Mass Trumps Velocity
Bob Pilgrim
9×19 mm Preferred
Yes, I know. My former agency has returned to the 9×19 mm caliber for their duty caliber. They have demonstrated through internal testing that it equals their former forty caliber load in all respects. And yes, I am aware that studies indicate that it doesn’t matter what caliber (9mm, .40SW and .45 ACP) as long as you place it in a vital area. All mostly true, but if you apply the technology and bullet design that substantially upgraded the nine and use it to redesign .40 S&W and .45 ACP projectiles would you not have improved performance perhaps superior to the new Luger round as the majority of these bigger and heavier bullets did in tests in the past? Pistol bullets essentially destroy tissue by contacting it, destroying it and causing sanguination. Therefore, it stands to reason that the larger the bullet’s diameter is before or after penetration it possesses greater potential for striking a major organ? For example, In addition to its larger unfired caliber, a Federal 230 grain HST .45 ACP round that I launched into Perma-Gel test media from a sub – compact pistol resulted in a tissue disrupting expansion to 0.97 inch diameter larger than a shotgun slug. Call me a Neanderthal, but I prefer the old timer’s reliance on mass for handgun stopping power. Elmer Keith, the progenitor of handgun magnum calibers, famous gunman, hunter and firearms aficionado liked big calibers, because they “let a lot of blood out and a lot of air (Shock) in.”
Historical Record
The .45 ACP 1911 pistol has been carried by generations of soldiers and lawmen and its record of defense is legendary. If bullet placement is critical – and it is important there might have been no requirement to replace the S&W .38 with .45 Colt caliber revolvers in the Philippine Insurrection? Better training should have made the difference? But when it comes to worlds toughest fighting man, my vote goes to the wiry Moro insurgent who sprung ambushes from elephant grass with nothing more than razor sharp bolos and Kris’s. Using crude homemade or ancient flintlocks to get US soldiers to hit the deck, concealed warriors would rush the column and hack it to pieces while absorbing multiple hits from rifles and revolvers. The rapidity and fierceness of the attack made it difficult to deliver deliberate aimed fire. Therefore, precise bullet placement was chancy. A big, heavy and fast bullet was needed to stop these fanatic warriors even with peripheral hits. In Vietnam, I carried old slab sides and at the time had more confidence in it than my M16. As a Marine lieutenant, Colonel Vic Taylor distinguished himself at the battle Dai Do. Vic did not have complete faith in the .223 caliber launcher that was experiencing functioning problems for a period of time. Taylor instead, waded into battle against NVA regulars carrying multiple 1911s and occasionally would share one with a grunt who was having difficulties with his rifle. Later on, Colonel Taylor was instrumental in establishing the Corps famous and arduous Infantry Officers Basic Course at Quantico, VA and presents the lieutenant whom his classmates deem they would most like to have on their flanks a .45 caliber Kimber 1911 pistol. OoooRah! Captains Sykes and Fairburn of Shanghai fame and veterans of hundreds of gunfights favored the Colt 1911, but acknowledged that whenever it was known that the criminal was armed with a high velocity 7.62 mm Mauser they looked for ballistic protection. Sergeant Alvin York ran out of rifle ammo during WWI when six Germans charged him with bayonets fixed. He transitioned to his pistol and cancelled any of their future promotions with one .45ACP round per Hun. During my FBI career I had the honor to meet Colonel Walter Walsh (Deceased at 106) who was also an FBI agent and a badass one at that. While in the Bureau it is estimated that he killed between 11 – 17 gangsters. On WWII Okinawa his Marine unit was pinned down by a sniper. With his forty-five, he killed the rifleman with a single 90 yard torso shot. It’s more difficult to stop a man in Condition Red and all of the one shot stop shootings were with military ball ammunition. My DEA boss, legendary agent Frank White carried a Colt’s Commander loaded with ball ammunition. It never failed him in Vietnam and in his several DEA shootings. Frank’s pistol is on display at the NRA museum.
