XD9sc first time out, pros and cons - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

wolffire99 · 04-16-2008, 09:39 AM

Took my new XD9sc out to the range this weekend and put 150 rounds down range. I purchased it as a summer carry / vehicle carry to compliment my sig 229. So that's really what I am comparing the XD to, fair or not, that's where I'm coming from.

Overall I am very pleased. Accuracy was more than adequate for a SC, it fed all ammunition without problems, and points very naturally and comfortably for me. at 10yrds I could easily get 3-4 inch groups without trying very hard. That's really all I was looking for, so even though it may seem like I have a lot of complaints, I really don't. Most of these I will learn over time.

Things I may not like, or am still getting used to:

The trigger safety makes an audible creek when pulled. I'm hoping some grease will take care of that.
I have to consciously think to make sure I have the grip safety down when I pull the slide back. If I don't my palm comes off the grip for better leverage. I wish it was not connected to the slide like that.
I really hope the slide release breaks in because my thumb is very sore from how hard it is to press. I think this also has to do with the steep angle of the release, it's hard to get any leverage on it.
Same thing with the magazine release. It's not a smooth push, more of a hard push that suddenly breaks.
It's pretty top heavy, which is too be expected, even when fully loaded I have to hold it up and back when shooting. Probably not an issue unless you shoot for a long period of time you're wrists would feel it. You can really see it when you relax your wrists it falls forward. Not so with my sig.

Radio Relay · 04-16-2008, 10:25 AM

I've had my XD9SC for about a a year and a half now, and have done a lot of shooting with it. I've pretty much had the same experience. I.E. easy to shoot accurately at ten yards and under, etc. I initially also noticed the various things which you didn't like. I have gotten used them. The stiff release buttons and difficulty in racking the slide were helped with lubrication and use.

This past weekend, I went down to the farm to check things out, and shot a couple boxes of 50 while I was there. I'm always amazed at how natural it feels to fire this gun. To date, I have yet to have a jam or ftf. While stationary shooting, I'm still shooting three to four inch groups, with maybe a quarter of those in the bulls eye. I really think if I spent more time on my shooting skills, it would be even better.

Whenever I'm out there by myself, I always do at least half my shots while moving, finding cover, and from various body angles. As well as, drawing and shooting while moving. No set routine, just moving while shooting. I figure that is the best way to prepare for a real life situation. I'm training myself to aim while moving and shooting quickly, and not to rely on point and shoot, both two handed and one handed. I always get all shots on target, and usually most of them are within the 10 inch circle. Target reacquisition is very fast, because the gun has virtually no recoil. I want to become as accurate while moving, as I am while standing stationary.

I really like this gun. I got it for carrying concealed, and I do carry it in all weather without any problems.

**mhillsing23** · 04-16-2008, 10:44 AM

Congrats on the new XD! I really like my 9mm SC. It is my primary carry piece and it has been completely reliable for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolffire99

Things I may not like, or am still getting used to:

The trigger safety makes an audible creek when pulled. I'm hoping some grease will take care of that. I have never experienced that with any XD that I have handled. It will probably break in and quiet down.
I have to consciously think to make sure I have the grip safety down when I pull the slide back. If I don't my palm comes off the grip for better leverage. I wish it was not connected to the slide like that. The grip safety is a slide lock safety. That is how it works. Once you get used to it, you won't think about it.
I really hope the slide release breaks in because my thumb is very sore from how hard it is to press. I think this also has to do with the steep angle of the release, it's hard to get any leverage on it. The slide release will loosen up over time, but I also must recommend that you use the "slingshot" method. IMO, it is more reliable, and it is better for the gun.
Same thing with the magazine release. It's not a smooth push, more of a hard push that suddenly breaks. I do agree that the mag release does have a sudden break, but this too will ease up over time.
It's pretty top heavy, which is too be expected, even when fully loaded I have to hold it up and back when shooting. Probably not an issue unless you shoot for a long period of time you're wrists would feel it. You can really see it when you relax your wrists it falls forward. Not so with my sig. It is definitely top heavy. That is what you get with a polymer sub-compact.

cqz123 · 04-16-2008, 11:08 AM

After about 100 rounds at the range with mine all the symptoms you have now cleared up for me, the slide is much easier to rack and the slide release drops itself when racking. Once you get a few 100 rounds through it everything should loosen up.

ForTehNguyen · 04-16-2008, 12:57 PM

my XD9 service has about 500 rounds through it. Trigger and slide are a lot smoother once its broken in. Yes when it was brand new without a shot fired racking the slide was tough. After some shooting its a lot easier now

ThePelican · 04-17-2008, 01:04 AM

On my XD9SC, The slide release lever requires no attention from me to rack the slide as long there is not an unloaded magazine in place. In fact, I've even held the gun upside-down, and the lever still "drops" into place properly when I pull the slide back. Must be spring loaded or something...

