Bought a gun (or is that "bought a spoon")

masraum · 08-08-2009, 06:10 PM

Well, Thu I met an old fella at the range. He brought a bunch of guns for me to shoot. I shot a Glock, Sig, Kahr subcompact, Springfield XD, Browning Hi-Power and a couple of 1911s. I like'd aspects of them all, but my best shooting seemed to be with the XD and Glock. I went back and forth shooting both back to back and felt most comfortable with the XD, so today I went and got an XDM in 9mm. The XDM is the new and improved XD with several small improvements. I picked up a few boxes of target rounds and a box of home protection. Fortunately there's an indoor range about 3 miles from the house (probably won't be my regular range, but nice in a pinch). I couldn't wait, so I ran over and shot about 70 rounds of target and 5 rounds of the home protection. It shot very well. Now I need to buy several hundred rounds of ammo and get out and practice, practice, practice. I'm a decent shot, but not as consistent as I'd like. I think most of my problems come from getting in a hurry and forgetting to press the trigger instead of pulling the trigger (or as some folks say, squeeze, not pull).

Not mine, but representative.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-08-2009, 08:13 PM

Nice! I've shot several XD models and been impressed with all, much nicer than a Glock in my opinion. It will probably be my next handgun.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Not a bad choice. I personally like the Glock 17 but to each their own. At least you've got something you can enjoy and take comfort in. Practice, practice, practice... Shooting and stripping.

m21sniper · 08-08-2009, 08:29 PM

I was looking at those Springfields at my brothers gun store the other day. IMO it's what a Glock would be if it was sensibly designed.

I just got a new rifle myself. Will post pix when i get the requisite mods done. Straight out of the box it's damned accurate already. shot several one hole groups whilst zeroing it.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

"IMO it's what a Glock would be if it was sensibly designed."
Back before Springfield got involved (when it was called a HS 2000) they wholesaled for $220. Perhaps the Croations work cheaper than the Austrians.
Jim

HHI944 · 08-08-2009, 09:05 PM

I don't know anyone that is dissatisfied with their XD. It seems to be an all around competent gun, and if it's the one you shoot best with that makes it even better.

masraum · 08-08-2009, 09:12 PM

When I went to the range the other day and shot several different guns, I found it really interesting how my shooting changed per gun. With the XD and the Glock, my shooting was very similar with tighter groups and those groups were right on the money. Some other guns had decent groups that were consistently off, and some had much looser groups. I think it's a combination of the differences in trigger style (DAO, SA, pull weight, etc...) and gun weight.

I didn't really notice, but I've read, repeatedly that the grip angle of the glocks is not as natural for some folks. I've read lots on the Internet of Glock folks switching after they try an XD. Like I said, my shooting was pretty much identical with both guns (not sure what model of glock, but it was full size and 9mm). I switched back and forth between each gun shooting 5 or 6 rounds out of each about 3 times and in the end, felt that there was something indefinable in the XD that just felt a little better to me. I have no idea what it was.

The XDM has a match barrel (not that that helps me any at this point), 3 different pads for the back of the grip to fit the grip to your hand, short trigger travel and reset, a melonite finish (supposed to be better), and is really easy to field strip. I'm not sure how much any of that is doing for me now, but several of those things sound like nice features to me.

masraum · 08-08-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

"IMO it's what a Glock would be if it was sensibly designed."
Back before Springfield got involved (when it was called a HS 2000) they wholesaled for $220. Perhaps the Croations work cheaper than the Austrians.
Jim

Actually, the gun that I shot at the range the other day was an HS2000, not actually an XD. My gun says "made in Croatia".

Shawn 357 · 08-08-2009, 10:34 PM

My XD was so much fun I wore it out! Have fun.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

The XD is a very nice gun. Me? I like the "old style" 1911 and Browning HP. As I said at the range, try a bunch until you find one that fits you.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-09-2009, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

I didn't really notice, but I've read, repeatedly that the grip angle of the glocks is not as natural for some folks. I've read lots on the Internet of Glock folks switching after they try an XD. Like I said, my shooting was pretty much identical with both guns (not sure what model of glock, but it was full size and 9mm). I switched back and forth between each gun shooting 5 or 6 rounds out of each about 3 times and in the end, felt that there was something indefinable in the XD that just felt a little better to me. I have no idea what it was.

My issue with the Glock was also the grip. I felt that the XD fit my hand better. Otherwise I also liked the Glock, it just didn't feel as good to shoot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

The XD is a very nice gun. Me? I like the "old style" 1911 and Browning HP. As I said at the range, try a bunch until you find one that fits you.

How does the HP shoot compared to a 1911? I love my 1911, but .45 is expensive to punch holes in paper.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

The Trigger, the whole mechanism, is different. I need to get some trigger work done on my BHP to get the trigger to me a bit more "crisp". I just haven't had the time/money/inclination to do it. My 1911 has had trigger work and will put bullets into the same hole, with practice.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I've never shot one of those, but I've heard good things about them. I'm very partial to my Sigs and S&W's.

masraum · 08-09-2009, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

How does the HP shoot compared to a 1911? I love my 1911, but .45 is expensive to punch holes in paper.

I shot Red-Beard's HP and 1911 a few weeks back and then last Thu I shot another HP and 1911. I liked both, but I preferred the HP to the 1911 very slightly. To me, they felt pretty similar (except the kick of course).

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I've shot the XD and like them a lot more than Glocks. Can't get over how ugly they are, but they feel and shoot real nice.

masraum · 08-09-2009, 09:02 AM

I just picked up 300 rounds of WWB at Wally World, $20/100. Woo Hoo. I may pick up a couple more (paying cash) so the missus doesn't know.

HHI944 · 08-09-2009, 09:33 AM

When you can find WWB's they're a freakin steal. I walked in a Wal Mart the other day and they had 10 in .40. I bought all of em (apparently the clerk didn't care about the 6 per customer limit) and I don't have a gun that fires .40. I traded em off for 900rds of various FMJ .45 and life is good.

MotoSook · 08-09-2009, 09:59 AM

yep, I love the WWB bulk packs from Wally World. They shoot nice too. Congrats on the pistol, Steve.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

I just picked up 300 rounds of WWB at Wally World, $20/100. Woo Hoo. I may pick up a couple more (paying cash) so the missus doesn't know.

So, bring that baby around and we'll go to the range again. I "HOPE" I don't like your gun...or I may be buying another...

masraum · 08-09-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-beard

So, bring that baby around and we'll go to the range again. I "HOPE" I don't like your gun...or I may be buying another...

Hahah, yeah, we'll have to get out there soon.