No love for the XD?

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

After perusing this forum for a while, I can’t help but notice that the XD doesn’t seem to be real popular! I know the Glocks and 1911s are popular and strong platforms (I own both), but no one seems to dig the lowly XD?

I’ve had an XD9 for a couple of years and it’s been boringly reliable, and I strongly prefer the trigger v. the glock. The grip angle is another strong plus. It’s been more accurate than me across its life. I’ve seen many XDs in IDPA matches (I think being in a kit form appeals to beginners) and they’ve also all been reliable.

Anyone got one, prefer one, use one? Here’s mine prior to a lot of use & wear…

2

Of the main polymer pistols available (HK, Glock, M&P, FN), I would rank it the worst of the bunch.

We commonly refer to them as “bubba” guns as we typically only see them with people that don’t know anything about guns with them. No offense to you though (as you could be a world class gunfighter).

If you like the pistol, then great, but I would not rate it above a Glock or M&P for reliability and performance.

C4

3

I had the opportunity to A/B a XD9 4" against a G19 3rd Gen for five different range sessions over the last three weeks. While this trial obviously has no bearing on the long-term reliability of the platforms, I was able to experience the differing and similar ergonomics, the ease and accuracy of shooting, and the ease of maintenance. My personal conclusions, having never previously shot either platform, but being a long-term shooter of both a Browning HP and the Beretta 92, is a preference for the XD9. The grip size, length, and angle are much more comfortable, the differences in muzzle flip and ease of returning to target are negligible, firearm manipulations are easier on the XD, and the takedown procedure is a little more straightforward. My only gripe with the XD was with the grip safety. If you somehow manage to grasp the slide without holding onto he grip safety, it will not manipulate.

Just my preferences of course!

4

I had a xd .45 a couple years ago. I never had any problems with it. Not for me, just felt chunky.

5

I own a XD45 and a XDm 9mm. Used 'em in a couple of classes, never had any issues, and find they fit my hand better than Glocks, but, SHHHHHH!, let’s just keep that little bit of information between you and me. This here’s Indian Country for XD owners. :smiley:

6

I haven’t been here long, but I have learned a thing or two. There are people on these forums that shoot more than we do. A lot more. I hope to shoot as much as them some day, but who knows if that will ever happen.

Since they have so much experience with so many different platforms, both with their own personal usage and the observation of others that use the platforms, their advice is generally more appreciated than isolated individual shooter experiences.

Even if someone owns three of the same platform in the same caliber, shoots them a lot, and has excellent results, it doesn’t mean that the weapon is perfect or doesn’t have issues. The benefit of being able to listen to industry professionals voice their opinions is that you get a panoramic view of the weapon in question.

For instance, take .40 caliber Glocks (which were my recent informational interest). Most people report no problems with them. But many officers and industry professionals here have seen significant issues with them, because they see them used in such large quantities.

The information relayed by these professionals is good reference. It shouldn’t influence you too heavily, though, if you like a certain platform, for whatever reason, and want to use it. The reason that it shouldn’t influence you TOO heavily (it should still have bearing) is that you are a single person, and your experience could be good. And if it’s not, you can just complain to the company until they fix it or replace your gun. If it still isn’t fixed, you can simply sell it and be done with it, having gained experience along the way.

Their advice, however, is far more pertinent to those wishing to use the weapons on a large scale (Law Enforcement Agencies).

If an agency has issues with a weapon system, it puts lives at risk, and doesn’t leave them a whole lot of outs, except getting the issue fixed with the issuing company, which can be tedious and consumes time that they don’t have.

In the end, you have to come to your own conclusions. If it’s not an almost guaranteed dead-end (Taurus), then I wouldn’t hesitate too much about buying and trying it, if that’s what you are comfortable with. Just be aware of the issues you may encounter, and be prepared to deal with those issues, should they arise.

Just don’t expect ‘Love’ for something on this forum. This forum has less bullshit than most. People still have varying opinions. The difference is that there are many well-respected folks who know what they’re talking about, as opposed to arm-chair commandos with infinity billion rounds through their High Point with no malfunctions.

Holy crap I just wrote a book. :stuck_out_tongue:

7

I switched to the MP series from a XD45C due to the 9mm compact offerings. I didn’t get a warm and fuzzy with the XD9SC and since I like to carry the same platform in multiple calibers I switched to the MP9C and the MP45C

8

I love my XD. I have the 5" 45 with the compact grip. Have owned it for 3-4 years and put about 1000 rounds through it per year. Never have had any stoppage of any kind. It is accurate and reliable. And carries a lot of rounds in a small, lightweight package. I also have several LEO friends who have them and shoot them regularly and to my knowledge have never had a problem with them. The only one who carries his on duty is a Sheriff deputy who has a lot of leeway in choice of weapons.

