004 Springfield XD-M, John Farnam

[Daeglan]

In my experience that is the way every pistol and rifle I have used was. the last couple rounds are always tight and the magazine release is stiff with the extra pressure.

[RJB3 USMC]

In my experience that is the way every pistol and rifle I have used was. the last couple rounds are always tight and the magazine release is stiff with the extra pressure.

I will not disagree with you, Daeglan. Tight is what I expected. I called Springfield Armory, and they said they had not heard complaints about this. They asked me to send it in so they could look at it. I have since received it back in the mail, and it is much, much better. They adjusted the magazine catch. The magazine now inserts with the appropriate amount of force, and I can now manipulate the magazine release with one hand while the magazine is carrying 19 rounds. (To give an indication that it has not been lightened too much, my wife still has trouble one handed.)

I did not post that I had sent off my pistol last week, but it went out on Monday the 28th and I got it back on Tuesday the 6th (They called on Friday to tell me it was going out Monday). I am very satisfied with the customer service (as it seems I have been across the board in the firearm market).

Rich

[Gail]

I have one of these XDm puppies now and I absolutely love it. I left it with John when I was out of town and now he has his own too. Both of ours were worked over by the performance center and they are Sweet! John just won the local match with his, http://proarmsinc.com/newsandviews/2009/10/06/live-oak-team-in-1-2-3-finish-at-jax/ Mine's here: http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/GUNS/GUNS1109/
I actually put away my beloved Glock34, at least temporarily.

Gail

[John Strayer]

Gail is not near kind enough to the Springfield Custom Shop for the work they did on these two XDm's. I have been shooting the XDm in both 9mm and 40SW for awhile now.
The action job provided by the custom shop and a change of the sights has made this a real match gun.   The trigger pull has been reduced to 3.5lbs and the Dawson front fiber optic and adjustable rear are very fast. So fast it cost me cover procedural at the last match.  XDm's highly recommended, SA Custom Shop action job extremely nice on one that can be dedicated to matches only.

[S391]

Gail,

Do you shoot your XD(M) in IDPA? If so, do you remove the magwell? Any chance we can get some close up pics of Johns "1957 Chevy" XD(M)? (Sorry, the flames made me think of a 57 chevy and it was the best I could come up with).

Thanks,
SVD

[MasAyoob]

Can't answer for the Princess of PrEditors, but just sayin'...

Gail took Most Accurate overall (beating all the men, including, yes, all of us on Team Pro Arms) in the first IDPA match where she shot the XD(m) from the Springfield Armory Custom Shop. Good size match, too.

And yes, she took off the flower pot bottom. Had to.  Too big for IDPA regs, though they offer one that's IDPA compliant.

Right now she's shooting it bare bottom (the gun, not her) and kickin' boo-tay with it.

And, of course, brother Jon with the Blue Flame XD(m) SMOKED all comers including the rest of us at the last local match, and did pretty damn good with it at Blackwater, too.

Best,

Mas

[Gail]

OK, Mas explained for me about the magwell and all that. Here's a picture of "The Blue Flame" in action.

Notice the spent casing in the air and John is right back on target. this was one of the infamous "Pizza" stages in Jacksonville which is only outdone by the "toilet" stage.

Gail

[MasAyoob]

And the still photo does not convey the speed with which Jon made his hits. The gun wasn't the only thing that looked like it was "on fire." He won the match handily and overall among a goodly field of shooters. It's in October '09 match results at www.firstcoastidpa.com.  Good run, brother Jon.

--Mas

[S391]

And the still photo does not convey the speed with which Jon made his hits. The gun wasn't the only thing that looked like it was "on fire." He won the match handily and overall among a goodly field of shooters. It's in October '09 match results at www.firstcoastidpa.com.  Good run, brother Jon.

--Mas

What do we have to do to convice you guys to post your competition videos on Youtube? I know you guys tape every run and I bet folks would like to see what it's supposed to look like when people who know that they are doing do it

[Chris]

Geeeezzzz! Now I'd actually have to dress nice and take the cigarette outa my mouth! That sucks.
Chris Christian

[MasAyoob]

We've been getting a little sloppy on that lately. Let's see if we can't get something this week at GSSF/Pensacola, and IDPA/Jacksonville.

Talking to the Princess of PrEditors and Podcast Production,
Mas

[hobartfloyt]

Would the GSSF/Pensacola be at the ERML range? (Just asking because it's 7 miles from my house)
Art - Florida

[MasAyoob]

You betcha, Art. You really oughta shoot it. GSSF is one of the most fun match formats out there. We haven't shot Pensacola before, but those who have tell me that they can expect about 225 entries, with 70% or so on Saturday and the rest on Sunday.

Gail & I have to shoot with the Range Officers on Friday so we can be in Jacksonville Saturday AM to catch up with the rest of the Pro-Arms Team and record a podcast. If you can drop by the range around 3 or 4 or so Friday afternoon, Gail & I would love to see you.

best,
Mas

[hobartfloyt]

Sounds good, assuming no disasters at home or work. Looking forward to it!
Art - Florida

[MasAyoob]

Glad you could make it, Art. Good to be able to put a face to the name. Best of luck in the match!
best,
Mas

[hobartfloyt]

The pleasure was all mine! And good luck in Jacksonville.
The match was an absolute blast. Perfect weather, and everyone was very friendly and helpful (although they wouldn't let me create and enter a 'Hopeless Noob' classification). It was my first handgun competition so I was really nervous.
I have discovered that my place in the shooting world is to make the Gun Dudes entourage look good. But at least there were no procedurals and only one malfunction (FTF on a bad round). I learned a lot of lessons for next time.
- Don't let the match be the third time you take the firearm to the range.
- Those pesky plates look huge from behind the firing line. Viewed through the sights, they shrink. A lot.
- You are trying for a low score. Not a high one.
- Poppers that the wind blows down do not count on your score.

All in all, a great day.
Thanks
Art - Florida

[MasAyoob]

We're delighted that you had a good time, Art.

GSSF is a wonderful starting point for competition shooters.  You can go at your own pace. No holster or mag holders, nor quick draw nor reload on the clock, required. Shooters can go at their own pace. Accuracy before speed is the watchword for any "practical shooting," but GSSF makes that clearer from the get-go, and that's probably all to the good.

best,
Mas

PS: the camcorder died at Pensacola, but we'll see what the PrEditor Princess can cobble together out of today's footage at the "quasi-IDPA all-BUG match" at Jacksonville. Great match with great folks, as was GSSF in Pensacola. Still time to shoot the latter if you're within striking distance, it runs through Sunday and the regulars tell me there's less waiting time on a Sunday. Gotta go, Gail & Steve are about to herd the cats and round us up for the podcast that's due to be posted tomorrow. Meow...

[hobartfloyt]

Mas,
Congratulations on first place Major Sub and second in Master Stock at Pensacola GSSF.
Art - Florida

[MasAyoob]

Thanks, Art. Like they say, even the blind pig finds an occasional truffle.

And thanks to Jon Strayer, who lent me the stock Glock 30 I shot in Major Sub. GSSF rules won't let me use mine, 'cause it's got a Tarnhelm grip trim... :'(

Congrats to Mike Ross, who whupped me on Master Stock. (Defeat goes down easier when you lose to someone who beat everyone else, too. )

And, mainly, thanks to GSSF's Scott Gilbertson and the whole crew at Pensacola that busted their collective butts so all of us could have a great time.

best to all,
Mas