Questions about the Springfield XDs for a prospective buyer...

[Mr.V.]

Hi all--

I was thinking about buying a springfield XD and have 1/2 a million questions. If anyone feels like holding my hand through this, I'd appreciate it. The only handgun I have now is a buckmaster .22. I really like it and have gotten to be a decent shot with it, but I'm still thinking I'd like to own something in a tad bigger caliber.

At the range I go to they have an old glock 17. I'm not terribly fond of it. It's trigger is terrible (but still not as bad as the semi-auto Smith&Wesson they have...that thing belongs in a Gym). I'd hate to exclude a glock if it's bad just because it's a range model. Would people recommend the glock 17/19 over the springfield XDs in 9mm? And why?

Also are there functioning / reliability issues between the XD Compact, XD Service 4" and XD Tactical 5" ? Is one superior to another?

I'm still fairly new to handguns especially, so I'm also confused about barrel length. What's the tradeoff between a 5" and a 4" barrel? I know ease of carry is one benefit to a shorter barrel, but is there a huge accuracy/bullet muzzle velocity tradeoff between a 4" and a 5" barrel?

Finally, are there plenty of accessories/holsters for all the different XD models? Will I be screwed if I get the 5" tactical over the 4" service or compact? Does one model give me more holster options than another?

Thanks! I appreciate any info!

 

[dairycreek]

You raise a number of pertinent questions and, based on my personal experience, I will try to deal with a few.

Also are there functioning / reliability issues between the XD Compact, XD Service 4" and XD Tactical 5" ? Is one superior to another?

I have two XD pistols. One is an XD45 Service (4" barrel) model and the other is an XD9SC (3" barrel) I have owned them both about a year. As I am retired I have the time and opportunity to shoot a lot and I have about 3000 rounds through each.

As to functioning and reliability, neither of the pistols has had any problem at all. There have been no failures to fire, extract, etc. So far, they have both been 100% functional and reliable. I have cleaned them on a regular basis, otherwise there have been no other alterations or repairs.

I'm still fairly new to handguns especially, so I'm also confused about barrel length. What's the tradeoff between a 5" and a 4" barrel? I know ease of carry is one benefit to a shorter barrel, but is there a huge accuracy/bullet muzzle velocity tradeoff between a 4" and a 5" barrel?

As I mentioned the XD45 has a 4" barrel and it is quite easy to carry. I find it to be more than acceptably reliable and chose it over the 5" tactical because I do carry it concealed. Since I have no personal experience with the tactical model I can't really comment on it. Conventional wisdom will tell you that an inch difference in barrel length translates to about 50 ft/second in terms of velocity loss. As to whether that is huge or even significant I will let the poster decide that.

Finally, are there plenty of accessories/holsters for all the different XD models? Will I be screwed if I get the 5" tactical over the 4" service or compact? Does one model give me more holster options than another?

I note that Galco, a large maker of off-the-shelf holsters, lists options for all of the models of the XD. I had FIST make a leather holster for my XD9SC and waited for it about 3 weeks (which is quite short by custom holster maker standards). I carry the XD45 Service in a CTAC holster (kydex) made by Comp-Tac with a wait time of seven days. Both are IMHO excellent holsters and, for each, the wait time was not significant.

I have SIG night sights on the XD45 which were put on by my local gun shop which was an in and out the same day proposition.

Don't know if this gives you the kind of answers you are looking for but I hope it helps.

I have found both my XD's to be excellent pistols and, based on my personal experience, recommend them highly.

 

[Mr.V.]

It certainly helps a lot...thanks for the reply!

A few follow ups...does shortened barrel length also reduce accuracy significantly or no?
If not, the 4" sounds a bit more appealing...

The other question is, I looked at these a while ago, and when I went back to the springfield armory website they appear to have totally redesigned it. They mentioned that each new XD comes with a mag-loader and a holster...how is the supplied holster?

The other thing is that they removed the price on the site. What should I expect to pay for a new XD?

 

[koja48]

I can speak to the XD40 Tac . . . this is for open carry in a tactical rig & I have had zero hiccups with a couple 1,000 rounds through it. I chose the XD because I'm a die hard 1911 fan (my primary CCW) & prefer the grip safety feature. I have 2 friends that have the short barrel version & the service model, respectively. Same story, no problems, though neither shoots quite as often as I do.

