Best All Around XD - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jb4play · 07-03-2005, 03:16 PM

Hi? I've been looking into the XD line from Springfield for a few months ( I currently own a Romanian WASR 10 AK-47 and a Star Mod. BM 9mm) due to all the good reviews and awards they've won in the past years. For my upcoming B Day I've decided to do away with my Star Mod. BM 9mm and replace it (for Range Shooting and Self Defense) with a XD model. I plan on using it as a daily concealed carry, defense, and shooting at the range for fun. My question is... of the current line (.45 GAP, .40 SW, .357 SIG, and .9mm) which one is the best (I know this is broad) all around. From experiences with a Ruger .45 ACP the recoil isn't something that I want when it comes to a defense carry and the cost per bullet is high at times. I have a hard time deciding between the .40 SW and .357 SIG (I have never shot these 2 loads before so I know nothing about them) but I like the power-performance I have heard about the two. I also have to throw the .9mm in there b/c of its controllablity and accuracy, as well as it's price per bullet. Whichever setup I decide upon, I'm going with the ported version, as well as a Lasermax laser sight so that takes the 5 in Tactical Versions out of the picture. Any help with this decision would be much appreciated. I just want the gun that will satisfy my needs overall the best... Thx in advance.

kabob983 · 07-03-2005, 03:30 PM

You're right, that is a broad question. I've only fired the 9mm and .45 GAP XD's, so I can't give you a perfect testamony. From what I understand the .357 SIG's recoil is much greater than even the .45's. I've not fired a .357 but from what I've read it's loud, bright, and packs a punch. Ammo is more expensive than the .40 S&W or 9mm but cheaper than the .45 GAP. Take notethat the .45 GAP ammo will be even more expensive than the .45 ACP and can be difficult to find in many areas.

The recoil on the 9mm is not bad whatsoever (although I think that on the XD even the .45 isn't all that bad) and you really wouldn't need ports. From what I've read about ports, it looks like they will make it more tedious to clean your pistol and you'll have to clean it more often. You'll also have to clean off your sights as the exhaust blocks the dots on the sight. They'll also make the arm louder and if you're firing at night they can mess up your vision. Once again, no personal experience with ports, talk to overkill about that.

From what you plan on doing with the pistol, I'd say go with a 4" service model in either 9mm or .40 S&W. 4" is concealable and should be more accurate due to the sight distance. Personally, I'd go with 9mm as ammo (at least here) is SO much cheaper than anything else. I can get a box of 50 9mm range rounds for $3.86 while the same in .40 would run me closer to $12.00. .40 will pack more power but in return you lose 3 rounds in the mag, pay more for ammo, and get a little more recoil.

That's just my 2 cents and as I said I've not fired an XD in .40 S&W, so you should probably listen to most of these other guys way before you listen to me.

Good luck with the purchase!

Crit · 07-03-2005, 03:35 PM

Well, you stated that you want ported. You can put a ported 4" barrel (aftermarket) into a .357 or .40 sub frame, but it'll stick out an inch and could get pretty crudded-up depending on how you carry. If you want factory ported, you're down to just the service frame in whatever caliber. .45 GAP isn't available in ported, so it's just a question of caliber. I went with the ported .40 so I could change out to a smaller barrel (9mm) for all the same reasons you gave, and it's what I'd suggest. All V-10 models have the same finish, so you'd have to modify it manually if you want something different.

JD McDorce · 07-03-2005, 04:00 PM

I think that you've backed yourself into a corner by convincing yourself that you want the ported model. If the cost per round from your experience with .45 ACP in your Ruger is not acceptable, .357 SIG is more expensive than .45 ACP. That narrows the field down to 9mm and .40 S&W since, as noted in other responses, the ported version is not available in .45 GAP. You might as well go with the .40 S&W to get the most use from the porting that you desire...

07-03-2005, 04:23 PM

jb4play · 07-03-2005, 04:27 PM

I think i'm leaning towards either the ported .40 or maybe even the tactical .40 and just getting an EFK conv barrel to cover the .9mm (maybe even .357) I have until November to decide.

07-03-2005, 04:31 PM

what are you planning to do with this gun carry or home defense or plinking

ichy_trigger · 07-03-2005, 04:34 PM

The best choice for all around use, range, self defense, cost, would be a .40 IMO. Best choice for self defense would be a .357, IMO.
For range only use, a 9mm.

jb4play · 07-03-2005, 04:35 PM

All 3. The reason I seem to be stuck on the "ported" models is how people keep telling me it lowers recoil and lessens time to aim consecutive shots, I in turn relay that with better accuracy. I'm not worried about the cleaning or loudness factor associated with it. If i have to clean my gun twice as much and its more accurate... that's a tradeoff i'm willing to make. It seems like the best option will be to go with the .40 ported, and get an EFK .9mm ported conv barrel as well. Covers both spectrums.

ranburr · 07-03-2005, 04:56 PM

I have never understood the need for a ported pistol in anything other than the massive magnum hunting calibers. Nothing the XD chambers is heavy recoiling. If you are recoil shy you need more practice and get a heavier recoil spring. For a balance between price and performance go with the .40. I personally prefer the .45 and .357, but they both cost more to shoot.

