Springfield XDs 9mm & Glock 42 .380

[BlackKnight]

One of the advantages of being a rangemaster for my department is that I get to shoot a lot and many times other peoples guns. Between last week and this week I shot new guns that belonged to one of our detective's.
So, I would like to give a small range report on each.

Glock 42
This is Glock new pistol. It is a .380. It is a slim, single stack magazine handgun. It fit the hand okay, but it you have large hands your pinky is going hang in the air.
It shot very well. It fit my hand pretty comfortably although I have long fingers. My only gripe was I felt the trigger was too tight, much more so than our G19's. Plus, I don't personally like the .380 round.
But, I can see the gun be a good BUG, off duty, or undercover gun.

Springfield XDs 9
Now, this gun is a little larger that then the G42. The gun fit the hand much more comfortably, but again, if you have large hands, the pinky will hang freely. The detective did have an extended mag. I do not know if they have these for the G42.
The trigger was little hard as well, but much less then the G42, and much smoother.
What I really liked, and I may look into for some of my other guns, was the hi-viz fron sight complemented by the the rear two dot system. My eyes picked up the sights much easier and faster.
This guns also shot very well with no issues.
Must be my tired old eyes.

So that's my short range report.

[skosh69]

Thanks for the review ! Do you have access to a M&P Shield to review? Curious as to how it stacks up in your eyes against the Glock and the S/A.

[Caleb]

Was thinking of getting the XDs9 but, would lije to shoot it first. The g42 is ok but, for the sixe itbis you can get a 9mm with the same round count.

Thanks for the reviews, much apppretiated.

[pony up]

I agree with the BlackKnight. I have XDs' in 9mm and .45. They both are incredible fugly with none of the sweetness of a 1911. They both shoot well, The .45 incredibly well warranting a trip back to the mother ship as," holy Sh*t FULL AUTO- FULL MAG. Would have been fun if it hadn't cost me two years off my life. About crapped my pants. The .45 is nasty, the 9 snappy. both are awkward in the hand. The pinky rest helps with the standard mags. The extended mag makes both calibers better shooters. The sights are easy to pick up. The 6 mile long travel of the trigger and 8# pull (the only safety) are consistent and although weird if you are used to 1911s, are better than some striker fire pistols I have fired. I picked up the 9mm to fill in while the .45 was being "fixed." I have moved on to the wonderful Dan Wesson ECO for carry and the XDs duo will be moving on as well. Friends do not let friends carry fugly guns even if they are fun to shoot these are not. Your mileage may vary.

[BlackKnight]

So Thursday I'm at the range and a Sheriff's Officer brings his Springfield XDs 9 to shoot. He had just bought it and was the first time he was going to shoot it.
I don't really know the guy so I'm not paying much attention. Afterwards, I hear everyone talking about the gun. Something to the effect it must be the safety.
Turned out the gun wouldn't shoot. The trigger wasn't working. We all agreed that it felt as if the grip safety wasn't disengaging. Weirdest thing. It's a brand new pistol.
First I've ever seen something like this. He's sending it back to the factory.

[RKP]

Just an FYI / additional info, if needed:

I installed these on an XDS .45 and it cleaned up the trigger feel quite a bit as well as the pinky hanging issue ....

Powder River Precision Trigger Spring Kit:
http://shop.powderriverprecision.net...&categoryId=15

Pearce Grip Extension:
http://www.pearcegrip.com/Products/S...0Armory/PG-XDS

A 3 Part Video Series On The Detail Disassembly Of The Springfield Armory XDS Pistol:
http://www.tacti-cool.com/detail-disassembly/

The above info / parts pertains to the XDS 9mm as well.

[Barbie]

Originally Posted by IamCaleb

The 42 is a .380 and it's not snappy, in fact it's pleasant to shoot. Have not shot a xds 9 so, no comment on that.

I have, that's why I'm asking... thinking the G42 would compare in trigger and recoil to the LCP....?