 

[goings_51]

I purchased the XD .40 Sub-compact a couple of months ago and have a couple of hundred rounds through it. It is accurite and reliable. I was convinced to get this particular model after speaking with someone at the local range. All of the compacts come with two mags. A short one for concealment, and a longer one that extends the grip to full-size. The sub-compact shaves another inch off the barrel. It's like two guns in one. I just wish they made the sub-compact in .45.

My one dislike: no thumb operated safety.

One question I have that maybe someone else can answer: What is the word on storing the XD locked and loaded? As a bedside gun, it could sit for years with the firing pin locked back and tension on the spring. Will this cause harm, or was the gun designed with this in mind?

 

[bandoo]

I have the XD .45 tactical and the 9MMSC. Both have functioned without fail every time I've pulled the trigger. The tac is a bit much to try and conceal, but 14 rounds of .45ACP is quite a comfort to have, you know... in the event of a zombie holocaust type situation.
The subcompact 9mm fits nicely into a front jeans pocket and is a constant companion in my travels. I do referigeration repair and it's not unusual for me to be in a back alley or on a rooftop in southside Birmingham at 1 or 2 AM working on a beer cooler or ice maker. I find the SC comfortable to tote, even when working, with a sufficient capacity (16+1) to make extra mags non-necessary.
I've never owned a Glock, so I can't offer much on the subject beyond my inability to hit the side of a barn, even from the inside, with them.

 

[possum]

I was thinking about buying a springfield XD

Don't think about it just do it man! i have 2 xd's and i love em, a .40 service model and a .40 sc. they are awesome guns that are backed by a great company. go for it. get a few of them while you are at it. now to your questions.

Would people recommend the glock 17/19 over the springfield XDs in 9mm? And why?

really this is a personal preference thing, i think glocks are great pistols especially the 19/17 models, but they are not for me, they don't feel right in my hand, there is alot of plastic on them where the xd has metal, etc. there are many handguns that feel good in my hand, but the xd service model is the only gun out there that is perfect for me.

Also are there functioning / reliability issues between the XD Compact, XD Service 4" and XD Tactical 5" ? Is one superior to another?

nope they all function the same, excellent!

I'm still fairly new to handguns especially, so I'm also confused about barrel length. What's the tradeoff between a 5" and a 4" barrel? I know ease of carry is one benefit to a shorter barrel, but is there a huge accuracy/bullet muzzle velocity tradeoff between a 4" and a 5" barrel?

there won't be enough trade off for you to recognize it. i almost gurantte you bro. the longer barrel typically does pick up on the velocity a tad, and the longer sight radius is gonna make it a tad more accurat, but i guarantee that the service model will out shoot me anyday. so i don't even need to try to test the limits of the 5". put it like this my service model can hit 50 and 100yd shillouetes all day long, and that is with me shooting. they continue to impress me on a daily basis.
as far as concealing it isn't the barrel lenght so much that you have to worry about but the pistol grip.

Finally, are there plenty of accessories/holsters for all the different XD models? Will I be screwed if I get the 5" tactical over the 4" service or compact? Does one model give me more holster options than another?

no most of all teh holsters work for each other. especially the .45gap, .40, 9mm, .357 sig models, the .45acp models are the only ones that are real different. but for example all of my holsters except one can fit all three models. the one that can't is an iwb holster and is made for the 4" but also works for the 3" as well!

hope that has helped!

 

[22LongRifle]

I have an older XD40 Tactical that was my duty weapon for a couple of years. No regrets. The longer barrel was the most accurate 40S&W I've ever shot, and that includes my G35 I blew up. I got a 9mm barrel for it also.

I also fought over another Tactical in 45GAP that my "buddy" beat me to it. He does let me shoot it now and then,

The older XDs I've seen look like mine, beat to hell! But they costed only $375 at the time, about $125 cheaper than the Glocks.

I like the grip angle better, the grip safety, and the trigger over the Glocks also.

But, since I'm cheap, I've only have the one XD and three Glocks (G35, rebuilt, G19, G37). Its only due to the fact I shoot ALOT and so do my daughters. So the 22lr conversion kits was a deal breaker for me.

