xdm 3.8 is not amazing me, switch to a 3" barrel 1911?

[airbornePat]

Hey guys,

I have been carrying a 3.8 xdm compact for almost a year and i am really not amazed by its accuracy and function performance so far. When I first got it i thought i just needed to get over the learning curve on a new platform but it has been 2000 rounds and 10 months and i am still only marginally better that when i started. Im not bashing the platform because it is a good pistol, and i LOVE the looks of the thing but I am not getting the accuracy and reliability (last shot hold open doesnt work and 4-5 fte /500 rounds) that i want in a handgun i carry to defend my family.

I have been shooting a full sized 1911 for years and i have been using that to set my standard for accuracy, comfort and rapid follow ups. I know it is not fair to compare a full sized 1911 to a compact xdm. But that being said i have after shooting a friends aluminum framed 4" barrel 1911 i was getting just as good groups as with my full sized. if i go with a 3" barrel 1911 and an aluminum frame, the weight is less than the xdm, and it is much slimmer.
What are your expert opinions on a 45 acp officer sized 1911 over a xdm in all regards to CC and defensive shooting ability?

Thanks!
Pat

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[glockman10mm]

My thoughts are what the hell were you thinking when you left the 1911 for an XD! Absolutely go back to an Officer Model. Come on man, get with it!

[Cook74]

A lot has to do with you... not the gun...

If the XDMc is not right for you, there are literally 100's of others out there.

BTW, if you are interested in selling that bag of carp gun, PM me... it can join my family.

[airbornePat]

I didnt get rid of the full sized 1911, its my range baby, just at 38 oz its a little heavy for my carry preferences. And im not looking to get rid of my XDm i just want something different to carry. thanks for the help guys

[BugDude]

Full size 5" bbl 1911.
Snubnose revolver (SP101 in .357 is sweet)
XD40sc / XD9compact
Glock 19/23/26/27/36

Any of those would make good carry guns. Find one you like to carry and shoot well that doesn't give you any problems and carry on dude. My xd40sc has been golden through a couple thousand rounds and I've been dead-eye with it from the first trigger pull.

[cjacob316]

I hear 3inch 1911's have issues

Check out S&W M&P. The are comfortable, light, and accurate, I find them more accurate than my xdm. Not the best trigger, but I also hear that they are using a whole new tigger now/or will be soon

I plan to own one once I can make sure I get the new ones

[TSiWRX]

Shoot what works best for you.

Everyone has guns that simply "fits" them better than others, for whatever reason it may be.

I would encourage you to go back to the 1911s, as that seems to be your preferred platform. Round-count might be decreased, but getting proficient at reloading and carrying perhaps one more spare magazine should help offset such concerns.




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Regardless of if you choose to carry the XDm, if you intend to keep the gun, these following areas may be worth pursuing, at your leisure:

- With the slide-lock/release, look how close it is to your flesh. For me, despite quite a bit of training, I sometimes still grip the gun in a way that causes my strong/weapon-hand thumb pad to depress the slide-lock with just enough force that it doesn't lock back on the last round. I'm still working on a good solution to this concern of mine.

- With the FTFs, that's simply not right. Either you're somehow getting excess lube into the striker channel and it's causing the light strikes or, alternatively, it may be ammo-related or even striker assembly related. This is definitely worth pursuing, as even if the gun were to be placed in the safe, it could still potentially be called upon, one day, as a "OMG save my life" piece. Something is definitely not right, with this FTF ratio.

[Ducmonster]

I would definitely recommend going to a smaller 1911. I have read many comments on this forum that you should not go smaller
than 4 inches due to reliability concerns. I have a Kimber ultra eclipse that I purchased used. I was having 5 to 7 FTE's every
100 rounds. Replaced the extractor and has not failed in any way over the last 300+ rounds. I feel very confident of it now but
do need to put some more through it to be sure. Shoots very nice and accurate conceals easy. Unless it goes bad on me it is
a keeper as a carry gun for me.

[Aiko]

I shoot the XDm 3.8 and 4.5 more accurately than my Glock 19 and 26 and HK USPc. IMO, good shooting fundamentals + excellent equipment + a little good fortune (shake in a little repetition)= quality shots.

[TheShadow]

My 3" is a great shooter reliable and accurate. I carry an M&Pc though as I'm not worried about getting the polymer pistol banged up or the daily holster/un-holster wear.

Kimber Raptor in a Milt Sparks OWB

[Gary T]

airbornePat,
The XD is a fine gun, but sounds like it might no the best cc gun for you. If you're comfortable w/ the 1911 and shoot it well, sounds like you'd be well served going w/ it. I like too carry me Commander and Officer frame 1911, but they do weigh more than your XD. I recently added a Kahr CW45 to the rototation. So far I've been pleased w/ it. Plus, I like that it's about 10 oz lighter than the 1911's.

[VBVAGUY]

So pretty !!!!

My 3" is a great shooter reliable and accurate. I carry an M&Pc though as I'm not worried about getting the polymer pistol banged up or the daily holster/un-holster wear.

Kimber Raptor in a Milt Sparks OWB

[airbornePat]

thanks for the great responses and suggestions. im thinking its time i get a compact 1911.

but on that note, the kimber CPD compact is really catching my eye with a 4" barrel and a officer size frame, but i also really like the ultra carry 2 and STI Escort with the 3" barrel. Does the 1" of barrel from a 4" to 3" make any significant difference in accuracy (sight radius obviously) carry comfort, or recoil?

Pat

[joleary223]

One thing I notice with my XDm 3.8 was that I didn't shoot it well until I changed the back strap to the smallest size.
I shoot 1911's but prefer a flat mainspring housing and the small sized back strap on the XDm simulates the grip angle of the 1911 with a flat mainspring housing, at least it does in my hand.

As for 1911's, I personally haven't had much luck with anything smaller than a commander size.
My Kimber Pro Carry has been a flawless companion that I carry every day.

[Armydad]

I am holding out for the XDS 45. It looks like it has a great profile for a CCW 45.