So I got my XD45
 

I began a process of obtaining a handgun license here in the state of New York about 8 months ago. It finally got approved last week and I picked up my very first pistol- a .45 ACP handgun, the XD45.

I took it to the gun range a few days later and I was a bit hesitant on the first shot. Was this thing going to blow up in my face or will it kick with such force that it will go flying out of my hands? But finally I squeeze the trigger and man what a rush! A bright flash and the gun kicks up a bit but much less than I ever expected. I only shot about 30 rounds but it was a lot of fun, and it was great to see the giant holes left in the targets!

I was using 230 grain FMJ because that's all they had available...

Would love to try some HP's.

I am thrilled with how this gun is crafted and how easy it was to field strip, clean and operate.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Congratulations. "Wear it in good health"...as my mama used to say.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

45s are fun. Period!

I have a Glock 45, and an XD 9mm, and both are superb pistols.

For maximum fun, get a 1911 45. It's a piece of history, and it's single action trigger makes it more pleasant to shoot.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

you wont be poppin off too many HP's.. those things are Pricy.

the only time i shoot them is after they have been carried in my mags for several months and begin to show wear.. then I burn them HP's downrange. ya mucho mp recoil /concussion.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

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Re: So I got my XD45
 

The reason I had posted this video elsewhere is the reaction the guy has at the end.

It's the same one my sister had after I gave her a firearms lesson. She said if she had known it was so much fun, she would have started shooting a long time ago.


http://photobucket.com/albums/y113/G...apter4-0_1.flv

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Hey darkside what is that on the back of the grip on the XD45? Towards the top, below the slide.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

The protrusion on the spine of the grip? That's a safety feature. Gun will not fire unless that is pressed in which would happen automatically as you properly grip the gun

It has no manual safety lock, like a switch to turn it into safety/fire mode. It just has automatic safety feature which is that button thing on the back of the hand grip, the safety built into the trigger and a few indicators like this tab that sticks up when a round is in the chamber and a pin that sticks out when the hammer is cocked.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

What ? ....no pics ? .....c'mon...........and congrats Darkside :applause_

Re: So I got my XD45
 

tis a grip safety.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

yeah sorry, I'll post some tonight! Im at work now :P

i'll even post the result of my horrendous shooting... at 20 yards. I need some improvement :)

Re: So I got my XD45
 

The XD in .45 ACP was the other pistol I was looking at when I was shopping. The Taurus 24/7 pro was 150.00 less so I went with that. The XD is still a fine fine gun and well worth the money IMO.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

3/4/ or 5 inch?

Re: So I got my XD45
 

The XD series is probably the best on the market. No joke. Good choice dark side!

Re: So I got my XD45
 

IIRC it was the NRA handgun of the year for 2006

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I like that feature.

I agree. Although the glock is a fine hand-gun but I like the additional safety features of the XD.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Great going dark.....in new york You just hit the lottery will getting your liscense!!

Did someone give you gun saftey classes or did you just go to range and squeeze off??

also what range did you go to?? as there are only a few and most are in LI


either way.... I'm glad you made it !!!


T

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Yeah, I was shocked as well. Isn't NY a "may issue" state?

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I wish my 24/7 pro had one.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

LoL I think you guys are mistaken!

This was just a license to merely buy a pistol and keep it at my house! I still have no rights to carry it on my person unless I am traveling to or from a shooting range! It's not even a lottery to get the real carry permit here, since a lottery implies anyone can get one if they are lucky. I have zero chance of getting a permit to carry here. It's impossible unless I am an active police officer or someone who can prove my life is in imminent danger and even that was the case I'd be dead by the imminent danger by the time they listened to my case and approved me.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Warning: Gun Pornography Follows:

It's an 8" target at 20 yards... gonna need some practice

and the other item is my pre-ban Colt AR-15 R6700 model which has heavy barrel and removable carry handle to expose rails on top. it was in mint condition when I got it and was manufactured months before the ban went into effect. just the mag looks like crap- its pre ban too and WELL used :)

Re: So I got my XD45
 

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Re: So I got my XD45
 

Thats excellent shooting.

20 yds isn't terribly close.

Congratulations

E-A

Re: So I got my XD45
 

XDs are freaking awesome. I can't wait to buy one for myself. :bull-buddy-icon:

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Great pics Darkside. Thanks for showing us. I love my XD. Mine is a 40.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I'd be happy if I could shoot like that at 20 yards, maybe my eyes are getting old.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I love my XD (mine is a .45, too). It was kind of a spontaneous buy. I had actually intended to finally break down and buy a Glock that day, but I picked up the XD to see what it felt like, and it fit my hand so perfectly I didn't want to put it down. I gave the Glock a second chance, but there was no comparison. I took the XD home with me, where I kept picking it up over and over because I couldn't believe a grip could feel so perfect. They are fun to shoot. I don't remember what kind of ammo I was using the first time I took it to the range, but I remember squeezing that trigger and thinking, "Whoa!!! Now that's impressive!!!" (And I've got several other .45s, so it wasn't just a matter of the caliber.)

