7 May 03

"Normal Capacity" magazines not available for the XD Pistol:

A friend in the magazine business just informed me that normal-capacity Beretta magazines have been modified to fit in the XD pistol, but that they don't work well and are not recommended. Since the XD came onto the market after 1994, no non-restricted "normal capacity" magazines have ever been available from the factory. All magazines are reduced capacity.

As I mentioned before, this is not a big issue with the compact models, but it is with the full-sized ones. Normal capacity, factory Glock magazines, in both 40S&W and 9mm, are still commonly available in the aftermarket, and I don't think the XD will be able to compete effectively for the business of serious students of defensive pistolcraft when all they can offer them is an eleven-shooter. Glock users, in the interim, will carry thirteen (40S&W) and sixteen (9mm) shooters.

This may all change next year when the 1994 Crime Bill sunsets, assuming our president is able to find his backbone and allow it to do so.

/John