Springfield XD .40 S&W Pistol
This Springfield Armory XD .40 Review will cover my thoughts on this striker-fired semi-automatic pistol introduced in 2002. It is based on the HS2000, a Croatian-made gun designed by HS Produkt. Springfield Armory, a US firearms manufacturer, acquired the rights to market the HS2000 in the United States and rebranded it as the XD (X-treme Duty) series.
The XD .40 S&W was one of the first models introduced in the XD series. It was designed to be a reliable, accurate handgun.
Table of contents
History of the XD .40
Developed in the early 1990s, the .40 S&W cartridge was developed as a compromise between the 9mm and .45 ACP cartridges. It was designed to balance magazine capacity and stopping power, making it an attractive option for law enforcement agencies.
Over the years, the XD .40 S&W has received positive reviews for its accuracy, reliability, and ergonomics. As a result, it quickly gained popularity among law enforcement and civilian shooters and became a staple in the Springfield Armory lineup. The XD series has since expanded to include models chambered in 9mm, .45 ACP, and other calibers.
In 2013, Springfield Armory introduced an updated version of the XD series called the XD Mod.2. The Mod.2 features several improvements over the original XD, including a redesigned grip, a low-profile slide release, and an improved trigger. It is available in .40 S&W and other calibers.
The Springfield Armory XD .40 S&W pistol has a short but successful history. They has gained a reputation as a reliable and accurate handgun suitable for various shooting applications. Its popularity has led to the development of other XD models and the continued success of the Springfield Armory brand.
Unboxing the XD .40 S&W
Unboxing the XD .40 S&W is what I’ve come to expect from Springfield Armory. The box is the Springfield Armory branded black box, and upon opening it, there is an accessory compartment and a good-looking soft case for the handgun. It’s not over the top with extra goodies, but it is classy and well put together.
Inside the good-looking soft case, you will find the XD .40 S&W pistol, two magazines, a white vinyl Kimber sticker, a cable lock, a user manual, some promo material from Springfield, and their partners. As I remove the pistol, I can appreciate the high-quality construction and attention to detail that has gone into this gun. The XD .40 S&W feels solid and built to last, and I am getting the feeling, unboxing it is just the beginning of my satisfaction.
Pros & Cons of the .40 S&W Caliber
Pros:
- Versatility: The .40 S&W cartridge is a versatile round that can be used for self-defense, law enforcement, and target shooting.
- Stopping Power: The .40 S&W cartridge has a reputation for excellent stopping power, making it an effective choice for self-defense situations.
- Magazine Capacity: Many .40 S&W handguns feature double-stack magazines that can hold 12 or more rounds, providing ample firepower for self-defense situations.
- Recoil Control: While the .40 S&W cartridge is known for sharp recoil, many modern pistols are designed with features like a low bore axis and recoil springs that help control felt recoil.
Cons:
- Cost: The cost of .40 S&W ammunition is higher than more popular handgun calibers.
- Recoil: Recoil control is a pro, but it can also be a con for some shooters. The sharp recoil of the .40 S&W cartridge can be difficult for some shooters, especially those with weaker hand strength and/or limited shooting exposure.
- Availability: While the .40 S&W cartridge is still widely available, it is not as popular as other handgun calibers like 9mm, which can make finding ammunition or accessories more difficult.
- Wear and Tear: The .40 S&W cartridge is known to be a high-pressure round, which can result in increased wear and tear on firearms over time, which is why it is so essential to maintain your handgun correctly.
What the XD .40 S&W Offers
OK, it’s time to dive into the nitty-gritty of the Springfield Armory XD .40 and take a closer look.
Springfield Armory XD .40 Specifications
- MANUFACTURER: Springfield Armory
- FAMILY: XD Series
- MODEL: XD Service MOD-2 HC
- TYPE: Semi-Auto Pistol
- ACTION: Striker Fired
- CALIBER/GAUGE: 40 S&W
- FINISH: Melonite
- FINISH TYPE: Black
- FRAME: Polymer Frame
- BARREL: 4″
- OVERALL LENGTH: 7.3″
- CAPACITY: 10 + 1
- OF MAGAZINES: 2
- MAG DESCRIPTION: 10 rd.
- SIGHTS: 3-Dot Sights
- SIGHT TYPE: Fixed Sights
- WEIGHT: 30 oz.
- SHIPPING WEIGHT: 3.85 lbs.
