Range report with pics... XD9

[Bear_B]

Ok, sorry this took so long. I went to Orlando over the weekend and since we left Friday afternoon, I didnt have time to post this before we took off on our "mini vacation". But anyways, here it is...

Anywho, as a couple review points here let me say for those who may not have read this in my other posts, that I went into the shop NOT looking for a new handgun, but found this gun and couldnt resist. This used to belong to one of the shop owners ex-girlfriends, who brought it back to trade it for the compact model cuz she coudlnt put it in the gun pouch in her CCW purse comfortably. He didnt mention if it was too large, or too heavy or what, only that it didnt fit right.

So I got it for a song and a dance, and it's only had around 2-3 mags run through it. She didnt even finish the 50 round box of ammo she bought when she bought the pistol.
So I took it with 250 rounds of practice ammo, and 30 rounds of defensive ammo.

It all ran flawlessly. While in my hands I found this gun to be SLIGHTLY less accurate than my beloved Glocks, that difference was VERY VERY VERY slight, but one thing the XD DOES have over Glock is comfort. Its a LOT more comfortable to shoot, and ever so slightly a bit more natural in pointing for me.

I did a number of defensive drills, but where this puppy really shined was in 3 yard "Draw and Fire" drills. This is where at 3 yards, the weapon is drawn from concealment, and shot twice in rapid succession.

Now with a Glock in my hands, my rounds typically stay in the 9 ring or better, but I noticed that with the XD in my hands, the shots stayed tighter into the X ring, (with several sets having both shots in the X ring, touching or nearly touching each other).

I thought this to be a fluke, but after several sets with the shots landing in 10 ring or X ring together, I began to belive in the ergonomics of the XD even more than I already did.

As you may recall I have been the previous owner of 3 different XDs. The Tactical .45, the Tactical 9mm, and the .40 SC. Loved all 3 but let them go in trades or sales where I was getting more out of them than I paid for them, but wished I had them all back.
This is my first service model, and I have to admit, the balance is MUCH better than the Tactical or SC for me, (YMMV).

There were NO malfuncitons of any kind, which of course was to be expected. And as have mentioned previously, take down is slightly easier with an XD than it is a GLOCK.
Also, when I bought this gun, I also picked up a FIST IWB holster, and let me say once again, that IMHO the FIST brand of holsters are LEAPS and BOUNDS over and above all other CCW holsters that I have EVER worn, by a LONG shot.

I use the Leather J-Hook holster, and LOVE LOVE LOVE Them. I have them on 3 of my most popular carry guns so far, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. The wait is a bit long if you order directly from the factory, however Mitch stocks some in the most common models that he carries in the store, the XD being one of them.

Here is a link if anyone is interested in a FIST holster.
FIST, INC.

Anyway, back to the review...

Again let me say that there were NO malfunctions with any of the rounds fed, the only problem that I had with the pistol, is that my hands are used to being placed on a Glock and found myself riding the slide release lever with my right thumb, but a little bit of adjustment fixed that (on a Glock typically my right thumb will ride higher than on an XD, so all I had to do is adjust my grip slightly and my thumb was down where it needed to be).

The weapon shot point of aim, meaning I covered my target with the front sight at 7 yards rather than sitting the target on top of the sight. But actually for ME this is preferable in a CCW or defensive sidearm, but thats only a personal preferance.

The trigger is slightly more comfortable than a Glock, due to the fact that it's wider, however it was slightly longer in the reset, and not quite as "crisp", (if thats even a word I can use to describe a Glock trigger). But I found adjusting to this was a very minor issue and took only one magazine before it felt good to me.

Rapid fire also was VERY easy, and VERY controlable with all rounds used.

The ammo I used was 100 Rounds of WWB, 50 rounds of Independance Ammo (shop brand), 50 rounds of Remington UMC, 50 Rounds of Blazer, and 30 rounds of Winchester Ranger 124gr JHP defensive ammo.

Taking the pistol down and cleaning was a snap, and the weapon went right back together again just as easily. No problems there either way.

I wore my new XD all weekend long (where allowed) and had no CCW issues at all, other than my new FIST holster needs a wee bit of breaking in, as all new holsters do. Typically it has been my experience that once a gun rides in a FIST holster for a few days, it fits like a glove, and the XD has been no exception. The weapon now draws easily and smoothly from the holster. (at first fist holsters are a bit tight, so if you buy one, let the gun sit in the holster a few days prior to carry so you get a smooth draw).

I have the FIST holster for my H&K USP Compact 9mm, and my Ruger SP101 3-inch barrel as well now as my XD. I am also planning on getting one for my G17/19 as well as perhaps my full size H&K USP 9mm, and maybe even my Beretta 92.

For those looking for a good reliable CCW weapon or home defense weapon, I can highly recommend the XD, if for some reason a Glock is just not for you. (Glock is still my #1 recommendation, but the XD runs a VERY VERY VERY close 2nd).

Here are the pics...

[mhillsing23]

Congrats on the new XD! The XD'x ergonomics match me a lot better than the Glocks. I was just practicing from the draw last night (dry firing) and every time I would check me aim after just a quick point aim I was spot on. If wonder if you feel that the Glock is more inherently accurate because you are better with them. I know that I shoot some guns A LOT better than others.