New To Idpa -- Springfield Xd Subcompact Questions

[wiles]

I've been shooting that other, more "gamey" practical shooting sport

for nearly a year and will be trying out my first local IDPA match

this week. I have a couple of questions about the rig I plan to

use. I've skimmed the rules and read posts on this and other forums that cover similar questions, and would like some of the more

experienced shooters on this forum to confirm which of my

interpretations are correct.

While I have stock glocks and 1911s I shoot in ipsc production and

single stack division that would probably be perfectly legal for

idpa SSP and CDP, they're full-sized and not really practical for

carry, so I've decided to go with the spirit of IDPA and run with my

smaller real-life carry pistol. Unfortunately that gets me into

some grey rules areas I'd like to clarify. The rig I want to run is

an XD subcompact in .40. Yeah, it's a little strange, I love glocks

for competition but chose the xd sc over the glock 27 for carry.

I would be placed in the ESP division because of the action, right?

The XD probably won't be competitive here, but that's not the point,

right? Fine with me. I've read that the Pierce pinky extension I

use on the 9 round mag would be allowed in ESP, but I'm still not

entirely clear on some other magazine rules. The other magazine

that ships with the subcompact is a 12 rounder with a grip "spacer"

to allow for a full-length (non subcompact) grip size. In "real

life," I wear the pistol IWB loaded with the short magazine (9+1)

and carry 1 or 2 of the 12 round magazines for spares. If I

understand correctly, capacity changes through a course of fire (or

through an entire match?) aren't legal in any division, so I either

have to:

A) start with 9+1 and reload with 9 round magazines, or

start with the full length magazine, downloaded from 12 to 10+1

and reload with the longer mags each loaded with 10 rounds.

So my questions:

1) Am I correct in my understanding that the pierce pinky is allowed?

2) If I go with configuration A, am I allowed to start with the

short mag and reload with the long mags (carrying 9 rounds, of

course) This just keeps me from having to go out and buy more short

magazines....

3) Is option B even legal? Am I allowed to use the full length

magazine that ships with the gun? I haven't been able to find any

rulings about the use of Springfield's 12-round grip "X-Tensions."

Keep in mind that these are NOT +3 extended base pads, but full

length magazines with a plastic spacer allowing it to fit onto the

subcompact grip. I'm sure that this fits the box, since people do

compete with the "service" sized XD.

4) Neither option resembles my carry configuration, but it's just

practice, anyways, right? Is there a chance that in a local match,

the SO would allow me to reload from short 9+1 to full-length 10,

considering I'd be going from 10 to 10 to 10? Or is that just

getting too creative with the rules? Before anybody slams me for

this question, keep in mind that I'm asking for the sake of sticking

with my carry configuration, not for the sake of gaming it or

gaining any real advantage in the match.

5) I could be confusing IDPA with other sports, but if I flash a badge, do I get to just run any configuration I'd like to without having to deal with figuring out the specifics of the rules I'm asking about?

[Mayonaise]

As long as you use the same capacity magazines for the entire match you're good to go. Your gun just needs to fit in the box with whatever mags you're using.

So yes, if you start with the 9+1 you should download the larger mags to 9 rounds. The max for ESP would be 10+1 to start and the reload mags capped at 10 also.

BTW your 1911's are for CDP not SSP. And there's nothing wrong with shooting them in CDP (or ESP if other than .45 ACP). Many people including myself carry 1911's every day.

Have fun!

[Singlestack Wonder]

BTW your 1911's are for CDP not SSP. And there's nothing wrong with shooting them in CDP (or ESP if other than .45 ACP).

Single stack .45's can be used in ESP class.

[Mayonaise]

BTW your 1911's are for CDP not SSP. And there's nothing wrong with shooting them in CDP (or ESP if other than .45 ACP).

Single stack .45's can be used in ESP class.

Yep my typo. Just no logical reason to shoot them in ESP unless every COF benefitted 7 or 8 round mag capacity.

[Jim Watson]

There is such a thing as a Box compatible 9 round .45 magazine. Designed by that sneaky Joe D., mine made to his pattern by my FLG.

Lots of people will tell you that a 9+1 .38 Super is advantageous (their MDs are stuck in a rut and have too many double tap targets) and .45 Minor gets you that and bigger holes. Fun to mess with, but not my idea of a serious way to go about it.

[Mayonaise]

Joe's the mad scientist. That's a compliment Joe D. I swear!

[Duane Thomas]

There is such a thing as a Box compatible 9 round .45 magazine. Designed by that sneaky Joe D., mine made to his pattern by my FLG.

"FLG"?

[Jim Watson]

Friendly Local Gunsmith

q.v. FLD - Friendly Local Dealer

[Duane Thomas]

Thanks!

[Jane]

The "XD in ESP" question comes up from time to time.

This was Ken Hackathorn's explanation in the Tactical Journal in 2003:

A number of IDPA members have questioned why the Springfield Armory XD pistol is not allowed in SSP Division. Some folks who do not understand small arms design have stated that the XD is the same as a Glock. When it comes to the design of the trigger action and how it relates to IDPA they are wrong. IDPA criteria for SSP is that the trigger system be Double Action…..and for IDPA purposes the definition of DA trigger is that the trigger perform TWO actions. ONE, it cocks or retracts the hammer/striker, and TWO it releases the hammer/striker. In a Glock pistol, the striker is 2/3 retracted by the cycling action of the pistol. However, when you pull the trigger on the Glock, the trigger does retract the striker the final 1/3 of its movement and then releases the striker via the connector to allow the pistol to fire. This means the Glock trigger technique does both pull the striker back and release it...aka Double Action by IDPA definition. The XD pistol has the striker fully retracted in the cycling of the action. Note that little cocking indicator sticking out of the back of the XD slide (rear of the striker). All that the XD trigger does is release the striker….thus it is a single action pistol. The XD or HS2000 as it was first known as in Europe was marketed there as a single action. It was first brought into the USA by Springfield Armory as a single action. It is single action in IDPA and thus will be a ESP division handgun until they make a .45 ACP version. One clueless individual informed me that since the XD trigger also moves the trigger activated firing pin block it does two things thus we should call the XD a DA…Colts' Series 80 M1911 pistols do the same thing and we sure as hell aren't going to call them DA….so get over it. The XD is a fine pistol, I have one and really like it. But, it's a ESP pistol in IDPA…..and a darn fine one at that.