I finally got to handle a Springfield XD

peacefuljeffrey · February 16th, 2007, 03:41 PM

I went to the South Florida Fairgrounds Gun Show last weekend (actually brought the girlfriend!) and finally got my hands on an XD to see what they feel like.

I guess I got a good impression, generally. They seem well made and well designed.

I am not real sure about the grip safety. I don't go putting my trust 100% into any safety (as I should not), so that thing might as well not be there. It's not like I'd be willing to see what happens if I pulled the trigger on a live round without the grip safety being pressed. Anyone tried this? (I'm not saying you'll get a bang; it's just I wouldn't rely on it.)

I have a question: Is that the extractor along the top of the slide? Do the spent casings eject over the top? That's a new one on me. I did not see anything that resembled an extractor on the side of the ejection port, like you have on a Glock. What's it like having the empties go over your head like that? Do they ever go low and hit ya in the eye??

As far as grip comfort goes, the ones I handled seemed to feel pretty good in my hand. The XD brought out the idea that my Glock does not quite fill the space of the web of my hand as well as some other guns. (I went around the gun show trying others to see how they compared. The M&P felt kinda good, too, though I don't care for the gun in general.) When I returned to Glocks, it felt like I had to really choke up and press my grip hard to make sure there was a tight fit of backstrap to web-of-hand.

One last note: I found ALL of the XDs to be what I consider too big and blocky for CCW! Even the subcompact I found seemed oversized, and too much for me to conceal. May be a great gun for open carry, or range fun, but CCW? I know that many people are loving their XDs for CCW, and that's great if it works for them. I'm glad they found what works. I just think that they're too bulky to work for me. I'd be willing to try it sometime, but I'm not about to buy one just to find out if I can pull it off.

SubNine · February 16th, 2007, 05:14 PM

The XD is quickly becoming a very popular handgun among civilians and LEOs alike. Your question about the extractor, it is located on the inside of the slide. If you pull back the slide, you can see it on the right. My XD45 doesn't throw the empties over my head, but rather a good 5-6 feet to my right. As far as the XD being too big and bulky for CCW, some people may find it that way, others may find it ideal for CCW. I can conceal my XD45 Service model with no problems, and I am 5'9" 160 lbs.

lowflyer · February 16th, 2007, 05:35 PM

XD is no more bulky than a great many other popular CCW guns.

Grip safety will not allow bang if not depressed. You can check that by trying to dryfire it. This is 100% safer than no grip safety. But it is still only as safe as the idiot behind the trigger. Just ask the DEA.

purple88yj · February 16th, 2007, 06:10 PM

The thing on the top is the loaded chamber indicator. The extractor in inside the breech area (like it should be

). Empties come out of the right hand side with a pretty nice arc so as to get them away from you.

I have not shot one as of yet, but the XD is on my list of those to get my mitts on and try out. A friend of mine has one and loves it. (Unfortunately our schedules never seem to coinside so getting together at the range is difficult.)

PackerfanXD · February 16th, 2007, 06:16 PM

The XD will not fire with out the grip safety pressed- I've tried it.

As far as carrying concealed; I carry my XD40sc and XD9service without issue.
Either you like it or you don't. Sounds like you don't.

rocky · February 16th, 2007, 07:02 PM

Well made guns, safeties are there for added safety, not to replace safe practices and handling.

Glock 'em down · February 16th, 2007, 07:39 PM

I absolutely LOVE the XD's grip...as for the rest of the gun? Well...I'd rather have my Glocks!

one eyed fatman · February 16th, 2007, 09:48 PM

As I have said before I carry my XD Tac 45 and cover with a t shirt.

KenpoTex · February 17th, 2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock 'em down

I absolutely LOVE the XD's grip...as for the rest of the gun? Well...I'd rather have my Glocks!

