I purchased a new XDs 9mm in 2014 and have carried it often. Very reliable and shoots well. It seems to feed everything just fine and has never needed any attention beyond cleaning and lubing. It has proven to be a good purchase that has never seriously tempted me to replace it with something else, except perhaps the XDs mod. 2, which is a small improvement in texture and ergonomics to my hands. Considering that you can buy a new one for hundreds less than they sold for in 2014 it's a no brainer today.
Springfield Armory XDs
- Thread starter Armored farmer
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Armored farmer
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I have a Phillipino made 1911 defender that have been carrying and shooting for about ten years. It is heavy, and I noticed some internal wear the last time I had it apart. I just couldn't unsee that.
I think I will go forward with my trade. I like the xds well enough to give it a try in hopes that it will become me primary edc.
I think I will go forward with my trade. I like the xds well enough to give it a try in hopes that it will become me primary edc.
Jeb Stuart
member
I am totally content with my EDC guns and have sworn off buying any more guns. But have to say that the XDS 45 is
really starting to appeal to me. If nothing more than to just bring some more interest with my shooting and to spice it up. Also hope to try out a Beretta PX4 although that may be too large for my desires.
really starting to appeal to me. If nothing more than to just bring some more interest with my shooting and to spice it up. Also hope to try out a Beretta PX4 although that may be too large for my desires.
Zaydok Allen
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The PX4 is quite chunky in comparison to the XDs. Given your liking for small guns, it may not suit you. But, you never know, it may suit you.
The PX4 subcompact is around the same size as the HK P30SK.
critter
Member
I have two, one in .45 and one in .40. I love the things-great for CCW and WAY better shooters than they have a right to be. NEVER a bobble with either one.
They Gen 1 (Only one I've shot) is a little slower and not as good of a shooter as the Shield for me. It's less comfortable to shoot than an Officer's Size Aluminum Frame 1911. The grip texture gets kinda tough on the palm after 100 or so rounds of hot S&B FMJ. However I think that's to be expected in a pistol that's smaller than a Shield. The trigger is very Glock like. If you are prepared for the compromises required for that small a .45 (like 5-Round Flush Mags) it may be for you. I sold mine after I bought the Shield.
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Armored farmer
Member
I'm willing to try it out. I still have other carry guns if it doesnt work out. From what I've seen and heard so far, I still want it.
beeenbag
Member
you won’t be disappointed. I actually wasn’t that thrilled about mine when I first got it. After owning it, it’s spent a lot of time on my hip. It’s getting some character from so much use.
I'm not trying to discourage you at all. Just trying to compare it to others you may be familiar with. It was my primary carry before the Shield came out and was more concealable than the Shield.
You didn't say which model XDs you are talking about? Or what you will be using it for? ...If you are talking about a carry pistol there are better choices for a 9mm single stack in my opinion. If you are talking about carrying the 3.3" .45acp version the XDs is the best .45 acp carry pistol I have found and carry mine frequently.
I have the .45 acp XDs original version with the gernade texture. It is fine for a carry pistol. For practicing at the range I find the gernade grip very harsh with full power defensive loads. Adding a thin innertube sleeve helps a lot. Adding a pinky extension also helps. Using the extended mag with the sleeve makes extended range sessions un-objectionable. For carrying a lot and shooting a little the gernade grip suites its purpose. If something happened to my 3.3" .45acp carry pistol I would buy another instantly but I would buy the Mod 2 version with the less annoying grip.
For 9mm I think the Kahr CM9 and even Diamondback DB9 are better carry guns. Both are smaller than the XDs. The Kahr CM9 is a very nice shooter. The DB9 is a beast to shoot but considerably smaller.
Like every pistol I have run into that uses the "XD" monicer my 3.3" .45acp XDs has been 100% reliable which for me is the #1 requirement in a carry pistol.
I prefer 3 dot sites on my pistols and the fiber front site on the XDs is excellent! Hitting the gong every time at 25 yards is easy for me with the XDs. I carry and practice with 230gr Golddots that I load on the hotter side myself. I never feel under gunned with my XDs 5+1 rounds of heavy hitting .45acp when carrying it. Some people insist more rounds are needed in a carry pistol... I think they have watched "Leathal Weapon" way too many times.
I have the .45 acp XDs original version with the gernade texture. It is fine for a carry pistol. For practicing at the range I find the gernade grip very harsh with full power defensive loads. Adding a thin innertube sleeve helps a lot. Adding a pinky extension also helps. Using the extended mag with the sleeve makes extended range sessions un-objectionable. For carrying a lot and shooting a little the gernade grip suites its purpose. If something happened to my 3.3" .45acp carry pistol I would buy another instantly but I would buy the Mod 2 version with the less annoying grip.
For 9mm I think the Kahr CM9 and even Diamondback DB9 are better carry guns. Both are smaller than the XDs. The Kahr CM9 is a very nice shooter. The DB9 is a beast to shoot but considerably smaller.
Like every pistol I have run into that uses the "XD" monicer my 3.3" .45acp XDs has been 100% reliable which for me is the #1 requirement in a carry pistol.
