Springfield XD series...thoughts on them....

[Stinkyshoe]

I have yet to fire the Glock I borrowed from a friend. It feels pretty natural as far as the sights lining up as soon as the gun is raised. However the grip is really uncomfortable. At a recent show I was handling a Springfield XD(the middle sized one) Service model. The grip was so comfortable, it has a grip safety, ambi mag releases, and a very good trigger pull! I wish that it had higher cap. mags than 12 rdrs, but it seemed like a sweet gun. The grip is really high, sort of like a 1911.

Does anyone use the XD as their ccw piece? Would you regard them with the same toughness as a Glock? What are your thoughts on the XD?

 

[MrTuffPaws]

The XDs are good guns. I own an XD9. I have heard that they have been put through the same tests as glock and still funtion.

I have had two problems with mine. 1 was that the firing pin roll pin cracked (from dry firing I think). The second was that the locking block chipped where it catched the barrel. Both of these problems where taken care by SA, and they did not effect the fuctionality of the gun what so ever.

One issue that almost every owner complains about is that the XDs have a crappy finish. I would considering it about as tough as bluing. If you don't keep the gun clean and lubed you might get rust. I have had no rust using BF CLP and Eezox though.

 

[orangeninja]

I have an XD Sub Compact 9mm and love it. No problems with it and though some people say that the finish is not good on an XD...the XD finish is very forgiving. It would take salt water and a month to pit the thing if at all. Nothing will happen to that finish that a silcone cloth can't take care of. That said, the finish is not as tough as tennifer on Glock so I would get a stainless XD. They are as easy to conceal as a Glock G19. My .02

 

[Gary G23]

I sold all my Glocks and bought XD's. I use the XD for carry, home protection, IDPA competition, and USPSA competition. I couldn't be happier with my pistols. As far as the finish is concerned I have owned five XD's and have never had any rusting issues.

 

[George Hill]

As far as polymer guns go, I think the XD's are the best.

 

[agony]

I recently acquired an XD-9 and in the past two weeks have fallen head-over-heels in love with it. And this is from a dedicated SIG guy. The XD's bore axis and grip are similar to everything-but-Glocks. It has been flawless, other than a somewhat longish trigger reset. I am seriously thinking of ridding myself of a G19, and I never get rid of guns anymore.

 

[cfabe]

I CCW an XD40 service. Great gun. I prefer the ergonomics to a glock, espicially the grip angle. The trigger is much better than the glock trigger. As far as the finish, I have had mine get a little surface rust when it got wet with dew on a camping trip, but in daily carry I haven't had any problems. I've got probably 3000 rds through it with no mechanical failures. I've run up to 1500 rounds without cleaning before I started to see malfunctions. The grip safety is an added benefit, although I would still only use a holster that completely covered the trigger guard. Overall, they're good solid guns and a good value.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

XD vs. Glock is about the same as Chevy vs. Ford. Each side has their advocates and their detractors, but both are fundamentally sound. XDs don't do it for me. I much prefer my baby, a Glock 23. But I wouldn't feel undergunned with an XD. Go for it...

 

[Marshall]

I bought an XD-40 service model and recommend them highly. I also recommend either of the models with night sights, I wish they offered the stainless slide models with night sights from the factory but they don't.

Personally, I think they are every bit the gun a Glock is and surpasses them in a number of areas, the grip saftey and angle being two of them. I love the cocked indicator in the rear of the slide, it's very nice to be able to simply feel it with your thumb as a reminder. I am not anti-Glock by any means but, for me, the XD has more to offer.

OWB carry is not a problem with a pancake style high ride holster, IWB is more difficult as to the thickness of the slide. As to the finish, I have never had even a remote problem with it. If you get one, after cleaning it first, soak it in a gun oil and let the slide eat up the oil. From then on, just regular cleaning and lubing will take care of it. The finish on mine is a very nice and shiny black, if it starts to look dry, oil it up and rub it down, it'll last as long as you.

Oh yea, accuracy, it's there!

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Do you have any thoughts on the XD vs the HK usp 40 or 45. I am impressioned by the USP 45 because of the auto decock, it is da/sa, takes high cap 12 rounders I think, and seemed have have little recoil. I felt the grip was a bit too boxy, but not bad. I don't really think it would make a good ccw piece...but who knows?

Cfabe,
Do you find it hard to ccw? It seemed a bit thicker than the Glock. It looked about the length of a 1911 Commander. Do you use a shoulder rig, or ITW, or something else?

