Springfield XD45 Final Review (a slight return)

larphred · April 26, 2006, 14:14

I took my new XD 45 to the range today to get an initial feel for it. Shooting was from 20 yds., seated at a bench from a padded rest. The only other handy .45 I had was my Les Baer--there should have been no contest. First Tried 8 rounds from the Baer. Using R-P 230 gr. ball ammo I got a fairly good group for me--estimated at 2" (remember, when I wear my contacts I can't see the sights, so no comments from the peanut gallery). Going to the XD45 I shot a 2 1/2 to 3 in. group, all high. Then I remembered Chuch Taylor's article on point of aim on the XD series. I then began using the 6 o'clock sight picture recommended. I loaded up 8 rounds of defensive home brew developed by a friend using 6.5gr of Vita 320 behind a 185 Taurus hex bullet. First up was the XD, then I tried the Baer. Going downrange to check the targets was a real shocker. The XD shot a tighter group than the Baer. I know this is not a definitive test with the limited number of rounds, but I actually went to the range to test a friend's Desert Eagle I had worked on, so time was limited.

The XD handles well, points naturally and double taps easily. A natural difference between the XD and the Baer is that I was never quite sure when the striker would release--of course trigger pull is not nearly clean as the Baer, but it also costs less than 1/3 of the dollars.

One more thing that I'll have to get used to is the safety embedded in the trigger. I can tell that I'll have to build up a callous to deal with it after spending a day shooting several hundred rounds. Have never been able to get use to that issue--that's why I'm so glad I bought my Savage 10FP LE2 before the accutrigger came out.

Hopefully be able to post a more detailed report after I've had time to compare the pistol with a higher round count.

ftierson · April 26, 2006, 15:50

Damn, I've been thinking seriously of picking up an XD45, and I think that you've just pushed me over the edge...

This is the 4inch XD45, right?

Forrest

larphred · April 26, 2006, 17:12

Yes, I was going to mention that it's the 4" version but I forgot. I was thinking of waiting for the 5" tactical model, but I think that in the winter I could get by carrying the 4" as a CCW pistol. Just think, you could pack 40 rounds of .45ACP in the pistol and 2 mags. Adequate firepower for the next door neighbor's cat if things ever get ugly.
Another feature I like is the loaded chamber indicator on the top of the slide. I think it is located on the side of the slide on the smaller calibres but not sure.
Yes, I think I like it!

Adventurer_96 · April 26, 2006, 22:00

Must... stop... reading... positive... reviews...

Well, at least we'll get to shoot it in a few weeks! I've recently found that my XD 9 is about the most accurate 9mm pistol I own, so it comes as no surprise that this is the kind of accuracy you got out of yours.

Congrats!

I just don't see a drawback to this pistol on paper, after reading the most recent review in Combat Handguns. It seems like it's got everything you could want.

Plus, it's polymer, so it's upper-dishwasher-rack safe...

larphred · May 04, 2006, 11:06

Yesterday I tried XD as CCW. Being a warm day I tried the holster and mag carrier under a tee shirt (which is usually how I carry my Beretta 9000S). The corners of the Kydex are sharp and really dug into my skin. Keep in mind that I have acquired love handles. It was very uncomfortable. Fortunately I had a vest in the car and was able to tuck in my tee shirt and cover the pistol and mags with the vest.
I was worried about the weight, pistol, holster, mag carrier, 3 mags, and 40 rounds of 45ACP ammo. Surprisingly, the weight was well distributed and didn't feel too heavy. So I think it would be practical for fall/winter carry, but probably not for summer carry.
I plan to shoot IDPA this weekend and I'll let you know how it shoots.

larphred · May 06, 2006, 18:37

So this Sat. a.m. I went to our Polite Society match (modified IDPA match run with hot range). Used XD45 instead of usual Les Baer. Again I had a bit of trouble because the mags sit so high in the stock mag holder. Doing a lot of running around caused a bit of discomfort from the mags digging into my side. The pistol handled well with no failures. Of course my scores were inferior to the Baer, but that was not entirely due to the pistols. I have just began my learning curve with the XD and I shall improve. Highly recommended for beginner to intermediate competition if money is of concern (when isn't it?)

Also took out my 4" S&W .500. Most of these guys are 9mm or 40 S&W, or .45ACP guys. All were impressed. We were demonstrating how a pistol round would penetrate walls, so we used stands built with drywall rectangles with a 2X4 between to simulate a wall. we lined up 5 walls and most RN FMJs would make it through 4 walls. My .45 with Taurus hollow points loaded really hot made it through 3 walls, but the .500 made it through all 5 walls and made significant gouges in the berm behind the targets. Really impressed the peanut gallery.

