The Glock is a legendary gun. And rightly so. Its simplicity, reliability, corrosion resistance, magazine capacity and accuracy have assured its place in the Firearms Hall of Fame. Personally, I’m not a Glock guy. Despite my best efforts to let the Austrian pistol woo me with its minimalism, I’ve never felt that “love connection.” Every time I hold a Glock, the ergonomics put me off. It’s too big, it’s too small; the trigger’s too far, too weird . . . it just doesn’t feel right. By extension, I developed an aversion to all polymer pistols. Until the day a friend introduced me to a little Croatian sweetheart known as the HS2000; marketed to U.S. shooters as the Springfield Armory X-treme Duty 9x19mm or XD-9.
At first glance, the Springfield XD-9 bears a strong resemblance to its Austrian counterpart [Glock on top]. The Springfield is another polymer-framed, striker-fired, short recoil operated pistol with a trigger-mounted safety and a rail to facilitate the mounting of tactical doodads. Closer examination reveals that the XD-9 has taken the design to infinity—and back.
The XD-9 incorporates a grip safety, a steel recoil spring guide and (for us southpaws) ambidextrous magazine release controls. Unlike the Glock, the XD includes a loaded chamber indicator and a cocking indicator; the operator can ascertain the weapon’s readiness either visually or by feel.
The XD-9 also features front and rear cocking serrations on the slide. There’s generous texturing on the front, sides and back strap of the grip for more positive control under-less-than-ideal (i.e. oh shit) conditions.
Springfield’s dovetailed the three-dot sights securely into the front and rear of the slide. Their visibility is nothing more than merely adequate. Anyone thinking of packing the XD-9 as a daily carry gun should strongly consider adding a set of aftermarket tritium night sights.
Our test XD-9’s sights were regulated for a 6 o’ clock hold on the target, rather than the point-of-aim/point-of-impact I prefer. Straight from the factory, the weapon had a tendency to shoot to the right. I corrected the problem easily enough with a minor drifting adjustment of the front sight.
Early XDs lacked the corrosion-resistant melonite finish sported by current models. Although the gun was unlikely to turn into a slide-shaped pile of rust atop the frame if exposed to a humid environment, you can’t have enough reliability.
Even so, at the risk of alienating the Glock faithful, arguing over the relative reliability of the Glock and a Springfield is besides the point. The real test is how the weapon feels in the hand. If a shooter is comfortable with a gun, he’ll handle and shoot it with confidence. Which is the key to success is most aspects of shooting.
This is where the XD-9 earned my admiration and, yes, affection.
For me, the Springfield XD-9′s grip angle provides a much more natural point of aim than its Austrian cousin. I always felt I had to accomodate the Glock to get on target. With the XD-9, it’s more of a partnership. The XD feels as though it’s meeting me halfway. I get most of the work done, it finishes the job.
A simple test to determine how well a pistol works with your natural point of aim: pick a spot on the wall and close your eyes. Aim the unloaded pistol at the spot. Open your eyes. If your sights line up to your chosen spot, a fair idea whether the ergonomics of the pistol are working with you, or against you.
With the Springfield XD-9, I’m nearly spot on.
As a striker-fired pistol, the XD’s trigger is extremely consistent, as is the reset. There’s plenty of take-up. But the trigger never feels squishy or gritty. The break is smooth enough to achieve minute-of-bad-guy accuracy even under pressure.
Mag changes are quick and easy, thanks to the drop-free stainless steel double column magazines and responsive ambidextrous magazine release controls. Loading the magazines to their full capacity of 16 rounds requires strong thumbs and an occasional extra firm tap to the base of the mag to ensure it’s fully seated.
The 4” duty model XD-9 is surprisingly handy while still being large enough to provide a solid and controllable platform for launching 16+1 rounds of reassurance before reloading. Muzzle flip is negligible. Unlike its larger caliber counterparts, the flip doesn’t become more pronounced as the magazine is emptied. Reloaders are warned: the XD-9 tends to deposit the empty brass in a decidedly random pattern rather than a neat little pile at your feet.
Accuracy is perfectly acceptable at normal defensive handgun ranges and most likely even at extended distances with enough practice. In other words, this is another one of those guns where the gun is more accurate than the shooter.
