Mr. Rawles,
May I first say that my firearms experience is extensive, but not conclusive. I have owned many firearms, and have simply found what works the best for myself and probably our group, considering current budgetary constraints.
We have adopted the Springfield Armory XD45 as our group standard sidearm. While a personal firearm choice can vary much like boots to an individual, the “Extreme Duty” (XD) line of pistols has overwhelming pros and minimal cons. To begin with, I would like to say that when it first came out I scoffed at it and blew it off as a “Glock wannabe”. After field-stripping it and doing my homework, I have come to appreciate the engineering marvel and old fashioned design behind it.
To begin, the XD has a history I will not get into, [starting] as the HS2000. Suffice it to say, Springfield found it, loved it, and decided to import it. It follows a Browning type design, much like the SIG P226, and its internals look more like the SIG or Browning Hi-Power, than the Glock. It does differ however in that it is striker fired instead of the traditional hammer falling on a firing pin. Pressing the trigger to the rear actually moves the firing pin block safety (drop safety), and releases the firing pin, thus making it a double action trigger. But it should be mentioned that the trigger feels more like a single action trigger with about a 5-6 pound press.
There are three safeties on the standard XD. A trigger (scissor safety, – your finger off the trigger is primary safety!), a drop safety, and a 1911 style grip safety. Unless you are gripping the weapon and pressing the trigger, it won’t fire. There is no slide mounted external manual safety like the M1911 or M9 service pistols. IMHO external safeties are dangerous and time consuming when my trigger finger is my safety. There is a loaded chamber indicator and cocked striker indicator that will tell you in pitch blackness what condition my weapon is in.
The grip angle of the XD 45 is the same as that of the 1911, and much more point able than the sharper grip angle on the Glock. The XD’s perceived recoil is closer to that of a 9mm due to a heavy recoil spring and 1911 grip angle. The grip fits most medium to large hands perfectly, and may only be enhanced with a Hogue overmold grip.
The XD has also passed the Glock torture test with flying colors. I should also mention that a similar H&K USP compact failed the torture test and costs hundreds of dollars more. My XD has happily ate everything I have put through it. It simply works every time.
The last thing I would like to mention is magazine capacity. The XD45 takes 13+1 rounds of .45 ACP. Essentially it is a 3:2 ratio against the standard 7+1 rounds of the single-stacked 1911 magazines. It would take three 1911 magazines to equal two XD45 magazines.
I have no experience with the new XDMs (for comparisons). I shoot fist-sized groups at 15 yards and am of the opinion that the standard XD is better than my skills are. No need to mess with what I think is nearly perfect. – “Jeremiah Johnson” in Florida
JWR Replies: I am also an admirer of the XD design. Back around 2007, my only reluctance about the pistols was the unavailability of spare parts. But since 2008, a company called PistolGear.com has made a panoply of spares available at fairly reasonable prices.