First time buyer, close to a decision. Feedback wanted

Buy the cheapest FMJ ammo you can get for practice, and any name brand JHP's for self defense. XD's eat anything, as a rule.

Most of the practice ammo you find is 115 grain, in 9mm. If your gun shoots consistently low (like 6" at 7-10 yards) with 115's, you may want to order some 124 grain FMJ's for practice. The heavier bullet stays in the barrel longer, therefore the point of impact will be higher, because the muzzle will have risen a little more before the bullet leaves it.

You always need to see what your particular handgun 'likes' the best. I have had two 9mm's that shot to POA with 124 grain ammo and were always low with 115's. Most shoot OK with 115's, but not all. You should be shooting well enough after a couple hundred rounds to judge whether you need to try a different weight bullet.

I clean my XD45 by removing the slide and disassembling it (not hard), spraying it with Breakfree CLP (available from Walmart) and brush it and the inside of the frame with a nylon brush. Wipe clean with an old tee shirt and Q-tips. Dip a copper bore brush in Hoppes solvent, and run it through the barrel a few times, then run clean white patches through, till one comes out clean.

I usually put a single tiny drop of oil on each of the slide rails, and let it run down the length of it, before replacing the slide. It's not really necessary because the CLP lubricates everything fine, but it's an old habit, and doesn't hurt anything.

WHen I go to pick up my XD9 tomorrow (provided I don't get screwed on the background check.....I have no criminal record so it would be a mistake if it happened. I recently had a background check when I started my job.)


Anyway....I am thinking about picking up ear and eye protection of my own. I want the highest NR rating I can get. I can't use plugs, my canals are too small for them to fit. Anyone know anything about the ProEars NR33? They claim NRR 33 db, the highest passives I can find.

Any other recomendations? What about eye protection, what companies make good eye prtection and what do I look for as far as maximun protection?

I wear 29db Peltor H10A muffs. The best thing about them is that I can wear them literally for hours (doing woodworking) without them crushing my head or smushing my ears. They are plenty quiet enough for the range, even with AR15s or .50 magnum pistols going off in the next bay. You can usually find them at woodworking suppliers, home centers, and industrial supply companies. They are more comfortable than the slimline 33db muffs we bought. Two thumbs up on the Peltors. :smt023:smt023

For a picture and description:
http://www.peltor.com/peltor.com/non...od_num=H10A001

I also use Peltor ear muffs, ordered from Midway. This is the third set I've tried and they are the best of the three.

The eye protection is not that critical, as long as you are protected from flying hulls (yours and the guy next to you). They don't hit with much force, but they are hot. I shoot with cheap reading glasses so I can focus on the front sight, but the $5 el cheapos from Walmart are fine.

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Originally Posted by Bisley

The eye protection is not that critical, as long as you are protected from flying hulls (yours and the guy next to you). They don't hit with much force, but they are hot. I shoot with cheap reading glasses so I can focus on the front sight, but the $5 el cheapos from Walmart are fine.

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When shooting steel targets during my Thursday nite shoot, I have had fragments bounce from the target back to the firing line. One hit me in the shoulder. So I recommend eye protection anytime you shoot.:smt023

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Originally Posted by tekhead1219

When shooting steel targets during my Thursday nite shoot, I have had fragments bounce from the target back to the firing line. One hit me in the shoulder. So I recommend eye protection anytime you shoot.:smt023

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Glad your OK! That's exactly why I want eye protection that has the most impact resistant plastic I can find....but I don't know where to look??

ALso, I like the Peltor Optime III since it seems to offer the most broad spectrum protection , but can't find where to buy them. Are there any online stores that carry this model?

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Originally Posted by tekhead1219

When shooting steel targets during my Thursday nite shoot, I have had fragments bounce from the target back to the firing line. One hit me in the shoulder. So I recommend eye protection anytime you shoot.:smt023

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I haven't had that happen, but you're right. It is definitely something to protect yourself against.

I shoot steel silhouettes, but usually from the maximum range of 20 yards (at my range). Also, they are pretty well engineered to deflect the bullets.

Still, a shot in the right spot could send some bits back at the shooter.

For eyes you don't have to spend a lot of money. Any of the safety glasses found at Home Depot or Lowe's ought to do, most are under $10. Mainly to protect you from spent casings, smoke and debris coming out of the barrel or off the gun.

