Growing up my dad had a pistol (no idea what size or type) but I used to shoot it with him sometimes. I just paid for this thing yesterday and I get to pick it up on tuesday. I have no idea how to use it, service it or anything along those lines. I read the owners manual but I still feel like a lot has been left out. Should I just take the CCW class so I can learn more about these things or just go to the range and ask people there for help???
So I bought a 9mm XDm 4.5". No idea how to use it
- Thread starter desibaba
- Start date
I teach a CCW class for beginners and intermediate. You absolutely need to take a entry CCW class. A good dealer will show you the basics of cleaning and taking the gun apart for cleaning. Ask your dealer if they have any in-house instructors and pay for a few private lessons. I cant tell you how important is to learn the fundamentals in shooting from the beginning. Dont "wing-it" as a beginner with a new handgun. It is very potentially dangerous to you and others. Try to do some basic research on youtube for handgun ownership for beginners. It will not replace a real life qualified instructor.
FYI...In your pics....Never put your finger on the trigger of a pistol, loaded or unloaded. Trigger finger discipline is the first and most important factor. You own a striker fire handgun that is especially important with keeping your finger off of the trigger. (Nice TT Rolex. I am also a watchaholic. Rolex Omega Panerai,etc..
)
FYI...In your pics....Never put your finger on the trigger of a pistol, loaded or unloaded. Trigger finger discipline is the first and most important factor. You own a striker fire handgun that is especially important with keeping your finger off of the trigger. (Nice TT Rolex. I am also a watchaholic. Rolex Omega Panerai,etc..
)
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Congrats on the new pistol. The XDm is a very simple handgun and I'm sure you'll be comfortable with it in no time. A class is always a good idea for a new owner. First you'll want 9mm Luger ammo for it, sometimes listed as 9x19. Second I'd recommend searching for a YouTube video for disassembly and cleaning tutorial. Unfortunately I haven't looked for one on your particular model so I can't recommend a specific video.
All 9x19 ammunition is dimensionally the same. There are real differences in bullet design and loads.
It sounds like you need to spend some time with someone who knows what they are doing to teach you how to safely and effectively handle your new pistol. There are no shortcuts for this. Get some training and enjoy your new handgun.
It sounds like you need to spend some time with someone who knows what they are doing to teach you how to safely and effectively handle your new pistol. There are no shortcuts for this. Get some training and enjoy your new handgun.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Welcome to TFL, desibaba, and congratulations on the new pistol! We all love New Gun Day.
We all have to start somewhere, and the XDm is as good as any and better than most. (Not that I own one, mind you.) With that said, I have to agree with Mystro and Targa: take a class as soon as possible. Sign up for the beginner's class and don't be shy about admitting that you're new to shooting.
Someone has already mentioned the finger on the trigger. You'll see lots of discussion about The Four Rules of Gun Safety. Your instructor should talk about them, and you'll need to know them. So here they are:
I cannot overemphasize the importance of these rules. Time and again, when you've heard of "accidental shootings," at least one of the Four Rules was violated. Right, wrong, or indifferent, there's really no room for error on gun safety.
Shoot that XDm in good health, and let us know if you have any questions. I say "us," because I've found the members at TFL extraordinarily willing to answer questions.
We all have to start somewhere, and the XDm is as good as any and better than most. (Not that I own one, mind you.) With that said, I have to agree with Mystro and Targa: take a class as soon as possible. Sign up for the beginner's class and don't be shy about admitting that you're new to shooting.
Someone has already mentioned the finger on the trigger. You'll see lots of discussion about The Four Rules of Gun Safety. Your instructor should talk about them, and you'll need to know them. So here they are:
*I would add "and what's behind it."
I cannot overemphasize the importance of these rules. Time and again, when you've heard of "accidental shootings," at least one of the Four Rules was violated. Right, wrong, or indifferent, there's really no room for error on gun safety.
