Advise on XD

[Stockton]

I think I've decided on the 5" tactical in 9mm. But first here is my reasoning...and please comment your thoughts. I do own a Kimber UC Raptor II in 45 already. Now having these two guns would allow me to be active in ESP and CDP correct? If so, would I be able to participate in those two seperate classifications during a single match?

Jim -

Thank you for the invite! I will surely make my way down to you as soon as we wrap things up.

Mac

Oh one more thing please. I prefer to buy brand new, so would I fair shopping online or picking one up localy from anyone's experience? Better yet if someone could throw me low and high cost number and I can do the research.

[3GunFunShooter]

At some clubs they do allow you to shoot 2 guns, but only one gun will be counted for match points. You will shoot the match point gun first and then your second gun for fun.

[Gryff]

not too sure on idpa rules. but i shoot a xd9 service in USPSA production class and love it. however if i had to do it all over again, i'd probably go with a xd40 tactical that way i could still make major power factor in limited class if i wanted to change classes. but i'm not sure how IDPA does their scoring so take my advice with a grain of salt.

This brings to mind something that I gave thought to recently.

If you are shooting IDPA or USPSA Production, the recoil of the .40S&W is snappier than the 9mm. This may work against you if you are trying to be competitive.

If you are a reloader, you can load softer .40 rounds, but a 9mm shooter could load softer 9mm rounds, too.

If you don't reload, then you might think a conversion barrel would be an option. When considering a Glock 34 or 35 (same gun, but one is 9mm and the other is .40S&W) for my wife, I considered getting the G35 and also buying a 9mm conversion barrel and mags so that she had some versatility for competition.

But IDPA rules prohibit you from using a barrel in one caliber when the gun is marked for a different caliber. Even though the Glock 34 and 35 are effectively the same gun except for caliber, they are both marked with their specific model number. Therefore a 9mm barrel in a G35 is IDPA illegal, since the G35 is a .40 gun.

In the case of the XD, the models are marked on the slide "XD-9", "XD-40", "XD-45," etc. Therefore, sticking a 9mm barrel in an XD-40 creates an IDPA-illegal gun.

So, .40S&W will work, but for anything other than USPSA Limited division (or L-10), you are starting at a theoretical disadvantage to someone shooting a 9mm gun. But again, this only matters if you decide that winning is your primary goal (not just the fun of competition).

Just something to consider when weighing gun choices versus competition desires.

Best,

Jim

[3GunFunShooter]

You can shoot your IDPA ESP 9 mm in the the production division of USPSA,
just take off the mag well. That's what I do.
If you do reload you can get your IDPA 40 S&W loads much softer, minor,and then load them up for major in USPSA. Atlanta Arms does offer loaded ammo
in 40 minor. Nice and soft shooting.

[Gryff]

Nice and soft shooting.

Which contradicts our old college lacrosse motto:

If it's not hard, it's not going in.

(Sorry...had to say it.)

-Jim

[3GunFunShooter]

LOL!