If someone were to ask you which products Colt has sold over the years, would you say a .22 semiautomatic rifle? I didn’t think you would. Colt made three versions of .22 rifles, the Courier, Colteer and Stagecoach, as well as others under several private-label names for Sears, Wards and other companies. This alloy rifle shot well, but did not hold up well. Unless it was kept oiled and clean, the alloy parts wore very rapidly. In spite of this, the little Colt rifles were good enough lightweight shooters that most owners will pay to get them fixed rather than discard theirs.

Introduced in 1963, the Remington Model 1100 shotgun has been around for over 40 years now. Variations include a sporter for field shooting, a Magnum version for ducks and geese, as well as a skeet and trap model for those who enjoy breaking clay targets. In all, there have been well over 3,500,000 Model 1100s produced over this period of time so you are bound to see one (or more) come across your bench. In this article, I’ll cover some of the common problems that result in ejection failures along with a few of the possible glitches that aren’t seen very often. And, of course, I’ll examine the cures that will help you get this shotgun back in service as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Check out several videos this week: Close quarter defense requires different tactics than defense from a distance. Pillar bedding is the process of installing aluminum columns in a rifle stock to ensure there is perfect metal-to-metal contact between the action and bottom metal. Gunsite Range Master Il Ling New demonstrates the how to properly load and unload your firearm.

What's ahead for the midterms? Jeff Knox at The Firearms Coalition says, 'There might be a few Democrats who haven't been able to bring themselves to declare support for the Second Amendment, but the official party line is broad support for the constitutional right, while interpreting it in the narrowest terms, and doing all they can to undermine and dismantle it.' As for the other party, 'Republicans, on the other hand, are generally supportive of the right to arms, but few of them have any more understanding of the issue than do the Democrats. They definitely lack the resolve and the backbone to vigorously oppose the Democrats' attacks on the Constitution and the President's appointments of radical extremists to the courts and high level government positions.'

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Springfield Armory XD45 Compact Tactical .45 ACP

courtesy Gun Tests

This is a gun that could excel as a police sidearm or in a concealed backup role with the 10-round magazine in place.

In this test we looked at four different polymer handguns that offer higher round capacity but take up less space than full-size models. Our first pistol, the $503 Taurus PT24/7 Pro 45-BP-12 could be considered a true compact, especially when compared to Taurus’s new OSS pistol. The Springfield Armory XD45 4-inch Compact XD9645HCSP06, $589; and the Springfield Armory XD45 5-inch Compact Tactical XD9655HCSP06, $619, have undergone the Colt Officers treatment, receiving a shortened grip frame attached to a full-length slide. The $637 Glock SF21 is a remodeling of the Glock 21, but the SF21 does not seem to be much smaller. We wanted to find out if any of its subtle streamlining added up to a better pistol than the original.

Aficionados of forty-five who crave the Government Model’s power but long for more rounds in a concealable handgun should like the XD45 Compact Tactical. The length of the grips on both the XD Compacts with the 10-round magazine in place was about 0.75 inch shorter than a standard-framed 1911 loaded with a flush-fit magazine.

The original concealable 1911s were custom guns in that their grip frames had been cut in length. This limited capacity to six rounds in the magazine. We measured the XD grip to be 1.2 inches wide at its base. This was about 0.10 inches thinner than a typical 1911 fit with standard width grips.

The XD Compact Tactical differs from the 4-inch model only in the length of its barrel and slide. This increased the sight radius, making the front sight easier to see for most shooters, but it adds about 2.5 ounces to total weight. Additional weight usually adds recoil control, but not when it’s attached to the top end, which is moving back and forth. If the difference in felt recoil between the two model XDs was a negative, then here’s reason to feel good about the need

courtesy, Gun Tests

Removing the top end of the XD pistols required locking back the slide and turning the slide latch upward.

Another aspect of carrying either of the XD pistols with the large magazine in place is the excess weight. For example, it is one thing to carry 15 or 16 rounds of 115-grain 9mm ammunition in the magazine and quite another to tote 13 rounds of 230-grain 45 ACP. This made all the guns in our test top heavy when seated vertically in a belt holster.

Springfield does supply a belt holster and dual magazine pouch with the XD Compacts as well as for other models, but for some body types, this polymer high-ride design can let the gun flop outward, printing against the covering garment. In our opinion a better choice of holster for these guns would be a low-ride model wherein the line of the grip is nearly level with the belt.

