Springfield XD

[Buckfever]

What are your opinions on a Springfield XD Compact?  I looked at one the other day and it felt very good to me.  Are they reliable?  Is there another handgun similar to this that I should consider?  Thanks  Buckfever

[John R.]

The Springfield XD is an excellent gun. I have the XD45 and have put roughly 4,000 rounds through it with no malfunctions. The compact comes with a 10 rd. mag that makes for a shorter grip or a 13 rd. mag that makes it the same dimensions as a standard XD.

[Buckfever]

ACP or GAP 45?  Reasons for 45 over 40 and 9mm?  Do you reload and if so how difficult is it?  I reload for rifle cartridges but not for handgun as of yet.   Thanks  Buckfever

[John R.]

Mine is the 45 ACP. I reload for it because I shoot IPSC with it. I have shot 185's, 200's, and 230's, with zero malfunctions. My dad and brother also have XD45's. I would not get one in 45 GAP, because I think that it will never be as popular as the ACP.

[superjay01]

buckfever,
You might want to check out the Glocks also. They have subcompacts in just about every caliber you could ever want. I have four Glocks and love them. They are accurate and dependable. The biggest complaint that I have heard about the Glocks is their grip. If you have a smaller hand you might not like the Glock, although my wife has small hands and does not have a problem with the grip.
As for the 45 GAP round, I love it. I know that it will never be as popular as the 45 ACP, but it is the most accurate round I have ever fired out of a pistol. The downside of the 45 GAP is not every mom and pop gun shop will have ammo for it. I usually get my ammo on-line anyways and I think it runs about 16 bucks a box. I know the chains like Gander Mtn. sells it also.

[dcewolf]

I have a subcompact XD in 9mm and a fullsize in 40SW.   My 40 is the newer of the two so it has the better finish...the older XD's had a fairly poor ??brunial??  finish that some folks had rust problems with, I have not encountered that though.  The newer ones have a "Melonite" finish which is the same finish that Glocks have just a different name for it.  I am every bit as accurate with my subcompact as with the fullsize if not more so, but I have also had that one for a bit longer too -- alot more time on the range.

I have had zero problems with my subcompact and being in 9mm makes it much cheaper to shoot.  It's also my regular carry piece for fall and winter...occasional for the warmer months.  I find them both to be very reliable.

You might want to check out a Glock also.  Depending on where you are Glocks may run about the same $$$$ or may be a bit more expensive.  I can get an XD for about $100 less than a Glock but that will vary depending on your market.  The big thing between the two is the grip angle, some folks love the way a Glock fits their hand, me personally I don't -- XDs fit me much better -- I can't shoot Glocks worth spit but thats just me.  Glocks currently have more parts and accessories available, but they've been around longer too.  Some folks like the Smith & Wesson poly guns and may recommend them. 

If you like XDs from just poking around the gun shops, the best bang for your buck will probably be a XD or a Glock.  I would try both and see which feels better. 

[navylawdog]

Buckfever,

I have a full size XD in .45 acp and I love it. In fact when I bought it I traded off my Sig Pro even though I liked it as well it was time to move on to something new. I know others that own XD's as well and they all love their's as well. It is a very well made weapon for the money. Then it comes with the mag pouches, and holster. Not to mention mine carries 13 rounds of .45 ammo. My Sig only had 10 rounds of .40. Definitely more bang for the bucks there! My personal opinion of glock is that they are cheap guns for an expensive price.
Also you asked about reloading for pistols. If you can reload rifle ammo you will have no problems what so ever with reloading for a pistol. It is pretty simple to do.

Navylawdog

[a1huntingsupply]

Buckfever

You can't go wrong with the XD. They are accurate, reliable and very affordable. The XD is one of the best guns you can buy for the money in my "opinion". I have a XD40 Service model but have several friends that shoot subcompacts and none of us have any problems or complaints with our XD's.

My XD40

[bscman]

I have an XD-40 service model. Very nice! 1,500 rounds or so to date, zero malfunctions of any kind. Eats every ammo I can buy locally without a hitch. My buddy has a similar experience with his sub compact XD-9.

IMO, they are superior to the glock.
For contact area frame-to-slide than glock, the additional grip safety as an added bonus, fully supported chambers, steel guide rod, and a GREAT customer service to back them up. The only thing the glock can beat is with aftermarket parts availability--but the XD lineup has had a boost in aftermarket parts the last few years...drop in trigger kits, recoil rods, etc.

Price around here puts XD's 75-100 cheaper than the glocks as well. Superior product for less $$$!!!

[teddy12b]

I have an XD 45ACP service model and it's a great gun.  Mine has never given me any problems with good ammo.  They're priced fairly and perform very well.

[Bugflipper]

 I just bought a 45 acp compact as well. I was really pressed for time and was unable to shoot it before I qualified. I was very suprised about the recoil, I had to mentally focus to slow the firing rate down because the recoil was so light.  I generally shoot up in the low 90's, this time was no exception. My previous duty weapon was a glock 21 (45 acp). The ergonomics, trigger and recoil are all better on the xd. I wanted to have a dual purpose pistol that is easier to conceal than the 21, the xd did just that. Plus the easier recoil compares more like a 40 s&w with light loads, I was using Federal Premiums in +p 230 gr. This morning I was able to run 200 rounds of wolf 230 gr through it, I am very satisfied. Acurassy is slightly better than the glock, but not a target pistol by any stretch of the imagination. On a negative note the magazines are higher than a lot others out there, in the $23-$28 range and if you get the 13 round you will need to buy the grip extension, which is $5-$10 each. As stated above it does come with one 10 and one 13.