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Now I like nothing better than blued steel and walnut, but lately I've been drawn to polymer, especially the Springfield XD. I never cared for the Glocks...I couldn't get past the funky grip angle, but when I first picked up the XD it just felt "right". I also like the idea of the grip safety on the XD. Although I've held an XD and dry fired it, I've never fired or carried one, so naturally I have questions for you XD guys.

1. I know the XD started under another name in Croatia. Does Springfield make the new ones or are they still made in Croatia? The reason I ask is I found a used one in a shop marked "Springfield" and "made in Croatia"...just trying to figure out the age of the pistol.

2. Is the XD a platform type pistol? In other words, can caliber changes be accomplished by changing barrels, slides, and magazines?

3. The XD seems a little "chunky" for carry. What are the pros and cons from you guys that actually carry one?

4. What are used 9mm XD's, 4" full size grip, black on black going for in your neck of the woods? The one I looked at in a pawn shop looked to have probably 200 rounds through it judging by the breechface. I forgot to ask if they had the case or extra magazines or other accessories.

They are still made in Croatia. I believe the only caliber changes are from .40 to .357 Sig. If you want to change things up buy a Sig P250 and you have many options. I carry an XDSC in .40, no problems carrying but I'm 6ft and 235 lbs. It's the same as my G27, if you want small try a Kahr. I have seen new ones for the low $400's so judge by that price. So far I like the XD better than the Glock. It feels better, points more natural and I like the grip safety, especially when I'm using the Smartcarry.

smyrna wrote:4. What are used 9mm XD's, 4" full size grip, black on black going for in your neck of the woods? The one I looked at in a pawn shop looked to have probably 200 rounds through it judging by the breechface. I forgot to ask if they had the case or extra magazines or other accessories.

If you believe the online boards, used ones are going for more than the NIB price at gun shows.

smyrna wrote:Now I like nothing better than blued steel and walnut, but lately I've been drawn to polymer, especially the Springfield XD. I never cared for the Glocks...I couldn't get past the funky grip angle, but when I first picked up the XD it just felt "right". I also like the idea of the grip safety on the XD. Although I've held an XD and dry fired it, I've never fired or carried one, so naturally I have questions for you XD guys.

1. I know the XD started under another name in Croatia. Does Springfield make the new ones or are they still made in Croatia? The reason I ask is I found a used one in a shop marked "Springfield" and "made in Croatia"...just trying to figure out the age of the pistol.

2. Is the XD a platform type pistol? In other words, can caliber changes be accomplished by changing barrels, slides, and magazines?

3. The XD seems a little "chunky" for carry. What are the pros and cons from you guys that actually carry one?

4. What are used 9mm XD's, 4" full size grip, black on black going for in your neck of the woods? The one I looked at in a pawn shop looked to have probably 200 rounds through it judging by the breechface. I forgot to ask if they had the case or extra magazines or other accessories.

I'll answer what I can, I have a 4" 9mm XD and I've had two .45 ACP XD's as well. I've liked them all, but I no longer have the 45's. Sold one to my uncle, and sold the other to my son-in-law. I still have my 9mm.

to question #2: If you buy the .40 you can swap out with a .357 or a 9mm barrel, but that's the only one that will allow the swap. You can go down, but you can't go up. The .45 only looks the same, the entire platform is different than the smaller calibers. So you can't do any barrel swaps if you purchase the .45.

From Springfield you get the weapon, a case, 2 mags, a mag holder, a cheap holster and a mag loading tool, along with a cleaning brush and a lock. Any less from a pawn shop and I'd make sure to run the gun's serial number with the local PD first.

to question # 3: Get the right holster and you can carry any thing you want anywhere you want.

the best place to answer a bunch of your questions will be at the official web site: http://www.springfield-armory.com/

Right now my carry rotation consists of: S&W 686 .357, Bersa CC .380 and my XD-9.

Russ

The XD in 40 or 357 SIG can be fitted with aftermarket 9MM barrels. You would then have the option of 3 calibers. The Springfield 9MM barrel won't work in the 40/357 slide. I have owned an XD since '02 it has thousands of rounds through it and still is one of my favorite guns.

With the proper holster, carry of a service model XD is no problem.

My wife has declared that she now owns what used to be my XD9, so I have been working on getting one in .45ACP.

I also liked it the instant I handled it, and my wife liked it so much she shot a perfect score on her CHL requal.

As many have pointed out, XDs are made in Croatia and imported by Springfield Armory.

IMO, they are no more "chunky" to carry than a Glock. My daily carry is an XDSC in .40 and it's easily carried IWB in a Crossbreed Super-Tuck.

They're great pistols!

I've shot an XD45 & XD40 before. I liked them both, though the trigger takes some getting used to--coming off of a 1911, anyway. I like the trigger slightly better than that of Glocks, and the XD fits my hand like the Browning design it was derived from.

