rabidbandit
07-24-08, 02:26 PM
Well, took the plunge into aquiring the latest addition to the SA XD line....the XDm series (.40 S&W). Ordered it online and it's going to a friend's house back home, as he has a FFL. After owning the XD9mm Sub-C, and the XD.45 Compact, I decided to try the new Bi-Tone model out that a buddy had at the range. The XDm I had my hands on was great...having the swappable back-straps, 16rd mags, and excellant ergonomics...I'm completely stoked that it's on it's way!!! The biggest selling point for the XD line of firearms for me, was the tactile indicators, safeties, and accuracy of the weapon for being a polymer handgun!
I always thought that the weight of the weapon being less would cause a little more muzzle flip than my all steel handguns (CZ75, S&W 945). The recoil was interesting....on the 9mm, it is about 6lbs., the .40 S&W it was 10.2lbs, and the .45 was about 8.6lbs. which kinda suprised me (after firing the .40 and having a more snappy recoil than the .45 which was smooth and more controllable) on differences in velocity vs. weight or grain of the round fired!;)
Of coarse this changes with the powder load (standard load or HP and +HP loads) and grain of bullet. The .45 typically is about 200-300fps less than the .40 but has the advantage of a heavier bullet (bout 50+ grains heavier), so more Kinetic energy (which I figured would be close to the recoil of the .40...I was wrong)...it just threw me off is all...learn something new everyday. Dunno why I like to rattle on about this stuff....just like to type I guess:D And for those that have read my previous post...you'll understand my addiction:rolleyes:
ok...back on topic...For those who are un-familiar with the XD line:
Tactile indicators being the nubb on the slide above the ejection port that lets ya know if there is a round/brass in the chamber. The other one is the firing pin indicator on the back of the slide that lets ya know if she's ready to fire. I like the feeling of being able to feel it in the dark and knowing it's good to go (Home Defense situations). The safeties are another plus as I have owned glocks as well in the past and have always felt uneasy with one in the chamber and only a trigger safety...going for my holster in a hurry and accidently discharging the weapon. Most other glock owners think I'm just paranoid...but I've seen some near misses in my career with folks that own them...so don't say I'm crazy:rolleyes:. The XD line sold me on the grip and trigger safety...gives me that added piece of mind when drawing the weapon.
The XDm overall is a different animal...same features of the original XD line...but add the durable melonite finish, much better ambidextrous mag release, the matched 4.5in. barrel, 16+1 config in a .40 S&W, swappable back-straps, and better/shorter trigger pull (for fast double-taps...sweet!)...and you have a kick-ass handgun! In addition to the XDm....I picked up the insight X2 (most compact Light/Laser combo they offer) for it as well....xenon lamp and red laser with a nice/accessable ambidextrous switch. XDm Bi-Tone was about $609 and the X2 was about $159...not to bad if I do say so myself:D
I'll post pics soon....I'll be going on leave soon to Nebraska for 3wks to see the folks and pick up my new toy!!!
I always thought that the weight of the weapon being less would cause a little more muzzle flip than my all steel handguns (CZ75, S&W 945). The recoil was interesting....on the 9mm, it is about 6lbs., the .40 S&W it was 10.2lbs, and the .45 was about 8.6lbs. which kinda suprised me (after firing the .40 and having a more snappy recoil than the .45 which was smooth and more controllable) on differences in velocity vs. weight or grain of the round fired!;)
Of coarse this changes with the powder load (standard load or HP and +HP loads) and grain of bullet. The .45 typically is about 200-300fps less than the .40 but has the advantage of a heavier bullet (bout 50+ grains heavier), so more Kinetic energy (which I figured would be close to the recoil of the .40...I was wrong)...it just threw me off is all...learn something new everyday. Dunno why I like to rattle on about this stuff....just like to type I guess:D And for those that have read my previous post...you'll understand my addiction:rolleyes:
ok...back on topic...For those who are un-familiar with the XD line:
Tactile indicators being the nubb on the slide above the ejection port that lets ya know if there is a round/brass in the chamber. The other one is the firing pin indicator on the back of the slide that lets ya know if she's ready to fire. I like the feeling of being able to feel it in the dark and knowing it's good to go (Home Defense situations). The safeties are another plus as I have owned glocks as well in the past and have always felt uneasy with one in the chamber and only a trigger safety...going for my holster in a hurry and accidently discharging the weapon. Most other glock owners think I'm just paranoid...but I've seen some near misses in my career with folks that own them...so don't say I'm crazy:rolleyes:. The XD line sold me on the grip and trigger safety...gives me that added piece of mind when drawing the weapon.
The XDm overall is a different animal...same features of the original XD line...but add the durable melonite finish, much better ambidextrous mag release, the matched 4.5in. barrel, 16+1 config in a .40 S&W, swappable back-straps, and better/shorter trigger pull (for fast double-taps...sweet!)...and you have a kick-ass handgun! In addition to the XDm....I picked up the insight X2 (most compact Light/Laser combo they offer) for it as well....xenon lamp and red laser with a nice/accessable ambidextrous switch. XDm Bi-Tone was about $609 and the X2 was about $159...not to bad if I do say so myself:D
I'll post pics soon....I'll be going on leave soon to Nebraska for 3wks to see the folks and pick up my new toy!!!