This year (I mean 2017) I picked up a Springfield XDE, the subcompact hammer-fired 9mm. I shot it well enough, and for the short time I had it, it was flawless and very accurate. But it wasn't for me, not at all. That relationship didn't last long. I dunno... something about hammer-fired polymer guns doesn't seem right to me.
As I found with the P30SK, there isn't necessarily anything wrong at all with a polymer hammer-fired setup. The DA on the XDE was heavy, but smooth. SA was nice. It carried well. I liked that it had a steel trigger and hammer. Easy to rack, and I'm a sucker for ambi controls. Surprisingly pleasant to shoot for such a small package. It was more an issue of fit. I have piano fingers, and the HK offers me better feel and grip options. And oddly enough, the front recoil spring plug started to rust (with obvious minor pitting), and Springfield didn't reply to my request for a replacement.Other than being polymer and hammer fired, was there anything else you didn't like about it? On paper they look like they me be the answer for me wanting something a little more substantial than my Shield, but not Glock 19, M&P Compact 2.0, etc.
As I found with the P30SK, there isn't necessarily anything wrong at all with a polymer hammer-fired setup. The DA on the XDE was heavy, but smooth. SA was nice. It carried well. I liked that it had a steel trigger and hammer. Easy to rack, and I'm a sucker for ambi controls. Surprisingly pleasant to shoot for such a small package. It was more an issue of fit. I have piano fingers, and the HK offers me better feel and grip options. And oddly enough, the front recoil spring plug started to rust (with obvious minor pitting), and Springfield didn't reply to my request for a replacement.
Hopefully this helps?
This makes me wonder if there should be a twist to this thread, or a different one, about unexpected purchases in 2017 that were NOT on our lists, but turned out to be surprisingly good.
THIS was an excellent pick-up, and I'm not surprised it's become one of your favorites. You should definitely keep this gun for a LONG time... want list or not, I think the Combat version of the 85 is a great score!The second was a CZ 85 Combat in great condition. It has went straight to the top of my favorite handguns after just two range trips.