XD9 or Baby Eagle 9mm?

[AtomSphere]

Which pistol would u pick? I would like a reliable pistol which chews off reloads well and has good performance...

I am also looking at ported XD9. Anydown sides to porting? I only see porting improves alot of things...

I fired both baby eagle and XD9 and i am equally impressed with both and have a hard time deciding which to get...

Feel free to comment your thoughts

 

[Ivy Mike]

Steel frame and built on a CZ design and can use CZ magazines.

I'm sorry, I don't even see how the XD is even a contender.

 

[Ala Dan]

I like the XD's myself~!

 

[LoadedDrum]

My Baby Eagle does not feel top heavy like the XD. On the other hand it is easier to get aftermarket support for the XD.

 

[bpisler]

I voted for the XD-9,the top heavy feeling
will go away after you put a few hundred
round thru it.Besides why buy a copy of
something when you can have a original
design.If you don't like polymer pistols
take a look at the CZ line as they have
a wide range to pick from.

 

[Outsider_10fp]

Get the Eagle.
I have owned both, but in .45GAP (XD)
and STILL own an Eagle in .45.
MRI is much better quality IMHO.
My XD didnt stay in the Arsenol for a month , finish problem.
I am thinking of getting another Eagle in nine also , so that should tell you something

 

[D-Man]

What do you plan to do with the gun?

For a range / home-defense weapon, I would go with the Baby Eagle. It's heavy which minimizes recoil, and to me it feels more of a part of my hand when I use it (I own one).

But if this is to be carried around, I'd pick the XD-9 due to the lighter weight.

Also, are you comparing full-sized models against eachother?

 

[ron8903]

I just got a xd-9 sub-compact/not top heavy at all.
I got to say it's as nice as my Glock 23.

 

[RAZOR65]

I couldnt decide which one either so i bought both
, however mine are .45.. love both of them,, so either way you cant go wrong.. just my 2 cents

 

[AtomSphere]

Oh yea. I wish to add that i would like to join IPSC one day. For now, i juz go ranges. I used both the Baby Eagle and XD9. Both are good. Didn't knowtise the XD9 is top heavy.

 

[SeanSw]

3 weeks ago I was making the same decision for my first 9mm. I liked the XD9 but loved the Baby Eagle, even though I had yet to fire either of them. The XDs were only slightly less expensive than the BE after paying tax and shipping, and the Baby Eagle was right there behind the glass......

I purchased the Baby Eagle and after one trip to the range I am very pleased with my decision. I doubt any pistol could be shot more accurately on my first try. I'm not an accessory nut so the lack of light rail and grip safety were not detrimental to the BE.

There's still the issue of aftermarket support though. I've heard that IMI isn't the best to deal with but I have no experience with them. The pistol is a solid piece of work and during my own research I only came across positive evaluations, while I've seen some nit-picky XD reviews.

 

[Alerion]

Anydown sides to porting? I only see porting improves alot of things...

Actually, I can't think of anything porting improves other than reducing muzzle flip somewhat. As far as downsides, the biggest is the noise. The ports not only vent gas, they also vent the noise associated with that gas. So the sound level behind and to the sides of the gun increases drastically. Along with that, ports also vent the flash associated with the burning gas so, in low light conditions, muzzle flash will also be impressive possibly to the point of being blinding. As to very minor drawbacks, the gun will get dirtier on the top and sides of the barrel and there will be a very small decrease in bullet velocity. (The ports do drop some pressure but not until almost the end of the barrel anyway.)

Of course the biggest disadvantage to porting is that you won't get to enjoy my company. Because if you show up after me on a partially empty range and start unpacking a ported gun in the lane next to me I will ask you to move to a lane farther away.

Tom

 

[D-Man]

Regarding support from IMI:

I'm not sure why you would try getting support from them, as the Baby Eagle is sold by Magnum Research. I called them a couple times before buying to ask some general questions, and also ordered an extra magazine from them too. All times the customer service was excellent. Of course, that may change if there was a much larger problem at hand.

One potential negative is that there is a limited warranty from Magnum Research, compared to a life-time warranty (correct?) from Springfield. Many people will say that most gun companies will do out of warranty work free of charge, but I can't verify that, and others may want the peace of mind of a paper warranty in hand.

 

[Lumberjack98]

XD9. I have one and it's my favorite pistol. Two family members have the Baby Eagle and it's an awesome pistol, but purely a range gun.

More aftermarket items for the XD as well.

Don't get the ported, if you have to shoot it in the dark, you will be temporarily blinded.

Either one is a great pistol.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

I have a BE and I love it, all my friend love to shoot it, I have yet to meet anyone who has shot a BE and didn't like it. My friend has an XD9 and it is very nice to shoot as well. I prefer the BE because I like the weight of a steel gun over polymer, however, if I liked polymer guns an XD would be the first one that I would buy.

One note: A gunsmith that I have talked to said that he has seen several BEs with extractor problems. How common are they and are they isolated to certain years or models? I cant say, but it seems to be an easy fix so just keep an eye out.

In the end it comes down to you. People own both and love both, so do you want a steel gun or a polymer gun?

Edit: Almost forgot Holsters can be hard to find for the BE, you either have go cheep (uncle mikes) or have one made (fist holsters). As others have said, for CCW get the XD. I use to carry mine because it was my only pistol for a while (a fullsize BE in .40) and it HURT.

 

[aguyindallas]

I am a big fan of my XD40....go with the XD

 

[AtomSphere]

For competition wise, do you think the BE mass might be too heavy to control and direct?

Do baby eagles have any acessories for the slide catch? I feel its kindda hard reachin over to the slide catch.... Is there an extended slide catch?

 

[brickboy240]

I have an XD40 and love it. No problems and no rust, either. The rust issue is overblown and they are now coating the newer XDs with a better finish, so that old argument is moot.

XDs have a lifetime warranty and great customer service. Baby Eagles seem like nice guns, but finding parts and accessories will be harder. They're really heavy for 9mms and seem a little klunky, too.

Did you see the torture test done on the XD-9 last year in Handguns Magazine? If that does not convince you...nothing will.

Go fo the XD..you will not be sorry.

- Brickboy240

 

[Janitor]

Two family members have the Baby Eagle and it's an awesome pistol, but purely a range gun.

Out of curiosity ... why "only a range gun". I carry a 75B pretty much on a daily basis, and that's about the same size/weight.

/j

 

[saboteur]

Porting will not blind you. It is loud as hell.

So far, the only XD with the better coating is the new XD-45...so don't go running out to buy an XD-9 thinking that it has that melonite finish on it just yet.

 

[high_caliber]

Split the difference and get a CZ PCR.

 

[the kurch man]

Porting

When I took my CPL renewal, they had us shoot in the dark at a silouette. My gun is ported and when I shot, it reminded me of the feeling I got after I was in a flash picture - I was not blinded, but it took a few seconds.

 

[m0ntels]

I keep trying to get into the XD, but every time I handle one it just doesnt feel right to me. Now that the 45ACP is out I might have to see if that fits any better.

Got a Baby Eagle 2 years ago, and so far it's been the only auto I've shot that I really enjoy. I still dont shoot it as much as any of my revolvers, but I dont think I'd ever get rid of it. Feels nice and solid, accurate, cheap and readily available mags, what isnt to like?

Randy

 

[AtomSphere]

Thanks for your insights of your views on the pistols.

The question remains: Does the Baby Eagle have a slide catch extender or something similar to make the slide catch longer?

 

[larry starling]

Buy what you like but for my money I would go with the XD....