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Some 5" 1911 springs will require clipping a coil or two off to get full slide travel. I started with a Springer Sig 320/250 full length guide rod and a 13# spring and removed 2.5 coils to get full travel. I have about 1500 rds through it in competition and practice, with no problems. A number of people have commented how little muzzle flip there is, even when my wife is shooting it fast through a stage.

Also, check shellplate rotation. I had this problem w/ small primers on my 650 when the plate hadn't completely stopped indexing as the case came down onto the primer. I'm running the mods (bearings, ltwt index ball, lightened ball spring) to smooth out the index and found this.

Kensight makes fixed and adjustable sights which fit the Novak cut. I've used their Bomar and LPA style sights and the quality is fine. http://stores.kensight.com/StoreFront.bok

As stated, a gov't and commander frame have different length frame rails. A commander and officers have the same frame rails but different length grip frame areas. I have a Ciener .22 commander conversion which runs fine on both my Ruger commander and my Colt Officers. The magazine is longer than the grip when used on the Officers. Keep in mind the really short 1911's (Colt Defender) are an even shorter frame and won't accommodate a commander length 22 conversion.

I was lucky enough to happen upon a new XDs under retail at a local chain store shortly after Christmas, and added it to the collection. Overall I'm very impressed with it's carry - ability and shooting. Blade-tech made me an UCH IWB holster and it rides very well. Compared to my Colt Defender, I miss the beavertail grip safety and 1911 trigger, but they are very comparable. The XDs seems to have a little more muzzle rise, but nothing that influences splits when shooting. On my first outing (100 rds) the slide cut me back on the base of my thumb, and I managed to get a blister on the bottom side end of my trigger finger. The cut was most likely due to my high thumb (1911 safety ride) and trying to get comfortable with the new grip shape, but I'm currently experimenting with the smaller grip insert to see if that pushes my hand up slightly less. The trigger finger blister seemed to be due to the gun recoiling upward and forcing my finger to the trigger guard while resetting, almost pinching between trigger bottom and guard . The pull weight felt heavy as new ( measured 7.5#) and I believe this combined with my grip (or lack) contributed. I've since added the PRP spring kit which brought the pull weight down to just under 5#, and all seems well. The XDs points well and appears very accurate. I'm getting used to the sights (prefer a narrower front w/more light) but am overall very pleased and will be carrying this over the Defender.

My bad, my reference to "SVI 2011" was meant to describe my SVI widebody, short dustcover limited gun. I use SVI magazines for shooting in limited, but used the STI 126mm 10 rd. 40 S&W mags successfully when I shot the gun in L-10. I definitely didn't feel as bad when I kicked or stepped on a dropped mag during a stage. I'm not sure STI still offers these 10 rd. mags, but they were about half price to the SVI's.

Just an alternative, but when I was shooting L-10 w/ my SVI 2011 I had good luck using the STI 10 rd. mags. You can't go wrong w/ the SVI mags, but they come at a very precious price. I was able to buy the STI 10 rd mags for less than half the price of SVI's through distributors here in the US. I did wind up making my own bases to allow the 10th round to fit easier, but still had much less invested per mag. This was in 2004-05 when the US "hi-cap" mag ban was sunsetting. Something to consider...

Anyone care to comment on how the XDS carries / shoots compared to a Colt Defender 1911? I haven't had the opportunity to compare the two s/s, but with thin grips the Colt measures close to the XDS (yes, the exposed hammer makes it a little longer). I'm on my 6th XD/XDM and will always have 1911's, so I'm wondering if an investment in an XDS is going to get me something I don't already have in the Defender. Thoughts?

I've been using my Safariland 5187 sized for my 5" XD Tactical .45 with my XDM5.25 9mm. It fits pretty well, covers the trigger, and allows a decent draw. It's worked well for two matches so far and the only issue is keeping a thumb over the back of the slide when reholstering, so it doesn't push the slide back slightly. Fairly inexpensive and works for me until dedicated holsters are available. Jim