Plain Ol' XD - no love?

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they were a good buy before springfield stamped their name on them,although i'm not a fan of the grip safety. i don't think they're worth what they ask for them honestly. they're decent guns on the whole but i've personally had them fail me and also seen them fail many others. i've seen grip safeties alone take a dump three times rendering the gun useless.
 
The only advantage the XDm offers me that I don't get with the XD45acp is the ability to shoot SWC bullets. I "fixed" that problem by switching to LRN for most of my shooting.
 
I like my XD45 4", plain jane XD. My problem is I think I want to make a switch to 1911's so I have been contemplating selling it off as a way to fund a new pistol. So far for me in the past 3 years of owning mine, I haven't had any issues except with some 185 grain SWC rounds from Winchester. Didn't like to feed those, has worked with everything else just fine though.
 
this puts my mind at ease. I picked up my XDsc9mm for $420 at a gunshow during the Springfield offer of 3 extra mags for free. so all in all, i ended up with the gun, 4 13 rd mags, 1 16 rd mag with grip extension, and the springfield mag holder. added a crossbreed supertuck and i've been incredibly happy with the gun. the sights are off just a bit (2 inches right at 20 ft), but i was thinking of ordering some tritium sights so i held off on adjusting them. after reading this, I think I will go ahead and buy the tritium sights. I have personally found the XD to be comparable to my G23 in performance. This may sound a bit strange, but as a CCW gun, i like the grip safety...one additional measure that makes me happy. glad to hear your thoughts. thanks!
 
i like the grip safety...one additional measure that makes me happy.
Click to expand...

Here's a real life situation of why a grip safety is good -- in the middle of the night, my wife's cat jumped on my nightstand, landed in something he didn't like, went ape****, jumped off in a hurry, knocked a bunch of **** over. my xd was on the nightstand. A crazy cat can't manage to depress a grip safety and cause the trigger to get caught in something at the same time.
 
While most of the above mentioned upgrades in the XDm are subtle, they are still upgrades that many shooters want. There are two upgrades not yet mentioned that, in addition to the others, caused me to go with the XDm:

1) The relieved area under the trigger guard helped make the XDm more comfortable for me. I have "bowler's knuckle" in my middle finger and the relieved area was a benefit for me.
2) I reload and use semi-wadcutter bullets almost exclusively. the XD has a known problem of jamming with these bullets. Even SA advises not to use them with the XD while the XDm resolved this issue.

Spending almost $100 more for an XDm is, of course, a personal choice but, it is definitely an upgraded pistol IMO.
 
Nothing personal guys but it sure seems like most of the people who claim the XD is just as good are people who bought them before the XDm came out.
Click to expand...
Not taken personally, but as with most cases, that door swings both ways!
One could also say those defending the XDm are folks who bought 'em-gotta justify paying more money for dubious benefits somehow.
We understand-it's just human nature. :banghead:

Hard as it is for some to believe, it wouldn't have made a difference-some of us pragmatists (there are still some?) are just not that into advertising. :D
As stated, the 45 has been on my list for way too long-if I remember correctly, the XDm and XD 45 both hold the same number of rounds. That being the case, if/when I finally break down and buy one, it will be the plane Jane model.
Aw, who am i fooling...even if the XDm 45 did hold more rounds, I'd still go with the old model!
Heck, it would be really nice if I could buy it without all the not quite ready for primetime accessories, but I've not seen one o' the mythical essentials package guns in my area.

I think most of the reasons some of us don't need/see the extras on the XDm as 'upgrades' have been covered, 'specially for a SD gun.
Don't think it was mentioned, but I also don't care for the extras serrations on the front of the slide-I prefer to press check keeping ye olde hand a little further away from the barrel, so I tend not to want 'em (don't need anything encouraging me to get closer to the business end).

In one o' Ayoob's recent e-mails he told of one of his long time shooting buddies who was big into 1911s that managed to blow his thumb off by using said serrations. First time I saw front serrations, this is what came to my mind (see pix under Ammo Choices section).
Guess it can happen to the best of 'em...

