Q: Various customization "looks" - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

mongoose33 · 05-12-2008, 06:33 AM

First off, I'm a newbie to handguns, so if some of this is obvious to those more experienced, please forgive me.

When I ordered my XD (service 4" 9mm) a couple weeks ago, of course I had to choose whether I wanted the slide stainless or black (as well as the other color combinations).

I thought about it for a bit, and decided I wanted all-black; it seemed to me that in the contexts in which I could imagine using it, black was best. It was not flashy, would not show in the dark, and wouldn't look bad if it hadn't been cleaned. I like the black look.

So I'm surprised at all the customization people opt for (with the exception of the green, which makes sense) including painting the slides, and especially customization like the guy who had his slide painted blue with silver etchings and silver trigger, grip safety, barrel, and takedown lever.

Now, no doubt that looks cool to some eyes (and that blue custom job looks awesome to my eyes), but from a practical point of view, I don't get it.

Here's my question: Why? All the stainless slide would seem to accomplish is to make the weapon more visible to a BG, provide something off which the sun can glint into my eyes, and be harder to make look good after cleaning.

And the other options, while cool-looking, would seem to be less practical.

Am I overanalyzing this, or have others had the same question? Is it just personal preference (obviously that figures in, and personal preference is just that), or something else?

M.

tomfoolery · 05-12-2008, 06:56 AM

A lot of it is just preference....

In a practical application like you mention, if you have to present your firearm chances are the bad guy is already close enough to not be alerted by your shiny gun. Sure there are some instances where an all black gun may be better.

but again, just preference.

propellerhead · 05-12-2008, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongoose33

Here's my question: Why? All the stainless slide would seem to accomplish is to make the weapon more visible to a BG, provide something off which the sun can glint into my eyes, and be harder to make look good after cleaning.

Not all guns are bought for self defense. Some serve as range guns only.

tomfoolery · 05-12-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propellerhead

Not all guns are bought for self defense. Some serve as range guns only.

Also a good point....

Carnivorous · 05-12-2008, 08:56 AM

If you're drawing your weapon in self-defense, you should be firing it within a few seconds. Otherwise, you shouldn't have drawn it. This isn't a tacticool situation where you're infiltrating some place and don't want the light to give you away.

If you open carry, people/BGs will know you're carrying no matter what your gun looks like. If you conceal carry, people/BGs should similarly NOT know you're carrying.

And, again, if you draw you're firing so who cares if they can see your gun.

BanditSRT8 · 05-12-2008, 09:49 AM

My blue XD is a range-only weapon.

My carry guns are never ported, and never modified beyond maybe adding night sights.

mongoose33 · 05-12-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanditSRT8

My blue XD is a range-only weapon.

My carry guns are never ported, and never modified beyond maybe adding night sights.

Thanks, all. Got it.

BTW, Bandit, your new toy is too pretty to shoot. I think I'd mount it on the wall instead (after removing the firing pin, of course.

Terry · 05-12-2008, 03:45 PM

All i have done to my BLACK XD40 Service is,
A. Night sights
B. Colored in the lettering with Lime Green
C. Polished the barrel so it has a shinny finish

05-12-2008, 06:33 AM	#1
mongoose33 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 747	Q: Various customization "looks" First off, I'm a newbie to handguns, so if some of this is obvious to those more experienced, please forgive me. When I ordered my XD (service 4" 9mm) a couple weeks ago, of course I had to choose whether I wanted the slide stainless or black (as well as the other color combinations). I thought about it for a bit, and decided I wanted all-black; it seemed to me that in the contexts in which I could imagine using it, black was best. It was not flashy, would not show in the dark, and wouldn't look bad if it hadn't been cleaned. I like the black look. So I'm surprised at all the customization people opt for (with the exception of the green, which makes sense) including painting the slides, and especially customization like the guy who had his slide painted blue with silver etchings and silver trigger, grip safety, barrel, and takedown lever. Now, no doubt that looks cool to some eyes (and that blue custom job looks awesome to my eyes), but from a practical point of view, I don't get it. Here's my question: Why? All the stainless slide would seem to accomplish is to make the weapon more visible to a BG, provide something off which the sun can glint into my eyes, and be harder to make look good after cleaning. And the other options, while cool-looking, would seem to be less practical. Am I overanalyzing this, or have others had the same question? Is it just personal preference (obviously that figures in, and personal preference is just that), or something else? M. __________________ . Guns don't kill people--drivers on cell phones kill people. Occam's Razor: If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck. XD Service 9mm PRP Match Target trigger upgrade w/ Overtravel Stop M4 w/ CMMG Upper

05-12-2008, 06:56 AM	#2
tomfoolery XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 5,239	A lot of it is just preference.... In a practical application like you mention, if you have to present your firearm chances are the bad guy is already close enough to not be alerted by your shiny gun. Sure there are some instances where an all black gun may be better. but again, just preference. __________________ "It is better to die on your feet than live on your knees." "One is none, two is one, and three is just a good time." Clint Smith, referring to the number of guns you carry daily.

05-12-2008, 09:49 AM	#6
BanditSRT8 XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 87	My blue XD is a range-only weapon. My carry guns are never ported, and never modified beyond maybe adding night sights. __________________ HK45 HK P30 HK P7M8 Ruger LCP Kimber Eclipse Pro II Springfield Armory EMP Glock 19 "Cogan Custom" EAA Witness Elite "MATCH" Glock 19 TALO Limited Edition Springfield XD9 SubCompact 2 tone Springfield XD40 V10 ported Custom S&W 1911 Doug Koenig Edition Bi-Tone

05-12-2008, 03:45 PM	#8
Terry XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NorthPole, Alaska Posts: 569	All i have done to my BLACK XD40 Service is, A. Night sights B. Colored in the lettering with Lime Green C. Polished the barrel so it has a shinny finish __________________ Be safe and always watch your back trail

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05-12-2008, 08:56 AM	#5
Carnivorous XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 1,024	If you're drawing your weapon in self-defense, you should be firing it within a few seconds. Otherwise, you shouldn't have drawn it. This isn't a tacticool situation where you're infiltrating some place and don't want the light to give you away. If you open carry, people/BGs will know you're carrying no matter what your gun looks like. If you conceal carry, people/BGs should similarly NOT know you're carrying. And, again, if you draw you're firing so who cares if they can see your gun.