The Springfield XD and XDM are made in Croatia and Marketed by Springfield Armory. The design is based on the HS2000 which was renamed the XD 9. The XD model line is available as full size, compact, and subcompact size pistols in 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, 45 GAP, and 45ACP. It has a number of attractive features. The first time I looked at the Springfield XD pistols I assumed it was a Glock wannabe. It has a polymer frame but the
slide rails are not molded in like a Glock. It uses the Glock style trigger safety and uses a firing pin/striker block similar to the Glock. The XD also employs a grip safety much like a 1911 that prevents the XD from firing and also prevents the slide from being pulled back. Take down is by way of a lever like a Sig Sauer. The front frame rails are replaceable like an FN or Sig. Magazines within the same caliber are interchangeable like a Glock. Sights are dovetailed into the slide like a Sig. The striker pin protrudes from the back of the slide that shows when the pistol is cocked. It also has a loaded chamber indicator located on the top of the slide.
Springfield XD Models– There are three basic sizes of the XD pistols. XD Full size with 5 inch barrels, XD compact with 4 inch barrels, and XD sub-compact with three inch barrels. The sub-compacts are available in 9mm and .40 S&W. The compact and service size pistols are available in 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, and .45ACP. Each model also comes in a half dozen different color schemes. Black, OD, Earth, bi-tone black, bi-tone green, bi-tone earth.
Calibers – XD pistols are available in 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, 45 GAP, and .45ACP
XD Polymer frame– The Springfield XD polymer frame is thick, heavy duty, and is well finished. Unlike some other polymer frame manufactures the XD frame does not have the frame rails molded into the plastic. This feature is similar to my FNP 9 which has replaceable frame rails.
XD Frame rails– The front rails are a factory
replaceable metal assembly that is precision pinned into the polymer frame. The rear rails are polymer and part of the frame. The front metal slide rail sub-assembly also contains the Sig Sauer style take down lever.
XD Slide– The Springfield Armory XD slide is a one piece forging that is finish machined and then heat treated. The XD slide is heavy when compared to a Glock slide.
Barrel – The XD has a cold-hammer forged barrel with conventional rifling.
Sights – Sights on the XD models are standard white three dot type. All XD sights are dovetailed into the slide. An interesting and important feature of XD sights is that the dovetail is the same as that used on Sig Sauer pistols. This means that Sig Sauer night sights can be used on XD pistols.
Safeties– All Springfield XD and XDM pistols use the same safety mechanisms. The three main safety methods employed in XD pistols are all variations of common safeties used by other manufactures.
- The trigger safety is a variation of Glocks safe action trigger system. The trigger itself has a built in interlock which must be depressed before the trigger can be pulled, therefore if there is no finger on the trigger to activate the interlock then the gun won’t fire.
- The XD also uses a firing pin block which again is similar to the firing pin block method used in Glock pistols among others. Pulling the trigger moves the trigger bar which pushes the firing pin out of the way to allow the striker to strike the primer. Again, it is the action of pulling the trigger that disengages the firing pin block safety.
- Finally there is a grip safety reminiscent of the 1911. The grip safety blocks the sear from releasing the striker and also limits slide travel. I am not a fan of the grip safety.
I don’t see any purpose for the grip safety with the trigger safety and the firing pin block safety. I also see the grip safety being activated while holstering the weapon. In this case, keeping your finger off the trigger activates the trigger safety and the firing pin block safety. So what is the point of the grip safety?
XD Magazines – Each magazine of the same caliber is interchangeable between the full size, compact, and subcompact models. Just like the Glocks.
XD Trigger – Unlike a Glock which is only partially cocked by recoil, the XD trigger is fully cocked by slide recoil. This means the Springfield XD is single action. The XD and XDM trigger pull is about 5 Lbs.
XD Action – The XD series of pistols are single action because when the striker is fully cocked when the slide is pushed back by recoil. The barrel locks into the slide at the front of the ejection port in the same way as a Glock or Sig.
Accuracy – The XD and XDM pistols are very accurate. The decent single action 5 pound pull trigger, ergonomic grip feel, and natural pointing grip angle all make the Springfield XD and XDM pistols as accurate as you can shoot them.
Springfield Armory XD Specifications
XD Sub-Compact 9mm Specs
| Magazines | 13 rds and 16 Rds |
| Barrel length | 3 inches |
| Overall length | 6.25 inches |
| Height | 4.75 inches |
| Weight | 26 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD Sub-Compact .40 S&W Specs
| Magazines | 9 rds and 12 Rds |
| Barrel length | 3 inches |
| Overall length | 6.25 inches |
| Height | 4.75 inches |
| Weight | 26 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD 9mm Service Specs
| Magazines | Two 16 Rds |
| Barrel length | 4 inches |
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Height | 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 28 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD .40 S&W Service Specs
| Magazines | Two 12 Rds |
| Barrel length | 4 inches |
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Height | 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 29 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD .357 Sig Service Specs
| Magazines | Two 12 Rds |
| Barrel length | 4 inches |
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Height | 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 29 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD .45 GAP Service Specs
| Magazines | Two 9 Rds |
| Barrel length | 4 inches |
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Height | 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 29 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD .45 ACP Service Specs
| Magazines | Two 9 Rds |
| Barrel length | 4 inches |
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Height | 5.5 inches |
| Weight | 29 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
XD .45 ACP Compact
| Magazines | One 10Rds |
| Barrel length | 4.04 inches |
| Overall length | 7.3 inches |
| Height | 5 inches, 5.75″ w/ Ext Mag |
| Weight | 29 Oz |
| Trigger pull | 5.5 Lbs – 7.7 Lbs |
| Frame | Polymer |
| Slide | Machined Forged Steel |
| Recoil spring | Dual springs Full length rod |
| Sights | 3 dot dovetailed into slide |
Video Overview of the Springfield XD Series of Pistols