Educate me on the Springfield Armory 9mm sub-compacts

[cluttonfred]

OK, looking at sub-compact, double-stack 9mm options I have heard good things about Springfield Armory but I am a bit confused by the number of similar models.

The XD-S 3.3″ Single Stack is clearly distinct from the others, but the XD 3″ Sub-Compact 9mm, XD(M) 3.8″ Compact and XD MOD.2 3″ Sub-Compact all hold 13 rounds and seem almost identical other than the slightly longer barrel of the XD(M). I am not quite sure why one company would offer so many similar models.

Are there any Springfield Armory aficionados here who can educate me on the differences between the XD, XD(M) and XD MOD.2 options?

Thanks!

 

[okc-zee]

XD sub compact...Springfields original offering...3 inch barrel..Flush mag for carry,Extended mag for range/home defense...comes in 9mm and 40...XD line comes in full size as well w/ 45 offering...

Mod 2..This is a brand new upgrade offering of the XD sub compact..new better grip..Much better sights..More aggressive easier to grab slide serrations...Comes in 9mm,40, and soon 45acp...

XDM...Their polymer flagship line...Better aggressive grip than XD line..Match grade barrels...better sights...3.8" barrel in compacts...comes in full size as well...Flush mag/extended mag with compacts...comes in 9mm,40 and 45acp..

I'm sure guys can add a little more but that's it in a nutshell...

 

[FireInCairo]

The differences are small. Basically, if you want their slimmest subcompact, get the XDs. If you want the subcompact with the most capacity, get the XD. If you want the shortest, get the 3" barrel. If you don't like the grip of the XD or the XDs, try the mod.

My choice in the end was the XD because of the capacity and the length of slide/barrel. With the pinky extension, it's the perfect sidearm. If I want more capacity, I can use the 16 round mag with the extension. I currently use the 16 round mag with extension and throw a light on the rail for my nightstand.

Myself? I prefer something even smaller for carry, but I'm only 5'6'' and even the subcompact is a bit too big for concealment in my opinion, though I've carried it in a pinch. I can see how someone taller may be more comfortable carrying one.

I'm looking to get a Kahr CM9 for carry.

Otherwise, the XD pistols are my favorite poly pistol out there today. I just wish they were a little more simple in design like the Glock for taking a part and polishing the trigger and such. I think that's it's only fault.

The grip safety is awesome, as I used to own Glocks and felt I had to be very careful when reholstering to avoid a negligent discharge. Use the pad of your thumb to push your pistol into its holster with with the palm of your hand off the backstrap. It could never discharge like that.

 

[herkyguy]

I've had an XD Subcompact 9mm for years. I picked it up at a gunshow for $420 and got the free 3 mags through the springfield rebate. It is a great gun. It malfunctioned with some cheapo aluminum-cased ammo once, but since then has eaten everything I've shot through it. With all the XDm and XD 2.0 hype, the XD is highly underrated.

I also have two XDs pistols, one in 45 and one in 9mm, and like both. They are easier for me to carry, so the XD sits in a pistol safe upstairs with night sights and a 16 round magazine. i have every confidence in that gun.

 

[FireInCairo]

I've had an XD Subcompact 9mm for years. I picked it up at a gunshow for $420 and got the free 3 mags through the springfield rebate. It is a great gun. It malfunctioned with some cheapo aluminum-cased ammo once, but since then has eaten everything I've shot through it. With all the XDm and XD 2.0 hype, the XD is highly underrated.

I also have two XDs pistols, one in 45 and one in 9mm, and like both. They are easier for me to carry, so the XD sits in a pistol safe upstairs with night sights and a 16 round magazine. i have every confidence in that gun.

When loading up some cheapo steel cased ammo, I noticed the rough steel cases caused friction in the mags and would interfere with smooth loading. The rounds would get caught up on one another when I loaded them. I had to tap the mags to get them to stack properly, but once I got them loaded they fed fine. So I would not fault the pistol, though the mags didn't seem to like the steel cases. Just the same, the momentum from the cycling of the slide seemed to keep the steel ammo feeding fine.

Perhaps your ammo was underpowered and interfered with proper cycling?

 

[herkyguy]

When loading up some cheapo steel cased ammo, I noticed the rough steel cases caused friction in the mags and would interfere with smooth loading. The rounds would get caught up on one another when I loaded them. I had to tap the mags to get them to stack properly, but once I got them loaded they fed fine. So I would not fault the pistol, though the mags didn't seem to like the steel cases. Just the same, the momentum from the cycling of the slide seemed to keep the steel ammo feeding fine.

