Springfield XD


bfletch7441

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Shot my new XD40-SC last weekend and loved it! Thanks to all for the suggestions, especially HarvDog for holster and ammo tips in his last response.

Anyone else have a preference for "trust your life on it" self defense ammo? I'm looking at Federal Hydra-Shok as suggested by HarvDog, and also at Hornady TAP. Any experiences with one or both, good or bad? My practice rounds are from a Remington UMC Mega Pack, 250rds of 180gr, and I'm wondering what Fed H-S or TAP would get me beyond the cheapo UMC ammo.

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Shot my new XD40-SC last weekend and loved it! Thanks to all for the suggestions, especially HarvDog for holster and ammo tips in his last response.

Anyone else have a preference for "trust your life on it" self defense ammo? I'm looking at Federal Hydra-Shok as suggested by HarvDog, and also at Hornady TAP. Any experiences with one or both, good or bad? My practice rounds are from a Remington UMC Mega Pack, 250rds of 180gr, and I'm wondering what Fed H-S or TAP would get me beyond the cheapo UMC ammo.

I would actually like to hear what folks have to say about Hornady TAP as well. I have seen it advertised and talked about on various shooting programs quite a bit.

Also, in terms of practice ammo, I just go with the Winchester Whitebox. Wally World always has great prices on boxes of 100 rounds.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I bought a Smith M&P40,I love this thing.It has a 15 + 1 capacity and I think is a five inch barrell.It has never jammed and will ring off the shots quick and smooth.I matched it to some Hornady Tap ammo and this is one I will hold on to forever.This is the first simiauto i have owned,I have allways been a revolver man.

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For the ammo question. I use the Federal Hydra Shock for my Self Defense ammo. I have shot the TAP, but at 15 yards, I got better groupings from the Federal. Yes, it is expensive, but find out what your XD likes to eat. You may never have to use it for that purpose, but having the confidence in what works best is what is important. For everyday use, I shoot Winchester Ranger ammo. I picked up the HP for less than 15 bucks for a box of 50. That UMC stuff is garbage, and I like being able to not have to shoot FMJ through my toy. When you find specials on soft points or hoolow points, buy as much as you can afford. Its alot easier to find ranges to shoot at with those types of ammo. Plus in a pinch, you can use that stuff for self defense ammo as well. Congrats on your purchase!!!!

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My first handgun was an XD 45. I loved it, but the recoil of the 45 was a little much for me. I also have small hands and was difficult. Nothing against the gun though. This summer I took a Tactical Pistol class at BlackwaterUSA, and ended up trading my instructor for a new Glock17. Still wish I had my XD but I love my Glock

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  • 3 weeks later...
An update on my XD40-SC:

My wife and I have put 150+ rounds through it with no jams or trouble whatsoever. It's easy to break down and clean, and we both love it! Thanks again to everyone that recommended it and provided tips and accessory suggestions.

Glad to hear that you and your wife are both enjoying it. Let us know what accessories you go with.

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We bought one of the XD magazine packages (one 12rd and two 9rd mags plus an extra 2 mag belt holster); that's proven very handy at the range as we can come with 51 rounds pre-loaded and have some fun shooting for a while before we have to worry with re-loading. I also bought and installed a Winchester-branded eVault 1200 pistol safe from Bass Pro. We have a large garage safe but wanted something inside for quick access to the XD for home defense.

I'm also planning to get a concealed holster soon as I'm going through the concealed carry course and paperwork this month. Probably going to get the Supertuck from Crossbreed Holsters you recommended, HarvDog.

My wife would also like to add a laser at some point, but that'll be down the road as we're not wanting to spend that kind of money right now.

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A question I forgot to ask earlier:

Does anybody know of somewhere I can send my own deer leather (or unprocessed skins, if that's what they require) and have an IWB and/or OWB holster made for my XD? Is deer leather even tough enough, or does it really require a thicker hide?

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We bought one of the XD magazine packages (one 12rd and two 9rd mags plus an extra 2 mag belt holster); that's proven very handy at the range as we can come with 51 rounds pre-loaded and have some fun shooting for a while before we have to worry with re-loading. I also bought and installed a Winchester-branded eVault 1200 pistol safe from Bass Pro. We have a large garage safe but wanted something inside for quick access to the XD for home defense.

