First, welcome to the forum...

As for all the rest, for me, except for sometimes night sights, I tend to go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!".
At the very least, I would give the stock trigger, (and the rest of the gun as well) a couple of thousand rounds to get well broken in before doing any kind of "improvements". You may find you don't need it.

As for the ported barrel, my advice is; just sit down till that thought goes away...Otherwise, enjoy your new XD and our forum.

 

First, welcome to the forum...

As for all the rest, for me, except for sometimes night sights, I tend to go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!".
At the very least, I would give the stock trigger, (and the rest of the gun as well) a couple of thousand rounds to get well broken in before doing any kind of "improvements". You may find you don't need it.

As for the ported barrel, my advice is; just sit down till that thought goes away...Otherwise, enjoy your new XD and our forum.

I agree, don't jump into anything.

 

Welcome to the forum.

There certainly are various good modifications that can be made to your XD, and several of the vendors that supply them are sponsors of this forum. That having been said, I would concur with the advice to get considerable rounds downrange before entertaining any ideas of making changes - just because you can. The trigger and working mechanism of the firearm will smooth out with use.

I don't utilize a light, and certainly wouldn't carry with one attached.

If you decide on a SuperTuck, specify the XD service size and it will function well with the subcompact, too. I use the SuperTuck with my XD-40 service and recommend it.

Forget about the ported barrel.

You might search the forum regarding the use of TFOs. There are mixed reviews on them, with the biggest complaint being the tendency of the fiber optic to dislodge from its mount.

City of Atlanta + parking garage = need for self defense. Laws pertaining to handgun carry in the state of Georgia are in a state of flux at the present time, so stay current with what's going on in that regard. SBs 308 and 291 recently passed by the legislature are awaiting the governor's signature, and will change things considerably if/when enacted.

 

Wow, you've obviously put a lot of thought and effort into this. There's alot of stuff here already on the XDTalk site that will help you make your decision. Nothing being asked here is "new" but I'm not one of those flamers that say "OMG learn to search!?!!?" I actually like posting on the forums and interacting with each other... and since there are literally too many posts on this forum to ever read in your lifetime...(I exaggerate... a little) I'll try and answer as best I can.

XD40 Service -

1 - Depends on the person, but a trigger job will enhance your ability to fire the weapon accurately. It's something I'd only do after you've fired off 500 or so rounds. If you're already accurate with the weapon, a trigger job isn't going to do much for you. I happen to like the stock trigger on mine, but that's not to say I won't upgrade at some point in the future when I have some "spare cash." But for now I didn't upgrade mine.

2 - YES. Don't let local yahoo's touch your weapon. They'll do much more damage than good. Check our site sponsors. They will easily be able to do any specialized work you need done.

3 - Haven't replaced the guide rod in mine. I see this as more of an "aesthetic" upgrade than a functional one. Of course only my opinion. The stock guide rod will function just fine for 1000's of round down range. I don't see a need to upgrade.

4 - I'm against ported barrels for Carry/Defensive handguns. They're fine for competition, but a functional weapon is best kept simple. Spend the money on rounds to enhance your ability to use the weapon.

XD40SC

This was my first XD purchase. I love it. I highly suggest you find a range and rent one before buying though. Some people are disappointed by the amount of muzzle flip in the 40SC. Due to the shorter barrel, there's just less mass on the front end of the hand gun. So it tends to jump higher into the air. And it takes some time to learn how to "tame" it. Some people never do learn how to. You could post where you're from and see if anyone lived nearby you and would let you try one out as well. Most of the guys here see putting more rounds through the barrel as "enhancing" their weapon, and have absolutely no issues with hanging out and shooting guns.

1 - The Galco Miami Classic I or II is a really nice shoulder rig. I don't own one, but I've checked them out at the shows(most recently the NRA Convention) and if I ever feel the need to get one, that's the holster I'd buy. You can get one custom made from a leather shop, but you'd easily pay 2x to 3x as much. And Galco makes some damn fine holsters.