The matching dual magazine pouch was exceptional however. It featured a tension adjustable hold that will not come loose and both front and back edges were sculpted with a Picatinny rail for carrying a weapon light or other accessory.

From the bench our test pistol averaged about 1-inch-wide groups for all shots fired.

In our action test of the Tactical model, we landed 17/20 shots in the A-zone. The 20-shot group was tight, but our test shooter was once again pushing shots to the left. Shifting to the head shot, we printed 6/10 shots in the desired spot.

Reader Comments

I have an XD-45 4" in the newer (as of last summer) "military" version which includes an ambidextrous thumb-safety. In fact, I traded my old one w/o the safety for it. I've been very pleased with it and was quite surprised by it's accuracy and the newer added safety is great for adding that added peace-of-mind. It's a tad hefty when loaded with the 13+1 rds, but having that much heavy-duty firepower in such a compact package is impressive. My only real beef is that - also last summer - Crimson Trace came out with a laser-grip for the XD-45, which, of course, won't fit on my newer thumb-safety model. Hopefully, CT will retool their a new grip for this model as well. At any rate, I'm certainly an XD fan. Oh, I should add that having Trijicons installed on it is a very desirable add-on and well worth the extra 75 bucks(ish).

Ed Boyd Central Texas

Comment by: ED B | February 19, 2009

I'm pro .45 and after using and carrying my XD40 which is a real "soft shooter", I want to try an XD45. Springfield has real winners with the XD series. The Glock is easier to customize, but the XD's don't seem to need customization.

Comment by: dgray64 | February 19, 2009

The 4 inch barrel is friendlier for IWB carry, no accuracy difference. I prefer the Truglo TFO sights. Not mentioned is the ambi mag release. Very helpful for mag changes without shifting firing grip. Only downside this (also) Para 10 user (for real deep cover and maximim firepower) would like- but as of yesterday not available anywhere- is an enlarged/ extended slide release/ lock back for clearing and for type 3 failure drills.

Comment by: medicine man | February 19, 2009

I have had a Ruger P90, Springfield 1911 Mil-Spec, Glock21 (First gen), now the new Glock21SF. To me, The G21SF has everything I want in a pistol. And the slimmer frame enables me to put more of a, "Choke hold", on the grip. The 13 rounders are legal where I live, and the pistol came brand new with two 13rd mags. Total price of the G21SF: $640. Firing is great!!! 230gr Speer Gold Dot HP's, no problem. I'm afraid to try the plus-P stuff though.

Comment by: dsajlh | February 19, 2009

The XD series has a lot of take-up, which can be managed OK, and a lot of reset distance, which is more troublesome. If one has a tendency to mash the trigger under pressure he will be sure to mash badly on the second and succeding shots because of the lengthy take-up. Springfield Armory will adjust the take-up but insists that it is for competition only and not for carry. Does anyone have experience with this adjustment on an XD? Paul Empson, Nebraska

Comment by: mpsn | February 19, 2009

I purchased, the Springfield XD45; taking it to the range, along with my Glock19. I shot them both; 230grain hollow points, in my .45, and 147grain, in my Glock. The difference, in recoil, was nominal, to say the least! I'm not really interested, in having to use, either, in self-defense, but, i'd rather have the stopping power, the Springfield .45 has, with the 13shot magazine! Thank You, Springfield! This will be, my last .45!...[it does it all!]. George Dowling

Comment by: muffdiver | February 20, 2009

My XD 45 is sweet to shoot, has high capacity, is easy to maintain and cost a little over $500 two years ago. It is all the 45 I'll ever need.

Comment by: boomstick | February 21, 2009

great comments. just purchased springfield xd in 45. have not had time to shoot it. i have springfield in 357 and love it.

Comment by: pa-cman | February 25, 2009

Bought an XD 45 Compact last year. Sent it to Sprngfld Custom Shop for their "defensive carry" work which tightened up the trigger pull and shortened reset. WOW - what a sweet pistol! I have Pa and Utah CCW and shoot several defensive handgun tactical courses each year (LFI, Insight, F-R-I etc). I was so impressed I sold my Glock 19 and bought the XD 9mm!! Sorry Glock guys but the XD's fit my hand better therefore I shoot them better.

Comment by: CLYDE B | February 28, 2009

What is included in the defensive carry work and at what cost?

Comment by: Wood Butcher | March 12, 2009

got a xd45 4 inch with truglo sites and love it

Comment by: stoneyh | October 22, 2009

got a xd45 4 inch with truglo sites and love it

Comment by: stoneyh | October 30, 2009