[orangeninja]

I have been holding out for a Springfield XD40 subcompact but after 2 weeks lost my patience and got the 9mm instead. It didn't hurt the argument by learning that 13 round mags will be provided from Springfield to replace the 10 rounders that came with it. I got it with the 2 dot Heine night sights and the below is the report of my first experience with it.

1.) The gun has a lot more muzzle flip when shooting +P or hot loaded rounds. The fireball is surprising also. Makes me very glad that I did NOT get a .40, which is my favorite caliber. I am not really recoil sensitive since I shoot a .40 cal 229 Sig and a Kahr K40, however the high bore axis combined with the smallish frame and light weight of the gun, well, I was surprised. The muzzle flip is not terrible just more than I expected.

2.) The gun functioned flawlessly with JHP and FMJ rounds. I will soon try a box of Winchester 147gr. Silver Tips, which have been a LEO favorite for years. THAT will be the ultimate test since I have never owned a subcomact of any brand that could feed those with reliability.

3.) The Pierce grip extension is nice, but not necessary, which again is surprising since I like all my fingers on the gun, but this is a pretty thick grip. I prefer the Pierce, but can make accurate shots without it.

4.) The Heine sights are quicker than 3 dot but not as long range accurate since lining up left to right is more difficult. However I believe about 2 more trips to the range and it will be easier. Basically it has 2 dots, you put one on top of the other but it is less specific than the line dot configuration of sigs.

*5* and this is where I have a problem with this gun. It shoots dead on bulls at 9 to 10 feet. Fine. It shoots about 1 to 2 inches high and left at 21-22 ft. This is bad. SO I tested it by taking slow measured shots and out of 10 my grouping was a slightly ragged line, all holes touching the other. So it's not my shooting. At 33 feet, my groups spread a bit (to be expected) but still consitantly higher and more left. So I guess I need to get a smith to drift my sights more to one side to fix this problem, however this is really the only time I can remember need such work done.

Anyone else have that problem?

I cannot yet recommend the gun since I have not got the accuracy I expect yet but it is reliable thus far. Comfortable to shoot and ugly as sin according to my wife, I personally think it looks cool. It looks like it will be a solid shooter.

[Marshall]

OK, what's the target look like that it came with? Mine came with a target that had three groups fired of two rounds each. It was dead on bullseye with two rounds, 1/2" low with two rounds and a 1/2 low/right with two more, all at 10 Meters. In all three groups the two holes touch each other. I have found that was very indicative of exactly how it shoots with me behind the wheel.

Mines a 4" XD-40 but, the point is the test target.

[orangeninja]

The test target shows a good grouping, not sure exactly how far or anything. I think it had 5 holes in it, all within a saucer cup. However my bulls eye that I was shooting at was about 2 inches by 2 inches. Not a small bulls another bulls was the Shoot-N-See which is about 3x3. The groups are great at 10 feet, up and left off the target or just on the edge at 21 feet. At 33 ft or more, forget it.

My point is this. The groups seemed good, but high and left. Which can't be flinching or jerking the trigger. I can deal with aiming at 6 O'Clock, no problem, but aiming an inch or two to the right is retarded.

[Marshall]

Go take a look at your test target again and see if you match up. If not, try holding the gun a little different in your hand, with it being a rather fat, squarish grip you may need to adjust how you hold it?

[pittspilot]

My XD sights were also off when I bought the gun. Fine at 7 yards, but at 15-25 yards, the groups were tight, but off to the left.

I had one of the young rangemasters shoot the gun just to see if it wasn't me. (He had never fired an XD subcompact before) It wasn't, and the guy then got the gunsmith to adjust my sites. The gun is almost there, I do need to get it to shoot to POA, its a couple inches off at 25 yards.

You also stated that Springfield would replace the 10 rounders with the 12 rounders. I had not heard this. Could you let me know where this information is posted, because I am currently trying to locate some standard capacity XD SC mags.

[orangeninja]

I got that from the dealer....I do plan on holding him to his word.

[g56]

You will need to drift the sights to correct the windage, but you can correct elevation to some extent with the ammo you are using, lighter bullets will print lower on the target, so those Silvertips you mentioned might make a good choice.

From what I have read the XD is "combat" accurate, it's not a target pistol but should shoot around 4" groups at about 25 yards.

[tc300mag1]

As stated ammo and sights will fix most of it i use 147 sxt winchesters in mine for carry shoots 2inchs lower than my hand load of 115 range rounds but with the 115s i know its dead on pluz i figure im not gonna me shoot to super far away with a subcompact so it doesnt bother me

[orangeninja]

I was told by Springfield Armory sales via email that any new gun bought after 8-15 will have the mags replaced with high caps. They said that some type of payment is needed, I'm not sure for what, I guess shipping, also, they need your old mags. So I guess I'll buy a high cap or two then send in my other 2.

4 inch groups at 25 yards would tickle me pink in a 3 inch barrel gun.

[Fisher Man]

I use mine as a carry piece from time to time. I like it quite a bit, but cannot find anyone to tune the trigger. Is it true that the Sig sights will fit it without modification? I would like some night sights for mine.

[orangeninja]

Yes Sig sights will fit it without mods. I have a gunsmith locally finding out if it is possible to get a trigger job done on it. If he can do it, I will get it lightened to about 4 or 5 pounds and give a report.

[GhostRider66]

asked if they had XD9 "hi-caps" available yet. She said they did. I asked how much. She said $29.95 each. I asked if they fit flush. She seemed confused. I explained that I had purchased two from them during the AWB (Beretta conversions - 17rd.) and that they did not fit flush. She put me on hold and went to ask. She came back and said that these new ones (although factory) did not fit flush. She explained that the design of the weapon did not allow for them to make a higher-than-ten-round magazine that would fit flush. I then asked how it was possible that I had two .40 mags that held 14 each and they fit flush and also one 17 round conversion mag (unknown manufacturer - probably Eagle) that fit flush. She said that that was all the information she had.

Has anyone found out anything different?

[rock jock]

The first time I opened up my XD, it looked like the inside of an AK - typical eastern European crude design. Effective, but nonetheless crude.

[orangeninja]

Do the .40 subcompact mags fit flush?