Post by Ricochet on Jun 7, 2004 14:33:47 GMT -5
I have a new Springfield XD-40 -- and although I don't have the handgun expertise or writing skill of XavierBreath, I would like to contribute a critique/review for the Forum.
Over All Design: The XD design appears to be a blend of a 1911, a SIG, and a Glock. It has a grip angle and grip safety similar to a 1911. It uses a proprietary polymer frame, striker fired ignition, and trigger safety like a Glock. It has a barrel lockup and takedown system like a SIG.
Calibers available: 9mm, .40S&W, .357Sig and soon the .45GAP.
Springfield's site:
www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl.shtml
Helpful Reviews:
www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/xddasa.htm
www.sportshooter.com/guns/guns_xd.htm
General Specs:
Barrel Length: 4.05"
Weight: 27 oz. (.40 cal.)
Overall Length: 7"
Frame width (thickness): 1.15"
Slide width (thickness): 1.04"
Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.7 lbs.
Magazines: [Updated Post-Ban] 12 round stainless steel "Easy Glide"
Finish: Bruniral (proprietary finish)
Design Features:
- Dovetail Front and Rear Sights (Steel)
- Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Muzzle Protector Fixed Guide Rod System
- Captive Dual Recoil Spring Guide Assembly
- Forged, Heat Treated, Fully Machined Slide
- Firing Pin (Striker) Status Indicator
- Ambidextrous Magazine Release
- Checkered Front and Back Strap
- Grip Safety
- USA Action Trigger System
My Impressions:
This handgun has a good feel to it and has a natural pointability which seemed better than the Glocks, probably due to the grip angle. As far as accuracy, it is a better shooter than I am. I have put about 600 rounds through it at 7, 10, and 15 yards. [Updated] Now I can get a 3" grouping at 7 yards, and about 4-5" groupings at 10 yards, but again that's just me. The .40S&W has a greater punch to it than the 9 mm, but I am getting used to it.
Looking at the XD-40 and Glock 22 side by side, it appears the bore axis is slightly higher on the XD and therefore may have slightly more muzzle flip, but that is not really an issue as it seems just as quick to re-acquire for a second shot. Felt recoil is about the same as the .40 Glock.
I have been primarily using WWB from Walmart as range ammo. I have had only one small glitch. That was when one round failed to go completely into battery leaving the slide about 0.25 inches from being fully forward. A slight push on the slide completed the action and I tend to think it may have been a tolerance issue in the WWB ammo cartridge or just part of the breaking in process. It also seems to feed well on UMC and CCI Blazers.
It is a snap to field strip. But it is here one will first notice the captive dual recoil spring assembly in the Service model and Sub-Compacts. It's nice that the spring can't go flying across the room, but at the same time it makes cleaning that assembly a little harder and it also makes switching out recoil springs an issue. The XD's also have an internal extractor in the slide assembly somewhat similar to a 1911.
There have been some complaints about the finish on the steel slide not being as durable as the tennifer finish on the Glocks. Apparently holster wear can show up fairly soon. Maybe so, but I have not had a problem yet. One alternative would be to get the Bi-Tone model which has a matte stainless steel slide. Springfield's XD's also come with a lifetime warranty which includes the finish on the slide. Their custom shop also has a price list for mods including trigger jobs and a tougher Armory Kote finish, etc. All in all I think this pistol is a winner -- So much so that I went and got a 9 mm sub-Compact Bi-Tone as a companion. ;D ;D
Over All Design: The XD design appears to be a blend of a 1911, a SIG, and a Glock. It has a grip angle and grip safety similar to a 1911. It uses a proprietary polymer frame, striker fired ignition, and trigger safety like a Glock. It has a barrel lockup and takedown system like a SIG.
Calibers available: 9mm, .40S&W, .357Sig and soon the .45GAP.
Springfield's site:
www.springfield-armory.com/prod-xdpstl.shtml
Helpful Reviews:
www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/xddasa.htm
www.sportshooter.com/guns/guns_xd.htm
General Specs:
Barrel Length: 4.05"
Weight: 27 oz. (.40 cal.)
Overall Length: 7"
Frame width (thickness): 1.15"
Slide width (thickness): 1.04"
Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.7 lbs.
Magazines: [Updated Post-Ban] 12 round stainless steel "Easy Glide"
Finish: Bruniral (proprietary finish)
Design Features:
- Dovetail Front and Rear Sights (Steel)
- Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Muzzle Protector Fixed Guide Rod System
- Captive Dual Recoil Spring Guide Assembly
- Forged, Heat Treated, Fully Machined Slide
- Firing Pin (Striker) Status Indicator
- Ambidextrous Magazine Release
- Checkered Front and Back Strap
- Grip Safety
- USA Action Trigger System
My Impressions:
This handgun has a good feel to it and has a natural pointability which seemed better than the Glocks, probably due to the grip angle. As far as accuracy, it is a better shooter than I am. I have put about 600 rounds through it at 7, 10, and 15 yards. [Updated] Now I can get a 3" grouping at 7 yards, and about 4-5" groupings at 10 yards, but again that's just me. The .40S&W has a greater punch to it than the 9 mm, but I am getting used to it.
Looking at the XD-40 and Glock 22 side by side, it appears the bore axis is slightly higher on the XD and therefore may have slightly more muzzle flip, but that is not really an issue as it seems just as quick to re-acquire for a second shot. Felt recoil is about the same as the .40 Glock.
I have been primarily using WWB from Walmart as range ammo. I have had only one small glitch. That was when one round failed to go completely into battery leaving the slide about 0.25 inches from being fully forward. A slight push on the slide completed the action and I tend to think it may have been a tolerance issue in the WWB ammo cartridge or just part of the breaking in process. It also seems to feed well on UMC and CCI Blazers.
It is a snap to field strip. But it is here one will first notice the captive dual recoil spring assembly in the Service model and Sub-Compacts. It's nice that the spring can't go flying across the room, but at the same time it makes cleaning that assembly a little harder and it also makes switching out recoil springs an issue. The XD's also have an internal extractor in the slide assembly somewhat similar to a 1911.
There have been some complaints about the finish on the steel slide not being as durable as the tennifer finish on the Glocks. Apparently holster wear can show up fairly soon. Maybe so, but I have not had a problem yet. One alternative would be to get the Bi-Tone model which has a matte stainless steel slide. Springfield's XD's also come with a lifetime warranty which includes the finish on the slide. Their custom shop also has a price list for mods including trigger jobs and a tougher Armory Kote finish, etc. All in all I think this pistol is a winner -- So much so that I went and got a 9 mm sub-Compact Bi-Tone as a companion. ;D ;D