2 - No real input to give on tac lights. I haven't made that jump yet. I highly doubt I'll ever put one on my "carry" weapon. But I may end up getting one for my XDm 4.5"

3 - TFO's are a big resounding "YES" in my opinion. Love mine, it was the first upgrade I did.

In closing: In my opinion... After you upgrade the sights and get a decent holster, the XD is perfectly carryable. As is. More rounds, more training time, and possibly that xmas gift trigger job are the best upgrades you can give yourself.

For example(and to interject some humor into an otherwise dull and colorless post)

In my opinion this would NOT be a good use of money for a personal carry weapon.

Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18

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Ski thank you for your input and reply.. I have already shot the XD40sc and jesus I love it!

And rather than advising me to shoot more I was hoping you guys would just answer the questions I asked. I didn't say I was jumping to doing all these upgrades. I have already put about 400 rounds through her in my first week and a half, and I do not plan on doing any modifications until I have the money.... Which I currently don't. So rather than telling me to practice more (which I agree with and understand), which I'm already doing, I was hoping for answers instead.

Again not planning on doing anything to the firearm now, I was asking for future reference... Especially concerning the barrel, polishing, and trigger job. I play competitive pump paintball and am very aware that you need to know your "weapon" above all else... I'm here to get input and read regarding things I hope to do in the future.. Never said I was doing this stuff before I shoot or learn my gun guys...

And the ported idea has been banished, as it was almost immediately after hearing it... I guess I'm just curious as to the option of replacing the barrel later on in the firearms life.

I don't think I will be putting a tac light on my carry, doesn't make much sense. I was really just entertaining the thought due to the nature of my work.

I live in Marietta, outside of Atlanta... Thanks again Ski and Treehugger, as I said I am planning on continuing to practice and "enhance" my firearm by shooting it as much as possible. These questions are for future reference, as well as trying to figure out some gift ideas (the girlfriend wants to buy me a holster for the gun haha)

Sorry again for the lack of search, but doing this from my phone makes searching a bitch.

 

No to a new barrel. Mine is just fine after a couple thousand rounds and it still hits where ever I point it. Use the $ for ammo.
IMHO extra money for night sights is a waste too. For HD and carry, any fight will be close range.
Surefire is the light of choice. Separation of light and gun is better in a defensive situation. Instant on button better than always on.
Spend the money on training.

 

Welcome from Central Florida.

 

For example(and to interject some humor into an otherwise dull and colorless post)

In my opinion this would NOT be a good use of money for a personal carry weapon.

Sensitive content, not recommended for those under 18

Show Content

Come on now that Taurus is a good back up for that little knife.

 

I got the factory trigger carry job and its was great, night sights are nice and the supertuck

 

Picked up a 20rd mag, my Xd SC .40, and some other odds and ends at the gun show today! Got the Subcompact brand new with two mags and a extender for $405.00 out the door.

Okay so barrel is a complete no, I'll find someone reliable to do a polishing and then eventually have a carry job done on the trigger I assume. I'll do some research, but if anyone can point me in a direction of a reliable gunsmith in the Southeast area for a future trigger and polishing job I would appreciate it. The crazy old dude at the range said I should expect to pay at least $300.00 for a decent carry job and internal polish... That's pretty pricey heh.

I figured surefire was really the only choice, and since I don't want a laser I went with the x300... Now I just need to find the grip finger light toggle for cheap so I can simplify using it. I'd prefer not to be walking around broadcasting my location if it ever comes down to me having to use it.

I wish I had somewhere to go try on some quality shoulder holsters for my XDsc, but there really isn't anything I've run into in my area.

Got a two hour slot at my range tomorrow, plenty of ammo, and another new firearm to enjoy from Springfield... So I'll continue putting rounds down range and working with my guns.

 

I've had my XD40 for about a year now. It shoots extremely well fully stock. I am considering night sights, not sure on a trigger job. I have not had any issues with the standard trigger. Also considering a Crimson Trace instead of night sigts.

As other have said, forgot you ever heard of a ported barrel.

 

The TLR-1s or the WX-150 are great lights as an add on