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[FROM HANDGUNS]
BROADENING THE GAPThe Springfield Armory XD goes .45By Jeff John
 Springfield Armory's XD gets a major power upgrade with the addition of the .45 GAP chambering. The .45 XD is dimensionally the same as its minor-caliber brethren and can be used with existing XD holsters and mag pouches.
The Croatian-made Springfield Armory XD pistols have converted many shooters to devotees with a pleasant combination of affordability, dependability and durability. One of our local Los Angeles indoor shooting ranges reports a count of 20,000 rounds in the XD .40 S&W and 15,000 rounds in the 9mm without a parts failure. Such reports are not uncommon, and Springfield is in the enviable position of selling every XD that comes in the door. Springfield's engineers have recently added a major power boost to an XD line that includes the 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W with the addition of the .45 Glock Automatic Pistol chambering. The platform of the XD was big enough to accommodate the new Glock round with little extra modification. Those modifications include opening up the breechface of the pistol and the face of the slide for the larger barrel and modifying the feed lips of the .40 S&W magazine. The two magazines included with the test gun are marked as having a capacity of 10 rounds, but in reality they hold only eight. Springfield plans to provide 10-rounders with production guns. Other than that, the XD .45 GAP looks, operates and feels like its kin.
Major Power
Although I have average-size hands and have never felt uncomfortable with the 1911, the XD fits my hand well. Oddly, I don't feel the XD .45 GAP recoils like a gun with power comparable to the 1911 .45 ACP. Recoil feels more manageable, although the XD is launching a .45-caliber, 230-grain bullet at an average of 824 fps--ballistics of its venerable older brother in a platform that is eight ounces lighter and somewhat top-heavy. Being able to wrap my fingers around the grip more easily than with the 1911 is the only reason I can see to explain this illusion of less recoil.
(Left) The magazine release of the XD is ambidextrous and recessed far enough in the frame to preclude accidental ejection of the magazine. The grip safety not only prevents discharge of the firearm unless it is fully depressed, it also prevents the slide from being retracted until it is depressed. (Right) The takedown lever, slide stop and magazine release are all operated from the left side of the XD.
The .45 GAP XD debuts on the Tactical-size platform with a 5-inch barrel and slide. The conventionally rifled XD barrel delivers similar velocities to the Glock 37's 4 1/2-inch, hexagonally rifled barrel. Future versions of the XD will include the original midsize 4 incher and a compact 3-inch-barreled version. Sights are of the fixed, three-dot variety, and both front and back nestle in slide dovetails. They are adjustable for windage only. As with all XDs, the controls are easy to reach and manipulate. The grip angle is the same as that of the 1911, and switching from a Government model to the XD is a snap.
One size fits all
(Left) The XD extractor doubles as a loaded-chamber indicator that can be used visually and tactilely. It should never be relied on or used as a substitute for proper chamber-check procedures. (Right) Accessory rails are all the rage, and the XD features an integral rail for the mounting of lights or lasers. The small, white metal plate is imbedded into the frame and contains the firearm's serial number.
This particular XD had been previously used by Guns & Ammo's Payton Miller and had already digested a mixed diet of fodder without a bobble. I selected three loads from Winchester and two from Speer that explored the three bullet weights currently available: 185, 200 and 230 grainers. The Winchester USA 230-grain FMJs weren't fired over the chronograph but were used to warm up on the 35-yard gongs at Angeles Shooting Ranges (Dept. HG, 12651 Little Tujunga Road, San Fernando, CA 91342; 800/499-4486; www.angelesranges.com).
Shooting The GAP
The front sight sits in a dovetail in the slide and can be changed to adjust elevation. The rear sight sits in a dovetail as well and is drift adjustable for windage. The tip of the firing pin protrudes through the slide to provide a visual and tactile cocking indicator.
A pair of LAPD officers were on the range working with rifles and were asked to try out the XD with a box of Winchester 230-grain FMJs and Speer Lawman 200-grain TMJs and give their thoughts. Although they experienced no malfunctions during their limited shooting, they felt the Winchester ammo functioned more smoothly. I collected a few spent cases for examination and was surprised to find that the primers on the hot Speer ammo (200-grain bullet averaging 972 fps) appeared flattened and had a smeared firing-pin indentation. The XD might have been trying to unlock a little bit early. The Winchester 230-grainers showed normal primers with rounded edges, although the Silvertips often showed a little smearing, too.
(Top) Two LAPD officers who shot the new XD remarked that the 230-grain Winchester load felt smoother than the 200-grain Speer Lawman load. The author began examining the brass and found that the primer indentations in the hot Speer ammo appeared stretched and may be signs of early unlocking. The Winchester primers appeared normal. (Bottom) The small .45 GAP case (left and left, middle) is made extra tough to withstand the higher pressures needed to attain the equivalent of .45 ACP +P velocities. On the right and far right are standard .45 ACP cases.
Reloading the GAP
To take down the XD, first remove the magazine and lock open the action, and visually ensure that the chamber is unloaded (1). Push up on the takedown lever located at the front of the left side of the frame (2). Ease the slide down over the unloaded, empty chamber, and when the slide is in battery, squeeze the trigger to release the striker (3). Ease the slide off the front of the frame. Remove the recoil spring from beneath the barrel. Be careful; it is not a captive spring and is under tension. Remove the barrel from the bottom. The XD is now fieldstripped (4). Reassemble in reverse order.
I believe that once loads are developed for a 200-grain LSWC at 750 to 800 fps or so, we'll begin to see this round in the winner's circle. The feel of extra controllability combined with the actual reduction in recoil should prove a winning combination. The heavily made brass should also prove long-lived when used as a target load. Another factor to consider is that the fatter the bullet, the better the chance of the bullet cutting a scoring ring in the target. Another worthwhile avenue to explore is the .45 GAP in revolvers, but that's another story. Reloaders will rejoice to know that the XD barrel has a fully supported chamber, something its rival Glock 37 does not. To be fair to the Glock, the firm designed the cartridge with a heavy web to the case and strictly counsels against the use of reloads in its firearms. The use of a small pistol primer also helps contain pressures. To me, though, half the fun in shooting is being able to shoot a lot, and, unless you're independently wealthy, reloading is the key to doing so.
Feeding The GAP I've always found the best way to get into reloading a new caliber is to start by shooting either Winchester USA, Federal American Eagle or Speer Lawman ammo. Many retail stores discount one or more of those brands in ads, and the bullets and brass used by all three are first rate. If you don't reload, Winchester's JHP offering will certainly provide you with a defensive load that isn't a budget buster. More important, it is a defensive load with which you can afford to practice. The Springfield Armory XD has proven to be a winner in all three of its original chamberings, and the addition of the .45 GAP certainly sets up the pistol as an unapologetic major-caliber target and defensive firearm that is affordable, durable and dependable. |
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