So...let's go through a little refresher course for those that missed it first time around (mostly for those potential new customers thinking it's mo', better, faster, 'cuz the ad/his buddy said so):
1. Interchangeable backstraps-don't need (some folks may).
2. Novak style rear site-don't want on a SD gun (easier to rack with one hand using the regular XD rear sight).
3. Adjustable rear sight? Gotta confess, I lost interest before I got this far, but does the XDm not have adjustable sights? I prefer drift adjustable on a SD gun-just one less thing to get outta whack.
4. Match barrel-I was trying to be nice, but I think HR covered it nicely when he said "marketing gimmick", 'specially on a SD gun.
5. Front slide serrations-don't use/need/want.
6. Extra mag capacity-nice, but not on the 45, and there is the size trade off, and since I CC mine...
 
Older XD9-Service with the 15-rd magazines and the thin blow-molded case with no XDgear. Not even the Tenifer coated model. Shoot it better than nearly any other pistol I own except the Sigs and that's only because I shoot my Sigs a lot. The XD9 Service, when first picked up, shot better from out of the box than any other pistol I ever shot, hands down. I only shoot Sigs better because I practice with them A LOT and it's not like it's earth-shatteringly better, both get the job done.

I don't own a 9mm Glock anymore.

The match chamber means nothing to me for my purposes. I prefer the looser chamber because I cast my 9mm and size them to .357" for my Sigs, so the XD9 doesn't get finicky about slightly larger case diameters like Match chambers can do sometimes.

I also prefer the 15-round magazines over the 16-rounders. I dunno why, probably using them a lot I am used to the balance. And I've been able to get them cheaper than the 16 round mags for some reason, like 1 round makes a difference.
 
5. Front slide serrations-don't use/need/want.
Click to expand...

Actually, the regular XD has those, so I hope you don't mind. The XDm serrations are just larger and more pronounced.
 
Actually, the regular XD has those, so I hope you don't mind. The XDm serrations are just larger and more pronounced.
Click to expand...
Never looked that closely-both of mine are sub-compacts, so they don't have any front serrations.
Guess iff'n I ever get around to getting an XD45, I'll just have to ignore 'em.
 
But mine does have a drift adjustable sight so I don't know what the complaint is there.
Click to expand...
No complaint, since as stated, after hearing all the hoopla 'bout the M I thought mebbe I'm just missing something? After checking it out at the shop and reviewing a number of the 'improvements', I'd completely lost interest by the time I got around to noticing the rear sight.
I seem to remember seeing a screw in the middle of the rear site-I just figured it was for adjustment?

Mebbe not, maybe I'm wrong 'bout the screw, but by that time it was a moot point.
 
Jeff I am glad you like your XDm & I am sure it is a good gun. Whether it is worth the premium or not is a personal choice I think. To be honest I haven't shot one so I can't compare the 2 but I am happy with my plain old XD. It is plenty accurate for my purposes & very reliable. Funny thing is now I am interested in the Ruger SR series of guns but who knows that might change before I am ready to buy.

herkyguy-If you get night sights for you XD I would encourage you to find a gunsmith to install them. I did it myself on mine & while it wasn't bad putting the new ones in getting the factory sights out was a major pain.
 
I have two XD's and an XDm. The XDm is a 9mm with the 4.5" barrel. It's a very natural pointer for me and I shoot it about as well as anything else I've owned.

I have to admit, the marketing got me to give it a try but I can't say that I was disappointed.
 
basicblur said:
Not taken personally, but as with most cases, that door swings both ways!
One could also say those defending the XDm are folks who bought 'em-gotta justify paying more money for dubious benefits somehow.
We understand-it's just human nature. :banghead:

Hard as it is for some to believe, it wouldn't have made a difference-some of us pragmatists (there are still some?) are just not that into advertising. :D
As stated, the 45 has been on my list for way too long-if I remember correctly, the XDm and XD 45 both hold the same number of rounds. That being the case, if/when I finally break down and buy one, it will be the plane Jane model.
Aw, who am i fooling...even if the XDm 45 did hold more rounds, I'd still go with the old model!
Heck, it would be really nice if I could buy it without all the not quite ready for primetime accessories, but I've not seen one o' the mythical essentials package guns in my area.

