New XD9 TAC range report and Comparo Vs XD 45 ACP service

[Nerves]

Well it's been several month since I first purchase my first plastic gun in more than a half a decade (Walther P99 and G19) and it was the "Gun of the year" the Springfield Armory XD 45 ACP service model. The 4" XD 45 ACP change my mind on "plastic" guns. Now as much of you know I am a 1911 "guy", so the trigger took me a long time to get use to. My XD was shooting way left and low, which made me think it was my trigger control and grip, but after the Ransom rest, we discovered the rear sights were way off. I replaced them with TFO's and ever since double taps at 7 yards is a breeze. No with the XD 45 I am not as accurate as my Wilson Combat or most of my 1911 but, I got comfy and average with it.

When I participate in my first (and Only) USPSA competition, I shot with it and got my ass handed to me. Almost everyone had a linger barrel than I (insert joke here), but I did netter than I thought. Moreover after a while the trigger smoothed out and I gain a little in the accuracy dept. But speed was where that gun shines.

So after some time I just recently purchased my XD Plastic 9tac and took it to the range today. As I did with the XD45 service. I first tried to fail the action by serving it bad and cheap reloads (Atlanta Ammo, Ultramax, Wolf, Fiotchi, etc.) 250 round in all and the gun did not fail. I also shot 150 of premium ammunition (federal Hydra shock, Hornaday TAP and some black hill) and some WWB (500 total)

I started at 7 yards, 10, 15, 25. It took a few mags’ to get the feel of the trigger and get use to the sights (OEM). The trigger is "crisper" than the XD 45 but the reset is a little shorter and it travels with more little "creeps" through its range. The frame is not only shorter than the 45 ACP 4" but also narrower. So the grip is different. The point of impact is just below the point of aim (barely) and barely to the left, but groups are smaller/tighter than with the 45 ACP service. I have to cover the target area with the front sight in order to hit it the intended area vs. the 45 service model, where you aim at "6 o’clock" or the intended target area (Stock OEM sights).

Even though the recoil is less than the 45 ACP service, the muzzle flip is barely more on the 9TAC. No additional force is needed to correct this as the caliber is smaller. My weak hand performance was no where near what I've been doing lately and strong hand is almost at par. I am sure with more practice I can improve. Magazine release is good, but the 45 tends to snap out easier than the TAC 9. This doesn’t mean the TAC 9 mag release is stuck; just that I perceive the mag. release of the 45 service is smoother.

As I mentioned before, I believe the OEM/stock sights are the worst feature of any XD (3 white dots) but, that's the only negative on the gun. I know the gun is more accurate the my 45 acp, and once the trigger improves I will be using it for competition. Additionally, the gun (Frame) does get extremely hot.

At 25 yards I held much better groups than the 45 ACP service and even much better than my other 9's. Not close to the Wilson Combat but more than combat accuracy.

I think I'm going to put 1000 more rounds through it and send it to CC for a trigger job and some big Fiber optics sights. Overall I would highly recommend this gun and I now understand why it is so hard to find/get.

[Broadside]

Great review!

[Nerves]

thanks.

[Nerves]

BTW I tried to do the Lethal Weapon Smiley face at 25 yards and failed. I got the eyes and two shots for a smile.

[Nerves]

Here's a pic of one of the Targets. Gotta like the XD's!

[Nerves]

Just had my Middle Daughter shoot the TAC9....and she love it. She out shot me (not hard to do) by one bullet....and she a lefty that shot right handed.