More on IALEFI

11 May 08

More on the IALEFI Conference:

Bill Mathes of 21st Tactical featured his innovative RTI (Rapid-Transfer Interchange) holster system, whereby holsters can be rapidly attached and detached from the belt base or a base attached anywhere. Guns can be keptin holsters, even when the base remains on the belt.

The trend with weaponlights is to leave them attached to pistols and train with them constantly. I saw a wide variety of holsters designed to accommodate pistols with lights attached, and they are greatly improved from the originals. Insight lights are extremely popular. However, I really like Safariland's RLS, as it goes on and comes off so fast and conveniently.

Firstlight's line of lights are, of course, designed to be just as useful when not attached to pistols!

I was among the first to see and shoot Springfield Armory's new XD/M pistol. Scheduled for an official debut at the NRA Show in KY next weekend, several of us got our hands on a copy at the SA booth. It was in 40S&W, and the size is virtually identical in dimensions to the existing XD, but it is a 17-shooter, vs the current 13-shooter. I'm not sure how they accommodated four additional rounds, but the grip is still comfortable and very ergonomic.

The XD/M also features variable grip-geometry. The grip can easily be sized up, or down, to accommodate a wide variety of hand sizes, much like S&W's M&P, Beretta's PX4, and SIG's P250.

It is not necessary to dry-fire the XD/M in order to field strip it. This is an important feature for many.

In short, the XD/M is substantially slicker, more ergonomic, more comfortable, and has significantly more magazine capacity than the existing XD, and it will be more expensive.

SA will continue production of the conventional XD, which is still a perfectly serviceable pistol. The XD/M will now represent the premium line.

I like it!

/John