Springfield Armory Semi-Automatic Review

Gun Reviews By Women – Springfield XD Sub Compact – Liz

Springfield XD Sub Compact Gun Review

By Liz

 

Specifications

Model: XD Sub Compact 3″

Caliber: .40 S&w

Barrel Length: 3″

Ammunition Capacity: 9+1, 12+1

Price: Around $500

 

Springfield XD Sub Compact Usage & Features

Primary Use:

Other

Are you right handed or left handed?

Right

What features does this gun have that appealed to you?

  • Same grip to barrel angle as the 1911.
  • Sub compact size is still concealable, but the slightly larger frame makes it more comfortable to shoot than other sub compacts in .40 S&W
  • Striker fire
  • Checkering on grip is not abrasive
  • Appealing appearance. It does have some billboarding but it’s not overkill or obnoxious.
  • 9 round magazine fits flush with the base of the grip, but also has 12 round magazines with grip extender.
  • When a round is chambered a small lever protrudes slightly from above the rear of the chamber. I find this vastly superior to the Glock peephole.

Tell us about shooting this gun:

The subcompact XD in .40 S&W is surprisingly comfortable to shoot despite it’s size. The frame is comfortably fat without being so large that it is difficult to get small hands well positioned. Good accuracy (in other words, it’s more accurate than I am) and no malfunctions after approximately 2,000 rounds.

How does it fit your hand, how do you like the sights, how difficult is it to rack the slide, how would you describe the trigger pull, and how would you describe the recoil?

With small hands, I often find myself figuring out how to find a good grip on many pistols. The subcompact XD is a very good “fit” for my hands. It’s also comfortable for larger hand sizes, according to several others who’ve shot it. The slide is initially stiff, but breaks in nicely, remaining heavy, but becoming a very smooth rack. The trigger is steady and smooth without a loose take up and a crisp break.

As I have already stated, the recoil is very manageable and much easier to handle than is expected from a sub compact pistol. If you shoot well with a full sized pistol in .40 S&W, this pistol should not be too much of a step up in terms of felt recoil (and if you shoot .45’s, it will be easy). The magazine springs are stiff and I recommend using a reloading tool. Luckily, Springfield includes a loader with the pistol.

How reliable is it?

Very reliable. I’ve put approximately 2,000+ rounds through this pistol with no malfunctions to date.

Any problems with any type of ammunition?

So far I have not had any failures to feed and have used a variety of factory ammunition, including:

  • Winchester White Box, both FMJ and JHP
  • Hornady TAP and XTP
  • Blazer
  • Corbon
  • American Eagle
  • Speer Gold Dot
  • Federal Hydro Shock

Does this gun have any specific ammunition requirements? If so, please explain:

Not that I am aware of, though I do not recommend using reloads unless you are completely confident in the abilities of the reloader.

What do you dislike about shooting this gun, if anything?

No.

Was it easy to take down and clean?

The XD line is very simple to take down. After ensuring the weapon is clear, you drop the magazine and lock the slide back. With the slide locked back, you than turn the disassembly lever from a horizontal position to 12′ o clock. Once the dissasembly lever is set, you than release the slide slowly back to it’s forward position and pull the trigger. The slide then can be pushed forward and off the frame. With the slide removed, the recoil spring and rod assembly is easily pushed out and the barrel can be removed.

Reassembly is a simple matter of returning the barrel to the slide, resetting the recoil spring and rod, and returning the slide to the frame, pushing it back to the locked back position and turning the disassembly leaver back to the horizontal position. Oiling is minimal, with a couple drops on the inside of the slide rails and other moving parts, a couple drops rubbed into the spring and rod and a wipe down of the barrel. I have not found the XD to require much lube at all and it is not a pistol I would run “wet”.

Would you recommend this gun?

Yes.

For someone considering this gun, what would you tell them?

I consider this pistol to be a solid and reliable choice for SD and overall a quality polymer framed pistol.

 

Holster Options Image

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *