XD .45 - 1st reloads downrange

[Hughree]

I finally had a chance to put some lead bullet reloads through the .45 Tactical. There were hastily assembled on the Dillon and nothing special - 200 gr. Precison "black" bullet over 5 gr. Bullseye and range brass. I put 250 rds downrange without a failure. The reloads shot to POA, as did the 230 gr. WWB. Thirteen rounds at 10 yds can be covered with a half-dollar, some considerably smaller although it's hard to get all 13 in one hole without letting one slip out through shooter error. Fifteen yd groups are tennis ball sized IF I do my part. Twenty-five yards? Well, none of my groups were rested but, still, I'm seriously interested in seeing some of the "sub 1 inch" groups I hear about. While the XD Tactical is very accurate, I think it's a 3" gun at 25 yds in the hands of a VERY good shooter. With loads that it likes and 5 shot groups, I could see 2 to 2.5", but I frankly think getting one, much less, several groups below an inch is like winning the lottery. It COULD happen, but don't count on it.

What continues to amaze me is how easy it is to shoot this pistol well. It is very forgiving, the trigger just gets better, and it simply loads, fires and ejects everything I have put in it. I shot a Les Baer alongside it today and, even with my greater experience with 1911's, the XD held its own up to the 25 yd. line. There, the 1911 forged ahead. The Baer has been equally reliable in that it has never had a failure to feed, fire or eject.

The more I shoot the XD, the more I shake my head at what Springfield has accomplished. This goes way beyond increased magazine capacity. This is a breakthrough pistol. It's ergonomics, reliability, accuracy and, above all, shooter friendliness make this one of the best pistols I have ever had the pleasure to shoot, regardless of price. I simply cannot imagine what Springfield is going to do to top this design.

I said I wasn't going to carry this pistol. I was wrong. Eleven rounds (10 in the mag, 1 in the chamber) balances nicely and gives me a 3 round and 1" advantage over a Commander sized 1911. If I can get comfortable with the size/weight of the extra mag, I may be carrying this around until they carry me home.

Just my experience. God bless. Hugh