Yep, the XD45's really are that good!

[soonerjh]

Took my new 5 inch tactical out today and it was love at first shot! Only put 100 rounds thru it, Remington and Winchester white box. It shot as well as I heard it does and almost up to par with my Sig p-220. I cant wait to take it back out and try some differnent ammo thru it. It feels very good in hand and hardly any noticible recoil. very easy to get back on target. I am by no means a professional shooter but this gun seems to be very accurate, very simple, point and shoot...love it!

 

[Mizzle187]

I love my XD45 service. Before I bought the XD45 I had not shot any XD. I just knew I was going to like this gun and I do. At this time it is my nightstand gun with a Streamlight M6 attached. I will attempt to carry it when the winter comes back around. Ive shot close to 800 rounds of nothing but Wolf in it and havent had one problem! Im just hoping for a sub-compact XD45! Oh please! Oh please!

 

[pablo45]

I am glad to see that you enjoy it.My buddy just got one and being a die hard glock fan myself.I have to comment and put my two scence in.The bottom line is that it is another i wish i thiught of this sooner idea and honestly this gun should of been out about 10 years ago.I thought the grip was weird and the beaver tail with the pin sticking out of the back were useless to me.I thought it fired decent and the accuracy was an 8 but i didnt like the way ther slide racks nor the jagged edges on the magazines.In only my opinon this just can not compare to the proven excellence and perfection of GLOCK.
-But it is a good purchase to add to the collection why not

 

[SnakeEater]

^^^Anybody else confused by that?:banghead:

 

[Don Gwinn]

Coronach, that's an interesting take. I've seen it on at least a couple of hips here in Mayberry RFD, where the officers mostly supply their own weapons (still mostly GLOCKS because the department does kick in part of the cost for those.)

I think it's well suited to police work, so what you've been told makes sense. I wonder what Springfield's deal is. Do they not want outside armorers for some reason, or is it too expensive to create the program, or what?

I'd like to see Springfield do well; they're kind of the hometown boys.

 

[bigmike45]

In my lifetime I have owned at least one of most types, styles and calibers of modern handguns. All I can say is I am sure glad the XD45 was not the first gun I ever owned.......I don't think I would have purchased any other guns. It is that good!!!!

 

[Texas_XD]

I think it in part stems from a parts availablity issue. It is made overseas and the demand may be larger then we would guess. I'm not sure on that, but I do know alot of folks are upset about it. But I do know that SA IS offering Armourer classes to LEO depts, they just had one not too long ago in the Dallas area. The nice thing is this: SA stated at one time that if a LEO weapon came in for service, they would actually get it back to them ASAP. Saw a post where one guy got his back like on a Weds morning after he sent it in on a Monday afternoon. This may not be overly impressive to some, but I'd like to think that is pretty nice in turn around time. Not to start trouble, but even us "standard" folks normally see 7 day turnaround or less with them paying for shipping both ways, compared to a friend's Glock that took 3 weeks and he paid for shipping to them.
Anyway, orginal post: I have 3 XDs now, 2 Sub-compacts (9mm & .40)and a Service (.40) and love them to the point I am seriously considering a nice .45 Service to round them out!

 

[kansas45]

XD's

As I mentioned before, I have A 45XD Tactical. I like it so much that I ordered a 9mm XD Tactical from my friendly Gun Place yesterday! Now for the funds to buy aXD40 Tactical....:banghead:

 

[Benzene]

Slightly different experience

My brand new XD45 Tactical functioned flawlessly with ball ammo. But when I tried to fire some Gold Dots (185 grain HP), the following situation arose:

1. The loaded chamber indictor was down.
2. The slide was stuck in such a way that the guide rod was proturding about one and a half cm.
3. A round was sitting somewhere in the gun, although the loaded chamber indicator was down.
4. I had to hold the slide firmly and hit the frame forward to eject the "stuck" round.
   A call to Springfield was useless (though polite).
   Does anyone else have a similar experience? Thanks for your input.
   
   I was also told by the guy at the gunshop from which I bought the gun that Springfield advises against using Winchester white box ammo in the XD45. Grateful for your thoughts.

 

[Benzene]

Appearance of the XD45 feed ramp

The feed ramp on my PT145 Mill Pro is polished to a mirror finish. My XD45 sports a ramp that seems to have a coating of some sort on it that gives it a dull, "dirty" appearance. I tried to polish it, but it does not shine like my PT145. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[southernwarrior187]

I handled an XD45 at a shop this past weekend. The thinness of the grip was amazing compared to a G21. Quality at an inexpensive price. Unfortunately this pistol has two of of my personal deal breakers.

- not combatible with crimson trace
- has a grip safety



*dreams about a Sig 220 carry dak combat model *

 

[Frenchy]

deal breakers- has a grip safety

You're obviously not a 1911 fan..?

 

[Coronach]

Coronach, that's an interesting take. I've seen it on at least a couple of hips here in Mayberry RFD, where the officers mostly supply their own weapons (still mostly GLOCKS because the department does kick in part of the cost for those.)

Yeah, it makes sense. Smaller PDs that do not supply a duty weapon will also not have to support the weapons the officers carry (or, at least only support them in the most basic sense). PDs that issue carry guns will often try to have in-house people qualified to service them. If (and that's an "if", people...no rumor-spreading, here) Springfield is being hinky about supporting the local PD's armorers, the local PD will run, not walk, to someone else.

I think it's well suited to police work, so what you've been told makes sense.

I agree, it is ideally suited to it. It is at least as good as Glock, and with different-enough ergos that a significant portion of the population will like it better. Given the liberty to pick, some will pick it.

I wonder what Springfield's deal is. Do they not want outside armorers for some reason, or is it too expensive to create the program, or what?

