Canyon Creek 4P XDM 5.25 9mm

[GJM]

I decided to get a Canyon Creek 4P 5.25 inch XDM 9mm to mess around with for the following reasons:

1) it seems like almost everyone else around here is shooting one in Production.

2) Robbie Leatham shoots one well, and designed it for USPSA.

3) it points more conventionally than a Glock, and can have a better trigger.

4) I have no XD experience, aside from a bit with an XD .45 about ten years ago.

5) there is enough XD hate around, that I thought it would be fun to see for myself.

The XDM arrived, Production ready with a Dawson FO front sight, black adjustable rear sight, texture on the grip, and an outstanding trigger. I shot it for the first time today, in a 350 round session.

Here is the bad. I had a stoppage on round three. I also had one round that wouldn't chamber, with the slide out of battery, and unable to go into battery, apparently the cartridge was mis-sized. Not sure if the initial issue was break-in, as it ran otherwise, excepting the apparently defective cartridge. My 25 yards groups were somewhat larger than what I expect with the Glock 17/34. Could be real, could be my familiarity, could be ammo choice.

Here is the good. This pistol handled like a hybrid of the two pistols I shoot best, the Glock 34 and Mink'd SP01. It was just crazy easy to shoot well. Bill drills at 7 and 25, Garcia dot drills, shots to the 3x5, steel, 35 yard steel, one shot draws, and transitions. We had a target array set up, consisting of an eight inch steel at 8, three more at 12 yards, and three at 21 yards. I had a 3.44 clean run for the seven targets which is a def PR. For a draw to two targets at eight yards, four A zone hits, I was seeing 1.55-1.60 for 4A's or a 3A/1C run. The common denominator to the good results was very fast transitions with this pistol, which I attribute to its relatively light weight, but a very light, short trigger with some roll that lends itself to stop/aim/jerk.

I really liked the adjustable rear sight, and it was a delight to fine tune elevation and windage, using just a Leatherman. The slide stop is in a good place. I had no problems with the grip safety shooting, and liked that it was essentially auto Gadget when holstering. The metal mags dropped cleanly.

My wife who believes Glock is the answer to everything in a handgun, also shot it. She said "let me shoot" one mag, and then a number of mags later, I had to pry it out of her hands. She said that she felt like she could shoot it better than her 34 with a good Vanek trigger. Her opinion was I was shooting it better than the 34, and probably the CZ, despite it being the first time I shot it.

There you go, XD haters.

[taadski]

So I must ask....


Are you shooting this next week? :D

[Mr_White]

That is pretty cool, GJM. Very interested to continue to hear about it as you spend some time with this gun. I've not really loved the XD, but that's probably mostly the common bias against them talking. I have to say that every one I've ever dry fired has had quite a good trigger, and those are regular XDs, not the M.

[Leroy]

The XDM pistols I have played with where all easibly shootable. The people I know who shoot them have had no issues that I am aware of. The XDM trigger can be easily tuned to scary light levels. I know a guy who has a Production and Limited setup with better triggers than any SPO1 Shadow I have shot. I have never understood why some people hate them so much.

[45dotACP]

Something Something....stupid grip safety...otherwise the XD isn't as bad as some think. I just never saw the need for me to have one. But a local M class shooter I know seems to like his. As far as an easy to use gun set up for production you could do worse.


I'd take a used XD over a new Taurus.

[GJM]

Tom, even though this pistol is for USPSA and not surviving a dynamic encounter on the street or in the food court, I went basic black for my XDM. It may soon have a twin though, as my wife wants one. She is Glock-centric to the core, but grudgingly admits the 5.25 is easier to shoot than her 34's.

In the old days, I think it was a toss up whether Todd disliked the XD or 1911 more. Maybe I should try to snag him one as a back up to his Commander. You know, 1911 like trigger and grip angle. :)

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/image.jpg1_zpstptsmuhg.jpg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/image.jpg1_zpstptsmuhg.jpg.html)

[orionz06]

You oughta cerakote it orange.

[nwhpfan]

XDM's don't get enough love. I have one from Springer Precision www.springerprecision.com The slide sits right on top of your hand and the recoil is very flat. The trigger on mine, as tuned by Springer, is about 2.75# and has a rolling break that is the hands down best trigger ever. Match barrel mine shoots groups on top of each other at 25 yards. As for the grip safety...um, it's under the hand...and it's impossible to not deactivated it if your holding it in your hand...and if that's still a problem put a rubber band around it, or tape it down...

[45dotACP]

I got to play with a #GripZoneTM Mod 2 mk. IV at the fun shop. Kinda cheesy and I probably wouldn't shell out extra bucks for it. The XDs 4.0 however....now that looks interesting.

[GJM]

That is it. There is a vid online that explains the twisting motion you do.

It is extremely effective.

[LittleLebowski]

That is it. There is a vid online that explains the twisting motion you do.

