Springfield XD what do I need to know.

[PrairieMedic]

No Parts channel in Canada. I currently own 2, but have to send at least one back to Springfield for repair every six months. Otherwise they are great guns, but for the little issues i've had with mine over the past 7 years, I would go M&P next time......

Only buy a gun you can easily service yourself with locally sourced parts (ie Canada).

 

[misanthropist]

Pretty sure I haven't just said, "it sucks".

If I recall correctly I laid out exactly what the issues with them are...small parts breakage, grip safety which generates a seriously dangerous problem when it fails, and the fact that the grip safety compromises emergency manipulations.

Furthermore, I pointed out that they have failed in almost every LEO and Mil contract bid they have entered in to...what more do you want?

here are a couple of threads with good info:

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=23601

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=37731

 

[GunGuy34]

I purchased an XDM 45 in bitone from Saskatoon Gunworks. I fired about 300 rounds through it. I didnt like the sights, didnt like the way the trigger broke so far back, I could be fairly accurate with it though. I aquired a G21sf shortly after. Once i held that in my hands the XDM was sold. For me there was no comparison, the Glock was like an extension of my arm.

Now thats gonna be different for other people. You have to try it for yourself to see if you like it. Parts availability could be an issue also.

 

[ndb86]

Pretty sure I haven't just said, "it sucks".

If I recall correctly I laid out exactly what the issues with them are...small parts breakage, grip safety which generates a seriously dangerous problem when it fails, and the fact that the grip safety compromises emergency manipulations.

Furthermore, I pointed out that they have failed in almost every LEO and Mil contract bid they have entered in to...what more do you want?

here are a couple of threads with good info:

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=23601

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=37731

correct you didn't say it sucks but that's essentially what you keep saying.

the small parts breakage can happen to any gun and i can't find stats to show that it happens any more often on the xd than it does on any other.

i'm not a leo i don't have "emergency" situations i'm shooting IPSC.

and once again i'm not leo or military so why do i care if they use them or not?

I haven't read your links, yet, but i will. Like i keep saying I'm looking to hear what actual owners of them have to say. I do appreciate that you have an opinion, and i do appreciate that you took your time to read the thread. Just remember i'm an average joe shooting IPSC, my gun isn't gonna make the differance between life and death.

 

[ndb86]

No Parts channel in Canada. I currently own 2, but have to send at least one back to Springfield for repair every six months. Otherwise they are great guns, but for the little issues i've had with mine over the past 7 years, I would go M&P next time......

Only buy a gun you can easily service yourself with locally sourced parts (ie Canada).

what broke and how big of an issue was it to send it back? did they charge you or was it covered by warrenty? thanks for the input.

 

[ndb86]

I purchased an XDM 45 in bitone from Saskatoon Gunworks. I fired about 300 rounds through it. I didnt like the sights, didnt like the way the trigger broke so far back, I could be fairly accurate with it though. I aquired a G21sf shortly after. Once i held that in my hands the XDM was sold. For me there was no comparison, the Glock was like an extension of my arm.

Now thats gonna be different for other people. You have to try it for yourself to see if you like it. Parts availability could be an issue also.

good to know... I've tried LOTS of glocks and haven't ever found one that felt "right" to me. My buddies XD sure felt good in my hands and i did quite well with it too.

as for parts availabilty, as far as i can tell brownells has any part i could need as far as i've seen.

 

[22ivan]

I have two XDs both with thousands of rounds through them. The only breakage I have had was a striker retaining roll pin that broke on me. This happened while firing a reload that was given to me and was loaded way too hot. (Thank You fully supported chamber). I have used them in pistol and carbine courses as my secondary- they have performed well in all the drills the grip safety has never been an issue.

 

[ndb86]

I have two XDs both with thousands of rounds through them. The only breakage I have had was a striker retaining roll pin that broke on me. This happened while firing a reload that was given to me and was loaded way too hot. (Thank You fully supported chamber). I have used them in pistol and carbine courses as my secondary- they have performed well in all the drills the grip safety has never been an issue.

thanks Ivan. Did you have to ship the whole gun back or were you able to order a replacement and if so where from?

 

[22ivan]

I bought some roll pins from XD guys and replaced it myself it was an easy fix.

 

[ndb86]

i've heard bad things about xd guys that they take forever to ship. did you have any issues?

 

[22ivan]

Yes I have had some issues with them- some parts never did make it but I did eventually get my money back. Luckily I got the pin I needed.

 

[ndb86]

ive heard that exact story from 3 different people now. If i get one i'll stick with brownelss for parts. I'm still undecided.

 

[misanthropist]

correct you didn't say it sucks but that's essentially what you keep saying.

the small parts breakage can happen to any gun and i can't find stats to show that it happens any more often on the xd than it does on any other.

i'm not a leo i don't have "emergency" situations i'm shooting IPSC.

and once again i'm not leo or military so why do i care if they use them or not?