I'm also planning to get a concealed holster soon as I'm going through the concealed carry course and paperwork this month. Probably going to get the Supertuck from Crossbreed Holsters you recommended, HarvDog.

My wife would also like to add a laser at some point, but that'll be down the road as we're not wanting to spend that kind of money right now.

I'll have to check out that safe. I'm actually in the market for one right now.

I do love my Supertuck Crossbreed holster. I have been using my Galco Matrix OWB recently but that's just because my pants seem to be getting tighter. :eek:

In terms of a laser, Crimson Trace has finally released a version for the XD. Check it out -> http://www.crimsontrace.com/Home/Products/SpringfieldArmory/tabid/187/Default.aspx

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You can get the lowdown on the eVault safes at: http://winchesterevault.com/

We like that you can enter your code in the dark by "feel", and that there's an internal light (though it doesn't stay on but a few seconds after opening). It can use batteries and/or AC power, and it has holes in the bottom to screw it in on shelving or wherever you want to mount it, though it should be noted it was a bit tricky to get it mounted in our particular installation, so YMMV, be sure you look at the arrangement of the holes and the inside of the safe, if possible, before buying.

I got our 1200 at Bass Pro for $160 in mid-January.

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I've really enjoyed mine also. I've put 400-500 rounds through it and have yet to have a failure to eject or fire. I'm really impressed with it!

I'm also planning to get a concealed holster soon as I'm going through the concealed carry course and paperwork this month.

quote]

You'd better put on your waiting shoes for your license. I submitted my paperwork in September 2007, and got my license in January 2008. The wait isn't so bad, but I had to have my fingerprints made 4 times! :eek: The folks at the sheriffs office said that was pretty normal.

Ben

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  • 2 weeks later...

FYI, I'm going to try out Hornady TAP and Federal Hydrashok, both in 155 and 180 grains, to see what performs most accurately, penetration and expansion, perceived recoil, and muzzle flash with my gun. A lovely package from CheaperThanDirt should be on its way soon, and once I get a chance to try out all of them at the range, I'll report back.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ive carried an XD-40 in a 4 inch for my ccw for over 2 years I have put some where in the amount of 6000 rounds through it during tactical shoots or just range shooting. It has never given me trouble once I absolutely love my gun. My wife carries the sub-compact XD-9 and her story is the same as mine with a few less rounds she doesn't enjoy tactical and low light shooting. Of all the firearms I have carried over the past 15 years I am most confident and comfortable with my XD-40 than any other gun.

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  • 5 months later...

Update on my personal defense ammo trials:

I did go ahead and try out Hornady TAP and Federal Hydrashok, both in 155 and 180 grains, a couple months back. I also bought some of the new Winchester SXZ Personal Protection 180gr loads to try out in my XD-40SC.

The Winchester cartridges performed the best, with the smallest groups at both "up close and personal" (about 5 feet) and "across the room" (15 feet) distances. Their Lubalox coating seemed to make loading the mags with my speed loader just a little bit easier, so I'm guessing they do in fact feed a little bit easier too. And as a nice bonus, the Win SXZ are the cheapest, $20.49 for 50 rounds at Bass Pro.

So, I'm carrying SXZ when out and about.

Other XD-related updates from me: I am *loving* my Crossbreed Supertuck. Thanks to everyone who recommended that holster, it is fantastic! And next up when funds permit: A Lasermax guide rod laser. Bad guys beware! :)

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Update on my personal defense ammo trials:

I did go ahead and try out Hornady TAP and Federal Hydrashok, both in 155 and 180 grains, a couple months back. I also bought some of the new Winchester SXZ Personal Protection 180gr loads to try out in my XD-40SC.

The Winchester cartridges performed the best, with the smallest groups at both "up close and personal" (about 5 feet) and "across the room" (15 feet) distances. Their Lubalox coating seemed to make loading the mags with my speed loader just a little bit easier, so I'm guessing they do in fact feed a little bit easier too. And as a nice bonus, the Win SXZ are the cheapest, $20.49 for 50 rounds at Bass Pro.

So, I'm carrying SXZ when out and about.

Other XD-related updates from me: I am *loving* my Crossbreed Supertuck. Thanks to everyone who recommended that holster, it is fantastic! And next up when funds permit: A Lasermax guide rod laser. Bad guys beware! :)

I was actually thinking about picking up some of the SXZ for my 40 when I go to Bass Pro next weekend. Sounds like it performs well.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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