XD-M Interchangeable Backstraps - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Redleg329 · 08-05-2008, 09:29 PM

Hey all, I came across something weird today and want to see what everyone thinks. New handgun owner with about 50 rounds through the XD-M using the large backstrap. (Yes, it was a pain to change out).Even though I was happy with the accuracy something didn't seem quite right so I got smarter than myself and changed back to the medium backstrap. My groupings went from 4" at 10 yards to off the paper at 15 yds. I wanted to participate in the online competition happening in another thread and now I can hardly keep them on the paper. Went in to eat dinner and think about life. Decided to switch back to the large backstrap and give it a whirl. (Yes, that pin is getting easier to remove). Viola, groupings are back where I expected. Here are my two targets.

Sorry about the long post and large photos. Still working on this photobucket thing. Anyway, Opinions?

Redleg329 · 08-05-2008, 09:32 PM

Upon reviewing the photos I guess they are not stellar groupings but at least they all stayed on the paper

Uncle Giggles · 08-05-2008, 09:54 PM

I am a 200lb guy measuring in at 5'11" so you must have significantly larger hands than I do, because with every pistol I have fired I have consistently preferred the smallest backstrap possible. Don't get me wrong, I DO have fairly large hands... but I always shot my M&P 9mm with the smallest backstrap and achieved astonishingly better accuracy during slow/rapid fire than I ever did with the larger backstraps or my XD-45 Tactical. I suppose that's why I love 1911's so much... they may not be the most reliable/perfect/advanced/high-capacity service pistol in the world but the grip dimensions are perfect for me and that allows me to shoot them like rigging' laser guns up to ranges you would probably never use from a pistol at.. Needless to say, I shoot my S&W M&P (interchangeable backstraps) and 1911's better than I do my XD-45ACP Tactical. Regrettable, but true. Belive me, that's no 'slap-in-the-face' for the XD's... just a personal preference. Still, if the (S)hit-(H)its-(T)he-(F)an I'd still grab my XD-45 Tactical before all others (even before my AR-15) because I know without a doubt that it is the most reliable/dependable weapon in my arsenal. RESPECT!!!

Kable · 08-05-2008, 11:37 PM

Wish I could provide some input but I still cant get the freakin backstraps off of my gun... BTW what did you use to get it off? I don't have a punch tool and tried using items that fit in the hold and a hammer but the pin wont budge. (not trying to hijack your thread but if I can try a different backstrap on my gun I could see how I shoot with a different one on, currently using the #2)

Globeguy · 08-06-2008, 07:52 AM

Large hands always doesn't equate to large backstrap. Case in point, one of my friend and I have same hand size but he's a heavier set guy so his hands are beefier. So when he grips stuff there's less room for him to fit things in his hands. We shoot different sized gun well because of this.

Bone Puddle · 08-06-2008, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kable

Wish I could provide some input but I still cant get the freakin backstraps off of my gun... BTW what did you use to get it off? I don't have a punch tool and tried using items that fit in the hold and a hammer but the pin wont budge. (not trying to hijack your thread but if I can try a different backstrap on my gun I could see how I shoot with a different one on, currently using the #2)

Gotta use a punch (and a hammer) so you dont screw up the pin. Its a bear to remove the first time - gotta get a little rough.

Redleg329 · 08-06-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kable

Wish I could provide some input but I still cant get the freakin backstraps off of my gun... BTW what did you use to get it off? I don't have a punch tool and tried using items that fit in the hold and a hammer but the pin wont budge. (not trying to hijack your thread but if I can try a different backstrap on my gun I could see how I shoot with a different one on, currently using the #2)

I took wire coat hanger and cut it down to about 4". Then shaped it like an allen wrench. A few whacks with the hammer and out it came. Not the best tool but it worked for me. Keep it in the case should I decide to change out again.