It is extremely effective.

Interesting. Googling.

[GJM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsKGbqA9aNo&sns=em


Sent from my iPhone

[YVK]

That is it. There is a vid online that explains the twisting motion you do.

It is extremely effective.

These bars are color coded according to the level of resistance.

The one you have is rated for pediatric and geriatric group.

[MGW]

I got to play with a #GripZoneTM Mod 2 mk. IV at the fun shop. Kinda cheesy and I probably wouldn't shell out extra bucks for it. The XDs 4.0 however....now that looks interesting.

Someone on this forum needs to do a 2,000 round test on the 4.0. I've shot a few of the 3.3's in both calibers. I like how they shoot but don't know about reliability yet. Shooting my Shield frustrates me. Can't seem to master the trigger.

I forgot to ask, what is the difference between the factory Tactical and Competition XD? They both seem to be really popular around here.

[GJM]

These bars are color coded according to the level of resistance.

The one you have is rated for pediatric and geriatric group.

Yep, that is intentional. Are you by chance a P30 shooter?

I tune the Thera Band to the power factor and recoil impulse of my gun/ammo combination, which in the case of the XDM 5.25 is quite light. I only go to the heavier duty Thera Band when I plan to shoot my P30.

[JV_]

I'm confused. What happened to your CZ Shadow? I thought that was the pinnacle of competition guns...

[GJM]

I'm confused. What happened to your CZ Shadow? I thought that was the pinnacle of competition guns...

It still is.

[jetfire]

It's nice to know there is someone who has gun ADD worse than me.

[JonInWA]

The potential of the XDs seem to be marred not so much by how well they shoot, but by how well they stay together-at least in serious LEO trials to date. And if/when they experience vicissitudes, how timely repairs can be effected due to the protracted supply line stretching from Springfield to Croatia.

And then there's the grip safety operation/limitations which can make it effectively limit its LEO desirability (among others).

I don't own one, and I don't hate them. I have a number of friends in IDPA that shoot them extremely well. Personally, however, if I'm going to go with an "outlier" pistol/platform, I'd be far more inclined to play with a Cee Zed PO7 or PO9, or one of the FN FNS variants. Realistically, I'm trying to withstand the siren song of tempting outliers, and concentrate on my Glocks (and, for a significant part of the year, my personal bete noir, my 1911s...

But kudos to you for running one and reporting the good/bad/ugly.

Best, Jon

[YVK]

Yep, that is intentional. Are you by chance a P30 shooter?

I tune the Thera Band to the power factor and recoil impulse of my gun/ammo combination, which in the case of the XDM 5.25 is quite light. I only go to the heavier duty Thera Band when I plan to shoot my P30.

Understood. I heard that XDm should be handled lightly anyway, otherwise funny things may happen. Is there by chance any truth to that?

[GJM]

Personally, however, if I'm going to go with an "outlier" pistol/platform, I'd be far more inclined to play with a Cee Zed PO7 or PO9, or one of the FN FNS variants.

Best, Jon

I am not planning to carry one, or even advocate anyone else shooting one -- just reporting my experience shooting one set up for USPSA Production.

Not sure of your definition of "outlier?" TGO said they have sold, as I recall, 6 million of them. Last I heard Glock has sold 8 million pistols, so while perhaps an outlier on PF, they are probably more of them than any other striker pistol except the Glock?

[orionz06]

XD's are far more popular than Glocks in the typical American gun owner circles.

[JV_]

It still is.Thanks. You change guns faster than I can follow. I appreciate your dedication to trying new stuff and staying interested, I've certainly struggled in this area.

[LSP972]

, they are probably more of them than any other striker pistol except the Glock?

Could be. We see quite a few of them come through the lab, and almost all of them are stolen pistols.

I'm like you; I don't like them, but I don't hate them. Their grip shape is actually quite good, and they are a "comfortable" shooter. But the fact that the grip safety must be depressed to work the slide is a BIG killer for a serious pistol, IMO. Think malfunction clearance techniques under less-than-ideal conditions.

.

[vcdgrips]

My first set of shooter buddies/mentors were all late 70's mid 80's Gunsite grads. As they have gotten older and paid the price for all that full power .45 stuff shot out of an all steel 5 inch 1911, almost to a man, they have gone to the XD platform as their "plastic pistol" of choice. YMMV greatly.

David Barnes
VCD Grips

[Mr_White]

Off topic, but is that flexbar the thing I heard Charlie talking about at AFHF2 in ABQ a few years ago that you use to combat tennis elbow? If so, how do you use it?

My tendinitis is mostly off, but it will flare back up when I practice enough. I just got the same (geriatric/pediatric/green) Thera-Band Flex Bar and my elbows really like it so far. The elbow exercises to look at are the Tyler Twist (for lateral epicondylitis/tennis elbow) and Reverse Tyler Twist (for medial epicondylitis/golfer's elbow.) I'm practicing enough right now that I'm sure my elbows would be hurting otherwise.

