Adjusted my home installed TFO sights a little and went shooting today. Target pic!

[Andrew LB]

I'm no tack driver like i'm sure many of you guys are, but this was my second day shooting my XD-9mm since I added TFO sights (done at home by myself.... a novice sight installer) and a Canyon Creek tungsten guide rod with #22 spring. This target was my second of the day @ 25ft after doing some slight adjustments to the TFO sights after my first day of shooting where i was a little more wild since i was compensating for the extra weight in the front of the pistol and newly installed sights which were not bore sighted or anything.

Also note, i was not shooting "slow". About 1 shot per second. I think this speaks wonders of the extra weight and how much easier the tungsten guide rod and stiffer spring allows you to get back on target. The much more visable TFO sights also helped a lot.

[Kiel_Everett]

Good shooting. Are you using a 5" or Service model?

[Andrew LB]

4" Service. TFO sights, canyon creek tungsten guide rod, #22 spring. The only downside to today was that I was out of my usual winchester white box, the ammo I use 99% of the time. I was using some "not so great" reloads given to me by my buddy Ryan who works at SharpShooters. Out of the box of 50 I used, i actually had three times where i squeezed the trigger, the striker hit..... and NOTHING!!! Each time i kept the pistol pointed down range, dropped the nearly full magazine out of my XD and waited about 20 seconds (something my father always told me to do because he told me while I was very young, they can sometimes 'cook off' and then ignite the powder). Each time i was quite frustrated and after the wait, i'd eject the struck cartirage and throw it down range into the pit. I also had one round not eject properly and get stuck in the slide. Both the misfires and empty casing being stuck in the slide were the first time i've had something i'd consider a real malfunction, but i'm sure it was 100% related to the cheap re-loads (not striking properly) and since they didn't have the punch of a WWB bullet, wasn't able to get the slide back far enough to properly eject the casing before the next was being fed (the #22 spring is a tough one).

Just to be sure, I grabbed some winchester white box rounds from my friend and after 20 of those, everything was fine. We even shot another 20 winchester ranger 124gr +P+ rounds.... still flawless.

Lesson learned today... no more reloads for me unless they're made by a friend who knows how to do a proper job. And at least my XD wasn't damaged.


edit: I will say by far the greatest feeling was squeezing the trigger of my grandfathers WW2 sidearm, an early production Colt 1911 (production date 1913) which saw both WW1 and WW2, then was not fired for at least 40 years from what my father told me. We gave it a thorough inspection first and checked the springs and various components to make sure i woudln't damage the family heirloom!

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by Andrew LB

edit: I will say by far the greatest feeling was squeezing the trigger of my grandfathers WW2 sidearm, an early production Colt 1911 (production date 1913) which saw both WW1 and WW2, then was not fired for at least 40 years from what my father told me. We gave it a thorough inspection first and checked the springs and various components to make sure i woudln't damage the family heirloom!

That has to be one of the prettiest gals I have ever seen! Glad she still gets the respect of being shot! So many of these treasures are becoming safe queens and I can't stand that. They were built to shoot and they should be taken out once in a while. Good on you!

[Andrew LB]

I will admit that I was quite nervous when i squeezed the trigger the first time. Not because i thought there may be some sort of failure..... but for more nostalgic reasons. My father was an avid shooter and never once fired this handgun which surprised me. But considering it being an heirloom and his fathers personal sidearm, i understand.

[slugger6]

That's some good shooting. Aren't those TFOs great?