- SAFETY FEATURES: No Manual Safety
- ADDL INFO: Dual Spring w/ Full Guide Rod
- MFG MODEL NO: XD9102
- UPC: 706397161026
- MSRP: $540.00
Barrel and Slide
The Springfield Armory XD .40 S&W features a 4-inch barrel that is designed to provide a balance between accuracy and ease of carry.
It is made from high-quality steel to provide durability and long-lasting performance. The rifling is cut using a broach, which ensures consistent and precise grooves that help improve accuracy. Further, the barrel’s crown is also carefully machined to help protect the rifling and improve accuracy by minimizing gas escaping from the muzzle.
There is a Picatinny rail at the 6’oclock position on the slide, for accessory mounting.
Overall, the XD .40 S&W’s barrel is a well-designed and critical component of this outstanding handgun.
Grips
The Springfield Armory XD .40 S&W is comfortable and secure; its ambidextrous magazine release is ideally located and easily engaged from either side. Grips are made of lightweight and durable polymer material. They felt like they would hold up even in wet or sweaty conditions.
I liked the XD .40 S&W’s grip angle, it has a natural and comfortable shooting position, which helps improve accuracy and reduce fatigue during extended shooting sessions. In addition, the grips also feature a removable backstrap that allows the shooter to customize the grip size to their hand size and preference, ensuring a comfortable and personalized fit. Overall, the XD .40 S&W’s grips are solid, although I tend to like a grittier grip, and there are many after-market options that I would consider exploring.
Magazine
The Springfield Armory XD .40 S&W comes with two magazines, each capable of holding ten rounds of .40 S&W ammunition. The magazines are made of durable stainless steel and feature a polymer base plate providing a comfortable and secure grip when inserting or removing the magazine.
Safety’s
Springfield Armory designed the XD .40 S&W with multiple safety features. The grip safety prevents the trigger from being pulled unless the shooter’s hand properly grips the firearm.
I like Springfields’ implementation of the grip safety; it sits higher and is smaller than that on the Smith and Wesson Shield. Both do the purpose, but the Springfields grip safety by location, and size supports a proper grip as high along the backstrap as possible.
In addition to grip safety, the XD .40 S&W also has a trigger safety.
Lastly, the XD .40 S&W features a striker status indicator, a pin that protrudes out the back of the slide to provide visual insight into the striker’s condition. Although, you should still always be mindful of safe firearm handling. These multiple safety features work together to ensure that the XD .40 S&W is safe while still functional.
Sights
The Springfield Armory XD .40 S&W features a 3-dot sight system, with the front fixed blade sight with a red dot. Additionally, the rear sight is adjustable with two white dots that align with the front to form a clear and easy-to-acquire sight picture even in low light conditions.
Some models of the XD .40 S&W may also feature night sights, which use tritium inserts to provide enhanced visibility in low or no light conditions.
Trigger
The Springfield Armory XD .40 S&W trigger is smooth and consistent. In addition, the steel trigger features a curved profile that fits comfortably on the shooter’s finger.
Trigger pull weight is specified at 5.5 pounds. However, my gauge was coming in consistently higher. Nonetheless, I don’t have the best gauge, and the trigger safety sometimes seems to throw off the numbers, but overall, the trigger felt great. Travel is minimal, the break is clean, and the reset is short.
Although I routinely replace the trigger in my handguns, I believe, like the HKVP9, I could get comfortable without needing to upgrade this trigger.
The Wrap-up
I am a big fan of everything I’ve seen from the Springfield Armory’s XD .40 S&W MOD2. It felt great in my hand, solid as I cycled the slide; field stripped quickly, the magazine release was spot on, and the sight picture was how I like it.
XD .40 S&W FAQs
Yes, it has a reputation for being a reliable and durable firearm. Tested by law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters and determined reliable and accurate.
The price of the Springfield XD .40 S&W pistol varies depending on the model and specific features of the firearm. The standard model costs between $500-$600, and the Tactical model is between $700-$800.
Yes, the Springfield XD .40 S&W pistol is easy to disassemble and clean. It features a simple takedown system that allows the user to quickly and easily field strip the firearm for cleaning and maintenance.
There are a variety of accessories available for the Springfield XD .40 S&W pistol, including holsters, magazine pouches, night sights, laser sights, and more.
Yes, the magazines for the Springfield XD series are compatible with the XD Mod 2 in .40 caliber. The XD Mod 2 is designed to accept the same magazines as the original XD models, including the XD .40 caliber magazines. Therefore, you can use the XD magazines interchangeably between the XD and XD Mod 2 models chambered in .40 caliber.
