Mr.W.
Professional
Yea, it's a thing, all right.
Is the XD Irrelevant?
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
rcurtner
Professional
Yes it is. Years ago was practicing drawing had a few failures to fire because my grip was too low to activate the grip safety. Maybe with more practice I could have gotten better. The XD was very accurate and with the proper grip went bang every time. In a real defensive situation where adrenaline is flowing didn't want to chance a no fire because of an improper grip.
Sld1959
Ronin
It can happen, even the beloved 1911 has people who have had trouble with the grip safety. If my memory is right the memory bump was created because of it. Even one of the more famous Texas Rangers had issues and had both his 1911s pinned.
That it can occur with the XD is hardly surprising.
That it can occur with the XD is hardly surprising.
The Night Rider
Professional
Seriously. They were laying on their side shooting around the barrier as one of the drills
Mr. Untactical
Master Class
I'm curious how many people in classes have missed or forgotten to actuate their manual safeties (on 1911s and other pistols so equipped). Those and any who failed to properly grip their weapons and didn't engage the grip safety on an XD, wouldn't that be operator error as opposed to failure or poor design of equipment?
HansGruber
Ronin
It’s a bad grip, usually.
The class I was taking where I saw it involved drawing and shooting from unconventional positions, where you don’t have a conventional path for your drawstroke.
As for user error vs design…one could argue either way. The XD grip is considerably smaller than, say, a 1911’s, and designed a bit differently…the issue also has come up enough that there’s at least one aftermarket manufacturer that makes a modified grip safety with a 1911-esque “memory bump”.
The Night Rider
Professional
If you watch the video, Corriea addresses that. The grip safety on in 1911 is much bigger than the one on a McRib
Maybe, but it'll still get you killed
Model 457
Operator
I have a .45 XDE I bought to use as my edc. I carried it for a couple of days and promptly went back to my 457. The XDE shoots fine for an economy firearm and is the perfect size for edc. My only issue was that the hammer would end up digging into me after an active day. "Someday" I will explore either an aftermarket hammer or having a gunsmith round out the sharp edges.
Mr. Untactical
Master Class
I would just say that this is why we train and practice, yes? One could argue that the more actions required to successfully actuate the trigger, the more chance of failure in a high-stress encounter. I have Springfield pistols (XD, XDM, etc.) with grip safeties and pistols (Walther PDP, Glock 43X, etc.) without. I haven't had any issues with either so far as making them go bang. Some of my early training focused on driving my hand as high into the "beavertail" as I can to help establish a solid grip. If I do that, the grip safety is a non-issue. To @HansGruber point, perhaps if I was shooting from unconventional positions and didn't have a proper grip on the Springfield models, then maybe the grip safety would potentially become an issue.
I would still argue (from my "untactical" position) that having a grip safety on a striker-fired pistol isn't a deal breaker in an of itself as long as I continue to train regularly. I keep the required muscle memory as well as the "head" memory. I practice (unloaded) drawing and firing every day. Two hands, strong hand, off hand, etc.
I'll acknowledge the opportunity exists to mishandle and potentially fail to fire due to lack of correct grip safety actualization, but I will also state that - for me - all of the Springfields (with the exception of the Ronin) have been 100% reliable.
Mr. Untactical
Master Class
For the record, my EDC (XD Mod.2) doesn't have the memory bump, but the larger XDM Elite Tactical OSP does. I can see where the bump might enhance ones awareness of the grip safety - especially on the (much) longer grip of the XDM. My hand fills the grip on the Mod.2 so, honestly, I don't think there's any way I wouldn't depress the grip safety unless I'm holding the grip between my thumb and fingers like a chopstick
Tremor
Operator
I inherited a XDM 3.8 9mm. It came in the case with accessories. It fits my old, bent beat up hand better than my Glock 26. With the smallest back strap my hand fits it perfect. I’m not a great shot but, I shoot this pretty well. I like that it holds a total of 20 rounds. I carry it on days that are not real active because it gets kind of heavy for my old back. This may sound funny but I love the look and style of this gun. I wish they made it in the size and weight of the Hell Cat. I would buy it in a heartbeat.
The Night Rider
Professional
Maybe you could set up a drill that starts with you season on the curb at a Wawa was a sub in your hand. When the drill starts you have to drop the sub, draw your McRib and fire from a seated position on the curb.
That's certainly your prerogative.
I'm not a gun collector. I own less than 10. I don't own a McRib, or any other gun that employs a grip safety, and I don't see myself going out to buy one just to have one.
I'll acknowledge the opportunity exists to mishandle and potentially fail to fire due to lack of correct grip safety actualization, but I will also state that - for me - all of the Springfields (with the exception of the Ronin) have been 100% reliable.
All guns are 100% reliable, until they're not.
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Casca23
Alpha
I’m not one of the types that has to have the newest, latest, greatest of whatever, and I don’t follow trends. I prefer well tested, high performing weapons. The XDs, many 1911s, Glocks, and many Beretta models.Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Is the XD Irrelevant?” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/is-the-xd-irrelevant/.
Don’t get me wrong. I read the magazines and drool over the new cool looking pistols and of course I want to play, but the ones I own are well established.
It’s a long way of saying my XD-M .45 will remain a part of my arsenal. I love how it feels in my hand and how it shoots. It’s just a great reliable weapon.
Bassbob
Emissary
Well, there are a lot of well established, high performing weapons besides those.
rcurtner
Professional
Welcome to the forum from South Texas.
Mr. Untactical
Master Class
Casca23
Alpha
I fully agree. I just mention those because they are ones I have chosen to purchase. The point is, I don’t run out to by them as soon as they hit the cover of Concealed Carry Magazine (among many others. Don’t hang me for not mentioning them all).
Casca23
Alpha
Thanks from Wisconsin.
