Realizing The Result
The XD-S offers many subtle enhancements that, only a few years ago, were not found on many full-size pistols—let alone on compact models—and each is incorporated into the pistol’s functional controls in such a way as to result in an ergonomically and aesthetically appealing package.

The frame incorporates an accessory rail that accommodates white lights and lasers (See p. 40). The front of the trigger guard has a single row of block-style checkering for those who care to place the forefinger of the support hand in that location. An undercut at the trigger guard’s rear, where it meets the grip frame, provides maximum purchase by the firing hand’s middle finger to the six horizontal rows of block-style checkering that wrap around the front of the grip frame from each side. Round ambidextrous magazine release buttons protrude from semi-circular recesses in the frame, and their checkered surfaces angle toward the pistol’s front. The steel magazine catch pivots forward when the buttons are pressed inward from either side, withdrawing two projections at the top of the catch that engage mating holes in the front of the magazine. A bevel on the magazine well’s mouth aids insertion of the stainless steel magazines, which are highly polished and exhibit no seams or spot welds. Numbered witness holes in both of the included five-round magazines and in the optional seven-round version provide a visual confirmation of the number of rounds remaining. The seven-round magazine additionally features a polymer sleeve that extends the grip frame’s contours by 1", lending the XD-S the feel and handling qualities of a full-size service pistol.

The gun features a blade-in-bow trigger design in which the blade in the center bottom of the trigger’s face must first pivot in order to clear the frame, allowing the main bow to travel rearward. Combined with the grip safety, it greatly minimizes the possibility of an inadvertent discharge and helps ensure that a firm grasp on the pistol and a deliberate pull of the trigger are required to fire it. The trigger has approximately 1/4" of takeup before encountering noticeable resistance. Then another 1/4" of travel ends in a reasonable pull weight—6 lbs, 8 ozs. for theevaluation sample—that releases fairly crisply and with no overtravel. Reset occurs after the trigger travels forward approximately 3/16" with an audible and tactile “click.”

Each of the two provided backstrap inserts have five horizontal rows of block-style checkering and can be exchanged simply by drifting out a roll pin. The grip safety, which blocks the sear until depressed, is neatly blended in with the contours of the backstrap and activates with minimal pressure. The slide stop lies above a slight thumb rest in the grip frame and is fenced along its bottom, front and rear edges to preclude its being inadvertently engaged during firing.

The XD-S fieldstrips in the same manner as the original XD, but adds a blocking lever that moves into the magazine well when the disassembly lever is rotated upward, precluding insertion of a magazine. It conversely disallows the lever’s being raised into the disassembly position if a magazine is present in the gun.

Attaining A Goal
So how did Springfield Armory and HS Produkt engineers pull off the XD-S? One way was through strict quality control of components, which are nearly all manufactured under HS Produkt’s roof. Also, Williams said, “They optimized a lot of small things in order to get the pistol to run flawlessly—for instance, the angle, depth and position of the extractor claw were tuned. And the extractor was given a little more than usual tension.”

Finally, he said, “We did a lot of endurance and reliability testing on the gun and found that it is very reliable and that nothing on it is prone to breakage.” In addition, he noted that the XD-S is not ammunition-sensitive. “Any factory service ammunition will work in this gun, and it will stand up to a steady diet of +P loads,” he said. He warned, however, that inexperienced shooters who may not have a proper grip the gun could induce short stroking of the action by “limp wristing” it during firing. “But if you do grip it properly,” he assured, “it’s as reliable as anything.”

Several NRA staff members with differing levels of experience and ranging from petite women to burly men put those claims to the test by shooting the XD-S with a variety of factory ammunition. While it’s true that most said they were not looking forward to shooting such a small, light pistol chambered in .45 ACP, after drawing and firing the gun from the standing position and from the bench to get a feel for its shooting manners, none were overly put off by its recoil. In fact, one experienced tester commented that the gun was “unusually mild-mannered.” Another said, “It’s surprisingly good considering it’s a .45,” adding, “Once you get that third finger wrap with the extended magazine, it’s even easier to shoot well.” Finally, one said, “Considering the caliber, I was expecting it to be uncomfortable to shoot;  but I found it to be light, comfortable to hold and easy to control.”

During range evaluation, more than 300 rounds were fired from the XD-S with no mechanical malfunctions, and accuracy testing was conducted according to American Rifleman protocol firing five five-shot groups using three factory loads at a realistic self-defense distance of 7 yds. Results are tabulated on p. 53 and illustrate that the XD-S has more than enough inherent accuracy to accomplish the task for which it was designed. In addition it was noted that the gun’s 3.3" barrel produces adequate velocities to ensure proper expansion with most defensive-type bullets.

There’s no question that the XD-S is special because of its chambering, but those who find its other attributes enough to recommend it will be pleased to know that Springfield already has plans to produce the pistol in “other popular calibers” in the future, according to Williams.

Until then, Springfield Armory has convincingly combined power and portability in a package that few who consider the XD-S objectively could fail to recognize for the engineering accomplishment it is: a carry gun that doesn’t have to be left behind in favor of something smaller or lighter—and certainly not in favor of something more powerful.