IF, and that's a big if, they ever make a conversion kit for the XD, I would switch over in a heartbeat.

Jerry

 

[Mr.V.]

Thanks everyone for the replies...

I think I'm sold on an XD 4" (thanks to possum specifically for that). Now apparently there are two types...I'm strongly leaning towards the 4" service model. But would anyone suggest the compact (not sub compact but regular compact) over it? Apparently one of the two supplied magazines is longer and transforms it into a "service" model.

Is the service model difficult to conceal? (not that concealment is too much of a problem since a CCW is next to impossible to get in LA...but I may move at some point).

Also Jerry you said "But they costed only $375 at the time"...any idea how much a new service model XD is these days?

 

[Rushifell]

I have a 4" bi tone XD45 (stainless slide). points and shoots perfectly and has since I bought it. I also own a Glock 19 which I recently purchased because I was looking for something cheaper to plink with and as a "light" carry option. I have fired the XD9SC on several ocassions and I love it, I went with the glock 19 instead of an XD9SC for 2 reasons
1. I could find one
2. it was $300 used, the only XD9SCs i could find were new and ~$550-600
If at all possible, rent an XD9SC and see how you like it, I loved it myself.
As for barrel length and model of weapon, consider how you be using the pistol in the first place, if you intend to use it for CCW id stick with a 3 or 4" barrel personally, but also consider the type of clothing you wear on a typical day. The backstrap safety on the XDs is one of my favorite features and is one big reason I generally prefer to have my XD rather than my glock on my person for CCW. All of the XDs perform well for what they are, if youve decided on the XD platform as your platform of choice already, which it sounds like you have, the only things left to do are decide what caliber and which model to go with. If youre a newer shooter you might prefer a 9mm, its cheaper to practice with and good for entry level, its also a viable carry option if you do not feel the need to carry anything larger. I personally prefer my .45, but that is what I am confortable with, I love my 9mm glock too.
The XDgear holster isnt the greatest holster on earth, but with a *good gun belt* it works just fine, is perfectly confortable, stable, and easy to use. I like the speedloader they include as it makes loading up the mags go much faster if you are well practiced in using it. The mag pouch is utterly useless though IMO.

 

[Rushifell]

If the compact is an option in the model youre looking for id do that personally, I have a 4" XD45 service, its great but the handle is a tad long for concealment in certain conditions (enter glock 19). The .45 compact comes with an extended mag and grip extension making it the exact same length as the regular service, while providing you the option of a compact gun (4" barrel and shortened handle) in the same gun should you decide to carry concealed this makes things much simpler. Generally I dont have any problem concealing the full sized service model and it is my "normal" carry, but I am a big guy (6'4" 310) and I have a lot of places to tuck it away comfortably. A friend of mine tried it and had a little more difficulty (he is a twig compared to me in size).

 

[goings_51]

All of the XDs run about $500 +- $50 around here, but the compacts are harder to find.

The biggest advantage of the compact is that it gives you the option to have a smaller gun, or a larger one. Options are good.

 

[eagle45]

I have three 40 caliber XDs - the Tactical, the Service and the Sub Compact. I am well pleased with all three. My personal preference for carry is the Sub Compact for the simple reason that it does conceal a little better with the 9 round mag. The Service model does not conceal badly at all, but the extra length on the grip is noticeable.

About the Glocks - no Glock basher here. I have had the opportunity to shoot similar sized Glocks side by side with my XDs. I perfer the XD grip angle. Just a personal decision, I know many who feel the Glock is better. Go with what fits you.

Functioning issues - I have only noticed one difference between all three models. I reload and probably 99% of what I shoot has been reloads. The only difference has been the Tactical model did not like the Rainier 165 grain flat point bullet. The other two models fed them just fine. I switched to a 165 round nose flat point and had no further problems. As far as reliability, they have all been 100% except for the feed problem.

Barrel length - If you are planning on using this for a CCW piece, the trade off of the shorter barrel of the sub compact is well worth it. Out to 25 yards I have noticed no difference between the Sub Compact and Service model as far as accuracy goes. The longer barrel of the Tactical does keep a tighter group, but again that depends on what you are buying for.