Consider this for a moment: hypothetically speaking, what if it DOES suck? What if the reason I have a bunch of information implying that it's a second rate gun is because that's exactly what it is?

You seem hell-bent on ignoring the possibility that XDs are cheaply built, poorly designed croatian junk. But what if they are?

IF you never intend to treat it as anything but a toy AND you don't care that it is outperformed by other guns AND you don't care that it has a high small parts failure rate AND you figure that having your gun develop a dead-man trigger is totally fine, then go nuts. Buy 5 of them. But if what you want is information on the gun before you commit to it, now you have it. There are better guns for the same money.

Finally, the reason you should care that it has not been adopted by LE and Mil units is because big organizations TEST THEIR GUNS BEFORE THEY ADOPT THEM.

The XD consistently fails the testing process. If that's not a clue for you then frankly there is nothing I can do. You have the information and if you are still bothered by somebody saying that the gun might suck and you don't want to hear that, why the hell are you "researching" in the first place? Just buy the gun you already decided on.

 

[BP7]

+1 to that.

overall it appears that the XD and also the S&W M&P stuff is essentially a copy of a Glock with small changes here and there to make it less blatant.

even if you don't plan on using it in a LEO / Mil situation, would you want your gun to be at least somewhat reliable and capable of being used for extended periods without having to worry about this that or the other? i sure would. with our ATT laws here, just shipping it anywhere for repairs or even taking it to a buddy's place for a fix is a MAJOR hassle, so reliability should be near the top of the list. either that or the ability to fix it with nothing more than a bent fork and Bazooka Joe.

 

[wherermykeys]

i'm not a leo i don't have "emergency" situations i'm shooting IPSC.

Just remember i'm an average joe shooting IPSC, my gun isn't gonna make the differance between life and death.

Yes, but it can make the difference between winning or losing a match...why would you risk that? If I have a stoppage in an IDPA match, I treat it just like an "emergency".

 

[Ftaview]

I have the XD 45ACP, I don't shoot IPSC, but I have had no issues with mine

how many rounds do you have through it?

Unfortunately not a whole lot, maybe 700 rounds so far, but no issues at all, have used most brands, even the WOLF stuff, and all has gone bang

i've heard bad things about xd guys that they take forever to ship. did you have any issues?

I have had good luck with these guys, shipping was prompt, my brother and I ordered the guide rod by Don, gives the pistol a bit more weight on the front, and seems to reduce muzzle jump.

 

[Mirk]

Ndb86, sounds like you made up your mind before you started this thread. You asked for advise on the gun, misanthropist gave you great advice, which you apparently don’t like.

LE and Mil testing is important because it puts the gun through its paces. It proves the reliability of any gun. Which is important in IPSC because you don’t want something that may break mid match now do you?

I recently had a chance to try an XD in 45 and almost ran out to buy one because I liked the feel of it so much. I however did not because I could not overcome the reliability issue. I do not depend on my handgun for self defence let alone competition, but why would I want something that has potential reliability issues.

 

[ndb86]

To all those with XD's that shared their experince thanks I appreaciate it.

Misanthropist and others that shared their research and knowlege. I appreciate it too.

I didn't start this thread to hear "xd's are the greatest gun in the universe buy 50 of them". If that were the case they would be a much more prevelant gun on the market, and i wouldn't have to ask about them.

Though it may sound like my mind is made up, it's not. I really do want to hear both the good and the bad.

The "just buy a glock" doesn't work for me. They have never felt "right" the XD does to me. I will consider all you guys have said very heavily before i get one, if i get one. I appreciate your time guys.

Anyways thanks for the input guys. I think we can let the thread die now.

 

[X-man]

In my experience Springfield Armory has little interest in providing warranty work for Canadian customers. Once they know I am Canadian, I get shuffled around and generally ignored. As a consequence, I now avoide SA guns.

The XD I had had a number of small parts issues, including the grip safety/deadman trigger issue that Misanthropist mentioned. The finish on the pistol was also sub-par and grew worn very quickly.

Small replacement parts were essentially impossible to source in Canada and it took me a lot of screwing around to legally import the replacement parts I needed myself, as the warranty was useless. I fixed the pistol, included the extra small parts I'd purchased and sold the pistol at a loss, while informing the new owner of all issues I had with the gun. At the price I was asking, he was happy to accept it, warts and all.

If you're looking for polymer pistol for plinking, take a loot at the new Glock Gen 4 with the replaceable backstraps. One of those might fit you hand better, or look at a S&W MP. Glock parts are easy to source in Canada, and after a few hiccups, the S&W M&P is well supported these days as well.

Honestly, the only Springfield Armory pistol I'd even consider buying these days would be a 1911, and only then because I can do most of the work myself and parts are easily sourced. However, even then, it would have to be one helluva deal.

However, at the end of the day, the only guy you have to satisfy is yourself, so if you've made up your mind to buy the XD, and it seems that way, go for it. It will be you pulling the trigger, not the guys in this thread.