Shoot that XDm in good health, and let us know if you have any questions. I say "us," because I've found the members at TFL extraordinarily willing to answer questions.
cougar gt-e
New member
You bought a great gun! Congratulations.
I would suggest taking an NRA basic pistol course. Not a concealed carry class.
Call up local firing ranges and ask who is teaching classes. They normally will know and may have one themselves.
Finally, a word of caution as you explore your new gun. NEVER "play" with it in a room that has any ammunition or magazines.
To safely unload and make safe, first (keeping your fingers out of the trigger guard!) remove the magazine by pressing the button behind the trigger guard with your thumb. Then pull the slide to the rear forcefully, several times. Hold the slide back, LOOK into the back of the barrel (called the "chamber") to make sure it's empty. Either push the slide release lever UP to hold the slide open. A cheap chamber flag (device to easily show the gun doesn't have a round in the chamber) is a foot long piece of weed whacker cord or a large "zip tie" that is inserted in the barrel and partially out of BOTH the barrel and chamber.
I would suggest taking an NRA basic pistol course. Not a concealed carry class.
Call up local firing ranges and ask who is teaching classes. They normally will know and may have one themselves.
Finally, a word of caution as you explore your new gun. NEVER "play" with it in a room that has any ammunition or magazines.
To safely unload and make safe, first (keeping your fingers out of the trigger guard!) remove the magazine by pressing the button behind the trigger guard with your thumb. Then pull the slide to the rear forcefully, several times. Hold the slide back, LOOK into the back of the barrel (called the "chamber") to make sure it's empty. Either push the slide release lever UP to hold the slide open. A cheap chamber flag (device to easily show the gun doesn't have a round in the chamber) is a foot long piece of weed whacker cord or a large "zip tie" that is inserted in the barrel and partially out of BOTH the barrel and chamber.
carguychris
New member
It may also be sold as 9mm Parabellum, or occasionally 9mmP for short. 9mm NATO also works in most 9mm pistols unless the manual says otherwise; without going into the specifics, this is a type of 9x19mm ammo that is loaded to military specifications.Fal 4 Me said:
The following are NOT the same as 9mm Luger / Parabellum, and will NOT work in this pistol:
- 9x17mm aka 9mm Short, 9mm Browning Short, or a foreign-language equivalent of the word "short" (e.g. 9mm Kurz or 9mm Corto). This cartridge is typically known as .380 Auto or .380 ACP in the USA, but European ammo is sometimes labeled with the European metric names.
- 9x18mm Makarov
- 9x18mm Ultra aka 9mm Police
- 9x23mm Largo aka 9mm Bergmann-Bayard
- 9x23mm Winchester
- 9mm Browning Long
- 9mm Steyr
One last word of warning... for folks who aren't familiar with the gun world, it's generally a good idea to avoid ammo that cannot be readily identified, particularly if it's a Really Good Deal. If you go to a gun show and see a table with loose ammo in clear plastic bags, or ammo in musty military-looking cardboard boxes printed with cryptic codes, or in languages or alphabets you don't understand... AVOID.
Some of this stuff may damage your pistol and void the warranty. Stick to relatively new name-brand ammo in the original boxes.boatdoc173
New member
do not just go off and shoot
I knew NOTHING before I shot a pistol during my nra safety course.. Then the fire was light. I went to the range and shot .22lr and 9mm(9mm luger=9x19) full metal jacket(fmj) ammo. I had to wait 3months for a permit so I practiced on a range that allowed nra safety certificate holders to shoot.