Gary G23,
What other models do you own? If you could just have one, what would it be? Do you use the .40 for your competitions? How much does you point of impact and group sizes change from target/comp. loads to s/d loads?

agony,
Do you feel well armed with the 9mm, or is there an advantage to going to the .40? Correct me if I am wrong, but the service .40 and the 9mm are the same size?

How does the recoil of the Service 40 compare to the 9mm? Like wise with the sub-c? Does anyone shoot a ported version?
Thanks
Ss

 

[agony]

agony,
Do you feel well armed with the 9mm, or is there an advantage to going to the .40? Correct me if I am wrong, but the service .40 and the 9mm are the same size?

I've only owned the XD for a couple weeks. I wouldn't carry it until I've had a couple hundred rounds of my intended carry ammo through it. I personally am not a big 40 fan, and usually carry a SIG P220 .45acp or a Kahr K9 (9mm). I don't have any problems carrying a 9mm with good defensive loads, although the 9mm vs .40S&W debate will always bring forth detractors/worshippers of either caliber. I think 15+1 rounds of 9 is fine.

 

[victory]

XD vs Glock, the answer is simple, whatever fits you better.

 

[Gary G23]

If I could only have one it would be the four inch 9mm, especially now that 15rd magazines are available. There is no advantage to using anything larger than a 9mm in IDPA ESP class or USPSA Production class. The 9mm uses cheaper ammo which means I can practice a lot and not have to mess with reloading. Ten years ago I wasn't a big fan of 9mm for self defense but the ammo has improved over the years. I definitely do not feel undergunned carrying 16rds of 124gr +P Gold Dot ammo in my XD. Also the slide is slightly thinner on the 9mm which is noticeable when you are carrying.

 

[Island Beretta]

George Hill, coming from you that is a powerful statement!! Truth is, since I have gotten to know this firearm some more I can't say your statement is absurd..

The only concern I have is that the reset on the single action is a bit long but I hear the solution to this have been found!!

 

[Island Beretta]

..Gary23, you shoot the XD is USPSA?? not Production because last I heard they were not allowed because they were classified as Single Action. I stand corrected however as I don't follow-up these things much nowadays.

 

[dmftoy1]

Does the XD have the same unsupported chamber issue as the glock? (just trying to look at possible differences from a reloader's point of view! )

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[psyopspec]

I've owned a few glocks, shot an xd, and now own a USP compact. Out of the three, HK fit me as well as glock, with the XD the least comfortable. Obviously it's all a matter of what's best for you, but I have to say I've been extremely happy with an HK by my side. I like the decocker and the fact that it can also be carried cocked and locked ala 1911 if I wish. I haven't had any concealment issues-carry IWB with a flat-bottom mag in the gun and it really isn't that hard (I'm 5'8'' 155).

But, all three are comparatively accurate and reliable. Don't hesitate to buy what fits, but I would try to get your hands on a USP before buying.

 

[cgv69]

Well I guess I'm one of those weird people who don't find the trigger or the grip angle of the XD to be any better than that of the Glock. I have a XD-9 and a G17 and find the triggers almost equal. Maybe my Glock is better than average, maybe my XD is worse then usual or maybe I'm just not that picky?

As far as grip angle, I prefer the Glocks, points more natural for me but that could be because it was my first handgun?

Add all that to the fact that the Glocks have a proven track record (the XD still hasn't proven itself long term yet) so I'll stick with my Glocks for now. I will keep my XD for a while just to play with. I do wish Glock would incorporate a grip safety like the XD's but I seem to be in the minority within the Glock community on that issue too. Maybe I'm just weird!

 

[litework]

Stinkyshoe said:

Do you have any thoughts on the XD vs the HK usp 40 or 45. I am impressioned by the USP 45 because of the auto decock, it is da/sa, takes high cap 12 rounders I think, and seemed have have little recoil. I felt the grip was a bit too boxy, but not bad. I don't really think it would make a good ccw piece...but who knows?

My current polymer collection consists of a Glock 20, two XDs and an HK USPf .45. I prefer the HK because of the 1) caliber 2) hammer 3) large trigger guard 4) capacity 5) cocked and locked carry. I really, really like the XD and carry one during the summer months in either a FIST #20 (XD357) or a Bladetech (XD9). They are quite comfortable and fairly easy to conceal. I got rid of my Glock 23 for a number of reasons, but mostly because I liked the XD. If Springfield's manufacturer replaced the striker fired system in favor of a hammer and slide mounted safety, I probably wouldn't need the HK. Of course, if Springfield made my suggested mods, they'd basically have a boxy, polymer 1911.