No Round Stops 100%
Do I have and carry 9 mm pistols- I do and I am not ignoring the fact that there have been occasions where felons have taken multiple .45 ACP hits and kept on trucking. Anecdotal evidence indicates that the major police calibers are only separated by 8 percentage points where one shot stops are involved. Hey, I will take that eight percent and find a gun that fits me, is reliable and accurate and I will practice with it until I can shoot it fast and accurately. The biggest objection to the heavier calibers besides weight is recoil and today, we have to focus on the weakest shooters to otherwise qualify them as police officers or special agents. The high capacity argument is irrelevant since high capacity .45 caliber pistols hold 13 – 15 rounds of stored stops. It boils down to control, which affects accuracy and speed of multiple shot deliveries. Serious officers and civilian concealed carry practitioners will work on their skills and physical capabilities to enable them to handle the heavier calibers.
The W Factor
Psychologically, like a shotgun the muzzle and bore of a big four – five commands attention and respect. Its gapping tunnel often stops trouble before it accelerates beyond a peaceful resolution. And then there is the FBI’s “W” or Wound Value. The FBI calculates this from all the data they collect from the 40 round tests conducted when evaluating a bullet. This is the index of actual wounding effectiveness – not potential and is the critical value for comparative purposes. Given identically located hits, a round with twice the “W” value SHOULD have twice the capability for inflicting effective wounds. I looked at four years of FBI ballistic tests. The best .45 ACP round had a W = 4.34. The best nine millimeter had a W = 1.67. These were 230 grain and 147 grain JHPs respectively. It should be noted that some .45 ACP rounds tested had W values less than the best 9x19mm and manufacturers will change specifications without notice and the same round that produced stellar performances in the past may not duplicate that performance in the future? Lot numbers therefore, are important as is random testing by agencies that purchase large quantities for their officers.
High Velocity Not Critical for .45 ACP
If you agree with me keep reading. Others, best of luck with the new nine. If you are among the forty – five devotees and are looking for a powerful concealed carry piece go no further than the Springfield Armory’s (SA) XD MOD 2 .45 ACP sub compact pistol. Stunted pistols with shorter barrels lose bullet velocity, which is critical for nine millimeter, but heavier and larger bullets don’t rely on speed for effectiveness. It also should be appreciated that except for a few most 9x19mm and other caliber’s loads are not optimized for shorter barrels and will not perform as well as most rounds do in four to five inch service pistols? And then there is the intermediate barrier of layered clothing potentially clogging up the bullet’s hollow cavity causing it to act like a full metal jacket load. The nine has a flatter trajectory, but at typical handgun engagement ranges it is not a significant hit factor.
More Potential than the 1911
As mentioned, I chose Springfield Armory’s Little Thumper to launch the big slug. The four-five sub- compact is slightly longer than my Springer Precision SA XD S .40 SW pistol. It’s length is 6.25 “and is 4.75 “ in height making it just right for concealed carry. Gratifyingly it contains a generous supply of firepower with 9 and 13 round magazines. The latter is a full sized X-Tension sleeved magazine that emanates from full sized .45 ACP SA service pistols and the MOD 2 will accept the larger gun’s sticks. Most shooters will carry the XD S Mod.2 holstered with the short magazine on board with the 13 round stick positioned for a reload. The only gripe I have about the larger magazine sleeve is palm pinching when you slam it into the magazine well. The double digit capacity magazine extends the XD’s grip and makes the pistol more comfortable to shoot.. Weighing 26.2 ounces with empty nine round magazines, it is 0.4 ounces heavier than my forty caliber XD S. Fully loaded with ten, 230 grain loads carry weight vaults to 33.8 ounces, but considerably less than an eight round 1911 A1 at 45.9 ounces. It sports SA’s anatomically based and effective grip zone treatment, which consists of varying textures at different panel locations, the subtly finger grooved front strap and curved back strap . Not particularly aggressive, but effective in controlling the 7.9 foot pounds of 230 grain recoil. Its Desert Brown receiver has bi lateral magazine releases, rounded and undercut trigger guard, 1911 style grip safety and forward accessory rails. Its safe action trigger must be properly manipulated or the trigger will not move. However, both the trigger block and grip safety are intuitive and merely requires the establishment of a proper firing grip to deactivate. A prominent slide stop / release and take down lever reside on the pistol’s left side. The slide stop / release can be operated with one’s thumb without relinquishing one’s grip. Everything, save the front sight is rounded and snag free.