XD's are great!

**1lowlife** · 04-17-2008, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePelican

On my XD9SC, The slide release lever requires no attention from me to rack the slide as long there is not an unloaded magazine in place. In fact, I've even held the gun upside-down, and the lever still "drops" into place properly when I pull the slide back. Must be spring loaded or something...

XD's are great!

+1 on pulling the slide back.

I love my XD9sc carry it or my S&W 642, everyday.

04-16-2008, 09:39 AM	#1
wolffire99 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6	XD9sc first time out, pros and cons Took my new XD9sc out to the range this weekend and put 150 rounds down range. I purchased it as a summer carry / vehicle carry to compliment my sig 229. So that's really what I am comparing the XD to, fair or not, that's where I'm coming from. Overall I am very pleased. Accuracy was more than adequate for a SC, it fed all ammunition without problems, and points very naturally and comfortably for me. at 10yrds I could easily get 3-4 inch groups without trying very hard. That's really all I was looking for, so even though it may seem like I have a lot of complaints, I really don't. Most of these I will learn over time. Things I may not like, or am still getting used to: The trigger safety makes an audible creek when pulled. I'm hoping some grease will take care of that. I have to consciously think to make sure I have the grip safety down when I pull the slide back. If I don't my palm comes off the grip for better leverage. I wish it was not connected to the slide like that. I really hope the slide release breaks in because my thumb is very sore from how hard it is to press. I think this also has to do with the steep angle of the release, it's hard to get any leverage on it. Same thing with the magazine release. It's not a smooth push, more of a hard push that suddenly breaks. It's pretty top heavy, which is too be expected, even when fully loaded I have to hold it up and back when shooting. Probably not an issue unless you shoot for a long period of time you're wrists would feel it. You can really see it when you relax your wrists it falls forward. Not so with my sig. Last edited by wolffire99 : 04-16-2008 at 09:44 AM.

04-16-2008, 10:25 AM	#2
Radio Relay XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 558	I've had my XD9SC for about a a year and a half now, and have done a lot of shooting with it. I've pretty much had the same experience. I.E. easy to shoot accurately at ten yards and under, etc. I initially also noticed the various things which you didn't like. I have gotten used them. The stiff release buttons and difficulty in racking the slide were helped with lubrication and use. This past weekend, I went down to the farm to check things out, and shot a couple boxes of 50 while I was there. I'm always amazed at how natural it feels to fire this gun. To date, I have yet to have a jam or ftf. While stationary shooting, I'm still shooting three to four inch groups, with maybe a quarter of those in the bulls eye. I really think if I spent more time on my shooting skills, it would be even better. Whenever I'm out there by myself, I always do at least half my shots while moving, finding cover, and from various body angles. As well as, drawing and shooting while moving. No set routine, just moving while shooting. I figure that is the best way to prepare for a real life situation. I'm training myself to aim while moving and shooting quickly, and not to rely on point and shoot, both two handed and one handed. I always get all shots on target, and usually most of them are within the 10 inch circle. Target reacquisition is very fast, because the gun has virtually no recoil. I want to become as accurate while moving, as I am while standing stationary. I really like this gun. I got it for carrying concealed, and I do carry it in all weather without any problems. __________________ "Those who would trade their freedoms for safety will end up having neither." .... Benjamin Franklin =================== USMC 68-71, RVN 69-70 CCW Holder Springfield 9mm XDSC pistol, Beretta .32 3032 Tomcat pistol, NAA .22lr mini revolver Beretta 9mm CX-4 carbine, Marlin .22 rifle =================== "Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you".... Anonymous

04-16-2008, 11:08 AM	#4
cqz123 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 6	After about 100 rounds at the range with mine all the symptoms you have now cleared up for me, the slide is much easier to rack and the slide release drops itself when racking. Once you get a few 100 rounds through it everything should loosen up. __________________ XD9SC

04-16-2008, 12:57 PM	#5
ForTehNguyen XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,068	my XD9 service has about 500 rounds through it. Trigger and slide are a lot smoother once its broken in. Yes when it was brand new without a shot fired racking the slide was tough. After some shooting its a lot easier now __________________ XD9 Service Black XD9 Subcompact Black w/ Heine NS AR15 16" Midlength Lancaster AK47 Russian Red Remington 870 12ga Express

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04-17-2008, 01:04 AM	#6
ThePelican XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9	On my XD9SC, The slide release lever requires no attention from me to rack the slide as long there is not an unloaded magazine in place. In fact, I've even held the gun upside-down, and the lever still "drops" into place properly when I pull the slide back. Must be spring loaded or something... XD's are great!