[brock]

Hello everyone i am somewhat new here, i have been reading for a little over 2 months but for some reason i could never get my account setup until i switched email addresses it was being sent to. regaurdless...

Ok i recently purchased a XD 9mm Tactical, which quickly became my favorite gun so far. And before i look like a complete idiot This is my first handgun that i actually own, so just trying to get some stuff figured out.

My question is about upgrades, what everyone thinks it the most important and in what order. I am putting in my order for a dons guide rod and a #16 and a #22 spring everyone seems to like one extreem or the other so i figured i would try both.

Next barrels...
1.)Springfield said they would reset? my factory barrel and fit it for $90 dollars and it should be 1-1.5 inch group at 25 yards

2.) spring field said they would custom fit a match grade competition barrel to my gun and it would be probably 1" groups at 25 yards or less but cost was $250

I think they were using a barsto barrel i'm sure some of you know what they use. So my question is whats worth it, getting a drop in barsto, getting springfield to set it up with a barsto, getting the factory one fitted or some other option i haven't even thought of like sending it to barsto?

Next question,
trigger,
to change the # of pull it was like 75 dollars est i forget
OR they would do the travel and everything for 175. Whats everyones feelings on all of this.

I heard some talk of a couple shops you could send them to and have work done, who does everyone recommend and whats the cost? and turn around time.

Thanks again everyone this is just things that i have been thinking about for awhile now. I am probably going to have the money to do one thing to it for around 200 so it the barrela bigger difference or the trigger?

 

[Old School]

Good move on the springs. As for the mentioned groups, are you capable of such accuracy? I ask because most guns, stock, are more accurate then the shooter and I haven't found much of a need for getting the barrel refitted. I would spend the money on the trigger job.

As for the trigger, I consider it the greatest of mods. I say that, because it is the one mod that will give you the most drastic results-including accuracy. Talk to Rich at Canyon Creek. Rich's triggers are second to none, including the SACS.

Old School

 

[Tango Sierra]

Talk to Rich at Canyon Creek. Rich's triggers are second to none, including the SACS.

And a much faster turn around time. Days instead of months.

 

[hobocircus]

Since this is your first handgun, I would suggest you get better with it. Learn all you can about being safe, know how to take it apart and clean it, learn more about being safe, shoot it often and learn to be safe.

Knowledge is king here, so learn about guns and how they work. Shoot often and don't worry about paying $90 for some "magic" potion that will have you shooting 1" groups at 25 yards.

You can give me a $3,000 sniper rifle, but it sure doesn't make me a professional sniper.

Put me behind the wheel of a stock car and see how I do at the next Winston cup race.........

Have fun, be safe, learn alot and don't worry about the littte stuff.

 

[manygunner]

Hmm, before you blow any money.

1) Do NOT buy Don's rod for a XD tactical, it is unneccessary, the weapon already comes with a full lenght guide rod that is perfectly functional (I know, I have one). Also Springfield advises for the XD tactical to use standard 5" 1911 springs in the 19 Lbs range. I find this quite suitable for my shooting. The brass kicks out about 2 feet only. Recoil is quite manageable on the tactical with this.

2) Do not bother with expensive barrel and trigger upgrades at your level of shooting. If this is your first gun you will not be able to group 1.5" or better at 25 yards for a long time, no matter what trigger or barrel you have. It is not the gun in this case, it is the shooter. One must first master the skill before the equipment can enhance the performance to that level. And I am not trying to dis you, my first shots looked like a shotgun hit the target at 5 yards before I learned proper technique. Spend the money on good trainer/lesson and ammo to practice, it will help you shoot better then any mods.

Just my $0.02. You can take it or leave it.

 

[Brasso]

I like my guns stock. Usually the only things I change are cosmetic. I agree with the others that you should shoot it for a while before doing any mods. Only then will you really know what you want.

 

[RicochetJim]

IMHO, there is no need to upgrade anything unless you are going for competition target shooting. But some folks just can't help themselves, so to each his own. Just my $0.02. :mrgreen:

 

[Old School]

The stock XD is excellent. I agree with Jim about the competition thing, however the travel and the reset are long, but no awful.

Bottom line, love your XD as the "lord" made it and enjoy what it has to offer. If you feel the need, a little nip & tuck will make it that much better.

 

[R/T Performance]

Rich's trigger 135plus shipping around a week total turn around my will be thier this week I hope

 

[brock]

First off you guys rock, really good input and really fast.

So far i have about 1200 rounds through it mostly winchester white box.. which leaves me with another question about bullets but more about that later.

