New to Me Springfield XD9

[Tallball]

The Springfield XD series pistols have gotten very cheap lately. I bought myself a used one for a 58th birthday gift. I won it for a $205 bid, which is kind of crazy. I knew it didn't have a magazine. My total OTD for pistol, shipping, taxes, FFL, and two brand-new magazines was $322. Seems like a fair price.

The pistol is in good shape. It looks like it's been fired and carried a moderate amount. The insides look good. It was dirtier than it looked.

The fit and finish are nice. The controls work well and are well-placed. Grip safeties never bother me. The sights are good. The trigger is very nice. It holds 10 +1. The takedown is so obvious that I had it apart in less than a minute without Youtube. I usually need Youtube.

The XD9 is very similar in size to a Glock 26. It would fit in a large pocket, but at 26 ounces unloaded it would probably be too heavy. I'll get an OWB belt holster for it.

It feels kind of top-heavy at first, but balances and points well in my hand. I can't quite get my pinky onto it, much like my G26 and GX4. I found small pinky extensions that helped with those... and finally found one for the XD9 just now. I ordered it from Pearce and I should get it in a few days. All I need is another 1/4" to get enough of my pinky on it.

Has anyone else owned one of these and wouldn't mind sharing your opinion? I won't get to shoot it until next week. I'd be pleased to get ammo and holster suggestions (especially holster). Has anyone used any of the higher-capacity magazines with it? I just ordered the two ten-rounders.

I plan on shooting it early next week and will post a range report. Thank you for your time.

Springfield XD9.jpg

• Tallball
• Aug 25, 2023

 

[Dudedog]

Happy with mine. It does not seem to be ammo picky everything I have tried has worked fine.
Can't comment on larger mags as I am in CA and I only get 10....but I think normal cap for the short mags is like 13, 15 I believe with the mag grip extension. (which lets you use normal size mag, slips over the normal sized mag))
Sadly the bigger one is still only 10 (I have a 4" XD as well)
The mag grip extension would help with your pinky issue and assuming you live in a free state give you a couple more rounds.
Mine are from Springfield but I see aftermarket ones on Amazon, don't know if they are cheaper than the ones from Springfield or not.

 

[Buckeye63]

I like the XD line …. My first XD wasn’t a XD it was a HS2000 .. before they were rebranded…
Every XD pistol I have owned has ran like a champ .. and the grip safety is of no concern to me

 

[Anchorite]

You could do worse, that’s for sure. Prevailing thought is SA is phasing out the XD line in favor of the Echelon. I hope to find a deal on an XD of some sort in the future.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

They never did anything for me, but both daughters had a hard time finding a centerfire auto they could shoot well and the XD just worked for them. The oldest one and her fiance both carry them and the youngest wants her own now. Guess I better get one while I can.

 

[mcb]

Check out Pearce Grips (https://www.pearcegrip.com/Products/Springfield Armory/PG-XD). This one will give you somewhere to put your pinky without changing the capacity of the magazine. I really like the feel on my XD-40 Sub-Compact.

 

[vindag]

You could do worse, that’s for sure. Prevailing thought is SA is phasing out the XD line in favor of the Echelon. I hope to find a deal on an XD of some sort in the future.

As long as the original XD is on the California Handgun Roster, Springfield will never phase it out. Maybe the XDM and XDM Elite they will phase out, but not the original XD. Springfield sells the original XD for between $500 to $600 with 2 mags, depending on where you shop. They have a racket in California, because the only competition in polymer strikers for them in California is the Glock gen 3. Awhile back Springfield was selling the original XD with 1 mag for $300 to $350 around the USA, but that deal was not available in California.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

As long as the original XD is on the California Handgun Roster, Springfield will never phase it out. Maybe the XDM and XDM Elite they will phase out, but not the original XD. Springfield sells the original XD for between $500 to $600 with 2 mags, depending on where you shop. They have a racket in California, because the only competition in polymer strikers for them in California is the Glock gen 3. Awhile back Springfield was selling the original XD with 1 mag for $300 to $350 around the USA, but that deal was not available in California.

No M&Ps are on the list? I assume that means nearly all LEOs in CA carry Glocks then?

