First Range Trip with XD-s

[bryan1980]

I shot my first 100 rounds out of my XD-s 9MM yesterday. It was also my first trip to an indoor shooting range (outside of the pistol class I took a couple of weeks ago) ever, so I had some nerves going at the time. Anyone else feel like a complete goober their first time at the range? I know I did. Anyways, here are my observations from the trip:

1. The XD-s isn't too bad of a shooter for such a small gun. I could have shot more, if I didn't run out of ammo. I know some smaller pistols are a little punishing.
2. It's true what they say about short barrel pistols and accuracy. I was getting much better groups out of the full-sized M&P 9MM I shot as part of the class. I was doing okay at 5 yards with the XD-s, but 10 yards was rubbish. Again, most of that was probably nerves and the fact I'm not very good!
3. I might swap the red fiber optic out of the front sight with the yellow one. The red seemed to blend-in with the bullseye of the targets I was using.
4. I had some new ammo, and some alder reloads I got from my father with me. On about the third round of the reloaded stuff, I experienced some sort of misfire. I saw more flash than usual, and felt something sting my right hand. I dropped the magazine, locked the slide back. The base of the cartridge had been ripped from the rest of it, which was still stuck in the barrel. I pushed it out with a cleaning rod, and noticed the bullet was still in the cartridge. The gun (and my hand) were fine, so kept on shooting (with the new rounds!), but it shook me up a little.

Sorry for the rambling post, but hopefully the range trips will get better. I know I had a few variables at play (new pistol, misfire, first time on the range, etc.).

[The Marshal]

Bryan,

Sounds like a good trip! Everyone has a "first time", and they may not admit it, but yeah, you feel like you are the most foolish person at the range. hahah.
I own a XD-SC 9mm. With that pistol, I can put the magazine into a 1" grouping no problem, but then I have been practicing with it. I can imagine that your pistol is just as accurate.
Practice!

[Teamless]

Bryan

I have not shot the XDs 9mm yet, but I do own the XDs 45.
First, I like the red fiber optic sight.
If you change it out, understand that if you need to use your weapon for self defense, my thoughts are the red front sight will be better for target acquisition, versus a yellow sight.
So remember the goal for having the gun, if it is self defense, then bear that in mind.

For short barrel vs long barrel
I also own the M&P series (9, 40 and 45) full size, and they are better at further distances than the short barrel.
One of the things I learned, especially with the XDs 45 (even though I have other short barrel guns), when I shoot the XDs, I need to "push" firmer with the strong hand, and "pull" firmer with my off hand, to hold the recoil and keep better target accuracy.
With this type of grip, I have been much more consistent at 7-10 yards, than previously.

[bryan1980]

Very good tips, guys! Regarding the sight, I had no problem acquiring it when I would point and aim at various inanimate objects around the house. So, your theory about it being better for defensive situations is probably spot-on.

It just boils down to practicing for me. The next trips should be better, now that the "first trip jitters" are out of the way.

[rotor]

I think you are lucky your gun didn't blow up. Kaboom. Perhaps some of the more experienced reloaders can tell us what might have happened here but I wonder if your dad double charged the cartridge you shot. That's a very serious situation. Glad you only got shook up.

[bryan1980]

I think you are lucky your gun didn't blow up. Kaboom. Perhaps some of the more experienced reloaders can tell us what might have happened here but I wonder if your dad double charged the cartridge you shot. That's a very serious situation. Glad you only got shook up.

Very well could have been a double charge. Or, maybe the power charge was correct, or maybe a bad spot in the case where it separated? In any case, I'm not using that batch of ammo anymore. My grandfather actually loaded those rounds as it turns out, so in his old age he might have gotten the powder charge incorrect. Like you said, though, I (and my pistol) emerged unscathed, so it turned out okay.