Springfield Armory XD - Who recommends it?

ihsv

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Ok, here's the scoop: I'm thinking about getting one for my wife and possibly another one for myself. I've read a lot of positive reviews, but I like hearing from real people their experiences and opinions.

Currently I'm looking at the sub-compact (3" barrel) and/or the compact model (4" barrel). I'd like it to double as a home defense weapon and a concealed carry piece. I'm somewhat skittish about the 3" barrel, afraid that it might degrade accuracy.

Thoughts, opinions, pointers, advice, etc. welcome.
 
Do it

I've got thousands of rounds through my XD40 4" w/ no FTF or FTE's with all qualities of round. I have carried it everyday for a few years. It goes bang everytime I pull the trigger.

Most self-defense encounters happen in 6' or less. The sub will do fine as far as accuracy. There is more recoil though due to the shorter barrel.
 
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I've got thousands of rounds through my XD40 w/ no FTF or FTE's with all qualities of round. I have carried it everyday for a few years. It goes bang everytime I pull the trigger.

Is that the compact or the subcompact?
 
4" Service

It is the 4" service. I OC and CC. It conceals under a t-shirt just fine for me.
 
I shot an XD in 9mm at a gun range. A friend was renting it because he is thinking of buying one. I believe it was the sub compact. I shot it and I was impressed. It's a nice gun, accurate, nice trigger and I could tell it was a quality gun. I have a Sig P229 which is a damn good gun but it is a little on the big side for CCW in hot weather. When I buy another gun I will more than likely buy the XD sub compact. I don't know if I'll choose 9mm or .40 S&W because that is what my Sig is in.

If you have a gun range near you that rents guns go rent one and try it out. Rent a few other guns that you think you might like and try them too.
 
Tupperware is for the freezer not self defense.

8-)

Get a CZ 75 PCR or another similar compact METAL gun.
 
I just bought a 5" Tactical .45 ACP this past weekend. I'd rather have accuracy. I would get the standard 4" model, but not the sub compact. For decent accuracy with a 3" you need to be fairly close.

Go to a gun show or your local dealer and handle it to see how it feels. The 5" doesn't feel too large and it holds 13 rounds + 1 in the chamber. Load the mag and it feels very balanced.

I also bought a Mossberg 500 Special Persuader/Cruiser 8 shot... very nice shotty to keep under the bed ;)

First 4 rounds are bird shot, last 4 are buck shot, just in case...
 
Another point I'll make is what you shoot with it. I use hollow points. If you hit somebody in the torso with 1-2 .45 hollow points you'll put them down. I'd rather to that than have to pump a mag full of 9mm rounds into them just to stop them.
 
I've got a .40 Sub Compact and a 9mm 4" Service model.

I love both guns. I like the standard trigger pull versus the single and double of the Glock. I think I would have liked the 9mm in the sub compact better than the 4". My hands are on the large size and the tiny, light weight Glock kept slipping out of my hands. (Not enough handle - Lighter weight... more kick... a matter of physics.)

I put an extender on the small clip for the .40 and it fits my hands perfectly for carry. I shoot both equally well. The smaller 3" barrel compared to the 4" barrel is no factor.

I've only had one problem with the 9mm and when that batch of reloads was gone the problem was gone.

Advantage arms doesn't have a .22 conversion for the Springfield... And have put developoment for one on indefinate hold. Glock and Sig are both good guns and they have .22 conversions for less expensive practice. Even though I like my Springfield very much I might have gotten the Sig and a conversion if I had know.

The Springfield XD is being used and winning in competitions.
 
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If your wife has small hands like I do the XD might be a little big for her. I find that I can't hit the slide release or drop my magazine without using my other hand when I'm using it.

But my husband loves it, and it is a good gun. We tried several on the day we bought it and it was both of our favorites.

I haven't picked my new gun yet but I'm looking into the MP because the backside of the grip is easily interchangeable with 3 different sizes that all come with the gun. I need to go shoot one first before I make any decisions though.
 
If your wife has small hands like I do the XD might be a little big for her. I find that I can't hit the slide release or drop my magazine without using my other hand when I'm using it.

