XD-45 as a first pistol?

rdelliott

rdelliott

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I'm thinking of getting an XD-45 once my RPAL comes in. I've done a lot of research on it, and aside from the fact that parts aren't all that available yet, and that some people think that they're ugly, do any of you a) feel like sharing your experiences with them and b) have any compelling reason why I should buy one?

I should note that I plan on picking up a .22 semi at the same time for cheap practice.
 
I love my XD9... points very well, feels great in the hand, nice weight, easy to servicee, and reliable. I have had zero issues with it after 3 IPSC matches and one BB course.

No problems recommending the XD at all, however I would really consider starting with a 9mm version... Its much cheaper to shoot with factory loads, and less felt recoil (back on target faster) if you get into competition/action shooting games with it.

If you have your heart set on the .45ACP though go for it... the XD should not disappoint no matter the caliber.
 
esquif said:
i would go for a 9mm as my first gun but if you want just get it. Have you price 45 acp ammo ?
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Ammo price is a consideration, but I reload; soon as I order the pistol I'm going to get a set of .45 dies.

I'm not particularly fussed about the recoil issue; I've shot .40 and a TT-33, and frankly, their recoil is mild compared to 12-ga slugs and .308.
 
Great pistol, don't hesitate. It's excellent value for the price, and I've never heard anyone say they aren't happy they bought it.
45 is a great caliber to shoot, but expensive at the best of times. I reload for my 45, but honestly I really get tired of doing it and find myself buying ammo more than loading it these days. I don't have a progressive setup though so if you do that might get rid of that problem.
 
Me personaly. I would wait for the XDM model to be released in Canada. Way more feature's and also will be more likely to fit your hand due to the fact that they have the removable rear grip.
 
I've owned XD's, both in .45ACP and 9mm. They are great guns and you definitely can't go wrong with one. If ammo cost is not a concern, then don't worry about it! 45ACP is my absolute favorite caliber to shoot, so I can understand wanting one as a first handgun.

Another gun in the same price range that you might want to look at is the S&W M&P .45. A very nice shooter and it has the added benefit of interchangeable backstraps for a little fine tuning of the grip size.
 
XD is indeed some of the best choice in the market, failure and breakage is not commonly happen compare with the older M&P and the newer Ruger. Shot a XD 9 several time and they shoot great. I do think they are smart looking gun, much better looks than my Glock.

Trigun
 
Recoil is very, very, light. Reliability is 100%. The trigger is different - long with a lot of take-up and after-travel - which takes getting used to. It requires a low thumb position - which takes getting used to. And the grip is kind of slippery; I'm not a fan of grip tape, but I'm considering it for this.
 
Satain said:
Me personaly. I would wait for the XDM model to be released in Canada. Way more feature's and also will be more likely to fit your hand due to the fact that they have the removable rear grip.
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I shot the XD9, and held the XDM(40) in Texas last week.

The XDM felt much nicer in my hand. I would wait for it.
 
My XD45 is one of the nicest pistols I've shot just as it came out of the box - it just points right and feels good to shoot. My only complaint about it is that whenever my wife shoots with me, all I get to do is load the XD for her and shoot my 9mm. The XD was the first handgun she had ever shot and she loves it too.
Reloading for it shouldn't be a problem; the XD has cycled everything I feed it very reliably. If you can get the XD at a good price and you like it, there's no reason at all to wait for an XDM.
 
My first ever pistol was a 1911 in 45ACP. Sold it and bought a XD45. It's a great pistol, very accurate but you feel the recoil a little bit more because it's a lighter pistol.

Don't worry, you will be fine with an XD45.
 
I had the opportunity to shoot an XDm in .40S&W while visiting a friend in nevada not too long ago, amd now i sit and dream about it. I put about 100 rounds through it, and the recoil to me was nothing, (especially after firing 10 rounds through a desert eagle .50AE!) and it was easy to reaquire targets relatively quickly.

So i say if you like it that much then just go get one!! I unfortunately have to wait till i get my rpal to own it :(
 
I find the bigger frame of the XD45 feels a lot better than the smaller XD9/XD40. I'm thinking of changing from my XD9 to my XD45 for Production class in IPSC since it shoots so good.

One thing with the XD's... they are BORING guns for static/bullseye type shooting. You get one nice ragged hole in the center of your target consistantly. You can even put your XD away for 6 months and then take it out and still get one big hole. :D

There is only one real complaint on the XD site that people have with the XD45... If you reload, 75-80% of them will not feed 200gr LSWC's. But this can be easily overcome by taper crimping your cases a little bit more than normal. It has to do with the feed angle of the gun itself. I was lucky that it didn't take too much experimenting with the crimp die to get them to feed on mine.

My XD9 does it, too. I have a little LSWC bullet we use for 9mm that sometimes jams. Same with the Lee 124gr RN TL since there is a little bit of a lip on the bullet.

Otherwise, they feed all other types of bullets, be them plated, jacketed or lead.

The other major complaint with the XD45 is extra magazines. Springfield is slowly starting to finally supply the Canadian retailers but they sell out fast. XD9 and XD40 (my buddy has one) mags are plentiful here, it's just the .45 ACP ones.
 
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medicstimpy said:
The other major complaint with the XD45 is extra magazines. Springfield is slowly starting to finally supply the Canadian retailers but they sell out fast. XD9 and XD40 (my buddy has one) mags are plentiful here, it's just the .45 ACP ones.
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Brownells will sell them to you.

SPRINGFIELD XD FACTORY HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES

Fits Springfield XD Service & Tactical model pistols with 4" or 5" barrel. Does not fit XD(M).

Catalog page 160

817-000-119
XD Magazine, .45 ACP, 10-Round
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Has anyone seen a 9mm 75B in stainless? I read about it in the Feb Guns & Ammo, but it's not listed on cz-usa.com.

For me it's all theoretical because I'm not licensed, but I'm planning to get my RPAL, and for me, a non-ambi pistol's a non-starter, just in case I can get my left-handed wife interested...

I'm also thinking about that new Taurus .45, but I keep reading crap about Taurus not being a good buy north of the border, due to parts scarcity.
 
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