Can I compete with a XD .45?

[AboveNBeyond]

If so in what competitions?

[KUHIO]

XD = excellent comp gun. IDPA, USPSA, IPSC. Pick your poison :D

[AboveNBeyond]

OK Great, I feel dumb for asking now. lol but it looks like so many people use 1911's. Or is that just my false impression?

[KUHIO]

Lots of folks DO shoot 1911's. Don't be intimidated by that. It doesn't make your weapon inferior. And with an XD, you'd most likely be classified to compete against shooters with like-weapons (i.e. glock, M&P, sig, etc.). Let the 1911 guys worry about other 1911 guys. :p Do you have any league in mind that you're considering joining? They all offer divisions for competitors shooting stock/production level pistols. In other words, you won't have to shoot against that guy with $5k invested in his gear

[AboveNBeyond]

No real league in mind yet, I live near this range... http://www.yavapairecreationleague.com/Default.aspx and this one ... http://www.prescottsportsmensclub.com/

The first having several types from USPSA single and 3 gun, to Cowboy.

So I figure I'll go by and see whats up, but thought I'd ask here to learn what I can first.

[NRAhab]

Yes, there are several different competitive classes that you can shoot in using an XD chambered in .45 ACP. Off the top of my head, in IDPA you could shoot it in Enhanced Service Pistol or Custom Defensive Pistol; and in USPSA you could shoot it in Production, Limited, or Limited-10.

Personally, I'd avoid shooting it in Limited or Production for USPSA. In production, everyone else will be running cupcake 9mm loads, and in Limited you're looking at some pretty tricked out guns, usually in .40 S&W. Again, this is all personal preference now - but I'd run it in Limited-10, that way you're not competing against a guy with a 20 round magazine hosing bullets from his .40.

For IDPA, I'd go with Custom Defensive Pistol as your division, and avoid ESP for the same reason I'd avoid Production or Limited in USPSA. Custom Defensive Pistol in IDPA has to be a .45 or other "major" caliber, so your XD will fit in quite nicely. Plus (and again, this is all personal opinion), the XD .45 would be almost tailor fit for the short courses of fire in IDPA, which are never more than 18 rounds.

Again, your mileage may vary.

[WESHOOT2]

I've seen numerous users at USPSA matches, competing in Limited Ten and Limited.

[KUHIO]

For IDPA, I'd go with Custom Defensive Pistol as your division


You could go CDP (Custom Defensive Pistol). However, for IDPA I reccomend you start in SSP (stock service pistol). Any semi auto 9mm or larger can compete in SSP, which is geared towards factory stock handgubs (see IDPA rule book for allowed upgrades/modifications). CDP is strictly .45 acp and allows an inclusive list of upgrades/modifications. For a beginner Definately go SSP, you can always move on to CDP.

Good luck

[NRAhab]

Yeah, but remember he's running an XD in .45, not a cupcake 9 or downloaded .40.

[MrClean]

I'd check out the club(s) you'd be shooting with and see how many folks shoot in each Division (Production, Limited, Limited-10, Single Stack)..... That makes a big difference. I shoot production because we have quite a few that shoot in that and most are good friends now. I love a 1911 but there just aren't many that shoot that here.... so it wouldn't be as much fun.

I'd hang out and see who shoots what. They probably might even have a 'club gun' or two you could try out.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy.

[9mm1033]

However, for IDPA I reccomend you start in SSP (stock service pistol).

I don't think he can with a XD model in IDPA. I shoot a XD9 and it's in the ESP class. The XD in IDPA is not permitted in SSP, due to the so-called SA trigger system (Glocks of course are exempt). :rolleyes:

[KUHIO]

I don't think he can with a XD model in IDPA. I shoot a XD9 and it's in the ESP class. The XD in IDPA is not permitted in SSP, due to the so-called SA trigger system (Glocks of course are exempt).


Ah yes, good call 9mm1033. I overlooked that. He would need to shoot ESP. Those darn Glocks!

[Wagonman]

Does anyone know of competitions around Chicago?

[Ken O]

Wagonman, go to USPSA's http://www.uspsa.com/ link, and on the right side of the page is "Find a Club" a place to type in your zip or state.

For IDPA go here: http://www.idpa.com/clublist.asp?state=IL .

There should be clubs not far from you.

[T. O'Heir]

"...feel dumb for asking now..." If you hadn't asked you wouldn't have known one way or the other. The only stupid question really is the one not asked.
What class you shoot in, in any of the shooting games, doesn't matter either. Competitive shooting is about having fun shooting. It is too and you'll meet some truly great people.

[Tony C]

Above And Beyond,

I just shot my first USPSA match. I planned on using my 1911 but as luck would have it the night before I stripped the grip-screw studs out of the grips. I fell back to my 5" Tactical XD in .45. It was fairly new to me, I only have about 300 rounds through it, so I was not as comfortable with the thought of using it as I was my 1911.

I am hooked, both on USPSA and the XD .45. I shot in the bracket "Limited 10", seemed to be the best bracket so I could use my production gun but also take advantage of the larger caliber.

Long story short, the XD works great for this. What ever you decide, have fun.
Tony C
Willamette Valley, OR

[Ken O]

I really like my 5" Tactical .45 also. I had the compitiion trigger job put on it from the custom shop before I got it. I also am more used to the 1911, but I shot the XD more than the 1911 for IPSC matches this year. I shot in both the limited 10, and Limited class. The extra three rounds in Limited can come in handy, but it does throw you in with the larger capacity guns. You could also put the extenstions on the mags for a few more round. Its all fun, whatever trips your trigger...