Questions about some XD-45 Tactical mods

[Uncle Giggles]

There are several goodies I've been wanting for my XD-45 Tactical, and I have several questions about them that hopefully somone here can answer.

Dawson Adjustable Sight Set
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=11DPA

1) What's the difference between .100 Optic Front and .125 Optic Front and which one should I get?

2) What is a ballpark price on having a gunsmith install these?

3) Will this interfere with my ability to holster the gun?


Canyon Creek Mag Release Button
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=26CCA

1) Should I get a gunsmith to install this or should I be able to do it myself?


Canyon Creek Tungsten Guide Rod for XD45ACP
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=01CCA

1) Can I install this or do I need a gunsmith? Ballpark price for install?

2) Should I get the 16#, 18.5#, or 20# spring with the kit? Or should I just use my stock spring?

3) What is the advantage of changing spring tension?


Trigger Upgrade Kit
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=05SSA

1) Can I install this or do I need a gunsmith? Ballpark price for install?


I know this is a lot of information to cover, but I'd really appreciate some answers. I'm really getting into my XD and I'd like it to be one sweet tricked-out pistol. Also, if anyone would like to recommend a better alternative to one of the items I've listed here, or even recommend some additional gadgets that I should invest in, please feel free to do so.

Thanks in advance folks.

[xd4life]

Originally Posted by Uncle Giggles

There are several goodies I've been wanting for my XD-45 Tactical, and I have several questions about them that hopefully somone here can answer.

Dawson Adjustable Sight Set
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=11DPA

1) What's the difference between .100 Optic Front and .125 Optic Front and which one should I get?

2) What is a ballpark price on having a gunsmith install these?

3) Will this interfere with my ability to holster the gun?

I think that it is the height of the sight, It should match your rear sight

as far as interference, you probably wont have a problem

Canyon Creek Mag Release Button
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=26CCA

1) Should I get a gunsmith to install this or should I be able to do it myself?


Canyon Creek Tungsten Guide Rod for XD45ACP
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=01CCA

1) Can I install this or do I need a gunsmith? Ballpark price for install?

2) Should I get the 16#, 18.5#, or 20# spring with the kit? Or should I just use my stock spring?

3) What is the advantage of changing spring tension?

The tungsten is a little heavier, the spring weight I use is 18 and 20, Usually 18 in IPSC. The advantage is muzzle flip and you can install it yourself, Your stock spring is replaced, but keep it for backup

Trigger Upgrade Kit
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=05SSA

1) Can I install this or do I need a gunsmith? Ballpark price for install?


I know this is a lot of information to cover, but I'd really appreciate some answers. I'm really getting into my XD and I'd like it to be one sweet tricked-out pistol. Also, if anyone would like to recommend a better alternative to one of the items I've listed here, or even recommend some additional gadgets that I should invest in, please feel free to do so.

Thanks in advance folks.

You could put it in if yo know how your gun comes apart and goes back together and are comfortable with takeing it down that far, It's not all hard, You may want to polish the new sear, But I hear it is not needed.

[XD9Sub]

Great questions. Hope you get some answers, my Compact Tactical awaits the results

[deepdiver]

XD4Life skipped over the mag release question so I'll chime in. There is a video on pistolgear.com that shows how to install the mag release (as well as the guide rod) http://www.pistolgear.com/tutorials.php .

It looks pretty easy, however, I have not yet done it. If you have someone else install the trigger upgrade kit it would be easy to have this installed at the same time.

[Uncle Giggles]

Originally Posted by XD9Sub

Great questions. Hope you get some answers, my Compact Tactical awaits the results

Oh I see, letting me be the guinea pig, eh?

Originally Posted by deepdiver

XD4Life skipped over the mag release question so I'll chime in. There is a video on pistolgear.com that shows how to install the mag release (as well as the guide rod) http://www.pistolgear.com/tutorials.php .

It looks pretty easy, however, I have not yet done it. If you have someone else install the trigger upgrade kit it would be easy to have this installed at the same time.

Seems easy enough. Thanks!

[CharlieHo]

Originally Posted by Uncle Giggles

What's the difference between .100 Optic Front and .125 Optic Front and which one should I get?

Actually, I believe that is the diameter of the front bead

[Hooz]

Originally Posted by Uncle Giggles

There are several goodies I've been wanting for my XD-45 Tactical, and I have several questions about them that hopefully somone here can answer.

Dawson Adjustable Sight Set
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=11DPA

1) What's the difference between .100 Optic Front and .125 Optic Front and which one should I get?

2) What is a ballpark price on having a gunsmith install these?

3) Will this interfere with my ability to holster the gun?


Canyon Creek Mag Release Button
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=26CCA

1) Should I get a gunsmith to install this or should I be able to do it myself?


Canyon Creek Tungsten Guide Rod for XD45ACP
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=01CCA

1) Can I install this or do I need a gunsmith? Ballpark price for install?

2) Should I get the 16#, 18.5#, or 20# spring with the kit? Or should I just use my stock spring?

3) What is the advantage of changing spring tension?


Trigger Upgrade Kit
Link - http://www.pistolgear.com/proddetail.php?prod=05SSA

1) Can I install this or do I need a gunsmith? Ballpark price for install?


I know this is a lot of information to cover, but I'd really appreciate some answers. I'm really getting into my XD and I'd like it to be one sweet tricked-out pistol. Also, if anyone would like to recommend a better alternative to one of the items I've listed here, or even recommend some additional gadgets that I should invest in, please feel free to do so.

Thanks in advance folks.

Dawson Sights:

1. It is the width of the front sight. It's all personal preference on how much space you want on either side of the front sight when aligning it in the rear sight notch. I have the .100" on all my guns.

2. $30-50 and it's worth every penny. I would urge you to go to someone who knows what they're doing, though. The XD's front sight can be a bit tricky.

3. No.

Canyon Creek Mag Release Button:

1. Get a brass punch that fits and follow the tutorial on PistolGear. It should take you about 5 minutes.

Canyon Creek Guide Rod:

1. If you can field-strip your XD, you can install the rod in about 30 seconds.

2. I'd stick close to the factory weight to get started (18-20# ??).

3. You can custom tailor spring weights to your load to adjust the way the gun recoils and the action cycles. Heavier springs for hotter loads, lighter springs for "bunny-fart" loads.

Trigger Upgrade Kit

1. That all depends on how comfortable you are with taking apart your XD. There is a good tutorial on XD-HS2000.com, and it really isn't any more involved than (halfway) detail stripping the frame and reinstalling with the new parts. If you're not comfortable doing that, take it or send it off to a 'smith.

As a side note, If you're sending it to a 'smith, I'd skip the parts kit and have them do a "real" trigger-job instead. The ONLY two gunsmiths I would recommend for XD work are Springer Precision and Canyon Creek. Period.

[Uncle Giggles]

Thanks Hooz, seems like I can definitely do the mag release and guide rod myself since I'm definitely familiar with field stripping my XD. For the rest of the work I want done I'll send the gun off to Springer Precision.

[jevonniespapi]

post a pic of the gun!

[Uncle Giggles]

Originally Posted by jevonniespapi

post a pic of the gun!

That's on the top if my list if only I had my DigiCam ...