I agree. The XD's feel better in the hand but they seem a little too bulky and I don't really care for the trigger re-set compared to the glocks.

lowflyer · February 17th, 2007, 07:33 PM

Trigger is definitely different between the Glock and the XD. I have shot both a lot and can't really say I like one over the other. I like the XD because it is not a weapon of choice for mall ninjas and bang gangers.

j/k -

February 16th, 2007, 03:41 PM	#1
peacefuljeffrey VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: south Florida Posts: 3,169	I finally got to handle a Springfield XD I went to the South Florida Fairgrounds Gun Show last weekend (actually brought the girlfriend!) and finally got my hands on an XD to see what they feel like. I guess I got a good impression, generally. They seem well made and well designed. I am not real sure about the grip safety. I don't go putting my trust 100% into any safety (as I should not), so that thing might as well not be there. It's not like I'd be willing to see what happens if I pulled the trigger on a live round without the grip safety being pressed. Anyone tried this? (I'm not saying you'll get a bang; it's just I wouldn't rely on it.) I have a question: Is that the extractor along the top of the slide? Do the spent casings eject over the top? That's a new one on me. I did not see anything that resembled an extractor on the side of the ejection port, like you have on a Glock. What's it like having the empties go over your head like that? Do they ever go low and hit ya in the eye?? As far as grip comfort goes, the ones I handled seemed to feel pretty good in my hand. The XD brought out the idea that my Glock does not quite fill the space of the web of my hand as well as some other guns. (I went around the gun show trying others to see how they compared. The M&P felt kinda good, too, though I don't care for the gun in general.) When I returned to Glocks, it felt like I had to really choke up and press my grip hard to make sure there was a tight fit of backstrap to web-of-hand. One last note: I found ALL of the XDs to be what I consider too big and blocky for CCW! Even the subcompact I found seemed oversized, and too much for me to conceal. May be a great gun for open carry, or range fun, but CCW? I know that many people are loving their XDs for CCW, and that's great if it works for them. I'm glad they found what works. I just think that they're too bulky to work for me. I'd be willing to try it sometime, but I'm not about to buy one just to find out if I can pull it off.

February 16th, 2007, 05:35 PM	#3
lowflyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Middle Earth Posts: 1,162	XD is no more bulky than a great many other popular CCW guns. Grip safety will not allow bang if not depressed. You can check that by trying to dryfire it. This is 100% safer than no grip safety. But it is still only as safe as the idiot behind the trigger. Just ask the DEA. __________________ Whatever doesn't kill you postpones the inevitable. Last edited by lowflyer; February 18th, 2007 at 12:34 AM..

February 16th, 2007, 06:16 PM	#5
PackerfanXD Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 663	The XD will not fire with out the grip safety pressed- I've tried it. As far as carrying concealed; I carry my XD40sc and XD9service without issue. Either you like it or you don't. Sounds like you don't. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJhD-72v958 Free Ramos and Campion

February 16th, 2007, 07:02 PM	#6
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 12,059	Well made guns, safeties are there for added safety, not to replace safe practices and handling. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

February 17th, 2007, 07:33 PM	#10
lowflyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Middle Earth Posts: 1,162	Trigger is definitely different between the Glock and the XD. I have shot both a lot and can't really say I like one over the other. I like the XD because it is not a weapon of choice for mall ninjas and bang gangers. j/k - __________________ Whatever doesn't kill you postpones the inevitable. Last edited by lowflyer; February 17th, 2007 at 08:05 PM..

February 16th, 2007, 05:14 PM	#2
SubNine Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 1,081	The XD is quickly becoming a very popular handgun among civilians and LEOs alike. Your question about the extractor, it is located on the inside of the slide. If you pull back the slide, you can see it on the right. My XD45 doesn't throw the empties over my head, but rather a good 5-6 feet to my right. As far as the XD being too big and bulky for CCW, some people may find it that way, others may find it ideal for CCW. I can conceal my XD45 Service model with no problems, and I am 5'9" 160 lbs.

February 16th, 2007, 06:10 PM	#4
purple88yj Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Piedmont Triad, NC Posts: 1,100	The thing on the top is the loaded chamber indicator. The extractor in inside the breech area (like it should be ). Empties come out of the right hand side with a pretty nice arc so as to get them away from you. I have not shot one as of yet, but the XD is on my list of those to get my mitts on and try out. A friend of mine has one and loves it. (Unfortunately our schedules never seem to coinside so getting together at the range is difficult.)

February 16th, 2007, 07:39 PM	#7
Glock 'em down Ex Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Central Oklahoma Posts: 687	I absolutely *LOVE* the XD's grip...as for the rest of the gun? Well...I'd rather have my Glocks!

February 16th, 2007, 09:48 PM	#8
one eyed fatman Ex Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 501	As I have said before I carry my XD Tac 45 and cover with a t shirt.

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