But my husband loves it, and it is a good gun. We tried several on the day we bought it and it was both of our favorites.

I haven't picked my new gun yet but I'm looking into the MP because the backside of the grip is easily interchangeable with 3 different sizes that all come with the gun. I need to go shoot one first before I make any decisions though.

She has small hands but long fingers, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm glad you brought that up, though, so when we do go down to the shop I can have her try the slide and mag release.
 
I've got a .40 Sub Compact and a 9mm 4" Service model.

I love both guns. I like the standard trigger pull versus the single and double of the Glock. I think I would have liked the 9mm in the sub compact better than the 4". My hands are on the large size and the tiny, light weight Glock kept slipping out of my hands. (Not enough handle - Lighter weight... more kick... a matter of physics.)

I put an extender on the small clip for the .40 and it fits my hands perfectly for carry. I shoot both equally well. The smaller 3" barrel compared to the 4" barrel is no factor.

I've only had one problem with the 9mm and when that batch of reloads was gone the problem was gone.

Advantage arms doesn't have a .22 conversion for the Springfield... And have put developoment for one on indefinate hold. Glock and Sig are both good guns and they have .22 conversions for less expensive practice. Even though I like my Springfield very much I might have gotten the Sig and a conversion if I had know.

The Springfield XD is being used and winning in competitions.

So there really isn't much if a loss in accuracy with the shorter barrel?
 
I own the bad boy........the XD .45 ACP w/5 inch. I HIGHLY recommend it. I've shot pistols all my life, this is probably my most dependable. I can't argue reliability vs a glock since i've never owned one.......but the reason i've never owned one is because i'm used the the design of the 1911's, and the glock has a different grip to slide angle....meaning i can't aim and shoot a glock off of reflex. I'll always hit low. The XD is perfect. I'm also only 5'8 140lbs.....so pretty small, but i carry my .45 concealed. Since most CCW holders go with smaller calibers so they won't print, having a .45 ACP with 14 rounds and NOT printing is a huge firepower advantage.

God forbid i ever have to use it..........if the bad guy also has a pistol, i'm highly confident he'll be outgunned.
 
I too am looking at a XD Sub-Compact (3in) 9MM (Bi-Tone)... thanks for the advice guys :)
 
So there really isn't much if a loss in accuracy with the shorter barrel?

Within the ranges of about 7 to 15 yards I have not noticed a lot of difference in my aim... But then I'm 60 and been told I'm blind... but what do my kids know anyway. :D

No... I get about a 4" pattern at 15 yards with both guns. I'm actually thinking about getting the 9mm Sub compact and selling the 4" 9mm for cheaper practice since I cannot find a conversion kit.
 
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Within the ranges of about 7 to 15 yards I have not noticed a lot of difference in my aim... But then I'm 60 and been told I'm blind... but what do my kids know anyway. :D

No... I get about a 4" pattern at 15 yards with both guns. I'm actually thinking about getting the 9mm Sub compact and selling the 4" 9mm for cheaper practice since I cannot find a conversion kit.

Do they have a conversion kit for the sub?
 
Ok, here's the scoop: I'm thinking about getting one for my wife and possibly another one for myself. I've read a lot of positive reviews, but I like hearing from real people their experiences and opinions.

Currently I'm looking at the sub-compact (3" barrel) and/or the compact model (4" barrel). I'd like it to double as a home defense weapon and a concealed carry piece. I'm somewhat skittish about the 3" barrel, afraid that it might degrade accuracy.

Thoughts, opinions, pointers, advice, etc. welcome.

I recommend it 100% They are nice guns and reliable as well. I carry a 4" .40 cal every day. I'm not as heavy as a lot of CC'ers but i can say that it's not too bulky and isn't noticeable. I've shot about 5000 (easily) through it in the 4 years i've owned it and have't had any problems (except mis-fires shooting reloads)

I find it to be reliable, easy to operate and accurate (with the 4" barrel).
As most would advise, go to a range and rent one before you buy it. For me, the first time i picked it up i knew i was going to buy it. It feels great in the hand and i like the way the weight is distributed (vs a Glock 23)

there's MHO :-)
 
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