Accessories - There are plenty of holsters and accessories for all models. I can use the same holsters for the Sub Compact and Service, don't really carry the Tactical so I can't say about it. Don Hume makes plenty of holsters, and most of the major manufacturers do also.

For accessories, I highly recommend these folks:
http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=20GB

If you've never visited the XD Forum, it's a pretty friendly place too:
http://www.xdtalk.com/

Enjoy your new XD.

Forgot to tell you, I put another 150 rounds through the Sub Compact tonight!

 

[ChuckB]

I just sold my Glock 19. I ran about 10,000 or so rounds through it, and liked it. Unfortunately, periodically it would malfunction. Sometimes FTF's, sometimes failure to go into battery, sometimes other issues. I kept it clean and gently lubed. My Master Glock Armorer couldn't help. I think mine was just not meant to be 100%, but I feel the G19 is the best gun Glock makes.

I now have an XD9 Service. It has 450 rounds through it to date. It fits my hands better than the Glock (personal taste), has been 100% so far, and- a big one for me- has been noticeably more accurate. Again, that might just be because it fits me better, or it might be inherently more accurate. Who knows? I can only say that my Glock was a fine, but not 100%, pistol, and the XD is a great fit for me. YMMV, of course!

Chuck

 

[mkonops]

If you've never visited the XD Forum, it's a pretty friendly place too:
http://www.xdtalk.com/

+1 to that.

I have an XD40SC for carry and haven't had a single problem with it from day one. The guys at the XD forum are great and will be able to help you with anything you need.

 

[possum]

xdtalk is a great place for xd info i am a member but i rarely get on there.

 

[22LongRifle]

Tha last time I looked, XD were running around $450 OTD for the 9mm and 40S&W and 357SIG. The 45GAP were durty cheap at $400, but the 45ACP was by waiting list only.

To compare, the same size Glocks are running around $575-$650.

The biggest seller around here is the Ruger P345!

Jerry

 

[Texfire]

Not sure I can add much to what others have said other than I have enjoyed my XD45 Compact and would endorse the XD line without hesitation.

Tex

 

[possum]

as far as prices go at the gun show last weekend back home in N.C the xd were going for about $489 + tax and they were giving $20 off if you paid in cash. i bought my 2nd xd before i left the ft. riley are and i got it for$469 out the door and that was nib with 2 12r mags and a 9rd mag.

 

[glockman19]

I ave shot both but I decided on the Glock 19. I'ma Glock fan and believer. To take nothing away from the XD, if you shoot it better and it feels right in yout hands get it. I didn't love the Glock trigger but I like it. I did change to the #3.5 trigger and it's more like my 1911's. That said I also have a Glock 26 and kept teh factory #5.5 trigger on that one.

I do think the best 9mm ever produced is the Glock 17/19. in the .40 I prefer the HK or Sig. In .45 I like 1911's. Certain guns IMHO were made for specific calibers and I try to stick to best of breed in each caliber. But that's just me.

Again get what feels right in your hand and the one you shoot best. You'll do just fine.

 

[Taurus44]

I'll just chime in with my recommendation for the XD. I own three currently (XD-9 Sub-compact, XD-40 Service and XD-9 Tactical). I REALLY like them... My XD-9 Tactical is setup for racing, and it is more accurate than I am, and VERY reliable.

 

[PPGMD]

I shot the XD45 Tactical today, that is a very fine pistol. Fired all but one round in the magazine in the x zone.

If the XD fits in your hand I highly suggest this model.

 

[coelacanth]

XD .45 Service Model for me....

Flawless so far - 1000 + rounds 0 malfunctions. Mixed bag factory ammo but mine has a definite preference for 230 grainers. Remington Golden Saber and Hornady XTP are both very accurate for me. Good ergonomics-recoil is very manageable and the trigger gets noticeably better after 400-500 rounds. $500.00 and some change for that kind of performance - what's not to like?

 

[geocole]

XD and Glock

I have both XD and Glock.
I just bought a XD 40 sub-compact for ccw and like it for the trigger pull and safety on the grip. I went to the range yesterday and at 15 yards it shot perfect, no troublr even with realods.

XD .45 Tactical
XD 40 S&W Sub Compact
XD 9mm Sub Compact
Glock 17 9mm
Glock 22 40 S&W
Stoeger Cougar 8000 9mm