Serious Test of an Untried SubCompact

[doc540]

Springfield XD-S in .45 ACP w/3.3" barrel


cliffs:
Opened the box last night, bought "used" (could find no evidence of it having been fired) with two, extended mags.
Stripped, cleaned, and lubed.

Before the match I shot 14 rnds of WWB, 230gr FMJ at 25yds.
No problems

Match: semi-IDPA (no covering garments, 3 stages, no timed reloads)
6 shots timed
Used the factory holster, mag pouch, and extended mags.

Shot 48 rnds during the match.

Placed 11th out of 22, but grouped 90% of my misses. Shot the match more as a function test.

Functioned perfectly (except for two of MY mistakes...more later)

After the match I went from the action range to the pistol range and set up two targets: 25yd paper on stand and 50yd 8" steel swinger.
First shots at the 8" steel swinger at 50yds - 3 out of 5 hits

At 25yds I shot 230gr WWB FMJ and my 230gr LRN over 4.6gr of Win231.

Total rounds: 150

Here's the ONLY problem I encountered:

If I didn't get a FIRM, HIGH grip I wouldn't disengage the grip safety. Long, thin, boney hands and not much meat in the web beside my thumb.

That is MY fault, not the gun's.

Function: perfect
Accuracy: exceptional
Ergonomics: jury's still out

Best 5 shot group of 230gr WWB at 25yds - about 4"- 5"

 

[sleepyone]

Thanks for the report! I held one in 9mm for the first time the other day and liked it quite a lot. I have three XD pistols; XD9 SC, XD9 4" and XD40 4". I'll probably get an XDs in 9. The .40S&W is due out early next year.

 

[ku4hx]

My wife almost bought one of these but opted for the XD(M) 45 3.8 instead. Our experience with the 3.8 mirrors yours. She really likes her 3.8.

 

[gym]

I trust mine implicitly

 

[doc540]

I might when the extended safety gets here from Powder River.

 

[huntsman]

Here's the ONLY problem I encountered:

If I didn't get a FIRM, HIGH grip I wouldn't disengage the grip safety. Long, thin, boney hands and not much meat in the web beside my thumb.

That is MY fault, not the gun's.

the grip safety is why I won't buy this gun even though I want a compact .45acp, I don't believe any SD gun should have impediments in making it go bang.

 

[doc540]

I hear ya.

But my wife and I tried to carry LC9's, and both of us from time to time would drop a mag under recoil.

Didn't happen often but often enough to replace them with a Kahr CW9 for her and a CM9 for me.

 

[KenW.]

That is interesting. I own three XD pistols; a 45c, 9sc, and XD-m 3.8 40c.

I have intentionally tried to cause a failure by not gripping the weapon properly and could not induce a problem. Does the XD-s safety operate differently?

 

[doc540]

Don't know if it's different, but it is small.

I've ordered an extended safety from Powder River.