So practice a lot and do it right each and every time-
Concentrate not just on your grip,stance,trigger movement... also ingrain the top safety rules into your habits
read perfect pistol shot--blog and book on amazon
watch youtube video about your gun, watch others shoot it on line. check out the following vidos" ultimate pistol grip" and thumbs forward grip" for a start. take lessons ,ask ? of us and all who will listen.
if you do not feel safe--you are NOT--take lessons or take the nra courses offered on ranges near you
the basic safety rules are only a start--there is so much more. CCW is a responsibility not just a right. Take it seriously,prepare,train
get a dry fire air pistol like your xdm and dry fire until your finger hurts--
most of all welcome and enjoy safe shooting
I knew NOTHING before I shot a pistol during my nra safety course.. Then the fire was light. I went to the range and shot .22lr and 9mm(9mm luger=9x19) full metal jacket(fmj) ammo. I had to wait 3months for a permit so I practiced on a range that allowed nra safety certificate holders to shoot.
So practice a lot and do it right each and every time-
Concentrate not just on your grip,stance,trigger movement... also ingrain the top safety rules into your habits
read perfect pistol shot--blog and book on amazon
watch youtube video about your gun, watch others shoot it on line. check out the following vidos" ultimate pistol grip" and thumbs forward grip" for a start. take lessons ,ask ? of us and all who will listen.
if you do not feel safe--you are NOT--take lessons or take the nra courses offered on ranges near you
the basic safety rules are only a start--there is so much more. CCW is a responsibility not just a right. Take it seriously,prepare,train
get a dry fire air pistol like your xdm and dry fire until your finger hurts--
most of all welcome and enjoy safe shooting
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Jim Watson
New member
The couple of CCW classes I have taken did not instruct in the operation and use of individual model pistols. Maybe the NRA class does, but it is hard to see how it could cover specific makes and models.
You need a hands on personal trainer. Maybe the dealer can recommend somebody. Maybe a range operator can.
If you can get on a range that holds competitive shooting like IDPA or USPSA, you can probably find a mentor who will take the time to work with you, we are always recruiting.
You need a hands on personal trainer. Maybe the dealer can recommend somebody. Maybe a range operator can.
If you can get on a range that holds competitive shooting like IDPA or USPSA, you can probably find a mentor who will take the time to work with you, we are always recruiting.
First off... CONGRATS! Springfields are great weapons, and I LOVE my XDm!
Yes, you can go to walmart and buy any 9mm Luger ammunition and fire it from that gun. Some guns are a little picky on the weight of the bullet and the amount of powder in the cartridge... but that XDm will be fine!
Find a class to go to if possible, to get the basics of gun safety and proper handling of the weapon. Good basics have already been stated (most importantly, assume any gun is loaded and keep it pointed in a safe direction)
Once you have taken a class and put some rounds downrange, there are so many awesome websites like this one with great suggested training exercises. And of course... youtube has lots of great (and some terrible) suggestions and training.
Yes, you can go to walmart and buy any 9mm Luger ammunition and fire it from that gun. Some guns are a little picky on the weight of the bullet and the amount of powder in the cartridge... but that XDm will be fine!
Find a class to go to if possible, to get the basics of gun safety and proper handling of the weapon. Good basics have already been stated (most importantly, assume any gun is loaded and keep it pointed in a safe direction)
Once you have taken a class and put some rounds downrange, there are so many awesome websites like this one with great suggested training exercises. And of course... youtube has lots of great (and some terrible) suggestions and training.
Jim Watson
New member
A friend has shot some Perfecta.
It is good practice ammo.
I would want hollowpoints for self defense.
It is good practice ammo.
I would want hollowpoints for self defense.
It is perfectly fine for range use!
As far as self-defense, most people like to use hollow points. The reason is mostly two fold... they expand when they hit something so:
1) If you are defending your life, you want to put bigger holes in things...
2) Because it expands, it slows down when it hits things, meaning it will go through less drywall and other structure. Regular full metal jacket rounds like you purchased would more easily go through a wall and hit an unintended target!
I would have the folks at the gun store show you how to work the gun, strip it for cleaning (you need to do that before firing the first time); get some cleaning supplies along with eye and hearing protection.
Then take a class, whether a basic gun class or CWP class, to learn even more.