XD-E 45 thoughts and opinions

[fordtrucks]

anyone here have an XD-E 45? Like it? Hate it? Sold it? Any thoughts or opinions appreciated.

I’m considering adding a carry 45 acp and am intrigued by the XD-E. I have little kids and prefer revolvers or thumb safety due to that.

 

[98Redline]

I previously carried an XDs which is pretty close to the XDe in size and capacity. The primary reason I got rid of it was the capacity. While I do like 45ACP as a caliber I didn't feel that the reduced number of rounds vs. 9mm was a worthwhile tradeoff.

I can respect whatever caliber you choose to carry and other than the capacity, there isn't really a downside to 45ACP.

If hammer fired with a safety is a requirement I would also add an HK45 Compact or USP Compact to my short list.

 

[JR24]

For being polymer and its capacity I found the XDE kinda heavy. I didnt find the trigger very impressive and they safety was in a bad place for my 1911 trained hands to manipulate easily.

Of course all my complaints are just subjective and you may love it.

 

[zaitcev]

I think children are supremely cunning beasts and it's dangerous to underestimate them. If they get their mitts on a revolver, you better be sure they're firing it, even if using a shoe strap or a spoon. I understand that's terribly annoying to constantly load and unload, put into safe and take it out... Every time you re-holster it's an opportunity for an AD. But alas, it's the only way. I was sooo happy to have my kids off to college.

That said, if I wanted a gun like XD-E, I would get something with more conventional controls, like a Lightweight Commander or its Springfield equivalent. Reputable ones aren't going to crack, and XD-E is so heavy despite being plastic that you're basically in the ballpark. Personally though I use a Shield 45. There's a model with a thumb safety.

 

[Tommygunn]

I happen to own a 9mm. XDe and I like it quite a lot. I own a .45 XD and XDs and like both of those as well. I like the xde safety, and the external hammer.
I have to admit though, I like various different guns.
I'm sure a .45ACP XDe will be a good gun. JR24's point on the model being heavy is true and might be a consideration for you .... just not for me.

 

[Milt1]

I also have the XD-E in 9mm and I have probably 500 rounds through it without any problems. I bought it on the strength of it being hammer fired with a thumb safety and de-cocker. I suppose many are put off by those attributes but it's what I personally like. I wanted 9mm because that's the only round that I don't load because of the low cost of factory ammo. My guess is that the XD-E in .45 ACP should be outstanding in reliability.

 

[fordtrucks]

I think children are supremely cunning beasts and it's dangerous to underestimate them. If they get their mitts on a revolver, you better be sure they're firing it, even if using a shoe strap or a spoon. I understand that's terribly annoying to constantly load and unload, put into safe and take it out... Every time you re-holster it's an opportunity for an AD. But alas, it's the only way. I was sooo happy to have my kids off to college.

That said, if I wanted a gun like XD-E, I would get something with more conventional controls, like a Lightweight Commander or its Springfield equivalent. Reputable ones aren't going to crack, and XD-E is so heavy despite being plastic that you're basically in the ballpark. Personally though I use a Shield 45. There's a model with a thumb safety.

Shield 45 was actually the other one I was considering. And yes, guns always secured and inaccessible except to adults.

Personal note: I am on revolvers and safeties because I had my glock 26 in my pocket (holstered) when my 4 year came up. I was seated, she was in front of me on my right knee, and I realized my glock was pointing directly at her chest. There is no reason the glock will ever slip out the holster , get pushed back in with fabric caught in trigger, and go off, but that is what I imagined at that moment as worst case scenario. After that, safety or double action goes in pocket carry. Glock is iwb only now. I have 7 kids. I love my LCRs and pretty much carry only them or the new cobra for now. Dumped dry concrete mix in my lc9s and although it works, I don’t trust it well enough yet to ccw again.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

No interchangeable back straps and a crap trigger = nope

 

[jonb32248]

Shield 45 was actually the other one I was considering. And yes, guns always secured and inaccessible except to adults.

Personal note: I am on revolvers and safeties because I had my glock 26 in my pocket (holstered) when my 4 year came up. I was seated, she was in front of me on my right knee, and I realized my glock was pointing directly at her chest. There is no reason the glock will ever slip out the holster , get pushed back in with fabric caught in trigger, and go off, but that is what I imagined at that moment as worst case scenario. After that, safety or double action goes in pocket carry. Glock is iwb only now. I have 7 kids. I love my LCRs and pretty much carry only them or the new cobra for now. Dumped dry concrete mix in my lc9s and although it works, I don’t trust it well enough yet to ccw again.

Sir I can understand completely. I own an XD-E in 9 mm and love the hammer fired side of it and the safety feature's. I have grand children that hang me or sit by me and I worry about them causing some kind of failure. So having that feeling of a little more safety when they are near is worth it. If I happen to be carrying something else like my Walther PPS M2 it's either in the car or usually nothing in the chamber if the kids are around. I love the XDE because with a round in the chamber and the hammer dropped a nd safety on the trigger is useless, you probably know all this. But it's been a great gun without any failures of any kind.Easy to carry IWB or OWB, nice weight, just a great gun.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I never liked them... thin, yes, but the other non-advertised dimensions are large. Felt like holding a dinner plate.

But it does offer a lot of features for the guys who want specific features... (in my "captain obvious voice")

 

[Styx]

I say go for it OP. The first pistol I ever owned was a XD. I had very young children in my home, so having a grip safety made me feel like I had an added layer of security...

If I didn't already have a Shield 45, I'd be all over the XDE... I accually prefer guns with hammers. The Shield 45 is 20.5 oz and the XDE is 23 oz... I don't see how only 2.5 oz makes over as well as only being 23 oz makes it such a brick, but I digress...

As to capacity, you're already use to revolvers which are 5 or 6 rounds, so you'll already be carry 2 or so extra rounds with the ability to have fast reloads. Plus, the XDE has basically the same capacity as the other very popular single stack pistols on the market.