 

[vindag]

No M&Ps are on the list? I assume that means nearly all LEOs in CA carry Glocks then?

Only the original Shield (7 shot), with mag disconnect, thumb safety, and big ugly California loaded chamber indicator. The Leo's are exempt from the roster, so most police departments have off-roster guns, like Glock gen 5, or LAPD has FN 509. Also, cops can buy off-roster guns, and sell it to us peasants for 3 to 4 times what they paid for it, through a Private Party Transfer. So, it is definitely a big racket that is presently at the 9th Circuit.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Only the original Shield (7 shot), with mag disconnect, thumb safety, and big ugly California loaded chamber indicator. The Leo's are exempt from the roster, so most police departments have off-roster guns, like Glock gen 5, or LAPD has FN 509. Also, cops can buy off-roster guns, and sell it to us peasants for 3 to 4 times what they paid for it, through a Private Party Transfer. So, it is definitely a big racket that is presently at the 9th Circuit.

Ugh. Here in the Free State of Florida, probably 3/4 of agencies are carrying M&Ps, with the balance being Glocks or FNs.

 

[lee n. field]

The Springfield XD series pistols have gotten very cheap lately. I bought myself a used one for a 58th birthday gift. I won it for a $205 bid, which is kind of crazy. I knew it didn't have a magazine. My total OTD for pistol, shipping, taxes, FFL, and two brand-new magazines was $322. Seems like a fair price.

The pistol is in good shape. It looks like it's been fired and carried a moderate amount. The insides look good. It was dirtier than it looked.

The fit and finish are nice. The controls work well and are well-placed. Grip safeties never bother me. The sights are good. The trigger is very nice. It holds 10 +1. The takedown is so obvious that I had it apart in less than a minute without Youtube. I usually need Youtube.

The XD9 is very similar in size to a Glock 26. It would fit in a large pocket, but at 26 ounces unloaded it would probably be too heavy. I'll get an OWB belt holster for it.

It feels kind of top-heavy at first, but balances and points well in my hand. I can't quite get my pinky onto it, much like my G26 and GX4. I found small pinky extensions that helped with those... and finally found one for the XD9 just now. I ordered it from Pearce and I should get it in a few days. All I need is another 1/4" to get enough of my pinky on it.

Has anyone else owned one of these and wouldn't mind sharing your opinion? I won't get to shoot it until next week. I'd be pleased to get ammo and holster suggestions (especially holster). Has anyone used any of the higher-capacity magazines with it? I just ordered the two ten-rounders.

Have a XD40 subcompact. Got it with the intent to carry, based on the XD40 Service working well. Never did end up carrying it much. I could, but there's a lot of other stuff I use more.

Let's see. Holster: the one that works for me is a Galco Triton. It's your basic kydex (or injection molded plastic) IWB. I replaced the crappy FOMI clip with pull the dot snap loops. I have them for both the subcompact, and the 4" service size. For the subcompact, use the service length holster. The shorter XDSC holster wants to flop over the top of my belt. The longer holster doesn't.

Magazine carrier -- check out Magholder. They have a horizontal carrier for XD models. Works well.

The XD-s very early on had a problem with the locking block chipping. It was fixed early in the 4" and 5" XD-s. Subcompact, much later. I had this happen. Springfield repaired it with updated locking block and barrel from Mod.2.

What all else? The XD has the stiffest slide to cycle of anything I have. The XD subcompact, even more so. Never had a problem with feeding. Only problem firing is when the striker channel got gunked up Repair parts -- most are now available. For a long time it was not so. The extractor is "funky", and remains a factory only part.

 

[vindag]

Have a XD40 subcompact. Got it with the intent to carry, based on the XD40 Service working well. Never did end up carrying it much. I could, but there's a lot of other stuff I use more.

Let's see. Holster: the one that works for me is a Galco Triton. It's your basic kydex (or injection molded plastic) IWB. I replaced the crappy FOMI clip with pull the dot snap loops. I have them for both the subcompact, and the 4" service size. For the subcompact, use the service length holster. The shorter XDSC holster wants to flop over the top of my belt. The longer holster doesn't.

