First impressions XDs 45

frank_drebin · 02-27-2013, 17:14

I stopped by Shots Fired on my way home today to see if they had anything interesting. I got to talking to the guy behind the counter and he was awesome. He just kept bringing me guns to feel and try and was going over all of the features etc... You could tell he liked his job. Really great guy to deal with. Anyway, he was showing me the XDs and I asked if he had fired one and how it compared to my G36. He said that he had already had people trade in their G36's for these and that he had bought one himself.

As I held it the first thing I noticed was how freaking thin the gun was. It was as thin as the CM40 he had in the case. I would have never expected that. Everything is inset or rounded for concealability. The slide and frame are the exact same width. The next thing I noticed was the factory front fiber optic sight. This one had a red fiber installed but came with spares in red and green. The sight was extremely easy to pick up and glowed very brightly in the light of the shop. The gun also had interchangeable backstraps and, with the smaller one installed, fit my hand nicely. Nothing pinched or dug in like the PPS did. The grip texture felt secure but not rough.

The next important feature was the trigger. This gun's trigger is crisp and breaks clean. There is virtually no creep and the reset is very short. I didn't even notice the beaver tail safety was there and my hand naturally actuated it with confidence.

I said, "I would love to try one some time to see if it can compare to my G36". He walked over to the counter, grabbed the rental XDs, a handful of loose rounds and some ears and told me to go try it on their range no questions asked, no charge. Their gun, their ammo. That's never been offered to me anywhere before.

I gotta say, the recoil on this gun was surprisingly light for its size. It was very easy to control and follow ups were.quick. I only got to shoot 10 rounds but I was sold.

I walked out with a grin and told him to pack one up for me. I paid $529.00.

The gun comes in a nice large padded case with various cheap-o but functional "XDs Gear" such as a Fobus style paddle holster, twin magazine holster, extra backstraps, spare fiber optic inserts in red and green, a nice heavy duty lock, Allen wrench and a second magazine. While I plan on getting a nicer holster its nice to buy a gun and be able to go home and already have at least something you can use.

In my opinion Springfield hit a home run with this gun. It should do well against the competition. The 9mm and 40SW should ship beginning in March.

Here are a few shots I took. Forgive the quality, I literally snapped them in the car while I was waiting for my daughter to finish track practice.

awpk03s · 02-27-2013, 17:22

Congrats! I love my XD-S.

bac1023 · 02-27-2013, 17:27

Congrats on a great pistol.

countrygun · 02-27-2013, 17:43

About the reaction I had to ours. It's intrinsically accurate, but more importantly, it's easy to put them where you want.

rcman2008 · 02-27-2013, 18:00

I picked one up last week very nice gun shot about 80 rounds threw it some fmj and hollow points no issues at all, but it was a little rough on my hand, loved the red fiber optic sight.
It is a great ccw for me. looking for some spare mags that are not so over priced.

glock2740 · 02-27-2013, 18:07

Congrats! Mine shows up tomorrow. Can't wait.

***itisbruno*** · 02-27-2013, 18:14

Great pics!

I tend to shoot a little low left with my XDs, still have not gotten used to the trigger.

It is a little snappier with my +P carry ammo, but I really like the firearm for what it is.

My Alabama pocket holster and mag carriers finally shopped 93 days after I ordered them.

I put some Novak night sights made for Sig's on mine, and love it. I require night sights on all my carry pieces.

Thanks for the review and pics, enjoy your new firearm.

Pier23 · 02-27-2013, 18:18

The XDs is a fine piece..I am VERY happy we never went to war with Croatia!!

mjkeat · 02-27-2013, 18:21

Not a xd/xdm fan at all but I do like the xds. For the size it was very manageable even in .45.

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XDMUSER · 02-27-2013, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pier23

The XDs is a fine piece..I am VERY happy we never went to war with Croatia!!

I'll second that and great pics OP! It's a keeper for sure, love mine!

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

frank_drebin · 02-27-2013, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by XDMUSER

I'll second that and great pics OP! It's a keeper for sure, love mine!

posted using Outdoor Hub Campfire

Thanks. I shot the rental gun from 3 yards and 7 yards. I tore a ragged hole on the left shoulder of a discarded target I borrowed from the trash.

frank_drebin · 02-28-2013, 06:07

Here's a good size reference.

skeeter7 · 02-28-2013, 06:26

Awesome pistol! Congrats!

brisk21 · 02-28-2013, 07:39

I really want one, I just wish they made a 6 round magazine for it, with a pinkey extension. I know they have the 7 rounders, but Id like to see a 6 round mag!

frank_drebin · 02-28-2013, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by brisk21

I really want one, I just wish they made a 6 round magazine for it, with a pinkey extension. I know they have the 7 rounders, but Id like to see a 6 round mag!

lol, now that's being picky

rcman2008 · 02-28-2013, 08:07

I carry 5 plus one in chamber. With a spare mag. That are small enough. Should be good enough.

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brisk21 · 02-28-2013, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank_drebin

lol, now that's being picky

Yes. Yes it is!

evilspringer · 02-28-2013, 11:23

Congrats on the purchase of a great gun.
Love my XDS.

countrygun · 02-28-2013, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by brisk21

I really want one, I just wish they made a 6 round magazine for it, with a pinkey extension. I know they have the 7 rounders, but Id like to see a 6 round mag!

At the risk of being picky too, I agree. Just one more round would make the grip "Just right" for my hand.

frank_drebin · 02-28-2013, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrygun

At the risk of being picky too, I agree. Just one more round would make the grip "Just right" for my hand.

Picky's cool. I could see the benefit of a slight extension o the grip but that 7 rounder is too long to me.

countrygun · 02-28-2013, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank_drebin

Picky's cool. I could see the benefit of a slight extension o the grip but that 7 rounder is too long to me.

Yup. someone will come out with a pinky baseplate, but just one round would work better.

frank_drebin · 02-28-2013, 21:40

Some XDs comparison pics from http://www.allnineyards.com/2012/08/...noisy-cricket/

G36

PF9

mist · 03-01-2013, 17:59

I've had sub-compact pistols in both 9MM and .45 ACP from Glock, Kahr, Kimber, Sig, Smith and Springfield. Several of them.

The PM9 has been a keeper for just over ten years. If my XDs continues to shine like I hope it does, the PM9 will have some carry competition.

silentpoet · 03-01-2013, 20:16

I handled my first one this evening. Feels good, but grip is too short. My pinky about falls off. That was with the five rounder. If not for that I would get one, or would have one right now. But they didn't have any 7 rounders for me to try. Very nice feeling gun. Just not sure it is for me.

glock2740 · 03-01-2013, 22:52

Got mine today. So far, NOT impressed. Changing backstraps is like changing a tire on an American car, using metric tools. All I can say, is it better be one HELL of a shooter or it'll be on GB so fast it isn't funny. My G26,27,29 and 30 have NOTHING to worry about so far. Like I said, haven't shot it yet, but so far...XDs is OVERATED!