I prefer 3 dot sites on my pistols and the fiber front site on the XDs is excellent! Hitting the gong every time at 25 yards is easy for me with the XDs. I carry and practice with 230gr Golddots that I load on the hotter side myself. I never feel under gunned with my XDs 5+1 rounds of heavy hitting .45acp when carrying it. Some people insist more rounds are needed in a carry pistol... I think they have watched "Leathal Weapon" way too many times.
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Armored farmer
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No I didnt think that at all. I'm interested in opinions at this point.
It is a XDS 3.3" .45acp bi-tone mod1 with the full accessory kit.
If it proves out it will replace my .45acp 1911 Defender as my primary iwb carry gun. I never carried it daily because it was so heavy. I carried it occasionally.
I am hoping to find a .45 that is comfortable to carry.
Why doesnt anyone sand those grips down a bit if they're uncomfortable.?
beeenbag
Member
I don’t notice any discomfort with the gen 1 grip, then again I work with my hands for a living.
They leave a pattern like an inverse waffle iron on your palm (Hand Grenade pattern as some call them). They are pretty deep. You might have to remove a lot of material compared to the little points on a stippling like pattern. I think gloves or inner tube would likely work for long sessions. If you have calluses you might not even notice. I just limited my sessions to when they started to get uncomfortable. Usually about 100-150 rounds.
The Springfield OWB paddle holster is one of my favorite holsters. It is slim, sits close to the hip and secures the XDs nicely. I use the paddle holster frequently when I am tromping through the woods or at the range.
This is the holster I use for IWB and have found it very comfortable:
There is a layer of memory foam between the leather top and suede back which smooths out the edges of the gun nicely.
The XDs is a lite weight gun with a very thin grip shooting a pretty heavy .45acp cartridge. Minimal back strap surface area with an aggrssive grip texture is what I find rough on my shooting hand. The narrow grip width drives all the recoil energy into a very narrow spot on the web of my shooting hand. The gernade bumps further concentrate the recoil into a smaller area... it is hard to get around physics. The narrow grip and lite weight package is also what I value most about the XDs as a carry gun. The stock grip is very usable, it just isn't very fun for LONG range sessions... but the XDs isn't meant to be a range gun. The extended magazine gives me more to hang onto and distributes the recoil over a greater area of my hand so it help tame the XDs considerably.
The gernade grip is fine for carrying it is just very uncomfortable for more than a couple magazines at the range. A very thin rubber sleeve cut from a bicycle innertube if perfect for taming the gernade grip so I chose not to modify the XDs grip. The XDs grip was still pretty tough with the tallon grips, I like the innertube MUCH better than the Tallon stickers.
P.S. I got a great deal on my XDs used... if I bought one new I would have bought the Bi-tone... I really like stainless for a carry gun.
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Armored farmer
Member
I like paddles they dont seem to hang as hard as a belt holster.
I have paddles for 1911s(one size fits all...kinda cool), and my sp101.
Zaydok Allen
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You certainly could, but as 94045 points out, they are rather deep.
I think it's important we keep in mind that the XDs-45 was never meant to be an extended range session gun. It was meant to be a lot of thump in a small package. I think they achieved that. I've put 200 rounds through mine with stout loads in one session before. My hand did get sore, but it wasn't as irritating to me as some people perceive it. If you have a firm grip, that texturing really helps keep it in place, which means the abrasive action is reduced, but the hand slap will be apparent the next day, and honestly I don't see myself ever shooting more than 150 rounds per session out of mine ever again. I say this as a boney handed guy.
100-150 round sessions are perfectly doable if you hold on and use a firm grip. If it slips around, it's going to hurt.
I greatly prefer the stippling on the shield. It reminds me of the P30/HK45 grip texture. But the Mod 1 XDs grip is functional, even if not ideal for long range sessions.
Garandimal
member
Well...
Buddy was interested in a compact .45 ACP.
Tried to sell him on the Glock G36.
(No, really...!
)He got the XDs 4.0, because he liked the two-tone.
Turns out he didn't like the way it shot.
Sold it for a G36.
He is a low-time shooter, and it is a small pistol for .45 ACP.
GR
Zaydok Allen
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LOL! That was his rationale for his choice? Yikes.
Garandimal
member
Zendude
Member
I rented the XDS Mod 2 9mm at my range. The new grip is VERY comfortable (think Walther comfortable). Recoil felt softer than other similar single stack 9mm guns.
The same should apply to the 45 version, I would think.
The same should apply to the 45 version, I would think.
GBExpat
Member
I bought my 3.3" .45acp XDs in August'13 ... just a couple of weeks before the Recall.
A few things really surprised me about the XDs; how much I disliked SA's choice of grip treatment, how comfortable it is to shoot (once I tamed the pineapple-grenade grip treatment) and how easy it is for me to shoot it accurately.
O'course when it was returned to me from the Recall to the Mothership, the original sweet trigger-action was thoroughly hosed. <sigh> Upgrading to the Powder River replacement spring kit & polishing key internal areas slicked it up again.
The XDs is one of my favorite carry pieces.
I bought one of the .45acp XDsMod.2s awhile back (GREAT sale price!), but have not yet spent much time with it ... the grip is much improved over the original, IMO.
Zaydok Allen
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Same experience. Made me sad.
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