Gave up on my HK and got an XD

1565 Views 14 Replies 11 Participants Last post by w0ady, Mar 20, 2011

epsylum

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2005

Hi all.
I just got my first XD today. I traded a slightly used HK USP .45 compact for an XD Tactical 9mm and a boat load of various kinds of ammo for my XD, SIG and Glock.

I have owned 2 USPs and they just don't fit me right. I have tried to like them, but I can't seem to get comfortable with them or shoot them very well. I wanted a Glock 34 (the tactical/practical 9mm) but he wouldn't do a straight trade with me for that. So I felt I would try the next best (or maybe better) thing and try out the XD tactical. I have heard wonderful things about them over on glocktalk (and some bad things, but what do you expect on a glock forum). The only thing people seem to say is that the black finfish isn't the best a rust protection. But, they say that about SIGs and my nitron coated SIG P226 hasn't had any problems yet.

I love the grip shape, possibly more than the glocks. It definately feels good in my hand (which is what I was going for after the USP that didn't fit me at all).

I hope to try it out this weekend. I can't wait. I will also get to try out my friends Glock 35 (what I wanted, but .40 instead of 9mm) so I can see if I made a good decision.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

BigBob68

· #2 · May 3, 2005

Go ahead and get the G34 too. It is a sweet shooter. I am thinking about the G35. I think that you will like your XD Tactical.

Palmetto

· #3 · May 3, 2005

Nice choice. I'm guessing you'll like it. Should be quite accurate as you'll find out.

epsylum

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 3, 2005

BigBob68 said:
Go ahead and get the G34 too. It is a sweet shooter. I am thinking about the G35. I think that you will like your XD Tactical.

Don't worry, I haven't forgtten about it. I still want one.

I have come to the conclusion that compact frames are not me. I handled a G19 before I decided on the XD tac. The second I put my hand on the grip, I knew it wasn't going to work for me. My hand felt jammed up on the grip.

Maybe that's why I love my G21 grip so much.

Shnozzer-xd-9

· #5 · May 3, 2005

Good choice. I'm glad I got my XD over a Glock. Glocks are excellent guns but the XD just fit me much better. I'm also glad that I went with the 9mm rather than the .40 cal. It seems that the .40's have more problems than the 9mm, not that the .40's are bad, but have a slightly higher rate of failures than the 9mm. I have around 800-1000 rounds through mine so far and haven't had a single failure.

As far as stopping power goes, I'm comfortable carrying the 9mm. Afterall, its not the size of the hole that counts, its where you put the hole that matters.

XD-GEEZER

· #6 · May 3, 2005

I think one trip to the range with your new Tactical will erase any doubts on whether you made the right choice or not. I'm very happy with my Tactical in .40. Very reliable and xtremely accurate. I know HK makes a great pistol, but I prefer the XD. No contest, IMO. Same as compared to a Glock. Great guns, but I think the angle on the grip is just not comfortable for a natural point of aim, as the XD is. It would be nice to have one of each, if I could afford it. But I can't, so it's XD for me!

epsylum

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 3, 2005

XD-GEEZER said:
It would be nice to have one of each, if I could afford it.

That's why I do. I already have a glock 21 (full size .45acp) and love it to death. I was just wanting to give the XD a whirl and see if it is for me. Hopefully I don't find out, like with the 2 USPs I have owned, and find they don't work for me.

So far the XD has the USP beat on the controls aspect. USPs have way too big of controls (the slide catch and safety/decocker). Also they have the most rediculous ambi-mag release. At least the XD has a natural button style on both sides. People with big hands need not apply with a USP, unless you like plastic bits poking you in your hand in all the wrong places (that safety is huge and right in the way).

litework

· #8 · May 4, 2005

So far the XD has the USP beat on the controls aspect. USPs have way too big of controls (the slide catch and safety/decocker). Also they have the most rediculous ambi-mag release. At least the XD has a natural button style on both sides. People with big hands need not apply with a USP, unless you like plastic bits poking you in your hand in all the wrong places (that safety is huge and right in the way).