In the roughly 450 rounds I’ve put through the XD, I’ve encountered zero failures to extract or feed-way stoppages. The two or three failures to fire that I experienced were a direct result of not seating the magazine fully with a firm tap. That’s what I’d call fairly reliable—though the next 10,000 rounds will be the real test. The vast majority of the ammo fired was Winchester NATO 9mm 124 gr. FMJ with around 50 rounds of Federal Hydra-shok 147 gr. jacketed hollow-point ammo. The XD-9 shows no particular preference or aversion to any type of ammo.
The XD-9 really shines after the event. To field strip the weapon for cleaning, just drop the magazine, lock the slide back, rotate the takedown lever at the front of the slide upward 90 degrees, and then gently return the slide into battery on an empty chamber. Point the XD in a safe direction, pull the trigger and move the slide forward off the frame. Disassembly from there is a piece of cake.
Not everyone would be better off with an XD than a Glock. Some hands prefer the Glock’s grip, and some shooters feel better just knowing they’re holding a Glock (not to mention the company’s rep for sterling customer service). Fair enough. But if you’re looking for an affordable, high quality polymer-framed 9mm and [literally] can’t get behind the Glock, the Springfield XD-9 never leaves you with the feeling you’re settling for less. Because you’re not.
RATINGS
Style * * *
The XD-9 borrows heavily from Gaston Glock’s innovative approach, but incorporates enough of its own innovation to avoid clone status.
Ergonomics * * **
From grip angle to the controls, this pistol works well with left or right-handed shooters
Reliability * * * *
Reliability exceeded my expectations.
Customize This * * * * *
Night sights would be a bit of alright, laser sights are an interesting option and there are plenty of flashlights available.
Overall Rating * * * *
Utilitarianism has its own charms.
I love this review. Who is this new writer? Clear, concise and tantalizing. I have no choice, after reading Mr. Hyde's review I must go check out the XD-9!
Super job Bryan. I appreciate your honesty and direct style. For those of us in the market, this is very helpful.
Bryan – couldn't agree more. I've bought the XD in both .45 ACP and .40 S&W. It's clearly an evolutionary step forward from the Glock design. And they've done an amazing job designing each model around the caliber, instead of simply forcing a square peg of one caliber into the round hole of another. I'm a big fan of the models with the dual capacity magazines – the shorter magazines are ideal for conceal carry. And I'm jealous of how easy they are to disassemble and clean, when compared to my 1911. Then if you take price into consideration, the XD is, hands down, one of the best values in a semi-auto out there.
Great review… still would rather have a Glock, but I'm almost convinced!
Excellent review. I'm looking forward to reading more from this writer.
I am a total novice and bought the 9mm Springfield XDM as my first semi-auto. Nice review but the only thing I'd add is my slide is pretty stiff. I'm told this is normal and it'll loosen up with more rounds, but for now it's a bit of a chore.
Gothzilla, In most cases, your first gun is a gimme. In this case, it's a keeper.
Excellent review. "Right on the money" on every detail.
My primary carry is an XD-45, and I love it for all of the reasons you described. My next purchase will be an XD-9 Sub Compact.
I have profound respect for Glocks, but in my hand, they just don't feel right. The XD felt perfect the first time.
I look forward to reading more of your articles.
JF
awesome review! i bought the XD40 just over a year ago. i've put more than a few thousand rounds through it and have yet to experiance a failure to fire or extract. being in LE and with the days ahead getting more and more hostile, i am happy to know that when needed my springfield armory will be there everytime no matter what! i dont know if you keep up on the news in Las Vegas, but we just had our 18th OIS this year alone!!! so when i draw my weapon i always plan on using it!!!
great review! just bought an XD-9 today and blew through 100 rounds without a hitch. shes accurate as hell and much easier to shoot to a G-19 or G-17. as everyone said, you have to go with what feels good in your hand.
love this gun!
Great review. I own an XD-9, its an amazing weapon, it fits in my hand like its tailor made, shootson the mark, soooo easy to maintain, rugged, I really could not be happier. Just ordered the trijicon sights, this baby never leaves my side since I always carry concealed.
I've had my XD 9 for well over two years now and had loved every shot. I have both a glock 27 and have used other models, and the Springfield takes the cake with safety options and shootability. I have upgraded mine with truglow tritium nite sites, which are great. Only problem is there are limited gunsmiths to replace your sites. Mine is a tactical full size, and it is supprisingly accurate, to whoever purchaces a XD series, you will not be dissappointed.
I love my XD 9 (sub-compact) for a “carry gun” as an executive protection agent and my students in my concealed carry classes have never had any problems shooting it either.
