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Springfield Armory’s XD (X-treme Duty) striker-fired semi-automatic centerfire pistols span a remarkable breadth of calibers, dimensions and finishes. There are two generations of the pistol: XD and XD MOD.2.

All XDs have a weight saving polymer frame and a forged steel barrel finished in either Melonite or stainless steel. The XD comes in a 3” barrel sub-compact chambered in 9 mm or .40 SW that’s 6.25” long. It also comes in a 4” barrel service model chambered in 9 mm, .40 SW or .45 ACP that’s 6.5” long. XD MOD.2 has a 3” 9 mm, 3.3 .45 ACP and a 4” configured for either 9 mm or .45 ACP that’s 7.3” long. The 9 mm guns have a 1 to 10 twist, the .40 SWs and the .45 ACPs a 1 to 16 twist.

There’s an understated elegance to the design. First, it has the same slide/receiver to grip inside angle as the M1911. The XDs have a docked beavertail, high grip for optimal balance and aesthetically pleasing proportions. Both the muzzle and the base of the grip appear almost equidistant from the trigger area. Viewed from any angle, the proportions remain purposeful and pleasing.

Nice features include the under muzzle accessory rail, ambidextrous magazine release, grip safety and the loaded chamber indicator. These guns also feature Springfield’s Ultra Safety Assurance Trigger Safety System and the cocking indicator at the slide rear. Some, but not all XDs, also have the ambidextrous thumb safety.

The XD had Dovetail 3-dot front and rear sights. The XD MOD.2 has a fiber optic front sight and a two white dot low-profile steel rear sight.

The XD 3”’s compact dimensions mean its snub barrel barely protrudes past one’s index finger making it truly feel at one with the user and ideal for both inside the belt and outside the belt carry. The gun’s height is 4.75”, length is 6.25”. It weighs only 1.625 pounds with the 13 round magazine. It also comes with a larger 16 round magazine with an integrated extension Springfield calls “X-Tension.” This greater capacity magazine lengthens the height to 5.5”, but the width and length are the same, of course.

XD MOD.2 gently evolves the style of the first generation XDs. To wit, it adds improved fore and rear grips, a marginally slimmer slide and frame, a more ergonomic thumb rest, and a rounded snagless trigger guard. The latter means the forward portion of the trigger guard now curves at the bottom instead of having a finger rest. Each texture that falls under the hand is different from the others permitting the user to more easily know the gun by heart.

The XD MOD.2 3.3 .45 ACP comes with two magazines: a 9 round and a 13 round X-Tension mag too.

The larger XD 4” 9 mm pistol has a 16+1 configuration. Its height is 5.5”, and its length is 7.3”. The XD 4” .40 SW has two 12 round stainless steel magazines. The .45 ACP has a pair of 13 round stainless steel magazines.

On January 1, 2019, Springfield Armory launched the Defender Series (also known as Defend Your Legacy Series) of XD guns making an entry line of concealed carry semi-automatic 9 mm pistols. For now there are just two: the XD 3” Sub-Compact Model in 13+1 configuration and the XD 4” Full-Size Service Model in 16+1 configuration, both in 9 mm.

These pair are visual twins of their pricier standard XD counterparts, but each comes with just one magazine instead of two.

These pistols eschew flashiness and favor of purposeful business, keeping them affordable. Tactile surfaces were where you would expect them, such as at the front and back of the barrel, on the various switches, and in front of the trigger guard. They also feature a physically raised loaded chamber indicator for improved safety.

All first generation XD pistols feature steel Dovetail front and rear sights, forged steel slides finished in Melonite, hammer forged steel barrels, black polymer frames, trigger pulls that range from 5.5 to 7.7 pounds, 1.2” wide grips and stainless steel magazines.

The entire XD series of guns started with Springfield Armory’s licensed production of the Croatian HS2000, a gun popular with the Croatian Army and police in that country, so perhaps it is not surprising that all XD and XD MOD.2 guns are also Made in Croatia.

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