They would not be the first gun company to completely misread the market, and walk around HUA. Perhaps we should not gripe, though. They could decide to cast off the mere civilian purchaser in favor of gov't contract work *cough*Colt*cough*.

Mike

 

[Steelharp]

- not combatible with crimson trace

I believe I saw an ad for either them or LaserMax that has a guide rod laser for them now...

EDIT:

Well, I checked the LM site... it's not listed there, just for other models...

 

[southernwarrior187]

lasermax

 

[Coronach]

What's wrong with Lasermax? It is a different style from Crimson Trace, but it works just as well for combat-style shooting. I have one in my G20 and it is quality piece of equipment.

Mike

 

[Steelharp]

Yes, I would like to know, too, not owning either product at the moment. Is there something inferior about the LaserMax product? I would really like to know more than just a puke sign...

 

[106rr]

I was impressed with the grip ergos of the XD 45, better than the G21. The issue of police sales is a different problem. The XD series is carried more than 7/8 cocked while a Glock is carried about 1/2 cocked.
The Glock is labeled by DOJ as a double action and the XD is labeled a single action. In IDPA the XD is not allowed in the Stock Service Pistol class with the Glock. It competes with the 1911s and other cocked and locked models. There is a perceived problem with liability. I say perceived because I doubt that the safety fears are realistic. The XD is a safe firearm but if there is an AD or ND with it, there will be hell to pay when the lawyers get the case because of the cocked and locked stereotype.
The other small issue is the number of XD holsters available from traditional police suppliers. This situation is improving.

 

[Surefire]

So, how light and good is the XD trigger if its 7/8th cocked when the striker is back? Is the trigger pull cleaner than Glocks for example?

 

[Reckoning]

^Does that website have a good reputation among this forum?

A little belated, but to answer your question Surefire, I've had excellent experience with pistolgear. I own an XD .40 subcompact and tactical. I bought a guide rod/spring combo for the tactical and a set of night sights from that company and the service was great. My orders were processed and shipped very quickly (I believe the turn around for the guide rod and spring was about 3 days from order to delivery).

Don't have an XD 45 yet, but I've tossed the idea around. I really like my other XD's and my only real issue with the product line (the finish) seems to have been resolved.

 

[southernwarrior187]

Lasermax can cause reliability problems with handgun cycling. The Glock is very prone to this. Glocks are very reliant upon the proper strength of the guide rod/spring. Some glock users have had problems, since the lasermax unit can be "undersprung".

Have they corrected these problems? I don't know and don't care. I'm not replacing a vital component of my pistol with a laser that "works now but didn't use to work".


Second complaint.

The activation of the laser requires reaching the switch with your index finger, in an extended position.

Try doing this quickly under stress while drawing.


Crimson trace replaces the GRIP rather than the GUIDE ROD.

Smarter design.

Activation is instinctive. Grab the handgun, the laser is on. No switches to fumble with. No grip adjustment necessary. Grab and go.

 

[UncleBob]

I really like my XD 45 also. But whether or not a gun can support a laser is the last thing I worry about. Lasers are overrated. While they excel in tactical useage, most people don't know how to use them properly. You can always get the Streamlight laser and light combo if you just have to have one.

 

[Coronach]

1. I'd say the reliability problem is a real issue- if your unit has that problem. Mine does not, but YMMV. Not having experienced the problem, I have no idea how one would fix it were it to occur. Presumably Lasermax would replace the unit or spring?

2. The method of activation is a two-edged sword. Some people prefer to turn their laser on manually, rather than have it automatically come on when the weapon is drawn. Frankly, if I need my sidearm so quickly that I cannot activate the laser, I probably won't be picking up the dot and using it to aim anyway. I have no problem getting the Lasermax activated quickly and instinctively. I think if you train to do it on your drawstroke you can make it as least as engrained as sweeping off a 1911-style safety. It's not that difficult, and even if you forget, the gun will still go bang.

It is, however, a two-edged sword. If you want the laser to come on automatically when you draw the weapon, the Lasermax just won't do it. Of course, if you want the laser to stay off until activated by you, Crimson Trace won't do that, either (at least, not without adopting an odd grip to avoid turning it on, or using the master on/off, which is not conveniently located for such use, IIRC).

Also, the CT unit can be blocked by a high thumb hold if you're a lefty. Lasermax is ambidextrous (not really an issue if you're not a lefty).

Mike

 

[LadySmith]

Having recently purchased a XD 45, here's what I have to say about mine:
I was a bit put off by the large grip safety, but it's not a problem and I was completely ignoring it after a few rounds. It was more a psychological thing thinking I had to exert extra pressure or choke my gun in order to make it function when in reality a normal grip works just fine.
It's a little bit heavier than my Glock 17, but still light and comfortable. It gives the impression of being a serious weapon and I believe it would make an excellent service/carry pistol. I call it my Glock's big brother.
The ergonomics are wonderful, and talk about accurate right out the box!
I haven't had the chance to use the gear it came with: holster, dual mag holder and magazine loader.
I fed it Magtech and American Eagle ammo at the range, and it wasn't finicky at all. It performed flawlessly on 200 rounds. It is very easy to break down and clean.
I'm thinking about getting another one.

 

[wally]

So, how light and good is the XD trigger if its 7/8th cocked when the striker is back? Is the trigger pull cleaner than Glocks for example?

To me the XD trigger is far superior to the Glock trigger. I couldn't hit squat with my Glocks (17,21) until I put in the 3.5 lb connectors -- but I doubt they are safe for carry now (mine are strictly range guns). To me the XD trigger breaks much cleaner that the Glock, but the Glock does have a shorter reset.

But when you are talking triggers, the 1911 has no peers.

--wally.