Vic303 wrote:I've shot an XD45 & XD40 before. I liked them both, though the trigger takes some getting used to--coming off of a 1911, anyway. I like the trigger slightly better than that of Glocks, and the XD fits my hand like the Browning design it was derived from.

I will vouch for the quality of the XD. I have shifted to an XD-40 to carry, choosing my pocket or one of my several holsters depending on my attire at the time. Being also an old, very old, M1911-guy, I too was bothered initially by the missing external safety. I have finally convinced myself that the XD is equally safe, and perhaps even more safe, to carry than was the M1911, and it is a heck of a lot more comfortable being carried than was "old faithful." I must say, however, that I still have a little uneasiness when carrying it in my SmartCarry, but that uneasiness is not confined to carrying only an XD.

If there are questions in any prospective user's minds about the weapon being manufactured in Croatia, in my opinion they can be discarded. It is a fine design, and Springfield would not put its mark on it without exercising routine and continuing quality control.

Jim

I owned a Glock 40cal for about three years. A few years back I sold it to a buddy. I hated taking that thing to the range, It really didn't like. I finally gave in to all the hype of the X's and decided to buy one. So here is the deal. Bought a Service Xd in 45 ACP Bi-tone brand New $509. Took it to the range same day. First round down range and I yelled to My buddy. I love this thing. I love the way it rides in my hand the accuracy out of the box. OK I also carry this everyday in a Comp-Tac Gerka holster, no problems hides good not to heavy for me ( Am a little bigger framed 5'10" between 230 and 240.. depends on the season) What part of Texas do you live in? I may know where you can get a good price on new.

MoJo wrote:The XD in 40 or 357 SIG can be fitted with aftermarket 9MM barrels. You would then have the option of 3 calibers. The Springfield 9MM barrel won't work in the 40/357 slide.

kw5kw wrote:to question #2: If you buy the .40 you can swap out with a .357 or a 9mm barrel, but that's the only one that will allow the swap. You can go down, but you can't go up. The .45 only looks the same, the entire platform is different than the smaller calibers. So you can't do any barrel swaps if you purchase the .45.

Yeah, I would expect that because the case head of the 40 is bigger than the nine...I guess to be more specific, is the lower half (the frame assembly) the same for each of the smaller calibers? Could you put an entire upper (slide, barrel, recoil spring) from a 40 or 357 SIG on a nine frame and/or vice versa? Or, can you just have a barrel fitted as described above?

I have four XDs. I carry one and I shoot IDPA with another.

You can check out www.xdtalk.com for more XD fans.

Your answers to all things XD are here.......

http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/

By the way I have:
XD 5" Tactical .45ACP home defense
XD 5" Compact .45ACP home defense
XD 4" Service .45ACP carry
XD 4" Service 9mm carry
XD 3" Sub compact 9mm carry
All are amazingly accurate.

smyrna wrote:Yeah, I would expect that because the case head of the 40 is bigger than the nine...I guess to be more specific, is the lower half (the frame assembly) the same for each of the smaller calibers? Could you put an entire upper (slide, barrel, recoil spring) from a 40 or 357 SIG on a nine frame and/or vice versa? Or, can you just have a barrel fitted as described above?

Short answer... NO! The frames are not compatible with each other.

The XD is decent, reliable polymer pistol, and it's growing demand and subsequent rising price over the last few years reflects this. The days of $300 XD's are long gone and not likely to return. I've owned a few XD's over the last few years (well, actually more than a few ) and the biggest item that can affect the price of a used model is the date of manufacture. Early models of the 9/40/357 had the brunial finish, after April of 2006 all the pistols should have the newer melonite finish which is more resistant to rust than the earlier. ( I have found that the older used models I've come across typically have better triggers than newer models... lighter and shorter which would influence my choice if buying an XD.) XD45's have always come with the melonite finish. Used prices on a black XD service in 9/40 will be about $375-425 depending on whether it comes with the accessories, gear kit, melonite or brunial finish, etc. New price out the door in this neck of the woods (and this is the best prices I've seen including gun shows) with tax, etc. generally runs about $445 to $480 depending on model.

The XD is my favorite plastic pistol, and a good trigger job can make a world of difference. All my current XD's have one. XD customer service is excellent when I have been forced to utilize it. Carrying my XD9sc is easy with a decent holster, but it is a bit heavy/chunky for summer carry and my Kahr PM9 has recently gotten the nod from me for summer carry. My XD45 would be my goto gun given a choice, and I doubt I could pry my wifes XD9 service from her even if I were determined (or foolish... she shoots it well!) enough to try. If you want to learn more, be sure to check http://www.XDTalk.com

The mags on the 9, .327, and the 40 are the same with the exception of the #Of round count holes on the side of the mag. I have several xd's for the entire family...all chl...carry a 4" XD45 compact or XD40sc. Wife carries an XD40 service, my boys have XD40 5" and 4" service XD9. Very reliable and fits my hand "just right". The XD forum will have all the answers.