Another Springfield Comes Home

[Yamaki]

I needed (wanted???? ) a bit lighter carry piece for Spring and Summer, something that won't print when wearing shorts and a T.

After an exhausting bit of research at various stores, online and at the range I selected the Springfield Armory XDS in a .45 ACP. This firearm, with the 3.3" barrel and single stack arrangement, really hits the sweet spot between power and portability, weighing in almost 20 ounces less than the full size .45's I currently own and enjoy.

It came fully equipped with two magazines, a second back strap insert, two fiber optic rods, a bore brush, a kydex holster and two magazine kydex carrier. Every part and piece of the gear compliments the handgun's profile and purpose very well.

This striker fired handgun has no slide safety. Rather, Springfield's design incorporates a trigger safety, grip safety and striker block. The striker will not move forward unless both the trigger safety and the grip safety are engaged. Another safety feature is a disconnecter that prevents the pistol from being fired unless to the slide is completely in battery.

Having fired a short barreled .357 Magnum quite a lot I was expecting a rough time of it when I lit up the range with this 3.3" barreled little black monster. It definitely makes a big BOOM but, to my surprise, despite firing the formidable .45 ACP; recoil was more than manageable making target acquisition a quick and seamless operation. The secret to the lighter than expected recoil can be attributed to the configuration of the back strap and modified beavertail, allowing the shooter's hand to ride closer in line with the barrel and breech, reducing felt recoil and mitigating muzzle rise.

Another valuable feature are the sights. The front is a fiber optic red or green - your choice based on what you want to install from the rods provided with the firearm - with the rear fixed sight being a simple low profile two dot design.

I fired 150 rounds through the pistol on our initial range session, using 230 gr FMJ ammunition from Winchester, PMC & Fiocchi. There was no failure to fire, eject or cycle any of that less than high quality ammo and I attribute that to several features you normally find in more expensive weapons, such as the forged firing pin, robust extractor and polished feed ramp. You just have to love a weapon that works this well right out of the box.

Ambidextrous magazine releases, a loaded chamber indicator, a short 1913 Picatinny accessory rail mounted under the muzzle, an integral take down lever, a well formed grip and slide release lever round out the features of this big bore, small frame and thoroughly competent weapon.

If you want a small, light, concealable pistol for everyday carry—and want it chambered for the most highly respected combat pistol cartridges of all time—the XDS in .45 ACP might just be the ticket for you.

[2fastdriving]

Awesome! I always think those things (short carry .45's) kick too much and make me very inaccurate. Good to know you don't think that's the case with your XDS.

Of course, with a 45, you just gotta get "close enough"

[Masterlu]

I like that one!

[Mikado463]

Michael, nice ....... 'carry it in good health' !!

Ivan, love the 'T' !!!

[Yamaki]

LOL..."close enough" is pretty much it, Marc.

The recoil will have many folks thinking twice about owning such a short and powerful pistol but I have a lot of experience with them and, as I said, this is much easier to handle than the short barreled .357 I have. I do have to say that there are a couple of sore places in the hand today but I'll get used to firing it and will only fire it enough to remain proficient using it.

I know the limitations of short barreled handguns but in this case, if I can hit a 4" circle at 15 - 20 yards, that's all the kill zone I need.

[Yamaki]

I've got to find that t-shirt!

[Yamaki]

Thanks, Dave!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Yamaki

I've got to find that t-shirt!

Amazon.com: 45 BECAUSE SHOOTING TWICE IS SILLY FASHION Men's Tee (6.1oz): Clothing

Who's your pal?

[Masterlu]

Then of course, there's this one...

Amazon.com: Yes I Do Have A Daughter. A Gun, Shovel Alibi Fathers Day T-Shirt: Clothing

[Yamaki]

Thank you for the links, Ivan!