Possible to convert XD45 Compact to Tactical?

[Keilo]

Is it possible to do this? I don't own or know much about XD's, but it *looks* like you can do this by changing out the entire slide assemblies? I would love to avoid all the headaches of doing such a conversion if I could directly buy a XD45c Tactical, but for some reason, it's not on the DOJ approved list. Any advice is appreciated!

[railroader]

I think your problem is going to be finding a slide and a barrel. From what I have heard springfield doesn't sell them. Mark

[Adehtla]

You can get a barrel no problem. I got a 9mm barrel for my .40 from xdpistols.com. I've yet to see slides though.

[Keilo]

I think your problem is going to be finding a slide and a barrel. From what I have heard springfield doesn't sell them. Mark

I emailed SA and they won't sell or recommend where to get a slide...


Assuming one can get a slide from somewhere, is this conversion possible??

[CalNRA]

another reason I don't buy XDs, the lack of factory parts is insane.

You can get all sorts of factory parts from vendors like Brownells for Glocks, and lots of conversion parts from third parties.

[cineski]

Yeah, a factory XD45c 5" would be your best bet. I'm surprised we haven't seen these for PPT in CA yet. I always thought this particular XD was really sweet.

[SVRider]

If you are looking for a "Tactical Compact", the easiest way to go is buy a Tactical and have the grip frame cut down.

As others have mentioned, the problem is getting a slide. Unless someone is willing to part/trade with one they already have on a built pistol, you pretty much won't find one....

[Keilo]

If you are looking for a "Tactical Compact", the easiest way to go is buy a Tactical and have the grip frame cut down.

Know someone who specializes in this?

[SVRider]

I think pretty much anyone that does a grip reduction could do this...

i.e.
- Springfield Custom (I know because I asked Jeremy...their XD smith)
- Barsto
- Robar
...there are many other that could.

I originially asked a couple of year back specifically becuase I knew I couldn't get one in the state. Both Barsto and Robar said they would have to see first if there was anything that would be damaged by cutting it down (mechanics). Jeremy at SA Custom assured me that it could be done and had been for other customers.... Never had it done, but I'm sure there are many people that could. Just look for people that are doing "Glock/XD Grip Reductions"....

HTH!

Know someone who specializes in this?

[Keilo]

Thanks a TON. Time to shoot out some emails and see what's out there.

[El Gato]

would be easier to just buy two guns... and convert them both... shortie slide on a standard frame and long slide on a shortie frame...

The wife has two 5 in tactical 45 XD's... one of each (I'm leo so the off list is no problemo).... the shortie frame and the 5 in barrel is the cat's meow... catnip and a blaster all in one... it is awesome... don't know why springfield doesn't try to get it on the list... the gun is a 10 shot frame and a 5 in barrel it is the best of all worlds... it is the wifes primary carry gun... if she's only carrying one gun .. that's usually it...

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?version=121

[SVRider]

would be easier to just buy two guns... and convert them both... shortie slide on a standard frame and long slide on a shortie frame...

...and you can do it. I also asked Jeremy at SA Custom while I was debating whether or not to have one of my Tactical's cut down if I could swap top ends without a problem to try how I liked the format. He said it would be fine. In the end the compacts remained compact and the tacticals remained tacticals.

The only (small) drawback is slide and barrel are serial numbered to the frame. Not that big of a deal though...

I figure cutting down the frame should only be a couple of hundred or so investment (if you were getting a grip reduction/retexturing at the same time) compared to about $500 for a second XD. Heck, if you were really adventurous, you could even do it yourself if you did it carefully. If you bugger it up though...that's it.

[El Gato]

I figure cutting down the frame should only be a couple of hundred or so investment (if you were getting a grip reduction/retexturing at the same time) compared to about $500 for a second XD. Heck, if you were really adventurous, you could even do it yourself if you did it carefully. If you bugger it up though...that's it.

by Springer precision...that's the easy button...

[Gryff]

another reason I don't buy XDs, the lack of factory parts is insane.

You can get all sorts of factory parts from vendors like Brownells for Glocks.

Please detail where you can readily purchase Glock factory slides.

You can't.

So this issue makes Glocks better than XDs in what way? (Remember that non-factory slides make Glocks illegal in IDPA and USPSA Production divisions)

If you want XD factory parts, you can order may of them here:

http://www.pistolgear.com/products.php?id=46

[Keilo]

by Springer precision...that's the easy button...

It sure is. At that price, there's no reason to try this yourself (unless you truly are the adventurous type ) or end up with an extra gun you only kinda/sorta wanted to begin with.