No trouble centering clay pigeons. I thought it handled well and was maybe a little gentler on the recoil than a Glock 27. Wasn't sure I wanted one before shooting it but I liked it. Wouldn't want to spend hours at the range with it but that is not what it is intended for.

Consistently shoots one ragged hole groups at 7-10 yards for me and a buddy who tested it with me, with both defense loads and cast bullet range loads. Points very instinctively and point-shooting steel poppers in a shooting house was very easy. He and I both ran through the house with the gun through different scenarios and missed only a couple times in the beginning, including on double taps. Once we were used to the gun, we scored hits every time.

I won't be without my XDs now.

Somehow it reminds me of a 1911 with arched MSH and long trigger. I manage to shoot it as well at twentyfive as most 1911s. And as a major 1911 fan, I hate to admit it has put them to shame for out of box behavior and safety (I had a new Colt develop a simultaneous worn hammer notch and weak sear spring within first year, discovered when gun blew a hole through my mattress when chambering a round with finger off trigger).

So, all things considered, the Glock works for me. Also forgot to mention one other serious consideration which led to Glock over Springfield, which is muzzle velocity.

Quoted tests by all manner of writers and posters gives the G36 very close to 1911 velocity with quite a few loads. The XDs seems to cross some minimal barrel length threshold and most velocities I have seen are disappointingly reduced.

Kind of what I was trying to say, but you said it better. I have every spare part available for the gun and spent maybe over one hundred dollars.

The one kink of the 36 which seems to pop up on forums is a sporadic FTE and generally cured by going to a sharper and better shaped non-LCI extractor

It bears repeating...If Glock would ever come out with a mid and full sized .45 in single stack and as thin as the G36, I'd go pick up one of each right now and keep them for life. I like the 36 a lot but prefer a bit longer barrel and a little more capacity than the 36 and XDs. I just can't shoot the double stack 45 Glocks well but the guns are excellent if a bit on the homely side.

I should pick be up, but I have been on a bit of a gun buying hiatus.

..SO, NOW i HAVE TO GO OVER gANDER mT [GD CAPLOCKS] and see this baby 1911; I have not wRMED UP TO THE small smith Semi's and most so-called pocket autos are not, unless youwear bagy or pleated pants JMHO.....Ny first CF WAS A 9mm Star import, and never got over the idea of a FLAT gun. ;~`)

Squaring up the rear of the slide works pretty well. The AMT Backup I used to have was that way. I think Jim Cirillo pushed that technique. I did put a laser on my LCP which helps too.