If you prefer a different color up front, it’s relatively easy to replace them with green, yellow, or any other color you can find. They’re actually kind of nice for more accurate work, and they are versatile enough to be used for carry. The rear sight is a low-profile white-dot affair, but the fiber optic front sight is a highly visible red unit. The sights on the XD-S are easy to acquire in full- or reduced-light situations. After extensive carrying over the course of six months, the only finish wear is on the slide release and disassembly lever. Then again, that was on an XD(M) 3.8 Compact I was carrying while working between 50 and 100 hours a week in a machine shop, so your mileage may vary. Experience has taught me that the black finish on the XD(M) line isn’t the most durable on the market. I opted for the bi-tone version with the stainless slide. There are no visible machining marks on the slide, nor injection marks on the polymer frame. While Springfield took the added step of building a lip below it to reduce the chance of accidentally riding it while firing, those with larger hands will occasionally do so with a thumbs forward grip.įit and finish on the XD-S 9 are great. In fact, it’s slightly larger than that of an FNS, and noticeably larger than that of a stock GLOCK. Speaking of the slide release, it’s quite large. Though that isn’t a problem for most shooters, it may be of interest to southpaws. The mag release is ambidextrous, but the slide stop is not. The control layout on the XD-S is intuitive. All the ridges and valleys molded into the frame increase the surface area your hand has on the firearm, making the handgun comfortable to shoot for an extended period of time without eating your paws in the process. The grip texture is comparable to what you’ll find on the XD(M).

The grip itself is what I like to call aggressive, yet subdued. The grip angle is comfortable and somewhat adjustable with the interchangeable backstraps. The single-stack XD-S feels good in the hand. The photos of this specimen show some wear on the muzzle end of the slide caused by a CRKT folder clipped to my pocket while sitting. If you plan to carry in the XD Gear holster, be cognizant of that open muzzle. Most readers here would probably opt for something will a little more muzzle coverage.

The XD Gear holster and mag carrier aren’t the best, but they will suffice and are quite durable. The reason for this is that Springfield packs a lot of gear with the little XD-S. While I appreciate a gun company passing some savings on to the customer by not designing a new box for a small gun, using a box that could hold a 17-inch laptop to ship a gun that I can put in my pocket seems a little excessive. Opening the box to the XD-S is quite a farcical experience. Also, I’ve replaced the factory sights with a set of Trijicon HD Night Sights. This will be a completely objective review, but I wanted to state that up front in the interest of full disclosure. I might send it in at some point, but see no need to do so at this time. I’ve tested it myself, extensively, trying to get it to replicate the issue and have failed to do so with a variety of ammo. First, this is a pre-recall gun which I have not sent back for the recall work. I’m proud to say that the XD-S 3.3″ 9mm lives up to that reputation. It was reliable, compact, and accurate for a pocket pistol. Springfield Armory set a very high standard - albeit a heavy recoiling one - with its XD-S.

Smith and wesson xd 9mm