Choosing between these two 9mm's

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cameramonkey

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I'm really torn between two 9mm pistols, The XD-9 and the CZ P-01. I find both of them to be a very good fit for me personally and I really like the way that they both shoot. Since price for them is pretty close (here in Maryland anyway - don't get me started on that), I'm having a hard time deciding which one to get. I would like to use this gun as a range/personal protection weapon. I chose 9mm because ammo is cheaper and will allow for more practice time. Concealed carry isn't an issue for these pistols since it's basically not an option where I live.

My dillema is that I've been doing some research on this forum as well as hs2000talk and the czforum and I have a few concerns about these weapons. I don't know if these issues are a big deal, but before I spend what limited cash that I have, I figured that it would be good idea to get some 2nd opinions.

For the XD:
1. Slide Rust issues
2. Locking blocks cracking (mostly in .40, but a few in 9mm) - does this affect overall service life?
3. You can't buy spare parts (like for the glock), you must send the pistol to Springfield to be repaired or have parts replaced - but I hear that their Customer Service is good.
4. Isn't as "field tested" and proven as other designs - but seems to have the makings of something to be reckoned with.

For the P-01:
1. CZ's sometimes ship with springs that need to be replaced.
2. I hear that it can be finicky with some ammo (mostly Winchester White Box).
3. Does the Aluminum frame reduce service life or is it more prone to cracking - will it hold up with +P ammo?
4. Supplied guide rod seems to be inadequate. There are available replacement steel guide rod, but do they compromise reliabilty?

I know there is no "magic sword," and I've read the XD 20,000 round torture test article and seen the extensive testing that the P-01 underwent during development (as read on CZ's site). It'd be great to hear some feedback from actual user experience with these pistols. I'm not trying to start a thread or flame war about which design is better, just looking for some advice. I know that pistol choice is a personal things involving multiple factors, the most important thing I'm looking for is servce life and reliability. Thanks in advance.
 
I have experience with both XD and obviously, CZ.

I'd probably choose the P0-1 (or PCR) over the XD due to the longer history and track record (although I really like my XD9-Tac and XD45ACP). For just range time and home protection, the P0-1 is hard to beat, very dependable and accurate. Never had a problem with the guide rod, only thing I did was replaced the recoil spring on my PCR after 1500rnds with a Wolff 18# spring and I also replaced the mag springs (you are correct, in that CZ does have an issue with their springs). The aluminum frame will last your life-time, and then some, and will handle +p ammo just fine.
 
The P01 is an improved CZ75b. It's pretty much the same except for the parts are no longer hand fitted, and are machined to very close tolerances.
The original CZ75 design is an excellent design. I pulled the recoil spring out of mine, reassembled it, flipped the gun upside down, and cycled A-zoom snap caps through the action, cycling it as slowly and with as little effort as possible. The angles and design is so good that once broken in, they cycle ammo with almost no effort. They can be undersprung, and will function reliably with the stock springs and factory ammo. If you want to use +p I would recommend a spring change, to 16 pounds or more.
Buy +5% mag springs and keep them in a drawer. When you need them they'll be there.
The guide rod is almost not even necessary because of the design. It's contained in the dust cover, and basically the guide rod is strictly to help you to assemble it.
It serves no purpose other than that. Assembly is easy with the stock spring. It's a b@stard with extra heavy ones.

Stay away from S&B and new win white box (Made by S&B.)
I'd recommend the CZ.
 
Let me tell you about my expereince with my XD-40.

No rust at all. I carry it in hellishly hot and humid Houston, too. 2 years and no rust.

The newer XDs have stress relief cuts in the locking blocks. Mine has no relief cuts and after over 1000 rounds of hot 40Sw ammo no cracks at all. If it does crack, they'll replace it for free. Another thing not to worry about.

Can't buy spare parts? Well, since nothing has broken, I don't see the real need to be able to buy parts. Again, if it does break, I'll send it in and have Springfield do the dirty work. With Glocks, after the warranty runs out, you're on your own. 5 years from now, if my XD-40 goes down, SA will fix it.

Not proven? Really...says who? The HS2000 has been in service with the Croatian Army for years. Also, an ex-Isralei soldier at Handguns Magazine did an extensive torture test on the XD-9; he froze it, ran over it, threw it off a mountain and ran 20,000 rounds through it in an attempt to better the famous Glock torture tests of years ago. Guess what? The XD-9 did not miss a beat. I doubt very seriously you will ever subject an XD to what that guy did in the torture test.

I'll tell you...I own several Colts a Sig and an FN Hi-Power...all are high quality guns, so it takes alot for a pistol to impress me. This XD-40 of mine has never failed to function...at all...ever. If there is a fault to these XD pistols...I haven't found it yet.

I'd say, go for the XD-9. The Czs are good pistols, I used to own a CZ-75 and liked it, but the other CZs are not as nice as the CZ-75 and the safety and double action and exposed hammer just add complexity, wheras the XD-9 is super simple.

Visit the HS2000/XD discussion board and read the expereinces of those of us that shoot this pistol and some who even use it as their duty gun in law enforcement. This pistol is good...very good.

- Brickboy240
 
I just bought a P-01

I picked mine up last Sunday (2-19-06). I had never fired one before, but took mine to the range that night and found that it shot very well for me. I shot 100 rounds of MagTech ammo without a problem.

From what I've heard, the XD seems like a reliable pistol. The CZ P-01 is less common (in my neck of the woods anyway); in fact, until the day I purchased mine I had not seen one except on the internet. The CZ can be fitted with custom wood grips, if one desires.

