deezulsmoke
Member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 111
I got an XD-45 for the pure purpose of playing with it to see what could be done to make it better. One of the first things this one got is a lighter trigger work over for a 4. lb crisp trigger pull with adjustable pre-travel. And all of the usual internal fluffing and buffing. I also added a set of Tru-Glo Tritium/Fiber Optic sights. These sights rock! Very bright in the daylight and very nice at night. And the air gap on the back sight is just perfect for my aging eyes. Plenty of daylight showing around the front blade. I highly recommend them. Part of the reason for getting the XD was to turn it into a carry gun for myself, but also explore what could be done to the gun from a custom standpoint. I really like to checker and stipple metal guns. Well, now I have found a way to really do a nice stippling on the polymer guns. One of the things that bugged me about the grip on the XD45 is the overall size. While managable with large hands, it is still pretty big and blocky. So, I removed the front checkering. I was looking at removing the back checkering but the plastic is just too thin. I then re-radiused the front strap for a better more ergonimic feel. Then came the stippling. I have been doing some stippling on some M&P 40s with good success, so the XD was a natural. The stippling tool that I use mimicks the stippling that I like to do on metal. Random punch patterns that don't repeat too often and still offer a semi factory look and nice texture. Slimming the grip on this by removing the front checkering, re-radiusing the grips and then stippling as totally transformed the grip. It has gone from clunky, blocky and slippery hard to hold to ergonomic with the right shape and texture to make gripping it a sure and secure pleasure. Add the X2 tac light with laser and you have one very capable 14 round home defense or carry gun with a great sure grips and very shootable sights and a very nice and smooth 4 lb trigger. It was worth the work over and now is my main carry piece. I use a Blackhawk CQC setup for paddle carry with a FBI cant. Very comfortable and secure. Anyway, I talk too much. Here are the pics.