If you happen to wear eyeglasses when you shoot, I highly recommend these safety glasses:

http://handgunforum.net/showthread.php?t=14172

What Wyatt said. Any ANSI-certified safety glasses are fine (and cost about $10 or even less). If you wear prescription glasses you can ask your optician for polycarbonate lenses. This is the same as Lexan, and is stronger than what most cheap safety glasses contain. If you don't have wrap-around safety glasses, and wear prescription glasses, you might want to get some clip-on side shields to keep cartridge cases from bouncing behind your glasses (ask me how I know this...). I use these: http://www.tasco-safety.com/sglasses...ds.html#gb-B22

Good luck!

I don't have prescriptions. I'll just look for a decent pair that has thin frames and lenses that wrap around to provide side coverage so as not to mess up the seal on the muffs.

I'm trying to find the peltor optime III, but can only find other models they make. Hearing protection is REALLY important. I did too many years playing drums in rock bands as a teenager and Home Theater is a big hobby of mine.....so I'd like to be able to continue enjoying my system :)

In other news, I just got the call that my XD9 is in and I am going to pick it up tonight! I wonder if they already ran the PICS check when I ordered it (i'm in PA) or if they have to do it when I actually pick it up. I'll look for ear and eye gear there and also want to pick up a box of decent ammo and some snap caps.

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Originally Posted by curlyjive

I don't have prescriptions. I'll just look for a decent pair that has thin frames and lenses that wrap around to provide side coverage so as not to mess up the seal on the muffs.

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My eyeglasses and safety glasses will, by nature, disturb the seal of the muffs to a small extent. This is precisely why I wear plugs in addition to over the ear muffs.

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Originally Posted by tekhead1219

When shooting steel targets during my Thursday nite shoot, I have had fragments bounce from the target back to the firing line. One hit me in the shoulder. So I recommend eye protection anytime you shoot.:smt023

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Originally Posted by Wyatt

My eyeglasses and safety glasses will, by nature, disturb the seal of the muffs to a small extent. This is precisely why I wear plugs in addition to over the ear muffs.

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I would but I can't wear plugs....they won't fit into my canals and if I do wedge them in there, I'll be at the ENT office getting impacted wax vacuumed out. Talk about LOUD!!!! That thing sounds like it's sucking your brain out! I have seen some eyewear with very thin metal frames that might minimize the break in the muff seal.

Anyone know anthing about these two models?

http://www.amazon.com/Peltor-97010-U...ZVGYQDZFJP7TXG



http://www.amazon.com/Peltor-H10A-Pr...AX1CZT36R2J7DR

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Originally Posted by curlyjive

Anyone know anthing about these two models?

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Umm, yeah. In post 28 in this thread I mentioned that Peltor H10As are what I wear to the range.

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Originally Posted by me

I wear 29db Peltor H10A muffs. The best thing about them is that I can wear them literally for hours (doing woodworking) without them crushing my head or smushing my ears. They are plenty quiet enough for the range, even with AR15s or .50 magnum pistols going off in the next bay. You can usually find them at woodworking suppliers, home centers, and industrial supply companies. They are more comfortable than the slimline 33db muffs we bought. Two thumbs up on the Peltors.

For a picture and description:
http://www.peltor.com/peltor.com/non..._num =H10A001

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Well All when smoothly and my XD9 is now home! Can't wait to get it to the range and break it in.

Since this is my first handgun, I have a question. I noticed that the very tip of the barrel that protrudes from the front of the gun isn't directly centered in the hole....like the barrel rests on the bottom edge of the hole. It seems to me this would be normal since the barrel also sticks upwards a bit when the slide is pulled back. Sound normal?

This picture shows what I mean: http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...2880Medium.jpg

ALso, do new guns typically need to be lubricated right away, or do they have any lubrication on them from the factory?

Sorry for the length of this thread and all the questions. But you have all been really helpful and I sincerely thank you!

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Originally Posted by curlyjive

Since this is my first handgun, I have a question. I noticed that the very tip of the barrel that protrudes from the front of the gun isn't directly centered in the hole....like the barrel rests on the bottom edge of the hole. It seems to me this would be normal since the barrel also sticks upwards a bit when the slide is pulled back. Sound normal?

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Normal.

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ALso, do new guns typically need to be lubricated right away, or do they have any lubrication on them from the factory?

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Clean and lube it prior to going to the range. It doesn't take very long...

-Jeff-

Clean all the factory gun off the gun before going to the range. The factory "lube" on the gun is there as an anti-corrosion and preservative since they do not know how long the gun may be stored prior to being sold. Make sure the barrel is clean and dry.