Front Sight Reservations
The black Melonite finished slide is crowned with dovetailed, fixed white dot rear and red fiber optic front sights. While I can shoot more accurately with this arrangement, My compliments to SA for maximizing sight radius, which is 5.5 inches. Rear slide “Post-Wedge Slide Serrations” are aggressive and offer a positive sling shot grip. Amidships is the loaded chamber indictor and wide open ejection port. Its rear removable recoil plate is pierced by a striker status indicator and is part of the safety ensemble noted above. Its 3.3” hammer forged barrel is also treated with Melonite and employs a 1:16” twist.
Metal Finish
Melonitr or Ferric Nitrocarburizing is used by several gun manufactures to reduce wear, resist corrosion and lower friction of reciprocating components. Glock calls it Tennifer and it meets or exceeds stainless steel specifications.
Powder River Precision
Before the article was completed former Marine Dan Batchelor, CEO of Powder River Precision Came to the rescue and very kindly provided me one of his Trigger Kits for the MOD.2. The package consists of a trigger with an over travel stop and a myriad of CNC machined parts and springs. Installed by XD specialists ASH Tactical) the kit delivered as advertised and made a huge difference in trigger control. Trigger slack was substantially reduced with a scintilla of creep before it broke like the proverbial glass rod and trigger reset travel was shortened. Trigger weight was lowered to 3.5 to 4.0 pounds. For competition trigger resistance can be shaved to 2.5 pounds. While on the subject, I have been told by DEA FAST team members that they have had their Glock triggers lowered below three pounds and US SOF Detachment Delta has done the same. The latter information is unverified.
Spartan Kit
Alas, to keep prices competitive SA like other competitors no longer includes their holster and mag pouch. A cable lock and bore brush are still present in the padded and lockable case.
Eye Socket Accurate
This pistol can shoot. At 30 feet where 90% of gunfights occur the MOD 2 is eye socket accurate. POI (Point of Impact) equals POA (Point of Aim.) Windage was perfect. Stretch the distance to 45 feet and three out of five standard pressures 230 grain printed a few inches high. If required, the MOD 2 could readily take care of business at 75 feet and out to 50 yards in the hands of an experienced gunman. Standing, at ten yards with a two Handed hold I fired five round groups with 18 different loads to determine what the Mod 2 liked best for its diet? It shot everything well, but was most consistent with bullets weighing 185 grains to 230 grains. The loosest cluster was turned in by the lightest round, 78 grain Liberty JHP at 1685 fps. Of course, end results were governed by my ability to hold them and squeeze them and others would most likely do even better. Standing offhand at 25 yards I fired a five round group of 4.97.9” with three of the five ASYM 185 grain Match rounds producing a 2.80.5” cluster. I am right handed and oddly my group bias was to the right – not left as per usual with a pivoting trigger.
Recoil is robust with appreciable dwell, but the pistol re indexes quickly. Extraction will rain brass on co-shooters up to 15 feet off your right shoulder. Fast pairs and six shot drills were controlled by the XD’s gas pedal, its front sight. This pistol will encourage forearm and grip strength development to ultimately tame it. In comparison, my 9×19 mm Glock 43 also bucked and bounced with 115 grain loads, but became a less significant distraction with increased familiarity. While there was not a huge difference in recoil between standard pressure and +P loads I recommend sticking with the former fodder. Standard pressure loads will get the job done with less drama will recover faster for follow ups and impose less wear and tear on the firearm. Either way this small pistol will give you a workout.
FAM Appreciates
Retired Federal Air Marshal Ken Trice did most of the speed shooting with Black Hills 230 grain ball and was impressed with its good behavior and subdued felt recoil for the caliber. His remark was generally “this is a pretty good shooting gun for its size.” He had no major criticisms and appreciated how quickly the pistol reacquired the target as the 230 grains rocked his steel targets. He summed it up further, “SA’s XD seems to get it right in the .45 ACP platforms even with its smaller guns.”
