crappy accuracy with XD .40

[limblessbiff]

I just got a used, but still looks new XD in .40, for 400 bucks, the gun is 6 months old, the rifling in the barrel is just fine. I took it to the range yesterday and at 25 yards i had to aim Up and to the Left to hid center mass. I also have Don's guide rod with a #22 spring, I went back to the original rod and spring and no change. i ave been shooting handguns for a little while now and I know it isnt me, I am damn accurate with my Steyr M-9, and My friend braught his Sig p229 in .40, and his AMT Hardballer 1911, I was shooting great with both of those as well, so I know it isnt me. The XD has truglo nightsights on it that prolly were not stock. so I am thinking that maybe my sights need to be adjusted by a gunsmith seeing how i cant find a sight pusher anywhere, and they are way too expensive anyway.
If this keeps up I may sell it for a Sig, or possibly a sprigfield Lightweight Champion, but Im kind of weary about a 4 inch 1911, but i want it for CCW. I dont want to carry my steyr because mags and parts are hard to come by, and if i have to shoot somebody, I'm going to put atleast a few .40 caliber holes in them, Sorry, but i simply dont trust the 9mm, even with hydroshocks, so my question is this, ditch the XD for the Sig, or 1911? or should i put up with the frustration of getting my sights adjusted. i also want to keep these sights, this is also my nightstand gun and i want something that glows

[JD McDorce]

Truglo's are not available as a factory option, so it is clear that they are not the original sights. From there:

I can only assume that it patterns well, with the primary issue being the difference between point of aim and point of impact. One option is to review the information in this thread - An excellent training aid for those new to handgun shooting. - to determine if there is a means to adjust your shooting bring the POI closer to POA. If this doesn't work (or if you are unwilling to try it), your other option is to have the sights adjusted. One downside of this is that drifting the rear sight can change the windage, however, there really isn't an easy fix for elevation with fixed sights.

A second consideration is how does it shoot at closer range?

[deltafred]

sorry to hear that you are having difficulty. i wonder if the sights werent adjusted when they were installed. my suggestion is to stay with the XD and get the sights adjusted. if that doesnt work, get some nightsights that adjust.

[limblessbiff]

I would try it out at closer range, but thr trouble is that none of the public ranges in my area go any closer than 25 yards for some strange reason. another problem i have is that damn loaded chamber indicator blocks the bottom half of the front dot. I am sure the sighting problem wouldnt be a problem within 10 yards, but at 25, i have to aim for the left shoulder to hit the chest, and it doesnt pattern all that well, but that could have been me since this was the first time i have shot this XD, but then again i can shoot aything else just fine. Im just very impatient when it comes to guns, if i have a problem with it, I would rather get rid of it for something that is perfect right out of the box. But this is a sweet shooting gun and i like it, I just wish the damn thing would hit where i point it. i'll go to gander mountian and have them take a look at it, im not as worried about elevation as i am windage, I also am curious as to how well adjustable night sights would stand up to ccw, i dont want them to come loose and change poa on me

[FS2K]

And checking the sights to see if they are the problem.

[Straight-Shooter]

Here is the problem with using night sights and shooting during the day at the range. I'm guessing your looking level "over" the front sight. This is what's causing you to aim higher to hit center mass. Those sights were designed for night use where you look "through" the front sight to line the dots up to hit center mass. I have the same problem with my S&W SW99 .40cal pistol which has trijicons installed. I put the factory sight back on and now can look level over the front sight and hit center everytime.

[Bycyclist]

Straight shooter - you may have just hit on diagnosing one of my issues with my XD40. I'm looking over the front sight instead of "through" them at the Tritium dots. I'm going to try your suggestion out hopefully tomorrow!

[limblessbiff]

I'll give that a try, but it is still hitting a good 8 inches to the left, Are those fiber optic sights any good in the dark? not just low light, but i mean dark as in a house with no lights on in the middile of the night

[JD McDorce]

Originally Posted by limblessbiff

Are those fiber optic sights any good in the dark?

If they are truglo nightsights (aka TFO), then they should be backlighted with tritium and provide glowing dots in the dark. It shouldn't be too difficult to verify in a dark room or at night. Since Truglo also makes conventional fiber optic sights (which provide no benefit in the dark), it would probably be prudent to verify that it actually has nightsights.

As for how well they work, if you can see the dots you can aim off of them. What they do not do is provide any assistance in identifying what you are aiming at.

[jeff221]

If you are looking for a gun that will hit dead center at 100 yards without question sell your $500 XD and buy a $3,000 Wilson Combat 1911 and it'll hit dead center 99.99% of the time (with a good shooter).

I hate to ask the obvious question, but have you benched this gun and see if it's still off by 8" center?