April 26, 2006, 14:14	#1
larphred Registered FALaholic #: 1555 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Sandy, Ut. Posts: 3,098	Springfield XD45 Final Review (a slight return) I took my new XD 45 to the range today to get an initial feel for it. Shooting was from 20 yds., seated at a bench from a padded rest. The only other handy .45 I had was my Les Baer--there should have been no contest. First Tried 8 rounds from the Baer. Using R-P 230 gr. ball ammo I got a fairly good group for me--estimated at 2" (remember, when I wear my contacts I can't see the sights, so no comments from the peanut gallery). Going to the XD45 I shot a 2 1/2 to 3 in. group, all high. Then I remembered Chuch Taylor's article on point of aim on the XD series. I then began using the 6 o'clock sight picture recommended. I loaded up 8 rounds of defensive home brew developed by a friend using 6.5gr of Vita 320 behind a 185 Taurus hex bullet. First up was the XD, then I tried the Baer. Going downrange to check the targets was a real shocker. The XD shot a tighter group than the Baer. I know this is not a definitive test with the limited number of rounds, but I actually went to the range to test a friend's Desert Eagle I had worked on, so time was limited. The XD handles well, points naturally and double taps easily. A natural difference between the XD and the Baer is that I was never quite sure when the striker would release--of course trigger pull is not nearly clean as the Baer, but it also costs less than 1/3 of the dollars. One more thing that I'll have to get used to is the safety embedded in the trigger. I can tell that I'll have to build up a callous to deal with it after spending a day shooting several hundred rounds. Have never been able to get use to that issue--that's why I'm so glad I bought my Savage 10FP LE2 before the accutrigger came out. Hopefully be able to post a more detailed report after I've had time to compare the pistol with a higher round count. __________________ Michael O'Sullivan was my great friend. But I don't ever remember telling him that. The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself. Michael and I grew old together. But at times, when we laughed, we grew young. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him on being a great man, and thank him for being a friend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --the forty-four spoke and it sent lead and smoke, and seventeen inches of flame. ----Marty Robbins Last edited by larphred; May 06, 2006 at 18:44.

April 26, 2006, 17:12	#3
larphred Registered FALaholic #: 1555 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Sandy, Ut. Posts: 3,098	Yes, I was going to mention that it's the 4" version but I forgot. I was thinking of waiting for the 5" tactical model, but I think that in the winter I could get by carrying the 4" as a CCW pistol. Just think, you could pack 40 rounds of .45ACP in the pistol and 2 mags. Adequate firepower for the next door neighbor's cat if things ever get ugly. Another feature I like is the loaded chamber indicator on the top of the slide. I think it is located on the side of the slide on the smaller calibres but not sure. Yes, I think I like it! __________________ Michael O'Sullivan was my great friend. But I don't ever remember telling him that. The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself. Michael and I grew old together. But at times, when we laughed, we grew young. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him on being a great man, and thank him for being a friend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --the forty-four spoke and it sent lead and smoke, and seventeen inches of flame. ----Marty Robbins

April 26, 2006, 22:00	#4
Adventurer_96 Registered FALaholic #: 5417 Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 2,281	Must... stop... reading... positive... reviews... Well, at least we'll get to shoot it in a few weeks! I've recently found that my XD 9 is about the most accurate 9mm pistol I own, so it comes as no surprise that this is the kind of accuracy you got out of yours. Congrats! I just don't see a drawback to this pistol on paper, after reading the most recent review in Combat Handguns. It seems like it's got everything you could want. Plus, it's polymer, so it's upper-dishwasher-rack safe... __________________ Check Six.

May 04, 2006, 11:06	#5
larphred Registered FALaholic #: 1555 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Sandy, Ut. Posts: 3,098	Yesterday I tried XD as CCW. Being a warm day I tried the holster and mag carrier under a tee shirt (which is usually how I carry my Beretta 9000S). The corners of the Kydex are sharp and really dug into my skin. Keep in mind that I have acquired love handles. It was very uncomfortable. Fortunately I had a vest in the car and was able to tuck in my tee shirt and cover the pistol and mags with the vest. I was worried about the weight, pistol, holster, mag carrier, 3 mags, and 40 rounds of 45ACP ammo. Surprisingly, the weight was well distributed and didn't feel too heavy. So I think it would be practical for fall/winter carry, but probably not for summer carry. I plan to shoot IDPA this weekend and I'll let you know how it shoots. __________________ Michael O'Sullivan was my great friend. But I don't ever remember telling him that. The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself. Michael and I grew old together. But at times, when we laughed, we grew young. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him on being a great man, and thank him for being a friend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --the forty-four spoke and it sent lead and smoke, and seventeen inches of flame. ----Marty Robbins

May 06, 2006, 18:37	#6
larphred Registered FALaholic #: 1555 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Sandy, Ut. Posts: 3,098	So this Sat. a.m. I went to our Polite Society match (modified IDPA match run with hot range). Used XD45 instead of usual Les Baer. Again I had a bit of trouble because the mags sit so high in the stock mag holder. Doing a lot of running around caused a bit of discomfort from the mags digging into my side. The pistol handled well with no failures. Of course my scores were inferior to the Baer, but that was not entirely due to the pistols. I have just began my learning curve with the XD and I shall improve. Highly recommended for beginner to intermediate competition if money is of concern (when isn't it?) Also took out my 4" S&W .500. Most of these guys are 9mm or 40 S&W, or .45ACP guys. All were impressed. We were demonstrating how a pistol round would penetrate walls, so we used stands built with drywall rectangles with a 2X4 between to simulate a wall. we lined up 5 walls and most RN FMJs would make it through 4 walls. My .45 with Taurus hollow points loaded really hot made it through 3 walls, but the .500 made it through all 5 walls and made significant gouges in the berm behind the targets. Really impressed the peanut gallery. __________________ Michael O'Sullivan was my great friend. But I don't ever remember telling him that. The words that are spoken at a funeral are spoken too late for the man who is dead. What a wonderful thing it would be to visit your own funeral. To sit at the front and hear what was said, maybe say a few things yourself. Michael and I grew old together. But at times, when we laughed, we grew young. If he was here now, if he could hear what I say, I'd congratulate him on being a great man, and thank him for being a friend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --the forty-four spoke and it sent lead and smoke, and seventeen inches of flame. ----Marty Robbins Last edited by larphred; May 06, 2006 at 18:44.

April 26, 2006, 15:50	#2
ftierson Registered FALaholic #: 13827 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11,054	Damn, I've been thinking seriously of picking up an XD45, and I think that you've just pushed me over the edge... This is the 4inch XD45, right? Forrest

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