Springfield Mil-Spec or XD in ACP?

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Troy26

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I've done alot of looking at the Springfield Mil-Spec, but I'm wondering how much of a pain it would be to dissassembler/reassemble for someone like me who doesn't have any experience with 1911s.

I've also given alot of thought to the XD for .45 ACP (I REALLY enjoy my 9mm Sub-Compact), but I'm wondering if the lighter polymer frame is a problem for the round.
 
You will have no problem firing the 45 out of the XD. But I would go with the 1911 for a couple reasons. A- The 1911 is a great gun and an American icon. B- You already have a XD, so why not try something new. Dont get me wrong, I love my XD, but I think everyone should have a 1911.
 
My SA Lwt Loaded Champion was great and very accurate and weighs about the same as the XD (yes of course, the 1911 is thinner). However, I compared it side-by-side to my new XD-45ACP and the XD won, hands down, at least for me:D

The XD is just as accurate, up to at least 15yds.
The XD is easier to take-down/clean.
The XD will handle a wider variety of JHP ammo.
The XD holds 14rnds for CCW.

Works for me!
 
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I'm wondering how much of a pain it would be to dissassembler/reassemble for someone like me who doesn't have any experience with 1911s.
Click to expand...

Coming from someone who was VERY intimidated by disassembly of the 1911, let me tell you this -- a blindfolded monkey could detail strip and reassemble the 1911. The trepidation is normal -- but you really do get over it once you've done it.

I would be FAR more inclined to believe that the XD would be more difficult to detail strip.

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't even bother worrying about it -- I'd just handle both and let your hand make the decision for you. The 1911 feels great to most people, but will it feel great to you? Only you can determine that.

Wes
 
I can fieldstrip a 1911 blindfolded :D

Stripping a 1911 is not difficult at all. I bought a 1911 for my first, and thought that was easy. Didn't realize how much easier everything else was. The 1911 isn't difficult to strip at all though.

Go for the 1911, everyone needs a .45 in 1911. Get the XD next though!
 
Yup, it's going to be a totally personal decision about which feels better in your hands. Will this be a primary carry piece? Just a range toy? That might influence your decision. Are you already so used to the feel and function of the XD that it makes sense to keep things the same and get another XD? The frame will be just fine, too.

Or are you naturally enticed to the crisp SA trigger on the 1911? Don't worry about learning to field strip it, it's nothing. Remember these were built for war, to be maintained by the common soldier. It's not like stripping a toyota engine or anything.

I suggest deciding what your needs are, which pistol will fill those roles best and which feels best in your hands.
 
Go for the mil spec

m1911's all the way, it's the most awesome gun around, great handling, superb accuracy, in my oppion the kick is lighter then on my Beretta 92F and because of that i can hit better with a 45 then i can with a with the Beretta. As for field stripping i was able to do that when i was 12 years old, and if a 12 year old could learn it, im sure anyone can.:D :evil:
 
Thefumegator said:
I would be FAR more inclined to believe that the XD would be more difficult to detail strip.
Wes
Click to expand...

Wes,
If you ever get your hands on an XD, DO NOT field strip it.
Once you see how easy it is you'll want to buy at least one...of each...

:p

EDIT - Sorry, you said detail strip. not field strip.
 
Part of my trepidation with the Mils-spec is that,years ago. I dissassembled one of the old 45s that the army used before they changed over to the 9mm. I remember what such a pain it was...all the little parts compared to my buddy's 9mm. I'm wondering if the 1911 (which I'm told is an age-old design) is simmilar. I'm not necessarily saying that to give me a reason NOT to choose one, becasue, truth be known, I really like the gun. I just don't want to be shooting my gun and dreading having to take it apart when I get home. To answer someone's question (sorry...I'm TERRIBLE with names) It's probably primarily going to be a home defense weapon, but that doesn't mean that I don't want the ability to carry it concealed to be hampered either.
 
Stop by a gun store or range and have them show you how to take-down an XD (any 4" service XD), and a Mil-spec or similar 1911.

I think that will help you more than all of our comments:)

14rnds of .45 is hard to beat for home defense or for CCW!
 
Troy26 said:
I've done alot of looking at the Springfield Mil-Spec, but I'm wondering how much of a pain it would be to dissassembler/reassemble for someone like me who doesn't have any experience with 1911s.

I've also given alot of thought to the XD for .45 ACP (I REALLY enjoy my 9mm Sub-Compact), but I'm wondering if the lighter polymer frame is a problem for the round.
Click to expand...

Taking apart and reassembling a 1911 takes some practice but doing it a few times will allow you to get the hang of it and you will do it with no problem at all. It really is not a big deal - just practice a little.

I recently purchased my first XD in 45ACP and can tell you it is quite pleasant to shoot. No problem as far as recoil. Reliability and accuracy are simply excellent.:)
 
Field stripping and detail stripping are of course two very different things. It's very easy to field strip a 1911 after you've done it once or twice. Maybe not as easy as the XD, but still pretty damn easy.
As to detail stripping, I don't know that the XD would be any easier than the 1911. But you really don't need to detail strip a handgun very often. They can easily go many thousands of rounds before that's necessary.
I sure wouldn't make my purchase decision based on which gun was the easiest to disassemble.
Shoot them both and then decide.
 
Ala Dan said:
Glock and H&K have been using polymer frames for year's without any type
of problem; so why would it be a problem in the XD~?;)
Click to expand...



If anything, the XD's polymer frame, as well as the metal rails and inserts are MORE robust than either the Glock's or HK's polymer or rails.


XD is a winner.
 
I just picked up a XD .45 ACP from the gun show for 468. I'll update later after I get to shoot it.
 
I just used mine in our weekly tactical match and it performed extremely well. I used my 1911 Sc for the last stage and shot equally well with both guns. The little OWB supplied holster is about worthless though. Anyone have a good line on leather for XD 45? The polymer frame can definitely handle the 45 round, no problem. As for whether to get a 1911 or XD 45...who says you have to have only one :D
 
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