match grade barrel? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

tamworth · 05-05-2008, 11:58 AM

This is my first post, but I've been reading for about a week though! I Like this community a lot. Anyway...

I've just read the string about the new XDm model, and need to ask:

What is different in a match grade barrel?

tamworth · 05-05-2008, 08:25 PM

Really?!! 41 views and not one answer? Never mind, I'll just google it.

I know it's probably a simple question, but I was hoping for a simple answer from someone who knows handguns.

Archer1945 · 05-05-2008, 08:48 PM

A match grade barrel will usually have a chamber which is held much closer to the minimum specifications for the cartridge for which it is designed, which means it will also be picky about what ammo it likes. Also the barrel crown, the area around the muzzle, might be a slightly different shape than a regular barrel to make sure the gases driving the bullet exit exactly the same way at every point around the muzzle. Generally it will also have a tighter barrel to frame fit than is generally found on the standard version of the gun.

tamworth · 05-05-2008, 09:55 PM

Thank you! I was one of the few who were giving the XDm the benefit of the doubt. I've been pondering whether to get a 9mm or a .40 or a .45 for personal and family defense. Obviously hollowpoints of some sort would be in order, and given that the chamber in the XDm's barrel would be 'picky', it would be best to stick with a classic XD tactical. I'm still not decided on the caliber to choose, but that rules out the XDm. I'm assuming that since it's a match barrel, and it says MATCH right there on the gun, the XDm is meant for competitions where regular FMJ amunition would be optimum... anyway thanks for your response!

rgeliske · 05-06-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamworth

Thank you! I was one of the few who were giving the XDm the benefit of the doubt. I've been pondering whether to get a 9mm or a .40 or a .45 for personal and family defense. Obviously hollowpoints of some sort would be in order, and given that the chamber in the XDm's barrel would be 'picky', it would be best to stick with a classic XD tactical. I'm still not decided on the caliber to choose, but that rules out the XDm. I'm assuming that since it's a match barrel, and it says MATCH right there on the gun, the XDm is meant for competitions where regular FMJ amunition would be optimum... anyway thanks for your response!

I would not make that assumption. The pictures you see are of a prototype gun, the production gun may not have the barrel shown in the picture. There is a great deal of expense in new tooling, I don't think they could recoup tooling cost selling only a competition gun. It wouldn't surprise me if some XD(M) parts were not interchangeable with the old XD. That is also my hope, now that we have some good aftermarket upgrades we would still be able to use them on the new gun.

05-05-2008, 11:58 AM	#1
tamworth XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	match grade barrel? This is my first post, but I've been reading for about a week though! I Like this community a lot. Anyway... I've just read the string about the new XDm model, and need to ask: What is different in a match grade barrel?

05-05-2008, 08:25 PM	#2
tamworth XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	Really?!! 41 views and not one answer? Never mind, I'll just google it. I know it's probably a simple question, but I was hoping for a simple answer from someone who knows handguns. __________________ Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.

05-05-2008, 09:55 PM	#4
tamworth XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3	Thank you! I was one of the few who were giving the XDm the benefit of the doubt. I've been pondering whether to get a 9mm or a .40 or a .45 for personal and family defense. Obviously hollowpoints of some sort would be in order, and given that the chamber in the XDm's barrel would be 'picky', it would be best to stick with a classic XD tactical. I'm still not decided on the caliber to choose, but that rules out the XDm. I'm assuming that since it's a match barrel, and it says MATCH right there on the gun, the XDm is meant for competitions where regular FMJ amunition would be optimum... anyway thanks for your response! __________________ Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.

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05-05-2008, 08:48 PM	#3
Archer1945 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastern MO Posts: 355	A match grade barrel will usually have a chamber which is held much closer to the minimum specifications for the cartridge for which it is designed, which means it will also be picky about what ammo it likes. Also the barrel crown, the area around the muzzle, might be a slightly different shape than a regular barrel to make sure the gases driving the bullet exit exactly the same way at every point around the muzzle. Generally it will also have a tighter barrel to frame fit than is generally found on the standard version of the gun.