Magazine carrier -- check out Magholder. They have a horizontal carrier for XD models[/rul]. Works well.
The XD-s very early on had a problem with the locking block chipping. It was fixed early in the 4" and 5" XD-s. Subcompact, much later. I had this happen. Springfield repaired it with updated locking block and barrel from Mod.2.
What all else? The XD has the stiffest slide to cycle of anything I have. The XD subcompact, even more so. Never had a problem with feeding. Only problem firing is when the striker channel got gunked up Repair parts -- most are now available. For a long time it was not so. The extractor is "funky", and remains a factory only part.

I own 2 original XD-40 Service 4 inch, one I bought new in 2002, the other new in 2005. I found out recently through the internet about the locking block problem. So, I decided to examine my locking blocks in both guns. I noticed a difference in the locking block of 2002 compared to the 2005 one. The 2005 XD had these little cut outs in the corners of the locking block, where the 2002 didn't. Either way both locking blocks are in good condition.

 

[lee n. field]

I own 2 original XD-40 Service 4 inch, one I bought new in 2002, the other new in 2005. I found out recently through the internet about the locking block problem. So, I decided to examine my locking blocks in both guns. I noticed a difference in the locking block of 2002 compared to the 2005 one. The 2005 XD had these little cut outs in the corners of the locking block, where the 2002 didn't. Either way both locking blocks are in good condition.

The semicircular cut inthe corners, yes. My point was, this got fixed in the subcompact much later than in the larger guns. I think my XD40SC is from 2013 or 2014.

 

[lee n. field]

The Springfield XD series pistols have gotten very cheap lately. I bought myself a used one for a 58th birthday gift. I won it for a $205 bid, which is kind of crazy. I knew it didn't have a magazine. My total OTD for pistol, shipping, taxes, FFL, and two brand-new magazines was $322. Seems like a fair price.

The pistol is in good shape. It looks like it's been fired and carried a moderate amount. The insides look good. It was dirtier than it looked.

The fit and finish are nice. The controls work well and are well-placed. Grip safeties never bother me. The sights are good. The trigger is very nice. It holds 10 +1.

Must be a California magazine. Standard capacity on the XD9SC is 13 rounds. (Hint: if you're in Kali, it might be worth getting an XD40SC magazine and trying it with 9mm. Standard capacity on that is 9 rounds.)

XDSC short mags are relatively inexpensive at Midway USA. Stock up.

The takedown is so obvious that I had it apart in less than a minute without Youtube. I usually need Youtube.

The XD9 is very similar in size to a Glock 26. It would fit in a large pocket, but at 26 ounces unloaded it would probably be too heavy. I'll get an OWB belt holster for it.

It feels kind of top-heavy at first, but balances and points well in my hand. I can't quite get my pinky onto it, much like my G26 and GX4. I found small pinky extensions that helped with those... and finally found one for the XD9 just now. I ordered it from Pearce and I should get it in a few days. All I need is another 1/4" to get enough of my pinky on it.

In my hands the G26 is a finger-and-a-half grip. The XDSC is enough longer to be more usable.

"Top heavy" -- Not so much when actually loaded.

"high boar axis!" -- nothing I actually notice when actually shooting.

 

[vindag]

The semicircular cut inthe corners, yes. My point was, this got fixed in the subcompact much later than in the larger guns. I think my XD40SC is from 2013 or 2014.

Do you know what those cuts in the corners are supposed to do?

The semicircular cut inthe corners, yes. My point was, this got fixed in the subcompact much later than in the larger guns. I think my XD40SC is from 2013 or 2014.

I can't understand the purpose of those cuts. All those years I never knew there was any difference, between my 2002 and 2005 XD-40 Service 4 inch. Where did your 2013/14 XD40SC locking block chip? My understanding is, even if it chips, the gun still functions perfectly.

 

[lee n. field]

Do you know what those cuts in the corners are supposed to do?

I can't understand the purpose of those cuts. All those years I never knew there was any difference, between my 2002 and 2005 XD-40 Service 4 inch. Where did your 2013/14 XD40SC locking block chip? My understanding is, even if it chips, the gun still functions perfectly.

eliminating stress risers, is that I've read.

