Springfield XD Compact .45ACP REVIEW!

[bdavison]

I've been on a pistol purchasing qwest of sorts lately. I've been looking for something to use as a concealed carry gun, but still have a little fun with it at the range. After looking around at nearly every sub-compact/compact on the market. I went with the XD Compact .45ACP.

I chose this gun because it has a lot to offer, for very little price. While normally I am glued to the 1911 genre of pistols, I was willing to try out new designs as well.

The XD Compact has some superb options in my opinion for anyone that is considering transitioning from a 1911 type pistol to a polymer frame compact. Well, actually superb options for anyone purchasing a new pistol period.

Here are some of the biggest reasons that I went with the XD.

1. The XD has a grip safety.

While this might not be important to some, It is very important to me. Ive had a friend who managed to send a .40 round into his thigh from a glock that fired in the holster. Now many can argue about how safe or unsafe a glock is. But the way I look at it...if there is NO way to prevent the gun from firing if the trigger is pulled. I will never carry it. The XD has the glock type "safety"...where basically the striker cannot fall unless the trigger disengages a striker block. And, it also has the glock type, mini-trigger that wont allow the trigger to be pulled unless you finger is doing the pulling. But unlike the glock, in addition to these "safeties", it also has the grip safety.

Now many glock fanboys will tell you that XD just relocated the trigger actuated striker block from the trigger to the grip safety. THIS IS NOT TRUE. The striker block still works exactly the same way as the glock, by the trigger. The grip safety is an added measure, and it works by blocking the sear from dropping by putting a stop in the way.

I prefer the XD's safeties mainly because, no finger, belt loop, holster, cord from your jacket, shell casing (all things that have caused misfires with glocks) is going to cause it to fire accidentally.

If you dont agree...I dont care. That's the way it is.

2. The XD has a upright grip.

Coming from a 1911 background, I have a hard time using memory/point shooting techniques with some non-1911 pistols. Many of the non-1911 pistols have dramatically different grip angles which usually cause me to shoot high. Sure I could re-learn the technique...but I dont want to. If I spend time relearning my positioning to suit one gun...I dissolve my already learned position on the other guns. I want the gun to fit me, not me to learn to fit the gun. Since the grip angle and fit is nearly identical to a 1911, my natural point of aim remains the same with the XD.

3. Reliability.

There are many XD shooters that have gone through thousands of rounds, with not a single malfunction. Since I plan to use the XD as a defensive carry gun, It must function everytime. No exceptions. A gun that jams, is a death sentence for anyone that depends on it.

4. Cost

The XD is one of the best bang for the buck deals on the market right now. Springfield Armory is packing every XD with 2 magazines, a retention holster, speedloader, dual magazine holster, lock, cleaning rod/brush, and case...all for around $500 bucks. Show me one other manufacture that is even coming close to that deal. On top of that...they are running a "GearUP" special between Sep 1 and Nov 30 that gives you an additional 3 magazines, and another dual magazine holster for FREE. Just send them a copy of your reciept, and in 8-12 weeks you get your free gear.

This kinda deal is just unheard of in regards to a high quality pistol.

5. Caliber

Im a big 9mm fan. I've always like 9mm because I think it offers a good balance between recoil and power. Its easy to control, accurate and still packs a punch. However, I just couldnt find a 9mm XD that I really liked. They have the 3.8" XDm in 9mm...but its pricy compared to the XD series. One of the big things about the XD Compact .45 that really made me choose it over the 9mm varients of the XD was the combination of a 4" barrel, with a shortened compact grip, which unfortunatly wasnt available in 9mm. So....I went with .45 which is also a good defensive caliber.

6. Capacity.

HOLY COW...ok...even the compact mag holds 10 rounds. 10 rounds of .45ACP...in a compact!

Oh, but it gets even better. The gun also comes with a 13 round extended mag. No, Im not excited about an extra 3 round capacity. What I'm excited about is that when you insert the extended mag, it transforms the pistol from a compact short gripped pistol, into a full service length gripped pistol. And thats a nice feature to have. Short and compact for daily carry, and full size and comfortable for those extended days at the range.

Combine that with all the magazines they give you, and you've got the potential to be loaded out with 54 rounds of .45ACP.....um...what more do you need.

Ok, so now on to the good stuff... The pictures.

Now bear in mind that I already modified my XD slightly. I painted in the logos with white. I think it looks good like that. Just remember, if you purchase one, the logos will be black like the slide.

[Microgunner]

Pictures you said?

