[BSnyder]

I came across a 4" XD-357 in a local gun shop for a price that's hard to pass up. Looks like its been carried a lot but shot very very little or possibly not at all. I thought I'd research both XDs and caliber before I jumped on it but can't find anything on this exact model. I've never owned either an XD or a .357 Sig. Anyone ever shot an XD-357? Thoughts? Opinions? Thanks!

[miles1]

What is the asking price?

[basicblur]

Never shot a 357 SIG in an XD, but I have an M&P and SIG P229R in 357 SIG (I do have a couple of XDSC sub-compacts in 9 and 40).
I'm not very recoil sensitive, or either folks hype the recoil a bit - I couldn't really tell much difference between it and 40 S&W or some of my 9mm.

Depends on:
1. Price
2. Ammo price
3. Ammo availability

357 SIG ammo prices seem to swing wildly - you might check police supply houses in your area? Online, SD ammo in 357 SIG seems to be 'bout the same price as other calibers, but at Walmart practice ammo is quite a bit higher than 40 and 9mm. I used to make the rounds of about 6 police supply houses in the area, and ran across some Remington Golden Saber Bonded for $17.95 / 50 at one of 'em - I turned the car around, backed it in, popped the trunk, and told 'em to get the forklift! :D :banghead:

I was hesitant, but the 357 SIG does seem to be growing a bit among LE agencies. In my neck o' the woods, many NC agencies have gone to it, and the VA SP have used it for some time. I think Richmond VA was one of the first city departments to go to it - everyone seems to be pleased with it so far.
Maybe since so many agencies in my area use it is why I've been able to find it at decent prices?

You might want to check out the ProArms Podcast below - you can stream or download as an MP3.

"We're Getting the Band Back Together" to discuss the .357SIG cartridge (http://proarmspodcast.com/2010/07/11/055-were-getting-the-band-back-together-to-discuss-the-357sig-cartridge/)
It’s been a long time since we had the whole Band together, this time we have everyone but Mike (he was up “nort”) to discuss our experiences with the .357SIG cartridge. The topic was by listener request. Learn how many state police departments have adopted it, why it can be an ideal personal protection round in rural areas, and why some of our podcast team members carry that caliber daily.

[meanmrmustard]

.357 sig is expensive, unless you reload. Cheapest I've found it locally is $25 per 50. Also, depending greatly on the pistols weight, felt recoil will very between weapon and recoil as we know is subjective. To me, the .357 is more than 9+p, less than .40 but with more percussion and rise. I find it a difficult round to group well, but when I click with it, it's deadly. 12" 3/8 steel plate at 15 yards gets pummeled. Master the .357 sig, and you'll be rewarded with a hard hitting round worthy of, IMO, SD, carry, and even shorter range deer kills.

As for the XD, never shot one, owned one, but have heard good things regarding their feel.

Ammo availability is relegated to LGS, sporting goods, and VERY sporadically and expensive...Walmart. If you have some disposable income, no prob.

FYI, Hornady Custom 147 gr. cycles well. Good luck.

[BSnyder]

Thanks for the input guys. Like I said, it's been carried a lot and when it was carried looks like it was rubbing up against something. From the ejection port back to the rear sight looks like someone took a nail and scratched the crap out of it. It's all cosmetic. If you take the slide off it looks like it's straight from the factory underneath. And because it's so rough, and because I kinda have some ins at the shop, I can pick it up for two and a half which I think is pretty dang incredible.

That being said, I am a little concerned about the price of ammo. But I don't get around to shooting as much as I'd like to anymore. I'd probably buy a few hundred rounds to test reliability and get use to the gun and then probably a box a month. Maybe. I know. I need to shoot more but I don't have much of that disposable income stuff Mr. Mustard is talking about.

It's going to be really tough to pass this deal up though...

[Rampant_Colt]

XD's are sweet handguns! If the price is right, get it, then buy a drop-in .40 barrel on eBay or a new one from Springfield for a dual-caliber pistol

[BSnyder]

That didn't even cross my mind. I think we may have a winner.

[Rampant_Colt]

You can even use the same magazines and recoil spring. All ya have to do is swap out the barrels.. I love the .357 Sig cartridge.

[miles1]

For $250??? I would definetly take it.As the previous poster mentioned;you can also get a convertion barrel as well.

[Rampant_Colt]

Like I said, it's been carried a lot and when it was carried looks like it was rubbing up against something. From the ejection port back to the rear sight looks like someone took a nail and scratched the crap out of it. It's all cosmetic.

<edited>

That scratch is common on XD's due to the location and mechanism of the takedown lever. I think they all have that scratch..! Don't let it affect your decision

[BSnyder]

That scratch is common on XD's due to the location and mechanism of the takedown lever.

It's not along the side of the slide. It's on the very top between the ejection port and the rear sight, like it was rubbing against a knife or something while in an open top holster.

[Buck Kramer]

250?! Jump on it! I've had the 9 for years and I love it.

[Walkalong]

At $250 it is an absolute no brainer.

You can get a .40 barrel and a 9MM barrel for it as well.

http://www.efkfiredragon.com/springfield-xdsub-xds-xdt-xdm1.html

[BSnyder]

After listening to that podcast basicblur posted, I'm definitely sold on the .357 sig cartridge. Something about listening to Mas talk about it that reassures me. :D

[Rampant_Colt]

BSnyder, if you don't shoot a lot, the .357 Sig sounds perfect for you, and the price is certainly right.. You can always get a .40 conversion barrel later on. People always gripe & moan about .357 Sig prices, but it's typically only a little bit more expensive, and sometimes the same price.

If the slide is scratched, no biggie, it only adds to the character of the gun. Or for THAT price you can have it refinished professionally, or do it youself with some Duracoat.


Get back to us with some pics!

[J_McLeod]

I like the XD so much I have three and may buy more. It's only large auto I own. Not only can you put a 40 and 9mm barrel in it, the magazines for all three are interchangable. I have a 9 and 40 and don't even look at the mags anymore, just what round i put in the mag.

[miles1]

I currently have a XD45 thats been flawless and reliable.I wouldnt hesitate to reccomend one no matter what the caliber.

[dacotah]

For $250? Buy it - now. Great deal for that price. I and my wife both own XDs, as does her uncle. His is a .357 Sig and he's been very happy with it.

[Owen Sparks]

I think you are just a barrel swap away from a .40 but I would contact Springfield and make sure that is all you need. The times that I have been around a .357 Sig at the range I found it unpleasantly loud and it produced a lot of muzzle flash, though not as much as a .357 Magnum revolver. It would be nifty to have a two caliber convertable pistol though.

[BSnyder]

I did a price check on Sig ammo at the local Wally World this evening and the only kind they had were Remington FMJs for $30/50. Kind of expensive, BUT it was some of the only handgun ammo they had. All out of 9mm, .40, .38 spl, etc. That's somewhat of a plus IMO. I'll definitely be picking the XD up on Tuesday (the shop was closed today and Monday for the holiday) and will try to get some pics up soon after. Thanks for all the input and the nudge in the right direction guys.