Velocity loss from the XD’s chopped barrel was expected, but not severe with the heavier slugs. When compared to a 5.0” barreled S&W 945 pistol the Mod 2 shed 129 feet per second (FPS) with Black Hills 185 grain JHP, 31.7 fps with Winchester 230 grain Ranger Type T JHP, 167 fps , with Liberty 78 grain JHP and 55.6 fps with Federal HST 230 grain JHP ammunitions.
SA XD Mod 2 Performances
Cartridge Velocity Accuracy
American Eagle
230 gr. FMJ 775.7 0.55.4
SD 5.6
ASYM
185 gr.
Match JHP 741 0.75.0
SD 4.6
Black Hills
185 gr. JHP 975.6 1.07.7
SD 11.0
230 gr. FMJ 756.8 1.05.6 (Cold Bore)
SD 16.1
230 gr. +P JHP 887.9 0.78.5
SD 4.0
Buffalo Bore
185 gr. +P JHP 1045 2.01.2
SD 5.7
Federal
230 gr. FMJ
Aluminum case 760.9 2.11. (Inexpensive ammo)
SD 12.7
230 gr. HST JHP 812.4 0.65.4
SD 6.7
185 gr. Hi Shok JHP 893. 0.74.8
SD 5.7
Hornady
185 gr. FTX 916.6 0.45.0
SD 5.3
220 gr. Critical Defense
FlexLock 879.7 1.05.2
SD 17.0
HPR 230 gr. JHP 761.2 1.42.4
SD 12.8
International
155 gr. FP 1033 0.77.0
SD 18.1
Liberty
78 gr. +P JHP 1685 2.47
SD 27.8
Remington
230 gr. BJHP 768.9 0.84.5
SD 10.0
185 gr JHP 965.6 0.66.3
SD 15.0
Sig Sauer
200 gr. JHP 899.7 2.08.7
SD 7
Winchester
230 gr. Ranger
Type T JHP 857.0 1.24.6
SD 8.1
Five round groups were obtained standing offhand at ten yards and expressed in inches. Velocities obtained from five round groups fired through a CED M2 chronograph 10 feet from the muzzle and expressed in feet per second. Temperature = 90 degrees.
XD Mod. 2 Specifications
Calibers: 9×19 mm / .45 ACP
Action: Recoil action
Recoil System: Captive dual recoil springs with guide rod
Models: Black, Stainless and black. Black and FDE (Flat Dark Earth)
Weights with empty magazines: 26 oz. w/9 round magazine. 27 oz. w/ extended magazine and X-Tension
OAH: 4.75” – 9 round magazine. 5.5” w / 13 round magazine
OAL: 6.5”
Grip width: 1.20”
Frame: Black polymer
Slide: Forged steel, Melonite finish
Recoil spring: 19 lbs.
Barrel: 3.3” Hammer forged, Melonite finish. 1:16” twist
Sights: Fixed low profile rear with white dots and Fiber Optic front
Sight radius: 5.5”
Safeties: Trigger, grip and firing pin drop safeties
MSRP:
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Conclusions
NYPD, the largest police department in the world approved the XD S for off duty carry albeit in nine millimeter. This approval is unimpeachable testimony to the recognized quality of design inherent in all XD pistols. The entire line is strong, robust, safe and accurate pistols. I like the idea of a grip safety although others condemn it as just one more thing to go wrong and have the potential to load up with debris in hostile environments and fail. Guns are machines and manmade. Therefore they are not perfect and will and can fail at the worst of times. Unlike the military, most of us function in a sterile environment and in this world quality metal and polymer pistols have an enviable record of reliability. However, there was one pistol with a grip safety that served with distinction in all the extreme hell holes of combat for almost 100 years and its heavy caliber generally put the enemy down. Until I see repeatable evidence that the new nine is consistently stopping bad guys, I will stick with my little canon and its larger siblings. Call me Dinosaur Bob.
Contacts
Springfield Armory
1-800-680-6666
sales@springfieldarmory.com
www.springfieldarmory.com
Powder River Precision, Inc.
541-523-4474
michelle@powderriverprecision.net
ASH Tactical
540-736-8007
rhall@ashtactical.com
www.ashtactical.com
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