[buenhec]

I have been shooting IDPA and USPSA for a couple of months with my P229 in 9mm.

I now prefer to shoot .45 ACP but only have a 7 shot Sig 220 compact. Last night I purchased a XD45 Tactical 5". It holds 13 rounds of .45. Is this a good choice for a non serious IDPA shooter. Or should I cut my losses and get a ful size Sig 220 with a 10 shot mag.

I shot the XD today for the first time and it felt fine, its not a Sig though. Wonder if its just a bit of buyers remorser. By the way, im not a 1911 fan, safties make me nervous....

[skinewmexico]

You can only load 10 either way in IDPA. XD is a great choice. I don't see what losses you're cutting, unless you're just one of those Sig kool-aid drinkers.

[Jim Watson]

An XD45 will enter IDPA in ESP loaded 10+1 or in CDP loaded 8+1. If you handload, cut your loads down to the least that will function the gun for ESP, the required power factor is only 125,000 vs 165,000 for .45s in CDP.

I doubt a P220 .45 with ten round single stack magazine would fit The Box. E. Langdon did ok with one in CDP vs 1911s 8+1 but then he is a pro.

[eflatminor]

I think it will be a fine gun for the purpose. Needs a few mods (better sites and a trigger job for sure) but for not a lot of bread, it will do the job nicely. I don't shoot IDPA all that much (big IPSC and Bullseye guy) so I didn't want to spend $2-$3k. The XD .45 will do it for under a grand.

Just for ****s and giggles, I shot the XD at a few IPSC matches in Limited 10. My times were understandably slow (new gun with a very heavy trigger) but I scored in the top three and often #1 for every stage, which means it's an inherently accurate pistol. For production plastic, I liked the way it feels and recoils. Once I do a few mods, it should be just right for an occasional IPDA match and otherwise, it serves as an excellent home defense gun. I bought a InSight light for the rail. By the way, anybody know why Surefire gets $100 more than InSight for their lights? Surefire seems to look a little sleeker but the InSight puts out more lumens.

For loads, I tried a really big bullet (250g FPRN from Oregon Trail, 3.4g Clays, 1.18 OAL in Win brass). Makes Major in the mid 170's with no problem. Slow and accurate with very controllable recoil.

Good luck!

[Browns Fan]

I have a 45xd Tactical with a flgr; great gun! I usually shoot the xd9 in IDPA for economical reasons, but the 45xd is a lot of fun to shoot! The trigger on the 9 is smoother because I shoot it more but other than that, they're identical.

[cpirtle]

I shoot a 4" XD 45, 4" XD 9 or occasionally a 3" XD 40 for IDPA - so IMO you made an excellent choice.

I keep the 9 for when I don't have time to do any reloading, which this summer has been a lot!

I still think it sucks that they stuck the XD in the ESP class.

[buenhec]

Ok, feel better now. I really wanted an HK, but I am growning fonder of the XD by the minute. What kind of holster do you guys use for the IPDA?

[1911RjB]

Yes i think it will work perfectly, you can get a nice bar-sto barrel installed it will be really really nice piece

[Jim Watson]

"Install" a case of ammo in a training class and some practice and that will do you more good than an aftermarket "match" barrel in a sport with large close targets.

[1911 guy]

In my opinion, I'd skip the after-market doodadds and just shoot it. Offhand slowfire I can get groups about 2" with a 5" gun, my Dad has a 4" and the groups open up about 1/2" for me because of the sight radius. I'm not crazy about the trigger, but only because I prefer single actions. As far as DAO (or whatever the nome du jour is) goes, it's very good.

[eflatminor]

I like my Blade Tech holster, which is good for IDPA use. I think the mag pouches that come with the XD are more than 10% angled, which is not legal for IDPA (though I doubt a club match will mind). Blade Tech also makes mag pouches. No more than two for IDPA.

An after market barrel is fine and if properly fitted will shoot tighter groups but that's not necessary for IDPA. A fiber optic front site and a trigger job is money better spent for an IDPA gun IMO. You need not do anything to the stock gun really. Just have fun.

[Browns Fan]

Qoute:
"I still think it sucks that they stuck the XD in the ESP class."

+1!

[AWMP]

Why is the XD in ESP class? Just starting IDPA. Shoot a Sig 229 .40SW but getting a XD45 Service.

[cpirtle]

Because of the grip safety and > 8 cpacity (or is it 7?) They treat it like a modified/hi-cap 1911.

[Jim Watson]

The real reason the XD falls in ESP is because the striker is fully cocked at rest; unlike Glock which draws the striker from 2/3 to full cock in the trigger stroke.

The reason you CAN shoot an XD .45 in CDP is because you can shoot any .45 ACP in CDP.

[AWMP]

Oh well, I have an XD45 Service and will be my gun in the next IDPA match, no matter what class I end up in.