Post by DocHolladay on Aug 28, 2006 20:29:55 GMT -6
When I received the package and opened it, I was pleasantly surprised….. to see the wrong version of the XD I had originally ordered. I had asked for the 3” compact model when I ordered and I received the 4” service model. I had the option of returning it to get the right model, but after looking at it, holding it, and looking at it some more, I decided to keep it. I had to wait a week or so to get the range and shoot it, but it was pleasant once I did. I was going to head out to my brothers house and shoot it but because of the heat, decided to pay the $15 range fee and shoot at the local club. It was nice too, didn’t have to keep walking down range to check my targets, walk back to get farther distances, or sweat (thank goodness for A/C).
I opened the case and removed the pistol. I then removed all of the magazines and began to load them. I will say that Springfield uses high quality springs that are extremely hard to compress in their magazines. I could only get 6-7 rounds in each one at first. The more I shot it and loaded them, the more rounds I could get in them. By the time I was done, I was getting 11 in each one.
The first 2 mags. were shot at 5yds to see how it grouped. They were all in the circle. I then reloaded the mags. and moved the target to 7yds. This time I filled the circle again. I brought the target back in to 5 and decided to shoot 6 shots in rapid succession. These would all have been kill shot, in or around the circle.
I took a short break to talk to the guy next to me about his little M-11 silenced machine gun he was shooting and give my thumbs a break from loading. While talking to him, he showed me his AK-47 that he had converted to a pistol also. It was an AK minus the butt stock and he had it reregistered as such. He was in the military and while overseas, he had sent it to his gunsmith to be reworked. Let me tell you, I have never felt an AK with a trigger that smooth and light. It was a real pleasure to shoot. I also had the opportunity to shoot his M-11 in 3-5 round burst. THAT THING WAS BAD ASS!!!! That was my first machine gun to fire and I was pumped, 30 rounds in about 45 sec.
OK, back to my XD. After my drooling session, I went back and moved the target to 15yds. and proceeded to shoot another 2 mags. Very nice grouping for my first session of shooting this pistol at this range. After this, I just began to shoot at the target at various circles and distances. I even let the gentleman beside me with the machine guns shoot a few rounds since he let me waste some of his ammo. He was surprised at how well it shot also and commented on how smooth it was.
After my first shooting session I really like this pistol. I felt it had a good trigger weight, around 5-6lb., but it had a little to much travel for me. In a SHTF situation, you would never notice it. The recoil was pleasant and the accuracy was better than expected for a 4” barrel, even though Springfield makes some great firearms. The back strap safety is a great addition along with the trigger safety. You have to have one pushed to use the other. You even need to have the back strap safety pushed to work the slide, which is nice and a pain too. Overall I thought this pistol was a pleasure to shoot and would recommend one to anyone looking for a new pistol. Whether it is for home defense, concealed carry or just wanting a new “toy” to play with.
I lost the first 5yd. target pic, sorry.
Click for larger view
[glow=red,2,300]5yd. rapid fire[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]7yd. slow fire[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]15yd slow fire[/glow]
I opened the case and removed the pistol. I then removed all of the magazines and began to load them. I will say that Springfield uses high quality springs that are extremely hard to compress in their magazines. I could only get 6-7 rounds in each one at first. The more I shot it and loaded them, the more rounds I could get in them. By the time I was done, I was getting 11 in each one.
The first 2 mags. were shot at 5yds to see how it grouped. They were all in the circle. I then reloaded the mags. and moved the target to 7yds. This time I filled the circle again. I brought the target back in to 5 and decided to shoot 6 shots in rapid succession. These would all have been kill shot, in or around the circle.
I took a short break to talk to the guy next to me about his little M-11 silenced machine gun he was shooting and give my thumbs a break from loading. While talking to him, he showed me his AK-47 that he had converted to a pistol also. It was an AK minus the butt stock and he had it reregistered as such. He was in the military and while overseas, he had sent it to his gunsmith to be reworked. Let me tell you, I have never felt an AK with a trigger that smooth and light. It was a real pleasure to shoot. I also had the opportunity to shoot his M-11 in 3-5 round burst. THAT THING WAS BAD ASS!!!! That was my first machine gun to fire and I was pumped, 30 rounds in about 45 sec.
OK, back to my XD. After my drooling session, I went back and moved the target to 15yds. and proceeded to shoot another 2 mags. Very nice grouping for my first session of shooting this pistol at this range. After this, I just began to shoot at the target at various circles and distances. I even let the gentleman beside me with the machine guns shoot a few rounds since he let me waste some of his ammo. He was surprised at how well it shot also and commented on how smooth it was.
After my first shooting session I really like this pistol. I felt it had a good trigger weight, around 5-6lb., but it had a little to much travel for me. In a SHTF situation, you would never notice it. The recoil was pleasant and the accuracy was better than expected for a 4” barrel, even though Springfield makes some great firearms. The back strap safety is a great addition along with the trigger safety. You have to have one pushed to use the other. You even need to have the back strap safety pushed to work the slide, which is nice and a pain too. Overall I thought this pistol was a pleasure to shoot and would recommend one to anyone looking for a new pistol. Whether it is for home defense, concealed carry or just wanting a new “toy” to play with.
I lost the first 5yd. target pic, sorry.
Click for larger view
[glow=red,2,300]5yd. rapid fire[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]7yd. slow fire[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]15yd slow fire[/glow]
