I have an itch that won't go away. I'm missing a 45 acp from my collection. I've owned an XD 40 tactical in the past, but never a 45. Very reliable gun however it had a tendency to shoot about six inches high at ranges of 25yds +. Six o'clock hold is an option, but I prefer the point of aim to be center mass. Different bullet weights did not seem to correct the situation. Is this common on all XDs, the 40 s&w in particular, or just this gun. Anyone have similar occurences. It's been several years since I parted with the gun. Maybe if it was a widespread problem, Springfield has since fixed it. I have owned several other guns-Walther P99, Glock 19,23, and H&k. All of these had no noted POI problems, just the XD. A simple sight switch probably would have corrected the issue, but I'm looking to buy a gun that is good to go out of the box. Also like the looks of the S&W M&P. Unfortunately I'm not in an area where gun range rentals exist. You just have to gather as much info as you can, buy a sidearm based on that info, and hope for the best. Would like to shoot homemade lead bullets, so Glock is not in the running. Those XD and M&P owners please comment. Thanks. (P.S. Elly Manning and the Giants got lucky. Don't care to discuss it. Guess the sun shines on every dogs a** once in a while.):mad::mad::mad::mad:

It appears you want one of the double action models, have you looked at some of the 1911's on the market? Taurus is making one with all the whistles and bells for around 600 bucks.

I'm with Bob. Have you considered a 1911? Once you go there you won't want to come back. I don't know what your price range is but there are some good ones out there today....Springfield, Kimber, Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Sig, etc.

If you are dead set on a double action my vote would be for a Sig Sauer P220. It will be the most dependable and most accurate out of the box in regard to double action 45acp pistols on the market today. The only drawback is the weight and size.

Funny as it may seem, in the early 90s when I was in the National Guard I carried a 1911 from time to time when assigned as a APC driver,never shot one round, not even in training. Our unit didn't have any ammo for it. How's that for combat ready? I did however like the fit of the gun. I have read about the Taurus 1911 you are referring to, however I was a disapointed with my last Taurus purchase-a 357 tracker, nothing but problems. I don't want to deal with a similar situation again. I was leaning more toward a 45 of the polymer family, Sig Sauers are nice but I was hoping to keep the cost to around $600 or so.

I don't know what they run now, but the best double action 1911 I've ever shot was the Para Ordnance LDA (Light Double Action). I've been shooting guns now for 45 years and the trigger on that gun is as good or better than any Smith double action revolver I've ever worked over.

If you get a chance try one, you'll be amazed.

I own the XD nine, and it shoots to point of aim....
Did you ever think it was the ammo you used, or to send the gun back to Springfield to be checked out?
For a 45, if you want double action, I'd point you toward the S&W 645 or 4506 series. The 4566 was the 4" version. Rock solid guns that feed rocks, and can be found on the used market rather affordably.

I bought a NEW Kimber at Sportsman's Warehouse for $699. It is close to your price range and shoots great right out of the box. I would rather have a base Kimber than a loaded Taurus any day.

I shoot a Para 1911 Hi-cap. It hold 12 in the magazine and one in the chamber. That's a lot of fire power. PAra's are very accurate. I think they are right there with the Kimbers and cost a little less.
Made in Canada
Google Para ordinance and read about it.
Good Lyck

Sorry about the word spell. Good Lyck doesn't mean much but good luck does!

I am very pleased with my XD 45 tactical.
Shoots just as good as my Kimbers with twice the load and half the price.

. . . If you are dead set on a double action my vote would be for a Sig Sauer P220. It will be the most dependable and most accurate out of the box in regard to double action 45acp pistols on the market today. The only drawback is the weight and size.
Agree most whole heartedly. Can live with the weight and size, the only drawback I see is the price.

agree with faucettb, i own para lda companion. have had several .45`s from colt to kimber. without a doubt the para is one to look at. you may have to kick another $100 with the $600 but you`ll find its definitely worth it. the smoothest most accurate .45 in its class i`ve owned. next .45 on list for me is either "warthog" or "slimhog" for ccw.

Thanks for all the info. Just came from Cabela's with an XD 45 compact tactical. Looked at S&W M&P but compared to the XD the trigger was horrible. With the shorter 10 round magazine in the gun it fits my hand well. The longer 13 roung mag is a little goofy, but it works. I'll just use the hi-cap mag for home defense. After the purchase, even though we have near blizzard conditions, i shot a box of magtech 230 FMJ and a box of Hornady 230gr. TAP. Both rounds shot a little to the left, which can easily be cured by drifting the rear sight over a bit. North to south the gun shot point of aim. So far I'm very pleased, great trigger for a polymer gun. Those of you that recommended the PARA LDA, that gun is definately on the wish list. For now, in this area anyway, the price was way high. I'll do some internet searching. Once again thanks for the replies.:p

you will not go wrong with the XD. Bought mine when they first came out. Trigger has even gotten better, and after 9000 rounds of 9mm, it has yet to malfunction. The early XD's had rust/finish issues, so i had my slide and internals hardchromed by STI for a cheap 70 bucks. Well worth it. subsequently, SA has worked out the rust issues, and the finishes are much better.

good choice, good luck!

Absolutely agreed M141A!

I bought my XD .45 in February 2007, took it to the range about 4 times the first two weeks and burned 250 - 400 rounds each time. No hiccups at all. It has been my CCW since the last trip to the range.
This gun is just hard to beat!

As for the para, someone mentioned the warthog. I absolutely recommend that you hold this gun before buying it. It bites into your hand like a stray dog. Hate that gun.

m141a, i had mentioned warthog as a possible next conceal carry gun. i`ve not fired one yet, only held one. with double stack mag. was kinda bulky(have small hands). what bit? was it around beaver-tail and have you fired slimhawg? thanks in advance.

I was talking about the sqared area at the bottom back of the butt right above where the Mag is located. Just holding it tight left an impression in my hand. I have enormous hands, though (my XD with the 10 rnd mag still sits high in the palm of my hand), and that may be part of the problem. I just didn't like the way the warthog felt at all. But then again, what's the old adage? Opinions are like . . . . . . . . . ? Anyway, that was my take on the Para. That's why I recommended you hold it (shoot one if possible) as much as you can before buying!


Good luck!

thanks good-steward, i will definitetly take your advice on firing slim and warthog before purchase. also looked at another para model but can`t remember what it was:confused:. it was a .45,sub-compact,seven shot, without big beavertail and had lda style trigger. it was about size of slimhog.looked great for ccw and again i LOVE that lda action. seems to me they made it in .45 and 9mm. i can`t figure out why wife doesn`t like me going to gun store:D