Over the past few years I have begun to go beyond my collection of .45s by adding .40S&W pistos to my collection. I chose to add the .40 version of what I already have in .45 just to keep things easy. These include a USP and a P16-40, both of which I have shot quite frequently before. Third is an XD40, which I've only shot a few times, and not since I got an XD45. And finally, a brand new, never fired (except at the factory) M&P40.
I used Sellior and Bellot 180gr FMJ, 25 rounds at each target. The base target was a TQ15, with Birchwood Casey 5.5 inch Shoot-N-C rings over the center of the small ring on the TQ15. All shots were fired from 12 meters (which is the distance for the CCW quals in my state). First, let me say that all 100 rounds were "kills" in that they all landed within the large ring of the TQ15. But boy what a difference when it came to the 5.5 inch black spot!
The very first round I fired was with the M&P, and it landed just below and to the right of the 10 on the target. WOW. By the time I had fired all 25 rounds, 19 of them were on the Shoot-N-C target. This pistol is fantastic!
(Scroll down past the target for the next range report).
Smith & Wesson M&P40 19/25 on target
Next, I fired the Springfield XD40. Now, let me say that I am very happy with my XD45. But (by comparison) this gun sucks! I know, I've been shooting long enough to know that it is probably my grip or a flinch, and still very close to the center of mass, but compare this target to the other three! Most of the 25 rounds ate up that lower left corner of the Shoot-N-C. Only one in the ten ring (compared to 4 with the M&P) and I can only count 9 total, although I know many more actually hit the target, because the grouping was, to be fair, fantastic.
Springfield XD40 9 (or more) out of 25 on target
Next came the P16-40. Good results, similar to the M&P, but a bit looser on the grouping.
ParaOrdnance P16-40 18/25 on target
Finally, my USP40. Decent with the hitting of the center of mass, but not as good with the grouping as with the other pistols. Only 13 out of 25 on the Shoot-N-C (but as I said earlier, all 100 rounds were "kills" on the TQ15).
H&K UPS40 13/25 on target
So, what am I doing wrong with the XD40? Obviously, I'm hitting the center pretty well with the other pistols. And with my XD45, I usually do as well as I did with the non-XDs on this range day. I used to assume stuff like this was the shooter (me) and not the pistol, but could my sights be off on this one?
I used Sellior and Bellot 180gr FMJ, 25 rounds at each target. The base target was a TQ15, with Birchwood Casey 5.5 inch Shoot-N-C rings over the center of the small ring on the TQ15. All shots were fired from 12 meters (which is the distance for the CCW quals in my state). First, let me say that all 100 rounds were "kills" in that they all landed within the large ring of the TQ15. But boy what a difference when it came to the 5.5 inch black spot!
The very first round I fired was with the M&P, and it landed just below and to the right of the 10 on the target. WOW. By the time I had fired all 25 rounds, 19 of them were on the Shoot-N-C target. This pistol is fantastic!
(Scroll down past the target for the next range report).
Smith & Wesson M&P40 19/25 on target
Next, I fired the Springfield XD40. Now, let me say that I am very happy with my XD45. But (by comparison) this gun sucks! I know, I've been shooting long enough to know that it is probably my grip or a flinch, and still very close to the center of mass, but compare this target to the other three! Most of the 25 rounds ate up that lower left corner of the Shoot-N-C. Only one in the ten ring (compared to 4 with the M&P) and I can only count 9 total, although I know many more actually hit the target, because the grouping was, to be fair, fantastic.
Springfield XD40 9 (or more) out of 25 on target
Next came the P16-40. Good results, similar to the M&P, but a bit looser on the grouping.
ParaOrdnance P16-40 18/25 on target
Finally, my USP40. Decent with the hitting of the center of mass, but not as good with the grouping as with the other pistols. Only 13 out of 25 on the Shoot-N-C (but as I said earlier, all 100 rounds were "kills" on the TQ15).
H&K UPS40 13/25 on target
So, what am I doing wrong with the XD40? Obviously, I'm hitting the center pretty well with the other pistols. And with my XD45, I usually do as well as I did with the non-XDs on this range day. I used to assume stuff like this was the shooter (me) and not the pistol, but could my sights be off on this one?