 

[mcb]

Yes the cuts in the corners were to relieve the sharp corners that created a stress concentration that can cause the crack to start there. By putting those rounded cut-outs in the corners you spread the stress out over the larger area and make if far less likely to give a crack a place to start. It's a bit counter intuitive at first but does work. My XD-40 Tactical had the old locking block and it developed cracks in both corners after six or seven thousand round through it. I noticed them when cleaning but had two matches to shoot the next two weekends, one a larger section match so I rolled the dice and shot the two matches before sending it back for warranty work. The gun ran flawless for two matches a few practice sessions though the cracks did grow slightly. I sent it back to SA for service and they turned the repair around in 8-days from the day I shipped it to the day it was dropped on my front porch. It now has over 30,000 more rounds through it on the new block with no issues.


ETA: I dug back through my archive and found this picture of the cracks for those that might be interested. This was taken just before I sent it back. Not the best picture but cameras were not as good back in 07-08 when I did that.

 

[lee n. field]

Here's a pic of the damage on mine.

The only reason I looked, was that function got unreliable and erratic one day at the range.

 

[vindag]

Yes the cuts in the corners were to relieve the sharp corners that created a stress concentration that can cause the crack to start there. By putting those rounded cut-outs in the corners you spread the stress out over the larger area and make if far less likely to give a crack a place to start. It's a bit counter intuitive at first but does work. My XD-40 Tactical had the old locking block and it developed cracks in both corners after six or seven thousand round through it. I noticed them when cleaning but had two matches to shoot the next two weekends, one a larger section match so I rolled the dice and shot the two matches before sending it back for warranty work. The gun ran flawless for two matches a few practice sessions though the cracks did grow slightly. I sent it back to SA for service and they turned the repair around in 8-days from the day I shipped it to the day it was dropped on my front porch. It now has over 30,000 more rounds through it on the new block with no issues.
View attachment 1168515

ETA: I dug back through my archive and found this picture of the cracks for those that might be interested. This was taken just before I sent it back. Not the best picture but cameras were not as good back in 07-08 when I did that.

View attachment 1168520

Thank You so much for these pictures, as I wasn't sure what do look for. I'm a little OCD, so I just stared at my locking block for a while. When I recently found out about this locking block problem, I was shocked that my 2005 XD-40 had the corner cut outs, but my 2002 XD-40 didn't. I bought both new in 2002 and 2005. I have about 4,000 rounds through the 2002 gun, and don't shoot it that much anymore. Should I just wait till I get the cracks or send it to Springfield for a new locking block?

 

[mcb]

Thank You so much for these pictures, as I wasn't sure what do look for. I'm a little OCD, so I just stared at my locking block for a while. When I recently found out about this locking block problem, I was shocked that my 2005 XD-40 had the corner cut outs, but my 2002 XD-40 didn't. I bought both new in 2002 and 2005. I have about 4,000 rounds through the 2002 gun, and don't shoot it that much anymore. Should I just wait till I get the cracks or send it to Springfield for a new locking block?

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even if it does crack it rarely renders the gun unusable. Keep and eye on it and if it cracks I have little doubt SA customer service will make it right. IIRC the issue was not exposed untill 2005 and they started swapping out the locking blocks on new guns in late 2005 or 2006 and of course any old guns that cracked. I bought my XD-40 Service is late 2004 and my XD-40 Tactical in the middle of 2005 and both had the older locking block. The XD-40 Tactical has been replaced as I stated earlier. My XD-40 Service has not been replace, it has no cracks, and has close to 10,000 rds through it with no issues yet.

 

[vindag]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Even if it does crack it rarely renders the gun unusable. Keep and eye on it and if it cracks I have little doubt SA customer service will make it right. IIRC the issue was not exposed in 2005 and they started swapping out the locking blocks on new guns in late 2005 or 2006 and of course any old guns that cracked. I bought my XD-40 Service is late 2004 and my XD-40 Tactical in the middle of 2005 and both had the older locking block. The XD-40 Tactical has been replaced as I stated earlier. My XD-40 Service has not been replace, it has no cracks, and has close to 10,000 rds through it with no issues yet.

That makes a lot of sense. My 2002 XD-40 Service was the first year with the Springfield name, and yes, I bought my 2005 XD-40 Service at the end of 2005, so mine must have one of the 1st new locking blocks with corner cut outs.