Here is the link to my P-01 thread, which shows my targets:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=184486
 
I currently own a CZ P-01 and two XD-9's.
XD issues:
I have owned six XD's and have never had a rust problem.
Never had a locking block crack either.
P-01 issues:
If you have extraction problems a Wolff extractor spring will normally solve the problem. I have experienced extraction issues with a couple CZ's but haven't with the P-01.
If you don't like the heavy double action trigger pull a Wolff 16# mainspring will make a world of difference. I haven't changed my P-01 mainspring but have changed it on other CZ's.
Actually WWB is not a good choice for the CZ or the XD (or any gun as far as I am concerned) but I have had more problems with WWB in XD's than I have CZ's.
The P-01 uses a FORGED aluminum frame. No worries with wear or +P ammo.
Some people don't like the looks of a plastic guide rod but it works so I don't worry about it.
In a nutshell I believe the XD-9 and the CZ P-01 are two of the best pistols made, and are reasonably priced to boot.
 
Both are great but I prefer the P-01.

I'm surprised that there are reliability issues with WWB. I shoot it all the time in my CZ and other guns. I've never had an issue.
The P-01 is built to last........I would not second guess its longevity a minute.
 
I have an xd and a pcr.Either one is a good choice.The cz is what I take with me every day.I shot it more accurately from the get go.Both have fed everything including my reloads without a hitch.My xd did rust when I was working out of town after the hurricane for a month and it was soaked in breakfree-it did clean up easily without any ill effects.I'd trust my life or familily's life to either one.
 
It seems that some people have been experiencing problems with WWB lately. Feeding problems, extraction problems, duds, you name it. Maybe their quality control has slipped. Who knows. Now that they aren't making firearms anymore they can focus on ammo quality.
 
daysleeprx said:
Why's that?
Click to expand...
WWB 9mm cases have a thin rim. If you compare the rim depth side by side with say American Eagle you can see a big difference. This is what causes extraction problems, there just isn't enough case for the extractor to grab a hold of. It may not make as much difference in a Glock as it does a XD but in some guns it can make a difference. In my first XD I could tell what ammo I was using without looking just by the failure to extract rate. Also as has been mentioned I have seen a lot of quality control problems and WWB is some of the dirtiest ammo I have ever used.
 
I bet my life on a CZ PO1 everyday. It has never burped on factory ammo, (jammed on an over long handload of my own mistake), and is simply the best handgun I have ever owned. I used to work on a rental range, and have fired, and owned, a very wide variety of handguns, and my next pistol will also be a CZ.
 
Regarding longevity, I would think the XD would win here. While I'm sure the aluminum frame of the P-01 is as good as aluminum frames get and will last a long time, I don't think it will last as long as the polymer frame of the XD. Forged and heat-treated or not, aluminum just plain will not last indefinitely. Eventually it will crack if you shoot it enough. That's just the nature of the material, not a reflection on the quality of the gun.
 
Well, I'm back from the shop. After a long time fondling, holding, and comparing them both side by side, I went with (drum roll please)....

The Springfield XD-9. I'll tell you why in a moment.

1st of all, this was one TOUGH decision. I really, really like both pistols. And let me tell you, the guys at the shop were very, very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. If you ever need a gun and you live in Maryland, I cannot recommend The Gun Rack in Burtonsville highly enough. No pressure towards either pistol was put on me. They basically echoed what was being said here about both of them. They allowed me to field strip both pistols and look them over and inspect them. I was impressed by both designs.

The P-01 is simply beautiful and extremely well built. I can see where CZ has improved their manufacturing methods. The aluminum frame is THICK. No worries about that thing cracking anytime soon, especially when you compare it to some other manufacture's aluminum frames. The gun had no tool marks on the inside of the slide, unlike older full size CZ models. The recoil spring had a green spring (much like the ones found inside a Sig). The gun just oozed quality.

The XD wasn't as pristine as the CZ inside (the CZ is hand fitted and it shows), but it is obvious to me that this pistol is extremely well thought out. It's extremely easy to field strip, clean, and maintain. The extractor and other parts are easily accessible and modular, much like the glock. One can easily work on this pistol if so desired. The parts seem to have a very good quality of control and manufacture. Truly an impressive design.

So what made me go with the XD over the P-01? First of all, I have large hands. My hands fit the XD "better." When I gripped the P-01 without the magazine, my pinky was flapping in the breeze (ala G26 for you normal-handed sized folks). With the magazine inserted, I was fine. It had a rubber bumper pad on the bottom that helped out with this issue. Second, when I brought the XD to get a sight picture, it was on... Every time. The P-01 pointed a little low for me. Not a great big issue, but it seemed like a small pro in favor of the XD. Lastly, the XD was cheaper. Plus it came with a holster and all those goodies. It just seemed like the right thing to do for the time being. But I definitely fell in love with both pistols. I plan on making the P-01 my next purchase. I highly recommend them both. Thanks for all of the postings and help regarding my decision. Now I just have to wait.....
 
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Well Ive shot them both alot........the XD is a fine gun. I make ALLOT of holsters for them......lots of them. The PO1 is a favorite of mine also....
Either way you cant go wrong.........enjoy your gun.
shoot well.
 
for me, personally, being a southpaw sort of eliminates the P01, and that really sucks, because the CZ75 Compact grip is easily to most comfortable grip I've ever held/shot. Only way I can get what I want is to buy a CZ75 Compact .40 (same thing as a P01 but with ambi manual safeties), but I want a 9mm:rolleyes:

That leaves the XD for this thread, which is a great gun in its own right
 
CZ

I own a CZ P-01 and handled/shot XD in 9 mm. The CZ fits my hand better. No problems ever with WWB ammo, which is all I shoot. The CZ seems to be very durable, accuracy is comparable with the CZ 75B, that is very good. I couldn't shoot the XD that accurately, granted, it's not my gun. Anyway, I like the feel of metal gun better and also the CZ can be outfitted with a pretty wood grip;)
 
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