Personally I have never been able to shoot Glocks. The grip is uncomfortable and at the wrong angle for me and only one of the 20 or so I have shot had a trigger I liked. The person who owned it at the time bought it used and did not know if it had a factory trigger or not. I did have the opportunity to shoot one which had the Robar grip reduction and it was definately better for me. Just can’t justify spending more for the glock only to have a trigger job and a grip reduction done as well. That would be kinda like buying a Colt 1911 just to have the name then spending a fortune to have it customized. (Which I did by the way in my youth, don’t get me wrong!)

The finish on Glocks is hard a diamonds and does not scratch or wear as easily as XDs or MPs. Don’t know about the finish on FNs. I have shot the MPs and FN USPs and like both of them.

9

I have a number of XDs that have had no issues with round counts of over 10K. I have used them in a number of classes without a single hiccup. There were/are two potential issues with XDs; the older ones would crack blocks, and the trigger bars can break with high round counts. The block issue has been fixed by the factory adding relief cuts. The trigger bar is fixed by dumping the factory part and replacing it with one from Springer Precision. Out of the box, Glock is a better platform. A little work and the XD is right there. I have seen many more issues with M&Ps than I have XDs. Unless you have actual parts breakage, most issues with any decent quality pistol today can be traced back to shooter error. Keep in mind that everyone has their bias and many people only know platforms that are issued to them. I can afford to shoot anything that I want. I like XDs, and yes I too am biased.

10

That’s funny!:smiley:

11

I tried to like them and give them a fair shake. All other issues aside, their recoil impulse and time back on target compared to Glocks and M&P’s in the same caliber pretty much made my decision for me.

12

Grip safety is silly. Before SA put there name on em people thought they where junk. SA on the side and they are great. Not saying they aren’t. Only ex I have with em is a friends who rusted in his glove box and a guard i worked with who had one that he loved for all 100 rnds he put thru it. Grip angle is weird for me, but so is a glock. I like my HK.
what is hard to strip about a glock?

I really dont like the XD or the glock platform. Both feel bulky in my hand in 45acp and point really low.

13

Can anyone tell me what large PD, SO or Federal Agency runs the XD???

C4

14

Although I have never fired or handled one, I dont like them because of how they look.

I have no other reason…

15

Classy!

I think some run the RRA too, should we all get those instead of BravoCompany, et al?

16

After some investigation, I’ve found the following issue or authorize xD pistols:

-quite a few departments in northern Colorado (issue or authorize)
-Croatian Army (issued)
-Georgia State Police (unconfirmed)
-Houston Police Department (authorized)
-US Dept. of Agriculture (issued) :confused: (mad cow disease?!)
-Plano, TX Police Dept (authorized)
-Chicago, IL Police (unconfirmed)
-Tampa, FL Police Dept (authorized)
-Easton, PA Police Dept (issued)

However, the following have SWITCHED to the M&P:
-Colorado State Patrol
-Worchester, Massachusetts Police Department
-Washington Dept. of Corrections
-Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice
-Wisconsin Dept. of Criminal Investigations
-Detroit Police Department
-Iowa State patrol
-Numerous departments here in NC.

Personally, I do not like the xD pistols. They all seem top- and front-heavy to me and do not point well. The M&P on the other hand…that’s one sweet gun.

17

Most all PD’s and SO’s will “authorize” the XD. What were are looking for is major cities and agencies buying the guns with tax payers dollars. Like NYPD, LAPD, etc.

C4

18

Hey, thanks! I call it like I see it.

Funny you should bring up the RRA. Typically, PD’s, SO and Federal Agencies make VERY good choices in pistols, but VERY POOR choices in AR’s. Don’t know why that is.

C4

19

Yeah, I the only ones I found I listed above and marked with (issued). The only Federal agency I found was the USDA. Go figure…

20

You can also add Clearwater, FL PD to the M&P list. They recently adopted the M&P40.

Here’s an article about how 330 PD’s have adopted the M&Ps.

http://www.bluesheepdog.com/2008/05/21/smith-and-wesson-mp-pistols-adopted-by-more-than-330-police-departments-latest-worcester-mass-pd-in-45-acp/

Another states the number is over 500 PDs.

http://gunnuts.net/2010/02/10/smith-wesson-mp-pistol-named-best-in-class/

To the OP, overall, the XDs have way too many warts and is way over priced for what is being offered. If yours works fine, without issue, you are indeed fortunate. Me, I’ll stick with my M&Ps.