[bdavison]

This is the XD gear that comes with the pistol.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/299845_2081721882352_1224218575_32033980_624891148_n.jpg

The pistol with the compact 10 round magazine

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/316508_2081722242361_1224218575_32033981_603792799_n.jpg

The extended 13 round magazine with the speedloader.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312675_2081722722373_1224218575_32033983_429069018_n.jpg

The magazine holster with the 13 and 10 round magazine

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/314376_2081723282387_1224218575_32033984_355112257_n.jpg

The pistol in the holster.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307514_2081723682397_1224218575_32033985_456618360_n.jpg

The reverse side of the gun/holster

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300332_2081723962404_1224218575_32033986_1995192019_n.jpg

The holster and magazine holster has rails on it. The speedloader is equipped so that it can attach to the rails.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/306737_2081724442416_1224218575_32033988_561697243_n.jpg

The gun fieldstripped.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313592_2081724762424_1224218575_32033989_248155085_n.jpg

[Microgunner]

Do it go bang regularly?

[bdavison]

It will as soon as I can get some ammo and head to the range. Hopefully be able to swing by there this weekend and dump some rounds out of it. Im really curious as to how accurate it will be.

[Microgunner]

I own a XD40 V10 and a XDm9 and if your new pistol is anything like mine, you've got a keeper.

[bdavison]

Im really impressed with it. Its like a glock perfected. Im planning on putting the first few rounds through it in the morning....Accuracy/Function report coming soon.

[bdavison]

Ok, here is the accuracy report.

I loaded up three 10 round magazines with 8 rounds each. Ammo was PMJ .45ACP brass with 230gr. Precision Cartridge TCJ bullets. All rounds were fired from 10 yards. Ive included one of the rounds in the photos for size comparison.

First grouping. Not real tight, I was getting used to the gun and the recoil.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/294166_2084505511941_1224218575_32035950_421681252_n.jpg

Second grouping. Starting to get the feel of it now...

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/318591_2084505991953_1224218575_32035951_836858454_n.jpg

Third grouping. Im dialed in. I did have one flyer which you can see to the left at 8:30 on the 6 ring, which was ENTIRELY my fault, not the gun. It occured on my 6th shot of the 8 shot string when I adjusted my grip. Round 7 and 8 are in the bullseye.

[img width=800 height=537]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312059_2084506231959_1224218575_32035952_1980763363_n.jpg

[Microgunner]

Outstanding! Looks like every target represents a dead BG.  :thumb:

How was reliability?

[bdavison]

I was really curious about the recoil. Being as it is a .45, and rather compact I was really expecting a kicking mule recoil. It's not. Its just a tad over 9mm in recoil. Very controllable, and not uncomfortable to fire at all.

On a scale of 1-10...10 being a cherrybomb in your hand, 1 being a bag of marshmellows....Id rate the recoil about a 5.  In comparison, Id rate the 9mm around a 4, and the .22 Mosquito around a 2, and a Derringer in .45-70 around a 10

As for reliability. Absolutely NO hickups. It fired, ejected and chambered a round everytime. I wouldnt hesitate to rely on it for self defense/carry.

[Madhouse]

As for reliability. Absolutely NO hickups. It fired, ejected and chambered a round everytime. I wouldn't hesitate to rely on it for self defense/carry.

+1

I agree totally with you here.

[bdavison]

I keep most of my targets in a file, so that I can refer back to them for reference materials. Went back and looked through a few of my "first" time groups for a wide variety of defensive guns. The XD throws down compared to just about any of them.

When you consider, that with the exception of the flyer that was my fault, that thing was printing a 1 1/2" group...out of a 4" barrel shooting .45 in a gun that only weighs around 27oz at 30ft, first time out with it ..its freakin sweet.

As I shoot it more, Im sure I can tighten that up a lot. I wouldnt be surprised if you could get a full magazine 10 rounds all in 1" with it. The gun certainly seems capable.  Its amazing how far they've come with these defensive guns. I remember when you used to need a Gold Cup to get accuracy like that out of .45

Its a keeper for sure. Cant wait to put it in a bit of friendly competition with my buddies and there glock/sig counterparts.

[Tal]

Great review BD. and pretty damn good shooting..Enjoyed it!!!

[bdavison]

The friendly postman just delivered my 3 free magazines and extra mag holster today. So apparently Springfield's estimate of 8-12 weeks is the worst case scenario. It only took them 5 days.

And to top that off, they sent me exactly what I wanted....3 of the compact 10 round mags.  So now Ive got 5 magazines, (4) 10 round compact mags, and (1) 13 round full service length mag.

THANKS SPRINGFIELD ARMORY!!!

[asmurff]

excellent