ranburr

07-03-2005, 03:16 PM	#1
jb4play XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Covington Posts: 3	Best All Around XD Hi? I've been looking into the XD line from Springfield for a few months ( I currently own a Romanian WASR 10 AK-47 and a Star Mod. BM 9mm) due to all the good reviews and awards they've won in the past years. For my upcoming B Day I've decided to do away with my Star Mod. BM 9mm and replace it (for Range Shooting and Self Defense) with a XD model. I plan on using it as a daily concealed carry, defense, and shooting at the range for fun. My question is... of the current line (.45 GAP, .40 SW, .357 SIG, and .9mm) which one is the best (I know this is broad) all around. From experiences with a Ruger .45 ACP the recoil isn't something that I want when it comes to a defense carry and the cost per bullet is high at times. I have a hard time deciding between the .40 SW and .357 SIG (I have never shot these 2 loads before so I know nothing about them) but I like the power-performance I have heard about the two. I also have to throw the .9mm in there b/c of its controllablity and accuracy, as well as it's price per bullet. Whichever setup I decide upon, I'm going with the ported version, as well as a Lasermax laser sight so that takes the 5 in Tactical Versions out of the picture. Any help with this decision would be much appreciated. I just want the gun that will satisfy my needs overall the best... Thx in advance. __________________ * Jerrell Brown aka The Black Brad Pitt * http://www.freewebs.com/142entertainment

07-03-2005, 04:00 PM	#4
JD McDorce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Westland, MI Posts: 1,267	I think that you've backed yourself into a corner by convincing yourself that you want the ported model. If the cost per round from your experience with .45 ACP in your Ruger is not acceptable, .357 SIG is more expensive than .45 ACP. That narrows the field down to 9mm and .40 S&W since, as noted in other responses, the ported version is not available in .45 GAP. You might as well go with the .40 S&W to get the most use from the porting that you desire... __________________ XD9 Service/XD9 Tactical/XD40 Tactical/XD45ACP Service Colt Series 80 GCNM/Springfield Black Stainless/Browning Hi-Power Practical/SIG P220

07-03-2005, 04:27 PM	#6
jb4play XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Covington Posts: 3	I think i'm leaning towards either the ported .40 or maybe even the tactical .40 and just getting an EFK conv barrel to cover the .9mm (maybe even .357) I have until November to decide. __________________ * Jerrell Brown aka The Black Brad Pitt * http://www.freewebs.com/142entertainment

07-03-2005, 04:34 PM	#8
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,476	The best choice for all around use, range, self defense, cost, would be a .40 IMO. Best choice for self defense would be a .357, IMO. For range only use, a 9mm. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

07-03-2005, 04:35 PM	#9
jb4play XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Covington Posts: 3	All 3. The reason I seem to be stuck on the "ported" models is how people keep telling me it lowers recoil and lessens time to aim consecutive shots, I in turn relay that with better accuracy. I'm not worried about the cleaning or loudness factor associated with it. If i have to clean my gun twice as much and its more accurate... that's a tradeoff i'm willing to make. It seems like the best option will be to go with the .40 ported, and get an EFK .9mm ported conv barrel as well. Covers both spectrums. __________________ * Jerrell Brown aka The Black Brad Pitt * http://www.freewebs.com/142entertainment

07-03-2005, 03:30 PM	#2
kabob983 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 196	You're right, that is a broad question. I've only fired the 9mm and .45 GAP XD's, so I can't give you a perfect testamony. From what I understand the .357 SIG's recoil is much greater than even the .45's. I've not fired a .357 but from what I've read it's loud, bright, and packs a punch. Ammo is more expensive than the .40 S&W or 9mm but cheaper than the .45 GAP. Take notethat the .45 GAP ammo will be even more expensive than the .45 ACP and can be difficult to find in many areas. The recoil on the 9mm is not bad whatsoever (although I think that on the XD even the .45 isn't all that bad) and you really wouldn't need ports. From what I've read about ports, it looks like they will make it more tedious to clean your pistol and you'll have to clean it more often. You'll also have to clean off your sights as the exhaust blocks the dots on the sight. They'll also make the arm louder and if you're firing at night they can mess up your vision. Once again, no personal experience with ports, talk to overkill about that. From what you plan on doing with the pistol, I'd say go with a 4" service model in either 9mm or .40 S&W. 4" is concealable and should be more accurate due to the sight distance. Personally, I'd go with 9mm as ammo (at least here) is SO much cheaper than anything else. I can get a box of 50 9mm range rounds for $3.86 while the same in .40 would run me closer to $12.00. .40 will pack more power but in return you lose 3 rounds in the mag, pay more for ammo, and get a little more recoil. That's just my 2 cents and as I said I've not fired an XD in .40 S&W, so you should probably listen to most of these other guys way before you listen to me. Good luck with the purchase!

07-03-2005, 03:35 PM	#3
Crit XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Damn Glock-town USA (Smyrna, GA) Posts: 29	Well, you stated that you want ported. You can put a ported 4" barrel (aftermarket) into a .357 or .40 sub frame, but it'll stick out an inch and could get pretty crudded-up depending on how you carry. If you want factory ported, you're down to just the service frame in whatever caliber. .45 GAP isn't available in ported, so it's just a question of caliber. I went with the ported .40 so I could change out to a smaller barrel (9mm) for all the same reasons you gave, and it's what I'd suggest. All V-10 models have the same finish, so you'd have to modify it manually if you want something different.

07-03-2005, 04:31 PM	#7
REC613 Posts: n/a	what are you planning to do with this gun carry or home defense or plinking

07-03-2005, 04:56 PM	#10
ranburr XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: TX Posts: 242	I have never understood the need for a ported pistol in anything other than the massive magnum hunting calibers. Nothing the XD chambers is heavy recoiling. If you are recoil shy you need more practice and get a heavier recoil spring. For a balance between price and performance go with the .40. I personally prefer the .45 and .357, but they both cost more to shoot. ranburr

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