The XD 45 Compact Search, or "interweb 101 for gun stores"

[Sean Dempsey]

UPDATE: One store had one... read my post below...


I am looking to buy a XD45 Compact. So far, I've been to 3 gun stores here in town.

At each store, the guy behind the counter does one of the following:

1) tells me I'm mistaken, and the subcompact only comes in 9mm and 40sw.

2) tells me they they don't make a XD45 compact, but they have the regular XD45

3) Tells me they aren't for sale and no one has them, and it'll be six months before Springfield releases them.


I try to tell them that Springfield has them on their website, and that people are in fact buying them, but they just get irate and tell me "Well we don't have them, so I don't know what to tell you."


So great. I am really trying to get a physical view of these so I can compare the size to the XD9 Service model. I have held the XD45 Service, and it feels like the grip is a little bigger in the overall diameter, but not much longer. I want to be able to compare the size of the XD45 Compact with the XD9 Service, side by side.


So what are my options here? No one in town has a clue about the XD45 compact, and they all say they can't/won't order me one. I've never bought a gun online before, so I have no idea how that works with the shipping and paperwork. I live in Utah, btw.

I don't suppose anyone has a XD45 compact and an XD9 they can put side by side? OR, an XD45 they are selling and/or a dealer who has one that will ship to Utah.

Sometimes, living in a smallerish town can have it's annoyances.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Update:

I called one of our oldest shops, and they say they have an "XD45 Intermediate, its got a 10 round mag and a 13 round mag".

I am going to go look at it, I am just curious why they are saying it's an "intermediate". It didn't sound like he was just using a random word, he said it like it was listed as that.

Anyone familiar with an XD being labeled an "Intermediate"?

 

[Pebcac]

I've never heard it referred to that way, but it should be the right one. The XD45 Compact is shipping with one 10-round mag, and one standard 13-rounder with the grip extension thingy.

 

[PCRit]

You can go to a previous thread where I posted a pic of the XD45 Compact, post #18 of this thread. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=239179

The Service/Tactical XD9 is about 3/8" longer than the XD45 Compact.

The Service/Tactical XD45 is about 6/8" longer.

Also, if you're local store does not have a Compact XD45, go to this link, put in your zip and you'll find stores in your area affiliated with Davidson's.


http://www.galleryofguns.com/gunloca...one&num_rec=20

 

[Sean Dempsey]

Well, one store did have one... so I bought it
I traded them my XD9 Service (the wife will only tolerate so much spending). So, basically I paid 90 bucks cash and a slightly used XD9. I'm pretty happy for that trade, they gave me TOP dollar for it.

I went out and blew 20 rounds through it right near my house the instant I left the store. I didn't hit what I was aiming for, but it felt great.

The recoil isn't noticeably increased from the XD9. Maybe it's just me, but all I noticed really was a different sound. It doesn't "pop" like the 9mm, its alot power pitched and sort of goes "thomp".


Anyways, I plan on getting another hundred or so rounds through it tomorrow, and this weekend try and hit 500. I want it nice and broken in.

Oh, and I finally was able to put it next to the XD9 SubCompact. The grip height is about 1/4 inch longer, but not much. I am extremely pleased with it.

 

[PCRit]

Congrats Sean. You're going to love it! Good trade too.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

I figured that, on a budget, I don't need the full size 9mm XD when I have the XD45 Compact. I would have been great to keep to plink with, but realistically, when would I EVER shoot it over the 45, especially when I have the 9mm Subcompact right there (which always felt and shot identical).


I'm loving it already. I can't wait to start perforating the bullseye with it.

 

[treebeard]

I was thinking about trading my XD45 Service in for the XD45 compact, but I am not going to since the length of the barrel/slide was not shortened. The compact felt good in my hand though. If they would shorten the barrel/slide I would buy it instantly.

 

[Sean Dempsey]

What sort of velocity reduction would come from a sub 4" barrel?

I like the compact grip over the fullsize 45. I held them both, and for me, the thing that is hard to conceal is the butt of the gun. The longer ones are just too long. But, like the subcom, I can squeeze the butt beneath my waistband and it just vanishes. The barrel length doesn't effect me since none of my carry methods differ much with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. Longer, yeah, but right now, there's just an extra inch hanging down, and the grip is tucked neatly behind my belt.

And who doesn't want that extra optical inch?

 

[PCRit]

I guess it really depends on if you need the shorter grip on the Compact for CCW. To me, keeping the 4" barrel is a plus because the slide length is never the issue for carry (at least for me- IWB) and the .45ACP has better ballistics out of a 4" barrel and more reliable feed/function than with a shorter slide.

You can loose anywhere from 50-100 fps (230gr), depending on the ammo brand. You need to push a lighter bullet (185-200gr) faster to make up the penetration/expansion from sub-4" barrels.

Here is a good thread on the 3" Colt Defender.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=102573&highlight=short+Defender