Beautiful Cogan 1911, I'll bet that's a dream to shoot. Nothing really satisfies like a silky smooth 1911. I'm having a new Fusion 1911 in 10mm built right now, can't wait to get it and post up some pics.
So why ported in a service size 40cal? I wouldn't mind having my Glock 29, compact 10mm, ported ... but the bigger frame in 40 I can't imagine it making much difference other than being louder and throwing crap in your face. Just wondering why you went that route.
You know it's funny you ask that. I've always owned compensated guns from day one. My first gun was a Springfield Armory 1911 in .45 that was fully compensated and ready to compete with. When I was in college, I did a lot of competitive shooting. I was never really good since I don't have the best eyesight, but I really loved the whole scene. I've always had different custom guns... no reason really other than that's what I was used to. When I wanted a new gun, I just always went to the people I knew and they'd build me something. The comp makes a night and day difference on the carry 45 I have in the pic.
For the XD though, I didn't really put a lot of thought into it. I knew I wanted a .40... I find that to be the better rounds here in FL. My brother in law kept telling me how much he loved his XD 9mm so one day I just went to the local shop to pick one up. It fit perfect in my hand and they had it in 9mm and .40 (.45 was not out yet) The one they had was ported and I never gave it a second thought because that's what I always owned... a comped or ported gun.
Looking back, I'd probably not get the ported .40. I've since shot several non-ported XD .40's and I will say that the ported model is smoother and in sequencial shoots, say 3-5 round bursts, the groupings tend to be about half the size than when I shoot the same with the non-ported model. There's no doubt about ithe benefit, but bear in mind that I don't get to the range nearly as much as I used to or would like and I'm quite certain that anyone used to their non=ported model would shoot just as well as I and probably better. The downside of course is port flash and debris that booger up your sights after 35-40 rounds. In reality though, this is only an issue at the range. The muzzle flash doesn't seem to bother me at all and I've done several night shooting outings, but others have complained about it in discussion groups. Oddly enough, I don't find it louder than the non-ported model. It sound different... has more of a clapping bang as opposed to a thunder bang... if that makes any sense, but it's a fine gun.
I'm looking at a couple of Kimbers, the CCWII I think.. .the carry gun with the black frame and polished slide. I've had the opportunity to fire the gun and it's a dream. I just feel a lot more comfortable carrying a gun with a manual safety. Iv'e just always trained to drop the safety on draw. I know you always keep your booger finger off the trigger, but in the event of some kind of sudden conflict where you need to pull your gun quickly in a panic situation, few folks can get the amount and type of training to react in such a way to ensure you don't grasp at the gun and hit that trigger. In fact, I've read several report of officers discharging both Glocks and XD's in that very scenario and I believe SA is makeing an XD with manual safety as an option.