Well lets start with this then i have no idea whats good for accuracy of the shooter..(me). I have been shooting at 10 and 15 yards i tried 25 my first day out but thats another story.

At 10 yards yesterday the best i was able to do was about a 3-4" inch group, and by the last two clips i had 4 of 10 bullets inside of a 1" red circle, AT 10 Yards though, at 15 yards i was keeping it in about 6-8" circle. I couldn't help but think if the gun is inaccurate at 25 yards by 3" then at 10-15yards it could be off a inch... Bad logic i'm sure but still what i'm stuck thinking.

As for me, i know i need alot more practice because i'm inconsistant, I can have on clip like i said i get 4 out of 10 inside a 1" circle and complete group inside 3-4" inches then the next i will have a 6-8" group and be missing one bullet off the paper. :lol:

Now for competition.. i manage a network at a police dept that has couple officers who are really into target shooting and the range master wants me to start shooting with them in some mild competitions they do, so i would like to get into some competition with them and also try my luck at some local events here...IF i can find some.... so i'm not really sure what direction to go with upgrades, i personaly think the trigger may be my first upgrade i think when i pull the trigger i am moving the gun because of how i pull the trigger and the current setup.

Also this maybe completly wrong but it seems to me i do better with 124 grain WWC or Remington hollow point UMC 115's Then with WWC 115's or Remington 115 FMJ.. Its almost like i do better when the gun kicks harder. What everyones feelings on this? what do you guys shoot?

Ok and whats this about the springs and Guide rods, i was putting in my order this morning and caught someone saying i shouldn't .. What should i get then ? i was going for a guide rod and a 16 and a 22 i will wait now until i hear what you guys recommend.

What does trigger work from Rich cost and how to i get ahold of him? whats the website? And what all does he change?

Sorry to write so much but this is just everything running through my mind i have been trying to find answers for.

 

[Old School]

You can find some basic information out here: http://www.pistol-gear.com/pistolsmith.php

The best thing to do is call Rich and let him know your needs. Rich will point you in the right direction. Best of luck to you!

Old School

 

[HVAC-TEK]

Very good questions. The deal with the rods. Guide rods for the service and compact XD are very different from your tactical models guide rod. These guide rods are piston like double spring monstrosities designed to make "In the field" cleaning or field stripping dummy proof. As with everything else, the more complex an object, the more chance of breaking or failure. Those who carry for protection change these out for piece of mind with a dons guide rod. Dons basically upgrade the piston guide rods to your type of rod.

Second, you committed a mortal sin of using the C word. The Terminology Nazi’s correct and ridicules anyone foolish enough to call a magazine a clip. It sounds silly, but these peoples sole purpose in life seems to be sitting by there computer dreaming of the day someone unwittingly utters the word CLIP, and then they pounce like rabid dogs. Obviously sexually stunted or shunned people.

Lastly, I recommend some good training. What you learn first follows you through life. Bad habits learned early are very hard to break so learn correctly the first time and focus on grip and trigger control.

Take it form me, a gun is not an erector set. It is a gun. Do not modify, tweak, polish, change or otherwise screw with your XD because eventually you will mess it up. I hate having to sit here and listen to some fool wine that Springfield makes garbage, only to find out half of the parts in his gun are aftermarket made in china junk. If it works, leave it. If it doesn’t work, send it back for repair.

AND WELCOME TO OUR FORUM

KIM
:wink:

 

[Olgord]

It sounds like you've got some money burnin' a hole in your pocket. :wink: If that's the case, have Rich at Canyon Creek do the trigger work. He did my XD40 Service and it is absolutely fantastic. Pretravel and overtravel reduced two thirds and reset shortened. Trigger pull set at four pounds for the occasionally carry. You can go as low as two for comp. but nothing less than four to use as carry. Give Rich a call. You will not regret it.

Just my opinion.

Olgord

 

[therooster]

:taking on the role of a Terminology Nazi’s:

Lastly

lastly is not a word :twisted: :wink:


www.dictionary.com

 

[manygunner]

Ok and whats this about the springs and Guide rods, i was putting in my order this morning and caught someone saying i shouldn't .. What should i get then ? i was going for a guide rod and a 16 and a 22 i will wait now until i hear what you guys recommend.

Do not bother with getting a guide rod for the tactical. It comes with a decent one. All respect to Don (I have one of your rods in my XD-9 Service), but the rods he would make for the tactical would not do much to improve its function. As far as springs go, I called Springfield and was advised that the stock spring is the same size as a 5" 1911 uses and should be rated at 19 Lbs. If you decide to change it out for heavier/lighter springs you could end up with timing problems and recoil issues. I am sticking with factory stock on my Xd-9 Tactical for the moment and it works for me. I am condidering using one of Don's washers to protect my slide when I change sprigns the first time. I already tested it and it is a good fit with the stock guide rod that came with the tactical.