As too my main post, I assumed that going from smaller to larger may be a detriment as it might become harder to hang on to. Going from larger to smaller should provide same or better groupings. I believe I should have posted different targets that show greater disparity between medium and large back straps. Using the medium size I shot a 37 / 100 and using the large size shot a 63 / 100, all other factors being similar. Struck me as odd that changing out the back strap would have that much effect on accuracy / consistency. Leads me to wonder about XDSC vs. XDC vs. XD Tactical. Does accuracy suffer or do they maintain common grip characteristics? Will further testing lead to many manufacturers providing handguns with interchangeable back straps as a standard? Sometimes the little details count for something.

I guess just use what works best.

**leper** · 08-06-2008, 06:03 PM

I would blame it more on your grip, than the pistol size. It is different with the other strap. Adjust to it. Find your sweet spot with it. It is like firing a different kind of pistol. Focus on the front sight, instead of the grip size. I believe that you are now too concerned with the feel. Focus on the front site, nothing else.

08-05-2008, 09:29 PM	#1
Redleg329 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 28	XD-M Interchangeable Backstraps Hey all, I came across something weird today and want to see what everyone thinks. New handgun owner with about 50 rounds through the XD-M using the large backstrap. (Yes, it was a pain to change out).Even though I was happy with the accuracy something didn't seem quite right so I got smarter than myself and changed back to the medium backstrap. My groupings went from 4" at 10 yards to off the paper at 15 yds. I wanted to participate in the online competition happening in another thread and now I can hardly keep them on the paper. Went in to eat dinner and think about life. Decided to switch back to the large backstrap and give it a whirl. (Yes, that pin is getting easier to remove). Viola, groupings are back where I expected. Here are my two targets. Sorry about the long post and large photos. Still working on this photobucket thing. Anyway, Opinions? __________________ "Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men." - General George S. Patton, Jr

08-05-2008, 09:54 PM	#3
Uncle Giggles XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 581	I am a 200lb guy measuring in at 5'11" so you must have significantly larger hands than I do, because with every pistol I have fired I have consistently preferred the smallest backstrap possible. Don't get me wrong, I DO have fairly large hands... but I always shot my M&P 9mm with the smallest backstrap and achieved astonishingly better accuracy during slow/rapid fire than I ever did with the larger backstraps or my XD-45 Tactical. I suppose that's why I love 1911's so much... they may not be the most reliable/perfect/advanced/high-capacity service pistol in the world but the grip dimensions are perfect for me and that allows me to shoot them like rigging' laser guns up to ranges you would probably never use from a pistol at.. Needless to say, I shoot my S&W M&P (interchangeable backstraps) and 1911's better than I do my XD-45ACP Tactical. Regrettable, but true. Belive me, that's no 'slap-in-the-face' for the XD's... just a personal preference. Still, if the (S)hit-(H)its-(T)he-(F)an I'd still grab my XD-45 Tactical before all others (even before my AR-15) because I know without a doubt that it is the most reliable/dependable weapon in my arsenal. RESPECT!!! Last edited by Uncle Giggles; 08-05-2008 at 10:05 PM.

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08-05-2008, 09:32 PM	#2
Redleg329 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 28	Upon reviewing the photos I guess they are not stellar groupings but at least they all stayed on the paper __________________ "Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men." - General George S. Patton, Jr

08-05-2008, 11:37 PM	#4
Kable XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lynnwood, WA Posts: 686	Wish I could provide some input but I still cant get the freakin backstraps off of my gun... BTW what did you use to get it off? I don't have a punch tool and tried using items that fit in the hold and a hammer but the pin wont budge. (not trying to hijack your thread but if I can try a different backstrap on my gun I could see how I shoot with a different one on, currently using the #2)

08-06-2008, 07:52 AM	#5
Globeguy XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 73	Large hands always doesn't equate to large backstrap. Case in point, one of my friend and I have same hand size but he's a heavier set guy so his hands are beefier. So when he grips stuff there's less room for him to fit things in his hands. We shoot different sized gun well because of this.

08-06-2008, 06:03 PM	#8
leper XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tx Posts: 447	I would blame it more on your grip, than the pistol size. It is different with the other strap. Adjust to it. Find your sweet spot with it. It is like firing a different kind of pistol. Focus on the front sight, instead of the grip size. I believe that you are now too concerned with the feel. Focus on the front site, nothing else.