I didn't know the XD was considered a popular line. They're giving away the kitchen sink for free to get people to buy them.
Really? I see them all over the public ranges and at local shoots and competitions. I have two, an XDm compact 9 and an XD Mod 2 SC .45. My daughter prefers them as they are much more ergo friendly than a Glock to her. I tell her just keep shooting the Glock’s and it will all come together, but she loves her XDm.
Both of my guns run flawlessly with any ammo. I’ve seen them at week long Gunsite classes and like most polymer guns, have pretty much zero issues.
I’ve seen them carried by some small town local LEOs who I suspect must pay for their own guns.
Lots of folks on this board prefer them to Glock’s due to the bore axis and grip angles being much closer to a 1911 than the Glock’s. Some are put off by the grip safety which adds that extra level of safety but is another thing to complicate the design. But not much different concept (if at all) than the 1911
They are made in Croatia and are NOT expensive guns to make. Before SA started branding them, they were sold in this country under a different name, a Croatian military pistol dubbed the “HS2000” for around $200 I believe.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HS2000
Of course, the popular gun crowd won’t look twice at a sub $300 gun, regardless how well it runs.
I suspect Springfield makes a lot of money on them, even at the lower costs and free stuff to sweeten the deals. Their OEM magazines are superb but, like everyone but Glock, overpriced, so throwing a few extra in to seal the deal probably isn’t hurting them much.
Powder River Precision makes outstanding aftermarket triggers and other upgrades for them (I have a carry trigger in my .45 and it’s very good IMO). Lots of companies make aftermarket gear too.
They are good guns by most accounts you’ll see on this board...and hated much less than Glock’s! LOL!