Recoil on the Springfield XDS

I got mine a couple of weeks ago. Standard pressure ammo does not bother me a bit in it. +P lets you know it's there but IMHO is still not unshootable. My gun loved the +P Winchester Ranger stuff. First mag through all 5 holes were touching @5 yards. Keep in mind it's not designed to be an all day shooter at the range.

Mine seems quite a bit more comfortable than you might expect. Full power 230 hardball does bounce around a bit. I usually shoot 200 gr JHP (carry load) in it which is much better.

The recoil is 'fast' but the recovery is too because of the light weight.

Any experienced handgunner should have no problems handling it.

I found the recoil to be noticeably more manageable than the similarly-sized Walther PPS in .40, and also more manageable than a Kel-Tec PF-9.

It's still in the same ball park though.

How does the recoil compare to a G27?

The recoil has been very manageable on mine. I was actually nervous enough to have a few butterflies before I pulled I first pulled the trigger because of the size of the thing. I half expected it to fly out of my hands but I was pleasantly surprised by its manageability.

For its purpose the recoil is easily managable. For long sessions at the range, wear a glove for the trigger slap.

With basic ball, recoil is better than a PF9, a bit worse than a PPS in 9x19. Snappier than an Officer's size 1911.
With hotter SD loads, recoil approaches the PF9, sort of.

"Kicks like a mule" would be an overstatement, but it is a snappy little bastard in hand with hot loads.
That being said, the Mrs shot a bowling pin match with some commercial hardcast and did fine, if the XD grip fits your hand in the first place, it comes right back on target.

Recoil is so personal and ergonomics-driven that it is hard to quantify - but I'd say it is a manageable gun you can maintain proficiency with ... and not one you'll be shooting 2-300 rounds with in one afternoon for recreation.

I was shooting mine today testing penetration on some new reloads. I shot some fairly hot loads and since it was cool out today, I had on some thin gloves. I think I could have shot all day and not had any issues. I did notice the last time I shot some hot loads without gloves on, I did get some trigger slap, but this time I didn't.

I also have a PF9, and the felt recoil is much less on the XDs. The more I shoot it, the better it feels, and the more I like it.

4v50 Gary said:

I read that Springfield XDS kicks like a mule? Does it?

I'm not concerned about myself but for someone else whom I may buy one for.

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I have not shot one but I would expect recoil to be not unlike when firing LCP .380.

My experience is limited to 10 or 15 rounds through one belonging to a friend a few weeks ago. "Kicks like a mule" is a bit of an exaggeration, but it's snappy to the point of being uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to shoot it again.

Maybe a 44mag with a 2" barrell would be more like a mule or a T/C Contender in 35Remington or 30-06 would be something to really get your hands on ..haha

45ACP in a heavy 1911 was very nice and enjoyable to shoot.

It's too bad that recoil is so subjective... it's really hard to tell how bad a gun's recoil is from online polling. You pretty much have to shoot it yourself.

Quick Shot xMLx said:

How does the recoil compare to a G27?

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It's about the same. It's certainly not unpleasant to shoot 150 rounds. And it's certainly nothing like 357 out of a snubbie!

I've got 2 of them and I reload for them as well. Currently I load a pretty much max charge of Longshot behind a 165 gr XTP or other simular JHP. But in my opinion, they don't recoil any worse than the other .40's I load for and shoot.

Also have 1 XDM SC and it feels a bit snappy in comparison, but not so much that it's unpleasant to shoot. My Daughter-in-law carries that one and shoots my loads all the time.

GS

Snappy for sure, but not uncontrolable.

XDS versus 'OFFICER'S-SIZE' 1911

My Kimber Ultra Covert II does shoot 'softer' than the XDS...but is less concealable and comfortable for CC.

The XDS simply "disappears" in the pocket of most of my casual pants.
No holster needed! That slab-sided design is not pretty to look at, but it is highly functional. And after carrying it for just a couple of days you can even forget that it's there!

The first magazine I ran thru, I didn't like the feel. The 2nd mag was better, and by the third mag, I started to LIKE it.

Yes, it is a bit 'snappy'. But, once you get accustomed to the grip, it is perfectly manageable, highly accurate and (so far) totally reliable.

And it is indeed a comfort to know that I've got a half-dozen .45 cal., 230 gr. hollow points with me at all times

I've been thinking about getting one for a while to replace the PF9 as my carry gun. It's been interesting to see so many comparisons to it, and just makes me want one more. I wish they'd make it in .40.

Amazingly tame for a .45 of its size...

I love mine, it's a great weapon and unlike some, I don't second-guess why Springfield but it in .45 first!

Cheers! M2

My Kimber Ultra Covert II does shoot 'softer' than the XDS...but is less concealable and comfortable for CC.

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Yep, that and the price is why I picked one up. It's a bit less expensive than an officer's size 1911. With the extended mag it holds 8 too, so that's comparable to a 1911 also, though that defeats the point a little. It's good for the woods that way though..

I wish they'd make it in .40.

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You must be a snap-aholic. I wouldn,t want to shoot that. I've been hearing that a .40 cal XDs is in the works, so be patient.

I hsot one yesterday along with my Commander. Same loads and range. The XDs out shot my Commander, but did have a little more recoil. I am going to buy one as it was so accurate. 5 shots into 1/2" @7 yards.

I ran a magazine through a customers gun. I found no recoil issues at all and the gun really settled back in for follow up shots. Very nice firearm.

I think the gun was very pleasant to shoot with standard pressure ammo, +P let you know it's there but was still nice shooting, Underwood's 45 SUPER 185gr ammo is impressive and is uncomfortable after a mag as it does kick like a mule. Still super fun tho.

My buddy picked one up for his wife a few weeks ago and we went shooting last weekend. I shot it sude by side with my glock 36 and it's definitely snappier than the glock and the trigger isn't near as good (to me anyway). Its my 3rd XD series pistol ive shot and i still dont like them. My cousin bought a s&w mp40c and ill say that if i needed a new carry pistol and didn't already have way too many glock's, i'd definitely be picking an MP up.

I found just the opposite

I find the recoil less than a 36, and very manageable to shoot.

I would rather shoot this than my other 45's.



steve4\