What does trigger work from Rich cost and how to i get ahold of him? whats the website? And what all does he change?

I would not bother with this at this time either. Go shoot some more with your police buddies. Then when you get consistent and can put everything into a 1 1/2" at 10 to 15 yards you can start thinking about this mod. Right now I think it is not a good expenditure of your money, buy ammo instead. Lots and lots of ammo. I shoot at least 2000 rounds per month (more in months with an R ) as it is the only way to stay in practice and get better. I shoot my gun stock and it shoots just fine.

 

[brock]

Thanks everyone i think your right, i am going to focus on practice i have been going out once a week with it but i haven't really gotten to shoot with anyone who is really good or has had formal training i am hoping to start shooting with the dept i work with soon but who know when the next time there gonna go.

However this sat i am enrolled in a CCW class with a NRA instructer i am really looking forward to any input he has as far as what i'm doing wrong and how to get better.

Also Ammo whats everyone shoot WWB in 115 or 124 and whats the difference in how it shoots?

Alright i'm not sure if i should start another question on this thread so i'm probably going to post a new topic about Cleaning because i also have questions there and i can't seem to find a thread with a step by step kinda deal and whats important and how often it should be cleaned.

Any tips on how to shoot, should i have one eye open or two, if i'm right handed should i be shooting with right hand and using right eye?

With a rifle i shoot right eye right hand... handgun its a different story i find myself trying to both ways...

How about stance and grip?

Keep in mind i have had no training and only had freinds who have been shooting longer kinda giving me tips.

Thanks again everyone this is by far one of the most active and best quality forums i have ever been on keep up the good work everyone!

 

[therooster]

there have been whole books written on all your questions

to answer your questions thoroughly would take a hell of a lot of writing. the best thing to do is get with someone personaly that knows all this, that way you can see how its done and not just read about it.

 

[1911WB]

I think a reasonably light, crisp trigger pull is one of the most important things that are conducive to shooting accurately. Of course, it is even more important that you are practicing good shooting habits- not bad ones. That is correct pistol hold, proper stance, proper trigger technique, correct breathing, etc. Still the pistols I have with good triggers tend to give me better accuracy than the ones with not so good triggers. The XD's trigger isn't bad, but it could be a lot better with an artist's touch.

 

[j2fast]

As far as cleaning goes if you haven't already posted another thread do a search this topic has been covered before and there's some good info out there.

As far as technique goes (stance, grip, etc.) on top of what you can find here there is also a great deal of good information at http://www.brianenos.com/forums , Brian Enos is a semi retired Grand Master shooter who runs the site. This is one of the biggest forums related to competition shooting (USPSA/IPSC) and the folks there are extremely helpful just like the people here. Many top pros frequent the forums and offer their input on quesitons from time to time.

On the mods front a lot of good info has already been posted in this thread. I'll just add that I've been shooting my XD-40 Tactical in USPSA matches this year basically stock and not doing to bad if I say so myself (just one little glitch, see BE forums). Probably the only thing I will do this year is send my gun to Rich for a trigger job.

 

[cozy338]

Brock --

I'm with the guys that say "practice, practice, practice". My XD is new and will stay box stock until I am totally comfortable with it. That said, I do have some ideas as to the mods I will most likely do, but they will wait until I'm completely comfortable with the gun.

As you seem to be a new shooter, do not put a time limit on yourself regarding comfort or results. It will come in good time, practice. Get some Snap-Caps so you can do dry fire practice too..it all helps. If nothing else it makes handling the gun more comfortable.

Regarding which eye to use...well, that will depend on eye dominance or, in my case, possibly vision correction. I am right eye dominant but wear monovision contact lenses (left eye close focus, right eye distant) and this makes me use my left eye in order to focus on the front sight. No big deal, I just open my shooting stance a bit by moving my leading foot (left, as I shoot right handed) a bit out & back and my gun naturally moves a bit to the left, almost in line with my left eye. I also make sure I practice using my right eye (fuzzy sights, clear target) and both eyes open also. Prepare & practice for all possibilities.

One more thing, do you have or have access to a .22 autoloader?? I would recommend a Ruger 22/45 as it has basically the same grip angle....a 22 is cheap to shoot and you don't have to deal with recoil while practicing the basics...and basics are basics, no matter what you shoot.

But most important....HAVE FUN!!!!!!!