Springfield Arms XD Sub-Compact 40 S&W.

I have been asked my many students and friends over the years what guns I recommend, and that starts the questions. What are you going to defend? Where are you going to carry? How much have you shot in your life? Are you able to pull the trigger and take a life in order to defend your family?

Gun selection is very personal, and I recommend that you take the time and pay for an instructor to take you to the range to try out different types of guns before you buy one. Then get to the range with the instructor to practice. Just taking the CCW class does not mean that you are able to defend your family.

Many of my recommendations have been for the Springfield Arms XD family of pistols. I do not personally carry them, but I do carry the Springfield Arms 1911 family of handguns.  Those that have purchased the XD family have all been pleased, including my dentist. When you pull the trigger it goes boom, and it is easy to aim.

We went to the range to test the Springfield and work with a CCW student. Jeff has delayed buying a pistol for years, but joined the current rush considering the political climate. He took the course and filled out the paper work the day after the class. While this is not normal, it shows you that he was serious about getting his permit. He also was wondering how to carry a pistol on his Harley. This brings up other questions of what type of holster and where you are going to carry your CCW. Jeff’s wife and other students also liked shooting the pistol and it was not too tough for the women to pull the action back to load a round. Jeff is pictured on the left working with his wife.

I enjoyed shooting the XD 40 S&W, and found that the sights were very easy to quickly acquire and the ability to shoot tight groups was very easy. The trigger pull at 6.1 lbs was smooth each and every time. The “Square” feel to the pistol feels like a Glock, but has additional safety features that the Glock does not have. Do not get me wrong, Glocks’ are great firearms, but I also judge equipment by the company that manufactures the equipment. Springfield Arms has been good to work with over the years, but sometimes you cannot even get a return phone call from Glock. Pictured on the left is Jeff and Mike, another student, in a "Shoot Off" between the Kimber Ultra Carry and the Springfield XD. They were both able to shoot tight groups, and we had to declare it a tie between the two pistols.

Stats shot at the range:

Caliber 40S&W

Magazines: 1-9 Round Compact and 1-12 with the grip extension

Sights: Dovetail front and rear steel.

Trigger Pull: 6.1 lbs.

Total Length: 6.25 inches

California legal model is: XD9822SP06.

Do not rule out the XD in the 9mm rounds. The stats are almost the same except the caliber and the amount of rounds. The compact is 1 -10 and the magazine with the extension is 1 -16. If you cannot get out of trouble in 16 or 17 shots, you are in some deep doo doo.  The California legal model is: XD9821SP06.

The Carryconcealed.net team gives the Springfield Arms XD 40S&W a 5 out of 5 for a concealed carry weapon. It was easy for new shooters, and experienced shooters admired the workmanship.

Happy Trails and Keep the Lead Down Range – Clark