have been a lot of questions about the XD series recently. Hopefully some of the members will read this report and it will answer some of their questions.

The only part of the report that I disagreed with was the accuracy. The XD was just another pistol to me until I saw how accurate it was. I have been very impressed with the overall accuracy and ease at which I can shoot it well. I wonder if you got another XD-9 if your accuracy results might be a bit better. If they are not, I will chalk it up to different shooters being able to shoot different guns well. I can't shoot SIGs well unless it is from a bench or at least a two hand hold slow fire. I know that they are more accurate than I am but I just can't get all the accuracy out of them for some reasons. I wonder if the XD-9 is the same way for some shooters. It just works for me but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it didn't work for others.

I love Stephen's reports and we are blessed to have him aboard. He trys to be impartial and gives facts in his reports not just his likes and dislikes. We need more people like Mr. Camp because I have noticed a decline in the amount of good info on this forum in the past 6 months or so. It used to be that you could get a good answer to a question by someone that knew what they were talking about on just about any subjuct. Lately it seems that if I have a specific questions about a S&W for example, I have to go the S&W boards to find someone that knew their stuff. Maybe I have just been asking more complicated question as of late and that is what I have noticed.

[Island Beretta]

Almost 2 years later since my post on the one-shot flyer here and having handled quite a few XDs and seen others fire it too, I still see a problem with this. It decreases as the gun gets more round count. I saw a gunsmith take a file to the feedramp to improve seating and feeding on a number of them and I have seen a few drop mags during competition.

They are also rust-prone.. all in all, after 2 years of additional exposure to this weapon design and despite all the marketing hype, IMHO and FWIW, it is not the bargain or the pistol some people think it is.. and certainly not a threat to Glock..

[Island Beretta]

..I just realised it is almost 3 years after and not 2.. phew, time sure is flying>>

[yesterdaysyouth]

Twenty-five Yards:

The cast bullet handload worked pretty well out of this service rifle and with conventional rifling there should be no kaboom problems.

:confused: