In retrospect, ordering my new XD-9 subcompact a few days before the SHOT Show was probably a stupid idea since everybody in the industry disappears to Vegas for a week. But it finally left back-order hell and arrived at the shop yesterday. After bringing it home and putting 100 rounds of WWB through it, I must say it was well worth the wait.
Right out of the box, the tiny little thing put ten rounds in a roughly four inch circle from the seven yard line. Normally, a group that big isn’t a good thing, but then this was the very first mag. Not knowing just how 6 o’clock the sights would be, I started way too low, worked my way up, then back down to the right before finally grazing the elusive X. Thus making the backwards 4 pattern pictured above; which probably couldn’t be repeated if I tried.
The groups tightened up a bit after getting used to the sight picture though, and it kinda surprised me how nice it shoots given the size. Probably should have saved one of the better targets, but the first time is always special, and that pattern was just so odd. Perhaps it was trying to tell me I should have got a .40 or something?
On top of shooting well, the fit and finish are also excellent. All the controls are nice and tight (and just begging to be broken in), and there’s no play whatsoever between the slide and the rails like you occasionally find on some other plastic space guns. So, yea, unless it turns out to be haunted and starts making Ouija board flavored groups again, I think this is my new favorite pistol.
Now I just need to find a holster, as the one that came with it really sucks..