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I've fired an XD in .357SIG and loved it, but I could tell the build quality just wasn't quite there, and it wouldn't last as long as the GLOCK. It has a great trigger, but I can get the same if not better accuracy from my GLOCK 34.

All in all though, the XD (made in Croatia) is a fine weapon, you can do a lot worse for a pistol, and the ergonomics and sights are very nice. I would buy one anyday than say a CZ.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I've got a CZ-52, too. My sister and I both bought them back when they were ridiculously cheap. I remember guys at the range looking at us like we were nuts when we hauled out our non-trendy imports, but they're decent guns and fun to shoot (I'd recommend replacing the original firing pin, though).

I might yet break down and get a Glock someday, but it's not really likely. I've stopped buying pistols. My eye doctor, who is an avid shooter and has worked with me (and other shooters, especially LEOs) extensively, has told me my days of accurately shooting a pistol are pretty much over. I wear trifocal contact lenses and have astigmatism and a parallax problem. I'm still okay with rifles, but the doctor, after much trying, said it's just not possible to correct my vision so that I have sharp vision at both the focal lengths I'd need to clearly see a pistol sight and at the same time see a distant target clearly. I can still hit a target, but I can't see well enough to put a pistol sight over the center of it. :bear_sad: I guess I won't be trying any head shots in a SHTF scenario!

Re: So I got my XD45
 

off topic:

Have you ever tried homepathic therapies for your vison impairment??


T

Re: So I got my XD45
 

No, though I did try the eye exercise thing. I've unsuccessfully tried homeopathy for my migraines several times. I'm not sure how homeopathy would work where the shape of the eye was concerned. Do you have an references to which you could guide me?

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Curious, I would imagine that the first shot on the XD is double action, but isn't the XD single action every shot thereafter?

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Congratulations but you gotta get out of that place! You have to get a permit to buy a pistol???

Last summer I decided that I wanted a 45 and ended up with this beauty. It's a model 1911 by S&W. I've got over 1K rounds through it of all different kinds with no failures. Local ammo supplier Georgia Arms makes a round based on a Speer Gold Dot 185 grain loaded to 1150 fps, it is HOT. The magazine stays loaded with those.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x...1911-sized.jpg

Re: So I got my XD45
 

georgeous Tom...... in gerogia you can just walk into a gun store and purchase??

T

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Yep. They do a NICS check, but there's no waiting period, and you don't have to have a permit.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Wow, beautiful weapons, thanks for sharing. Remember, aim small, miss small. :wink:

BTW, what's a reasonable price to pay for a 1911A-1 or a XD45, new or in good condition?

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I last checked in jan 07 for those prices and at that time a stock GI Springfield 1911 was 550 in CA and the XD was the same. Now I don't know. Buddy told me he could not find an XD in 45 when he went home as it was so popular.

Anybody know how the stock springfield 1911 shoots? It's trigger pull specifically.

I have only shot Kimbers and loved them but I was going to pick up an XD or a 1911 when I get home next month but was not sure as I wanted a match trigger on the 1911 but am trying to stay under 600 budget from my stimi package.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Thanks for the info, sindgefallen. That's a pretty good price.

I'm leaning more towards the 1911 meself, but there are a bunch of makers out there. Colt, Remington, Ithaca, Springfield, Union Switch... Any thoughts on which one to prefer/avoid? I'm inclined to go with Colt or S&W...

Re: So I got my XD45
 

I'm a pretty big supporter of Springfield myself. If I had money coming out the wazoo I'd pick up a Springfield custom operator model. The weight alone sells me as the alloy used weighs significantly less than the stock models. The only drawback is that the magwell is wider to accept double stacked mags. Nice except that the mags are more money and harder to find. Cost is upwards of 2500frn's.

I am torn now. I can only afford the stock GI version and will have to customize over time. My stepm dad used to have a Colt Combat Commander and he swears by it.

I loved firing various Kimber 1911's as they were all around great for my hand. Action was smooth and clean. I just like springfield though. Loyalty I guess.

If I wasn't saving for a new long range rifle for a Blackwater course next year I would buy the xd and the springfield.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Gawd I sooooooooo evny you guys!!

May just have to switch my residency...I want me some high cap mags for my glock pronto!!


T

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Congrats on the new tool. A good way to spend another 250 FRNs on it is the combat action job from Springfeild Pro Shop. Well worth the money and one of the best trigger jobs out there for an XD.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Since I have a carry permit, they don't do a check on me because the check is done before the carry is issued. A gun store is just like an electronics store to me, my appetite is limited only by my checkbook, not government.

Re: So I got my XD45
 

Look at the bigger picture... In a SHTF scenario, regular laws may be null and void. The purpose of a handgun is defensive. Head shots are great, but a body shot from a sawed off 12 gauge will also work wonders at handgun ranges :D The fact that you are at the skilll level to do headshots with a handgun implies that your non-head shooting will be QUITE LETHAL as well. Does not sound to me like you are out of the game! *LAUGH*

Re: So I got my XD45
 

That's pretty much what happened to me, and then with the safety features it became no contest.

I disagree with the poster who said the build quality is not there.