Perhaps your ammo was underpowered and interfered with proper cycling?

wholeheartedly agree...

It was cheap stuff, not even polymer coated like most .223 and 7.62 aluminum stuff. I think I bought it out of desperation but can't remember the brand. It was the roughest aluminum cased ammo i've ever seen and I certainly don't fault the XD. It's one of our home defense guns and I trust it to work without a hiccup in the event that my wife needs it when i'm not home.

that says a lot.

 

[Chocolate Bayou]

First pistol I bought was a 9mm XDsc (3.8" barell). Great to shoot but a little too much bulk to carry IWB. My wife loves it and it now resides in her nightstand drawer with added stream light with laser on the rail. I moved up to a Colt Defender and now only buy metal guns with hammer (personal preference), but the Springfied is still a great gun and my wife is very accurate @ 7yds . Don't think she will be in a situation beyond that.

 

[Plan2Live]

The XDm series can be field stripped without pulling the trigger. I like that feature.

I like the grip safety, it allows me to grip the gun in a way that is totally safe holstering and un-holstering. Yes, finger off the trigger blah, blah, blah but things other than fingers have found their way into trigger guards.

I have an XDm 3.8 Compact in .40 S&W. It eats everything I have ever put in the magazine. My only wish for this gun is I wish someone made either a plus one base plate or even just a thicker flat base plate for the magazine. I would like about an extra 1/4 inch of real estate for my pinky and don't care for the angled Pearce Pinky Extenders.

 

[kvtcomdo]

I've had an XD Subcompact 9mm for years. I picked it up at a gunshow for $420 and got the free 3 mags through the springfield rebate. It is a great gun. It malfunctioned with some cheapo aluminum-cased ammo once, but since then has eaten everything I've shot through it. With all the XDm and XD 2.0 hype, the XD is highly underrated.

I also have two XDs pistols, one in 45 and one in 9mm, and like both. They are easier for me to carry, so the XD sits in a pistol safe upstairs with night sights and a 16 round magazine. i have every confidence in that gun.

So agree.

I also have the XDs in 9mm and 45ACP.

Wonderful handguns; easy to carry; accurate enough for their purposes; use the sam holster.

Very dependable.

 

[cluttonfred]

Random question...the XD(M) doesn't need to have the trigger pulled during disassembly, but the XD (and presumably XD Mod 2) and XD(S) do. Why do you think that is? Since some people see that as a safety concern, and they already figured out how to avoid it in the XD(M) why not simply do it that way from then on? It's not a dealbreaker for me either way, I'm just curious.

 

[98Redline]

I really don't mind the fact that I need to pull the trigger on my XDs to disassemble it. If part of your normal routine isn't to make 100% certain that the firearm is unloaded BEFORE you do maintenance on it, then maybe you should consider a new hobby?

 

[SeanSw]

I didn't realize the disdain people showed for the XDs until I owned one. I passed it around and heard all the typical "not a Glock" stuff and guffaws from people who had never fired one. Just a lot of bench racers repeating statistics. I love mine.

 

[guyfromohio]

My buddy had an XD subcompact. Ugly as sin. Hated the look, hated the feel, hated everything about it.....until I shot it. I was shocked at how well it shot. I never bought one, but I wouldn't hesitate. That being said, I'll throw in my $.02 and suggest you look at the CZ Rami D.

 

[JB357MAG]

I had an XD9 SC and carried it for
over a year and a half.

Over 700 rounds of several different types of ammo
not one malfunction of any kind at all.

BUTT, its a bit heavy and thick for a iwb carry gun.

I sold it and got an M&P Shield and its allot easier to carry.

I wanted to keep the XD but my cash is tight so off it went.

Jimmy

 

[SeanSw]

The only gun I have that is uglier than the XDs is a Ruger LCR. If someone is looking at it you're using it wrong. Neither of them were love at first sight but they're great for their intended roles. In particular I wasn't sure how I felt about the backstrap safety and feel of the grip. In hand I thought the Shield felt better but on the range the XDs won out. They all feel a bit short in the grip when coming from a larger pistol but to me the XDs felt more like shooting a larger gun than the alternatives. Increased weight has it's advantages and disadvantages there.

 

[Dudedog]

Really happy with my XD sub compact. It's a California cripple so both style of mags only hold 10 rnds. Shots well for me and my friends. One of them liked it so much he bought one in .40.