I have very big hands (been able to palm a basketball since I was 14) and find the controls on the USP, especially the safety, to be great. The ambidextrous mag release allows the shooter to eject the magazine without rotating the gun in their hand. Actually, the USP has replaced my XDs as my primary carry gun. I can control the full sized USP in .45 better than the XD service model in any caliber; I've never owned the .45 GAP. To each their own. I love the XD and think this brand pistol is a bargain at just about any price. I own a couple and, with the exception of the awkwardly placed slide release and the unnecessarily large "take down lever" with accompanying ugly cut in the slide, think it's a great carry pistol. I hold the XD pistol in very high regard and can see why a person would choose them over the HK.

See less See more

manygunner

· #9 · May 4, 2005

Did the same thing with my HK P2000. I just could not get used to switching trigger actions between it and my other guns. The XD feels a lot closer to my CZ-75 and makes me happy. The HK was a fine weapon though, would buy it again, got me a 3.51 second time at plates when I was still using it.

epsylum

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 4, 2005

litework said:
So far the XD has the USP beat on the controls aspect. USPs have way too big of controls (the slide catch and safety/decocker). Also they have the most rediculous ambi-mag release. At least the XD has a natural button style on both sides. People with big hands need not apply with a USP, unless you like plastic bits poking you in your hand in all the wrong places (that safety is huge and right in the way).

Click to expand...

I have very big hands (been able to palm a basketball since I was 14) and find the controls on the USP, especially the safety, to be great. The ambidextrous mag release allows the shooter to eject the magazine without rotating the gun in their hand. Actually, the USP has replaced my XDs as my primary carry gun. I can control the full sized USP in .45 better than the XD service model in any caliber; I've never owned the .45 GAP. To each their own. I love the XD and think this brand pistol is a bargain at just about any price. I own a couple and, with the exception of the awkwardly placed slide release and the unnecessarily large "take down lever" with accompanying ugly cut in the slide, think it's a great carry pistol. I hold the XD pistol in very high regard and can see why a person would choose them over the HK.

I employ a "thums high" kind of grip and find the dafety to be right in the way. Don't get me wrong, it is a fine pistol, but for me it left a little more to be desired. I almost wish I hadn't traded it now, but I am sure that feeling will change after I shoot the XD. Besides, I found out I really hate compact frames.. So it wasn't going to work for me anyways. At least I can hide full frame guns (if I can conceal a G21, I can conceal almost anything).

Brickboy240

· #11 · May 4, 2005

Yeah, those Hk USPs don't fit me well either. They're too long in the grip from front to back. I guess you need huge hands to enjoy those things.

The XD, CZ-75 and Hi-Power have the best grips, IMHO.

-Brickboy240

epsylum

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 4, 2005

Brickboy240 said:
Yeah, those Hk USPs don't fit me well either. They're too long in the grip from front to back. I guess you need huge hands to enjoy those things.

The XD, CZ-75 and Hi-Power have the best grips, IMHO.

-Brickboy240

I love the grip shape of the CZ 75. I would have bought one fo those instead of the XD if they had one. Nothing against the XD, just I have been wanting a CZ-75 for a while now.

NABB

· #13 · May 4, 2005

As far as your SIG p226 goes you wont have any problems it, this we know. 8) Enjoy your XD!!!

gonzo

· #14 · May 5, 2005

Ah, those sensible Hoosiers! I love my XD. But my Sig226 is probably my favorite. And the G17 is nice, too! No blind brand loyalty here! Just sampling from some of the best offerings!

I prefer the XD grip angle to the Glock's, and find it much more comfortable. I like the grip safety. No rust problems here at all, but I've read enough to be cautious, so I use Eezox (I like it, and it seems to work, but several other brands would suffice, I am sure) and pay attention to wiping it down after handling it. My hunch is some XD's are better than others, and I was not one of the unlucky ones, but one never knows. Two years with no rust, so I'm fine with it.

Hope you really enjoy your new addition. Bought locally or via the net? And can Reggie beat the Celtics? And do you miss Galyan's as much as I do? Ahhhhh... Galyan's

See less See more

w0ady

· #15 · Mar 20, 2011

hello 2005.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.