New XD-40 Sub Compact First Trip to Range - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jherrick · 05-06-2008, 01:51 PM

First, thanks for all the welcomes. Great place to drop in.

First time fired XD-40 SC (3" Stainless slide)
60 rounds today. No failures.
Speer Lawman 165 GR TMJ (x40)
Federal Premium 165 GR HST HP (x20)
All shots at 15 YDS, off-hand, 5 shot groups (not rapid fire but also not loitering)
Overall very happy (and actually a bit surprised).

First 5 shots with the Speer ammo were in a 5 inch group @ 4 inches left of point of aim. I was very happy with the first group size and initally assumed the left of center was due to rear sight position. The sight actually looked slightly off center between the notched references on the slide.
Funny thing though as I got used to the gun and settled on a grip and trigger finger postion (fully in the joint) they came into center. Not all groups were that good but several were.
After the first 20 rounds I switched to the HST HP ammo. The first group was ok but 4 inches low. After a few groups the target was torn up around the low center of the 5 ring.
I went back to the Speer again and did pretty well.
Next funny thing, after finishing off the Speer ammo I switched back to the HST and shot two groups with most of them "back in black".
I think the bottom line here was that after establishing my grip & trigger and then putting any ideas of compensation out of my mind, I was able to focus on keeping the sights at POA and it did pretty well.
It's cleaned now and ready for another trip tomorrow (Practice, Practice, Practice).

Some points (most of which you know)
I love the way it takes down. Encourages one to keep it clean.
It seems to be built like a tank.
It's a nice size & weight.
The recoil is not bad at all for a 3" of this cal.
I'm not a marksman but I feel quite comfortable using this as a carry piece. It certainly puts em where ya need em at 15 Yds and it's a heck of a lot easier to carry than my 1911.
As and "aside" It is tough however to fill the mags. Even with the mag-loader (glad it came with that) it's a chore past the 6th one. Then again, I'll get used to it (it's worth it!).
JH

Col Reb · 05-06-2008, 01:57 PM

Congrats on the new purchase. I have .40 service & love it.

LoneOak · 05-06-2008, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jherrick

As and "aside" It is tough however to fill the mags. Even with the mag-loader (glad it came with that) it's a chore past the 6th one. Then again, I'll get used to it (it's worth it!).
JH

You must have office hands if you have trouble loading the mags, especially with the XD mag-loader.

Dig a few ditches and rebuild a couple V8 engines and you will have no problems, what so ever, loading those wimpy little XD magazines.

I've got a pile of them and they nearly always remain loaded.

aspendaddy · 05-06-2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneOak

You must have office hands if you have trouble loading the mags, especially with the XD mag-loader.

Dig a few ditches and rebuild a couple V8 engines and you will have no problems, what so ever, loading those wimpy little XD magazines.

I've got a pile of them and they nearly always remain loaded.

Or you could just use the mags a few times and you'll find that the springs will loosen enough to where you can load them by hand. I picked up a .40 sc last month and am very impressed with it. It's true that the mag spring is initially more challenging than the service or tactical.

jblakk · 05-07-2008, 02:15 AM

get an upLULA. its a mag loader, and its awsome. it will solve that loading thing. Wife and I both have one, cause the last 2 rounds in the 9mm 16 rnd mag are rough. Just ordered my 40sc tonight. Looking forward to getting it.

jherrick · 05-07-2008, 05:48 AM

Thanks for the tips
I'll look into the loader. It's not a problem at the range as I keep them in fives.
Getting them done is not really a big problem it just takes more time and effort than expected compared to my others. The freebee loader (asisstor really) is not the best feature in the package but it helps. On the other hand, I have not had to rush preloading mags. I do like to keep a few on hand.
JH

Ishpeck · 05-07-2008, 06:17 AM

Bah! No pictures!

Phx-XD · 05-07-2008, 08:10 AM

As has been said the mag springs do loosen up after you use them for a bit. At first I found my .40SC mags much tighter than my service's mags, but they are coming around. I grabbed an UpLULA and have never looked back. Definitely worth the money.

05-06-2008, 01:51 PM	#1
jherrick XDTalk Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	New XD-40 Sub Compact First Trip to Range First, thanks for all the welcomes. Great place to drop in. First time fired XD-40 SC (3" Stainless slide) 60 rounds today. No failures. Speer Lawman 165 GR TMJ (x40) Federal Premium 165 GR HST HP (x20) All shots at 15 YDS, off-hand, 5 shot groups (not rapid fire but also not loitering) Overall very happy (and actually a bit surprised). First 5 shots with the Speer ammo were in a 5 inch group @ 4 inches left of point of aim. I was very happy with the first group size and initally assumed the left of center was due to rear sight position. The sight actually looked slightly off center between the notched references on the slide. Funny thing though as I got used to the gun and settled on a grip and trigger finger postion (fully in the joint) they came into center. Not all groups were that good but several were. After the first 20 rounds I switched to the HST HP ammo. The first group was ok but 4 inches low. After a few groups the target was torn up around the low center of the 5 ring. I went back to the Speer again and did pretty well. Next funny thing, after finishing off the Speer ammo I switched back to the HST and shot two groups with most of them "back in black". I think the bottom line here was that after establishing my grip & trigger and then putting any ideas of compensation out of my mind, I was able to focus on keeping the sights at POA and it did pretty well. It's cleaned now and ready for another trip tomorrow (Practice, Practice, Practice). Some points (most of which you know) I love the way it takes down. Encourages one to keep it clean. It seems to be built like a tank. It's a nice size & weight. The recoil is not bad at all for a 3" of this cal. I'm not a marksman but I feel quite comfortable using this as a carry piece. It certainly puts em where ya need em at 15 Yds and it's a heck of a lot easier to carry than my 1911. As and "aside" It is tough however to fill the mags. Even with the mag-loader (glad it came with that) it's a chore past the 6th one. Then again, I'll get used to it (it's worth it!). JH __________________ King B

05-07-2008, 02:15 AM	#5
jblakk XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 451	get an upLULA. its a mag loader, and its awsome. it will solve that loading thing. Wife and I both have one, cause the last 2 rounds in the 9mm 16 rnd mag are rough. Just ordered my 40sc tonight. Looking forward to getting it. __________________ -Everything in Moderation - Including moderation -God didn't make all people equal...Colt did. - Hadalgo Taurus bi-tone PT-111 millenium(9mm) SA XD-9 with Trijicon SA XD-40sc Ruger Secutity-Six 4" Bicentenial model(.357)

05-07-2008, 05:48 AM	#6
jherrick XDTalk Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 30	Thanks for the tips I'll look into the loader. It's not a problem at the range as I keep them in fives. Getting them done is not really a big problem it just takes more time and effort than expected compared to my others. The freebee loader (asisstor really) is not the best feature in the package but it helps. On the other hand, I have not had to rush preloading mags. I do like to keep a few on hand. JH __________________ King B

05-07-2008, 06:17 AM	#7
Ishpeck XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Earth Posts: 3,780	Bah! No pictures! __________________ Fire. Fire is the solution. Politics is ugly. Fire is pretty. Seems like a good trade to me. http://www.ishpeck.net/

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05-06-2008, 01:57 PM	#2
Col Reb XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mississippi Posts: 121	Congrats on the new purchase. I have .40 service & love it.

05-07-2008, 08:10 AM	#8
Phx-XD XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 40	As has been said the mag springs do loosen up after you use them for a bit. At first I found my .40SC mags much tighter than my service's mags, but they are coming around. I grabbed an UpLULA and have never looked back. Definitely worth the money.