[GJM]

You change guns faster than I can follow.

Depends upon how you define change? I shoot almost daily, and love nothing more than keeping my shooting fresh by periodically checking out something different.

I also love pure performance, which I continuously measure. My approach of focusing on one primary for the bulk of my shooting, and staying stimulated by mixing in occasional other stuff like the XDM, seems to be working for me. My approach might not be right for others. Some folks think one gun is the right number, others think three of the same gun is right, some like a whole bunch of them. Figure out what you enjoy, what works for you in maximizing your skills, and carry on.

Got to go -- heading to Mesa for a tutorial with TGO on Wednesday.

[Jeep]

Depends upon how you define change? I shoot almost daily, and love nothing more than keeping my shooting fresh by periodically checking out something different.

I also love pure performance, which I continuously measure. My approach of focusing on one primary for the bulk of my shooting, and staying stimulated by mixing in occasional other stuff like the XDM, seems to be working for me. My approach might not be right for others. Some folks think one gun is the right number, others think three of the same gun is right, some like a whole bunch of them. Figure out what you enjoy, what works for you in maximizing your skills, and carry on.

Got to go -- heading to Mesa for a tutorial with TGO on Wednesday.

There is a lot of wisdom in these statements, I think.

[JV_]

Depends upon how you define change? Yep, it sure does.


PS. Don't take what I've said as a slight, it wasn't meant that way.

[Sal Picante]

We've got a few guys here that shoot Rich's XDM's... Nice triggers, good guns. Accurate with the right loading.

[rsa-otc]

A lot of people in my area do good work with the XD platform. The only negatives I have found are, in the 45 acp platform they absolutely choke on semi-waddcutters. This I have personally experienced when trying an employee's gun with my ammo. At the time I was choosing between the XD or M&P platforms to replace my ultra high round count 645 as my IDPA CDP gun. The way the magazine presents the next round to the chamber causes the empty case to catch on the semi-wadcutter's shoulder preventing the empty case from ejecting. If you don't ever want to shoot semi-waddcutters this isn't an issue but at the time 200 grain SWC were my preferred load making the XD a no go for me.

The only other issue I have personally witnessed was in a sanctioned match where a fellow squad member's XD kept choking. David Olhasso who was also on our squad pointed out a broken pin, I don't remember which. He also remarked that it is a common breakage. Since Dave has won at least one National Championship with the XD before moving to S&W I'll take his word for it being a problem. Springfield may have addressed the issue by now.

As long as you keep these two things in mind I think the XD is a very shootable platform. My take on the pin issue is that it is a routine maintenance issue. Change the pin like you would springs you should be golden. In fact one of my sons has 2 XDs, a XD40 subcompact and a XDM 5.25 in 9mm both of which he loves.

[HCM]

The potential of the XDs seem to be marred not so much by how well they shoot, but by how well they stay together-at least in serious LEO trials to date. And if/when they experience vicissitudes, how timely repairs can be effected due to the protracted supply line stretching from Springfield to Croatia.

And then there's the grip safety operation/limitations which can make it effectively limit its LEO desirability (among others).

I don't own one, and I don't hate them. I have a number of friends in IDPA that shoot them extremely well. Personally, however, if I'm going to go with an "outlier" pistol/platform, I'd be far more inclined to play with a Cee Zed PO7 or PO9, or one of the FN FNS variants. Realistically, I'm trying to withstand the siren song of tempting outliers, and concentrate on my Glocks (and, for a significant part of the year, my personal bete noir, my 1911s...

But kudos to you for running one and reporting the good/bad/ugly.

Best, Jon


Could be. We see quite a few of them come through the lab, and almost all of them are stolen pistols.

I'm like you; I don't like them, but I don't hate them. Their grip shape is actually quite good, and they are a "comfortable" shooter. But the fact that the grip safety must be depressed to work the slide is a BIG killer for a serious pistol, IMO. Think malfunction clearance techniques under less-than-ideal conditions.

.


XD's are far more popular than Glocks in the typical American gun owner circles.

The comments above sum up my experience with and observations of XD's.

Looking at the XDM and XDS it seems Springfield and their Balkan supplier are trying to improve the platform instead of declaring "perfection". My understanding is the slide of the XDS can be worked without the grip safety being depressed. Any feed back on the durability of the XDM/XDS vs the original XD ? Any difference in durability between calibers ?

[45dotACP]

I'll just note that at a local USPSA match I just shot today, XDMs outnumbered Glock 34s...also, more than two of six or seven of them choked. Light strikes were the main issue, and I have no doubt it was due to some confluence of lightened striker springs and hardened russkie ammo. They were nearly as finicky as the 2011s.

I've officially decided they're not for me.