Springfield XD Overview

First introduced in 1999, the XD (Extreme Duty), and XDM (Extreme Duty Match) were the guns of tomorrow, manufactured today. These tough pistols were innovative and still highly sought after in today’s market. Unwavering quality and ergonomic configuration enabled the Springfield XD to rocket to handgun stardom overnight. The Springfield XD offers shooters a lightweight and extraordinary distinct option for comparative handguns. The XD is a striker fired, self-loading, semi-automatic pistol which uses a short action lock breech cycling system. The XD has so many extras that come standard, it’s going to be impossible not to leave something out. Let’s get started. There is the stainless steel barrel which is housed inside a solid block slide that is machine milled. The frame is made of a high density polymer that has steel inserts for reinforcement from the recoil stress. The trigger is actually a replica of the Glock with the safety built in. The trigger breaks clean around 6 lbs., and the recoil sends the the slide gliding back over the smoothly machined, deep cut slide rails. For those in love with an additional external safety, the XD has incorporated a squeeze safety in at the top of the backstraps hilt. Other safety features of the XD are the “loaded chamber” indicator, at the rear of the ejection port, and the “cocked” indicator, to the back rear of the slide. They have incorporated a dual recoil spring, the same type that Glock eventually went to in the Gen4 models, but this gun was 14 years ahead of Glock in its use of this spring. It’s that way through the entire gun……..cutting edge innovation!



In 2006, Springfield XD added the .45 ACP and received the coveted “Handgun of the Year” title. There have been XD’s chambered in 9X19mm, .357SIG, ..40S&W, .45GAP, and .45ACP, but they weren’t finished. In 2009, Springfield introduced the XDM, which is the XD design, but only with a match grade barrel. Again, in 2009, the XDM would claim “Handgun of the Year” honors yet again. So do you want to own an animal with a pedigree….or just a mutt?



The variations of calibers and barrel length make a total specification print out a little daunting, but it weighs about 20-25% more than a Glock. Configurations of this model are in the 28-32 ounce range. The overall length can go from 6.75 inches to 8.3 inches, and the trigger breaks clean with no creep at 5.6 to 6.7 pounds.



Now I guess you want to know, “How does it shoot?” You know what it feels like when someone attractive is smiling, and you can’t believe it’s at you? Have you ever driven past a patrolman at 90, and he pulls the car behind you over instead? Now you’re beginning to understand! When you own an XD, you feel blessed to be just who you are.