I think most of the reasons some of us don't need/see the extras on the XDm as 'upgrades' have been covered, 'specially for a SD gun.
Don't think it was mentioned, but I also don't care for the extras serrations on the front of the slide-I prefer to press check keeping ye olde hand a little further away from the barrel, so I tend not to want 'em (don't need anything encouraging me to get closer to the business end).

In one o' Ayoob's recent e-mails he told of one of his long time shooting buddies who was big into 1911s that managed to blow his thumb off by using said serrations. First time I saw front serrations, this is what came to my mind (see pix under Ammo Choices section).
Guess it can happen to the best of 'em...

So...let's go through a little refresher course for those that missed it first time around (mostly for those potential new customers thinking it's mo', better, faster, 'cuz the ad/his buddy said so):
1. Interchangeable backstraps-don't need (some folks may).
2. Novak style rear site-don't want on a SD gun (easier to rack with one hand using the regular XD rear sight).
3. Adjustable rear sight? Gotta confess, I lost interest before I got this far, but does the XDm not have adjustable sights? I prefer drift adjustable on a SD gun-just one less thing to get outta whack.
4. Match barrel-I was trying to be nice, but I think HR covered it nicely when he said "marketing gimmick", 'specially on a SD gun.
5. Front slide serrations-don't use/need/want.
6. Extra mag capacity-nice, but not on the 45, and there is the size trade off, and since I CC mine...
Click to expand...
You still missed a couple of differences for the good of the order:

7) Relief cut under trigger guard
8) Carrying case suitable for air travel
9) Easier take-down (no need to pull trigger to take-down)
10) Will fire semi-wadcutters reliably (XD won't)

Are these upgrades worth approximately $10.00 per upgrade? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, as they say.
 
Doing a chamber check on an XD or any other modern striker fired pistol for that matter is not going to set off a round. With all the firing pin safeties these days, I highly doubt that a hammer-fired gun will go off either.

That said, I had an old XD I just recently sold to a friend who needed a semi. Coincidentally, I came across an XDM 3.8 companct .40 (a rare event in California), so I bought it (PPT). Nothing wrong with the original, but I do like the M a lot. Silly enough, the full height rear serrations on the M make a big difference to me. Not having to pull the trigger upon stripping is not a factor at all though.
 
herkyguy-If you get night sights for you XD I would encourage you to find a gunsmith to install them
Click to expand...
Wise wordz!
Even wiser still, you might want to send 'em off!?

Based on customer feedback, I sent mine off to XD-HS2000 to have Trijicons (which I already had) installed.
Total cost (installation and shipping both ways) including insurance was under $30-I sent the slide in one o' them USPS Flat Rate boxes ($4.95).

Heck-I have a relative that's a gunsmith and after discussing it/playing with his sight pushers, we decided the pragmatic thing to do would be send it to XD-HS2000.
My relative specializes in rifles, but an old deceased gunsmith left him both a SIG Sight Pusher and the one the boyz at XD-HS2000 use, although his is old, could use some repair parts, and apparently they don't make parts for his old model any longer!
We stuck it in the SIG Sight Pusher-looks like it would have worked, but we'd need another shim or two that come with the SIG pusher to raise the slide-looked like the pusher was going to hit too high on the sight, 'specially as tough as XD sights are to remove.

And avoid those universal sight pushers-tried to warn one o' my buddies, but he let someone talk him into letting him take a shot at it-he said he was just about to tell him to forget it as he didn't like the way things looked like they were getting all torqued up when the slide slipped and :eek:

I gave mine a good examination when it returned, and I see no marks on the slide.
 