I carried the SA .45 ACP MIL SPEC (very basic model) that – that I bought new a couple of years ago – for the nastalgia (sp?) several years ago – I qualified with it in the U.S.M.C. prior to the phase out. That particular model was a great hand guns for it’s intended purpose – trench warefare – but it is somewhat of a dinosaur compaired to new semi-automatic handguns.
My father carried the .45 on his hip as a U.S. Marine in Korea. He said the service models were very inaccurate, and he said if you couldn’t hit the enemy, you could throw it ‘em and do quite a bit of damage.
Mine had a full sized frame, and trying to conceil was like trying to hide an elefant by paintin’ it’s toenails and hiding it in a cherry tree – and it weighed a ton.
After much thought and reservation to trade it in, I finally gave in. I traded straight accross for an SA XD9 Service, O.D. green, 4″barrel in a kit.
Just bought an XD-9. My first gun
. I’m excited to finally put some rounds through it!
Is there any reason, aside from size, to favor the XD-9 compact over the sub-c0mpact, or v.v.?
The compact will tend to be a little bit more accurate at further distances. The difference between the Tactical and Service is barrel length 5″-4″, the difference between Service and Compact is simply the grip length ( obviously this also causes a round reduction, but only on your initial one thanks to the grip extensions), and finally the Sub-Compact which gives you a 3″ barrel. Essentially what it comes down to is the shorter the sight radius ( the difference from the rear sight to the front) the less accurate, or more you need to compensate for, at further distances. With all of that being said, if your buying a Sub-Compact, it’s probably because you carry concealed, and would not likely be firing beyond the 15 – 20 yrd. line, if even that far out, and would not see a difference.
There are a number of XD variants:
Tactical denotes a 5-inch barrel, Service a 4-inch barrel, and subcompact a 3-inch barrel.
Further, XD pistols are available in two widths: the .45 variant is wider than the others, which all use the same frame/slide width.
The .45 XD pistols are avaliable with 4 and 5 inch barrels, and with both service and compact grips — thus, four permutations.
The 9mm/.40/.357 variants are available in full-size service, full-size tactical, and subcompact.
The ONLY XD variants that have a compact grip are the 9/.40/.357 Sig subcompacts, and the .45 pistols. Thus, there is no such pistol as the “XD-9 compact,” or at least, none from the factory.
This has pretty much been my experience. Fearsome accuracy, grip safety, extremely reliable. I’d love to get another one…
Bought my first gun, an XD9 on Saturday… I’m in California, so I gotta wait 10 days to pick it up. I’m very excited!! This review helped me make my decision. Thanks !!
What is with all the “my first gun” comments?! This is easily somewhere past my 20th Handgun (variying from glock to Kel-tec to Taurus, ect, ect.) I chose this gun because of it’s design. It beats Glock (which I love) in my opinion, and I trust my life on it. Glock being the other… Change is good (If done for the better…) They took a good idea and made it better, who could dis that?! Mine has NEVER had any type of malfunction. I have NO idea how many rounds I’ve put through it. What’s the problem? …Nothing! If you like Glock, get yourself 1 of these. See what you think. Dur?! As they cost about the same and are built equally well. Trust someone who’s owned both and is non-biased. …Like me. They both (Glock, XD) rock!
“What is with all the “my first gun” comments?”
They’re from people who are only just getting into gun ownership. As was I when I purchased my first pistol in the summer of 2010; it was an XD 9 in V10 configuration (factory ported). Thus far, I am fairly satisfied with it; It seems to be a bit temperamental with some ammo (extraction issues), and the slide is not exactly rust-proof, but other than that it has been extremely reliable.
Between it, and the three other XD-9 pistols I have shot, I’ve seen a handful of stoppages in what probably amounts to over 5,000 rounds downrange; Probably 10-15 FTE from one of mine (never had the problem with any of the others, but they’re newer and much less used), probably about the same number of stovepiped cases (it has happened with all of the 4 9mm pistols), and one FTF with the subcompact.
Honestly though, the gun that doesn’t fail from time to time at the range is the gun that, when it fails in the field may cost you your life. All guns will have stoppages from time to time, and if you never train to deal with them, they will cost more time when the SHTF, and may get you killed.
I own a Glock and the XD-9. This gun made me change my “Give Me Glock Or Give Me Death” mentality. For me, I can adjust my grip with either gun after a few rounds. Both are dangerously accurate, and I would proudly and confidently carry either on my hip if my life was on the line. Springfield knocked one out of the park with this one.