In 2006, Springfield responded with the XD 45 in .45 ACP, and there's a lot to like in the XD .45. This is a 13-plus-one .45 ACP, and the butt section is not perceptibly larger than the other (smaller) calibers. It was a remarkable piece of engineering that was described in detail in these pages (April 2006, p. 40) at the time the gun was introduced. Shooters can rely on the fact that the XD pistol feels the same in his or her hand, regardless of caliber.

As this is written—in late 2008—the XD line has expanded in several ways. There are a number of distinctively different XD models, including color variations. Slides are available in black Melonite and stainless steel, receivers in black, tan and dark earth colors. Aside from the aesthetics, the pistol may be had with barrel and slide units of 3", 4" or 5" lengths.
There are also receivers of two heights. For some situations, a plain-clothes officer might want a pistol with a short butt that's easier to hide under a coat but with a full-length barrel that gives him or her a long sight radius and full ballistic performance. One interesting variation is a pistol with a short receiver and a long slide, but equipped with both a short magazine and a long one. At its bottom end, the long magazine comes with a collar that fills out the shape of a long receiver. The idea is to carry the gun with the short, lower-capacity magazine and shift to the higher-capacity, better-handling long one when the trouble comes.

Springfield's literature makes much of the gun's so-called "Point and Shoot" ergonomics. Rightfully so, since the gun's shape is very shootable. The grip angle is close to that of the M1911 pistol, and the butt section is nicely shaped for use with a trigger that moves through a short arc. At the top end of the backstrap, there is a pocket for the web of the shooter's hand. It is at a level higher than the curve of the trigger, which puts the shooter's trigger finger in a position of improved leverage when it comes to sweeping the trigger back. Another salient feature of the ergonomic grip is the completely ambidextrous magazine catch. From either side, a push on the magazine catch releases the magazine to drop cleanly away from the gun. Also, note the ambidextrous thumb rests on both sides of the butt. Oval depressions with a pronounced swell to their lower edge, these work well for the thumb on one side of the butt and the trigger finger on the other. There is a great deal of advanced ergonomics in the receiver of this gun, but the real marvel is what's inside.

Although it has been called a double-action-only, the XD trigger isn't—so Springfield's own terminology is apropos. The "USA" means "Ultra Safety Assurance." When the shooter racks the slide on an XD and runs a round into the chamber, the striker in the slide is cocked. The trigger, pivoted from the top of the trigger guard, has an articulated safety in its face. There is also a grip safety in the backstrap set up to prevent striker movement unless the gun is held in a positive grasp. A positive interior drop safety keeps the striker locked in place in the event the gun is dropped. Although the pistol normally comes with no manual safety, the trio of safeties I have mentioned contribute to a system that is as safe as anything on the market. When the shooter presses that trigger through its arc, the pressure clears the mechanical safeties and continued pressure releases the striker to fire the gun. Trigger pressure is 6 to 7 lbs. and is very smooth. It's safe and easy to shoot. With a little practice, fast pairs are a breeze.

The demand for the XD pistol continues to climb, and the increased popularity has prompted more and more available options. In addition to the many variations already mentioned, Springfield also offers the XD with an ambidextrous manual safety for those shooters or police and military agencies that require the feature. More recently, Springfield unveiled a new XD variant called the XD(M), (September 2008, p. 64). It is essentially an improved version—better accuracy, improved trigger action, enhanced ergonomics and aesthetics, even higher capacities—which sells at a somewhat higher price. The earlier XDs from which the XD(M) evolved are still in the line. A Springfield spokesman told me emphatically that they will stay there. Due to that commitment, American shooters can anticipate an ever-increasing array of models and options in Springfield's family of XD pistols.

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