I had a SS XD compact 45 stolen along with nine other handguns in February. It was the only one of the ten that I didn't replace one way or another. It wasn't a bad gun, but it never did anything to impress me either. As luck would have it, it was also the only one that was ever recovered. The same day I picked it up from the police, I cleaned it up, took it to my LGS, and traded it on a SS Kimber UC II.
 
XDm's

When Springfield Armory first introduced the XDm's, a Volkswagon dealer in
my area was giving away (yeah-right) a free certificate redeemable from any
FFL dealer for a "free XDm"; with the purchase of any NEW Volkswagon~!

The gimmick was the price of the firearm was INCLUDED in the price of the
VW~! :uhoh: ;) :D
 
You still missed a couple of differences for the good of the order:
Click to expand...
Well let's take 'em in order:

7) Relief cut under trigger guard (I have no problems with the old XD)
8) Carrying case suitable for air travel (Don't travel by air, but been listening to a lot of PodCasts lately covering air travel, and I don't think I'd use the XD case for air travel based on their experiences...and do you really want an air travel case with XD plastered on the outside!?)
9) Easier take-down-no need to pull trigger to take-down (never made much difference with me-I treat all my guns as if they're loaded. I'll take the feature if you want to give it to me.)
10) Will fire semi-wadcutters reliably-XD won't. (Use only RN for practice, my SD rounds feed just fine).

So...XDm may be fine for some as some may require certain features, but these blanket it's better statements just don't hold water for some folks.
 
basicblur said:
Well let's take 'em in order:

7) Relief cut under trigger guard (I have no problems with the old XD)
8) Carrying case suitable for air travel (Don't travel by air, but been listening to a lot of PodCasts lately covering air travel, and I don't think I'd use the XD case for air travel based on their experiences...and do you really want an air travel case with XD plastered on the outside!?)
9) Easier take-down-no need to pull trigger to take-down (never made much difference with me-I treat all my guns as if they're loaded. I'll take the feature if you want to give it to me.)
10) Will fire semi-wadcutters reliably-XD won't. (Use only RN for practice, my SD rounds feed just fine).

So...XDm may be fine for some as some may require certain features, but these blanket it's better statements just don't hold water for some folks.
Click to expand...
As I said, "for the good of the order" and those folks that would like a complete list in order to make a decision.

As regards #8, the travel case, I'd like to set the record straight on that. When used as a case for air travel (which many of us do), it must be located inside of another suitcase and be locked on both sides. The XDm case has that. And, it doesn't matter what's marked on the outside of the case since it's inside a larger suitcase anyway. For those that travel with handguns, (I do) the cost of a case that meets Homeland Security and airline requirements can run up well over $20 or $30.

Again, not trying to rattle sabres about which is better, the XD and the XDm but rather trying to help anyone trying to make a decision to have all the features to compare.
 
Basicblur
One could also say those defending the XDm are folks who bought 'em-gotta justify paying more money for dubious benefits somehow.
Click to expand...
Being "one of those that bought the new one" I wholeheartedly disagree. At the time I bought mine both models were available as was the Glock and several other lower priced options. I chose the M because it really felt better in my hand, period, and I pained over the decision to spend the extra money but after reading thread after thread and post after post here to "trust your hand", I bought the M and no, I don't need to justify that choice to myself or any others, just sharing my thoughts and decision points. Yes, the Essentials box would have been prefered but next to a baby Unicorn, only slightly harder to find. As many have stated, both are great guns and since my last handgun purchase was 26 years ago, I doubt I will second guess myself on this purchase either.
 
I chose the M because it really felt better in my hand
Click to expand...
Ain't nobody arguing 'bout personal fit, but I didn't see anything in the M advertising saying it would feel better in (insert your name here)'s hand.
Fer myself, I found just the opposite to be true, but the difference to me is negligible.

Which brings us back to the folks that automatically say the M is better...better for whom? :scrutiny:
 
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