By Staff Writer: Charles Coker
A few weeks ago I got the chance to put some rounds through a Springfield XDS 45 ACP, I have to admit, it was a good shooting concealed carry piece.
This isn’t meant to be a long, exhaustive review but rather my impressions on some recent range time with the Springfield XDS.
A friend of mine had recently purchased one and we were going to the range where I was going to do some training with him. He had recently bought it and wanted my take on it.
I had to check it out as I hadn’t actually shot one yet. I loaded up a mag full of 230g ball ammo, inserted the mag and racked the slide. I took center aim on an IPSC target at head at 15 yards and slowly squeezed off a round. Dead center, right to my point of aim. My buddy asked me what I thought of the recoil, of shooting a 45 out of such a small and light pistol. I said it was no problem whatsoever.. I put the Springfield XDS at my side and then quickly engaged center of mass of the target and dumped the rest of the rounds in it as fast as I could. I ran several mags through the gun including some one handed drills and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was for me to shoot both fast, and accurately.
I should note, that all of my shooting was the flush mount mag so my pinky was hanging off the gun.
We got to discussing the “shootability” of such a small gun. He is a relatively new shooter and to both him and his wife (new as well) and to both of them it was a bit hard to control. Of course, this is to be expected but I told him I would much rather shoot a baby 45 than a baby 40 as it is more of a push recoil than the snap of a 40 in a tiny, light gun.
As for me, I had no problems with the Springfield XDS and while I am not going to get into the debate of carrying fewer rounds of 45 vs more of 9 (or 40) suffice it to say that if I wanted to carry 45 in a light and very thin 45, this would probably be it. It was MUCH nicer to shoot than a Glock 27 or a Walther PPS in 40, both of which I have owned and sold.
In short, I think they have a winner with the Springfield XDS.
ccoker
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I wrote that 2 part review on my XDS because it was the greatest pistol to me I ever owned. Sadly…LOL…The little woman got her CC license and I haven’t had the thing since. I’m glad though, she carries everywhere and practices often. I’m very proud of her. I feel good knowing that she is packing that reliable little powerhouse too. She even bought a new purse for it. I can’t think of a better compliment to the XDS than to say I trust my loved ones safety to it. Me…well I’m back carrying my Smith Bodyguard or DB9 and waiting for the day the XDS 9mm hits the shelves. Maybe when it does I can con her into giving the 45 up for it. 🙂
I am a Police Officer in Austin Tx, I just purchased the XDS 45 and it shoots bad ass. I had been looking for an off duty weapon. I purchased the Kahr CM9, easy to conceal but didn’t like the trigger pull. I also purchased the Glock 27 40. To bulky and heavy. I was really Impressed with the XDS. I also purchased pinky extension for it. Feels good.