XD Talk

**Deer Slayer** · 07-15-2012, 12:17 AM

A good friend of mine asked me to take him gun shopping today. How can I refuse a chance to go to multiple gun shops and drool all over the counters?!?! So we headed down to the Detroit suburbs, they have some better deals down that way. Ended up at Firing Line Indoor Gun Range and Gun Shop on the advise from another friend of mine . I left my buddy to talk to a really patient, and polite employee that was willing to put up with him fondling multiple guns, and asking a bunch of questions. What do I see on the shelf, TANNERITE! I got a 1lb container for $8, my neighbor set off a half pound, and it was pretty dang loud.

So, my buddy keeps calling me over for opinions on various guns, and finally settled on a Ruger SR40c with a stainless slide for a bit over $400. It's his first handgun, though he's been shooting with me quite a bit. I liked it, has good reviews, and he liked the shiny stainless slide

. Picked up some speer gold dots for it so he has some defensive rounds for it while we were there.

Then we went to wallyworld, got 300 rds of federal in 100 rd packs for under $100, which was a pretty good deal I thought. I got another 550 rd bulk pack of federal of .22.

Got home, and started reading the manual, and trying to field strip it. Apparently it has the same issue as the XD, where if you get the guide rod crooked, it's difficult to get the slide off. Somehow, either it was assembled wrong, or more likely, given how flimsy the guide rod is, it slipped out of place, and was causing the slide to hang up unable to be removed, or locked back. Only had about 1/2" of movement to work with to tinker. Finally after a half hour of farting with it, I managed to get the slide off by using my thumb to push down on the part of the guide rod sticking out of the end of the slide to get it free. Not impressed by that guide rod at all, I can see it flex as I put it back in!

Also read that if you dry fire WITHOUT a magazine, you can damage the gun. I don't know what to say, that's just retarded. Never been a fan of magazine disconnects, but this implementation of it is especially stupid.

Then there's the mag loader, this thing is epic fail! If you try to use it to insert the first round in the magazine, it causes the follower to flip up nose first, and get stuck! If you try to use it to load the second round, the first round comes flipping out of the mag, and lands on the floor! We both gave up on it after a few attempts.

I really hope I didn't steer my buddy wrong on his selection, hopefully the gun functions well tomorrow! I tried to talk him into an XDSC, but he didn't like it for a few reasons.

**Rustynuts** · 07-15-2012, 07:01 AM

Man up and load your mags like a man (or bring one of your kids along and let them do it!).

JackDani · 07-15-2012, 09:09 AM

john_bud · 07-15-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deer Slayer

So, my buddy keeps calling me over for opinions on various guns, and finally settled on a Ruger SR40c with a stainless slide for a bit over $400. It's his first handgun, though he's been shooting with me quite a bit. I liked it, has good reviews, and he liked the shiny stainless slide

. Picked up some speer gold dots for it so he has some defensive rounds for it while we were there.

Got home, and started reading the manual, and trying to field strip it. Apparently it has the same issue as the XD, where if you get the guide rod crooked, it's difficult to get the slide off. Somehow, either it was assembled wrong, or more likely, given how flimsy the guide rod is, it slipped out of place, and was causing the slide to hang up unable to be removed, or locked back. Only had about 1/2" of movement to work with to tinker. Finally after a half hour of farting with it, I managed to get the slide off by using my thumb to push down on the part of the guide rod sticking out of the end of the slide to get it free. Not impressed by that guide rod at all, I can see it flex as I put it back in!

Also read that if you dry fire WITHOUT a magazine, you can damage the gun. I don't know what to say, that's just retarded. Never been a fan of magazine disconnects, but this implementation of it is especially stupid.

Then there's the mag loader, this thing is epic fail! If you try to use it to insert the first round in the magazine, it causes the follower to flip up nose first, and get stuck! If you try to use it to load the second round, the first round comes flipping out of the mag, and lands on the floor! We both gave up on it after a few attempts.

I really hope I didn't steer my buddy wrong on his selection, hopefully the gun functions well tomorrow! I tried to talk him into an XDSC, but he didn't like it for a few reasons.

The gun will probably function, but it will never be a XD.... Maybe you should have tried harder on that XDsc?

petyweestraw · 07-15-2012, 11:20 AM

I say he did fine. I've rented the sr9 and sr40 at my local range a few times. I like them a lot with no problems . I just not hugely fond of the tiny sites. But for the most part I really like them. I also own a xd40sc .

When life gives you lemons .... take them. Free **** is cool.

**Deer Slayer** · 07-15-2012, 01:00 PM

Well, after getting used to the trigger, and weird safety features, it's an OK gun. LIKE the trigger, crisp, no creep, and fairly light pull. Though it took a bit to get used to, but once I did, I was right on the money.

My buddy, while trying to figure out the trigger, and the sights, shot the hanger washer off one of my steels! I welded another back on it though.

Figured out the mag loader, had to bend the hook a bit. That, and you have to push forward on it with your thumb.

Going to shoot more later, but so far, it's 100% reliable for the first 100 rds.

petyweestraw · 07-15-2012, 01:16 PM

Think that trigger took a bit to learn. Try a s&w sv40 . Buddy got one Cus it was cheap. Thing has looks a 20lb pull. Was hard to hit anything at first. Gonna see what I can do to lighten it up. I was looking at a 9mm to beat on but that trigger is a deal breaker for me.

When life gives you lemons .... take them. Free **** is cool.

**Deer Slayer** · 07-15-2012, 05:40 PM

So, my neighbor heard us shooting, and came over. I was shooting up the rest of the golden bullets with my SR22, and opened up the second box of .40 ammo. We backed up to 35 yds just for the halibut, and were both hitting pretty consistently. Neighbor hit a few times from that distance too. Then we moved up so he could get a better feel for the guns.

Had MY first jam with the sr22. Golden bullet wouldn't go all the way into the chamber, definite ammo problem. No hickups for the SR40c though.

OKcherokee · 07-15-2012, 05:45 PM

Good purchases for you both.

My wife wants an SR9c.
I keep telling her to quit putting it off and just buy it already. (then I wouldn't feel bad about buying another gun for myself)

petyweestraw · 07-15-2012, 06:03 PM

Yeah my wife is eyeballing a Taurus 38special. Composite ? Such seems odd on a wheel gun but I know nothing about them. Was $300. Anyone got the skinny?

When life gives you lemons .... take them. Free **** is cool.