My First Handgun....XD-9!!!

[Rubber_Duck]

Hey everybody!

I usually hang out in the rifle forum but I now have permission to join the handgun party.

My new baby is a Springfield Armory XD-9, 4" service model. Gun came with 4 factory SA mags, two 16-rounders and two 10-rounders, and an Uncle Mike's holster (will probably replace with Blackhawk SERPA CQC). No idea how many rounds the previous owner put through it but it looked to be well taken care of, so I took it home for $450, face-to-face, no brady bill. I love being in a free state!

Above is the target I shot with Brown Bear 115 gr. FMJ. Distance was 10 yards. Not too bad, but I could do better. I was never a good shot with a pistol but with practice my groups should get better. I shot mostly Brown Bear, Blazer Brass, PMC, and WWB. The XD ate them all up like candy.


My favorite handgun is the 1911 and it is the one that I'm most used to. That said, I like that the grip angle of the XD matches that of the 1911, and the ergonomics are very nice, very easy to switch between the 1911 and the XD, so it's a win-win situation for me.

The only modification I'm doing for sure is installing a set of Meprolight night sights on it. I'm still undecided about wether I want a flashlight or a laser or a combo unit that has both. But I'm leaning towards night sights and flashlight.

Let me know what you guys think, take care.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Also, can anyone tell me when my XD was manufactured? I can't seem to find any site that provides manufacture date information. The serial number is US99xxxx.

 

[Hawaiian]

Congrats. She is a beauty. You made a good choice also, the XD's are great firearms.

 

[Straight Shooter]

Congrats! The XD is a great gun.

Also, can anyone tell me when my XD was manufactured?

Call Springfield customer support and give them the SN. They can tell you when it was manufactured.

 

[Canuc Shooter]

Congrats on the XD9, you will have a ball with it. The XD series are fun to shoot, and will last a lifetime. XD=Xtrene Duty.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I thought XD = Xtra Delicious?

 

[HippieMagic]

Your grouping looks like you are trying to tighten your grip on it as you shoot... that's what I keep doing with my G19 and I get a nice little 45 degree angle towards the bottom left corner(right handed) when I do that. It doesn't look like my friends but his was around 2 years old and I really don't recall front serrations on it... did they do that later on? I don't recall if his had it though and can't check since he hated it and sold it about 6 months after he bought it. He never had any malfunctions of any sort though but this was out of a xd40... the xd-9 is probably better all around.

 

[novaDAK]

Nice looking gun! I almost bought the same gun at the same price last month but got a S&W instead for a change (already have an XD45 which I love, just wanted something different).

 

[Prepster]

Congrats and good choice for your first pistol. My first was a Glock 19 that I bought purely because of the Glock name. It was a fine weapon (don't flame me please ), but if given the chance to do it over I would have bought an XD.

 

[Butter]

XDs? I own a few of them. I like 'em. One of mine has over 11,000 rounds through it. Still bop'n along as long as I change the recoil spring regularly.

 

[wditto]

hey, Butter, how often do you change the spring -
also, anyone, where do I get mags ?
hey, 'Duck, great choice !

 

[dirt_j00]

I ordered mags for my XDm from Brownells. http://www.brownells.com/

 

[Butter]

I order mine straight from Wolff's. And I have three 9mm XDs (though one is a subcompact and doesn't count in this instance), the one that has all the rounds through it is the tactical, 5" barrel that I have used in one competition and about 5 defensive pistol classes and shoot more often than my other XDs. I have several extra mags too, so I label them all with a silver Sharpie on the bottom of the butt plate so I know which ones are which and can tell particular ones are having problems.

Just as a hint, my recommendation is about 3,000 rounds through any particular mag, change the springs. Your mileage may vary, but if you don't, you may notice some failures to feed that may not be accountable by the gun after you strip it and it appears good. So clean your mags every once in awhile and change the springs about when you'd change the oil in your car. Change the recoil spring, change the mag springs, and you should be good to go.

As a side note, you can also date the mags you use most often so that you know when the last spring change was and about how many times you have been loading and shooting it.

 

[possum]

congrats on the xd and more importantly your first handgun. my first was also an xd and i still have it, it isn't going anywhere except the range, and on my side for carry. over 13,000rds through it and i couldn't be happier.

imho the xd is the best polymer handgun on the market, and for me personally the best gun that i have ever owned! and the 4" is imho again the best size xd. i can't wait to get another.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Also, can anyone tell me when my XD was manufactured? I can't seem to find any site that provides manufacture date information. The serial number is US99xxxx.

There is a date on the little envelope that has the spent case in it...that would be the date it was approved to leave the factory.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

My XD was used, as such it did not come with a spent casing.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Ok I called SA and they told me my XD was made in March of 2002. A lot older than I though it was. Have there been any changes to the XD since then (not counting the XDm)? Someone mentioned that the older XDs didn't have the front slide serrations and mine does.

 

[basicblur]

Congrats-my main CCW is and XD40SC-would probably get the 9mm if I had it to do over again (for less muzzle flip)?

I'm guessing yours is old enough to not have the Melonite finish (or whatever they call it). My XD40SC is newer than yours by just a bit, and back then they had regular old bluing? on 'em-none of the more durable finishes.
I'm assuming this applies to your model-I know it applied to the sub-compacts.
Don't know if it's true, but I've heard they'll put a Melonite finish on it for free if you have wear, send it back for other things, etc?

Since you're new to handguns (looking at your target), time to do a bit of dry fire practice!

A pretty darn good choice for a first handgun!