My newest firearm

Dropped by the local gunshop a couple of days ago and with the wife we checked out a few smaller dimension carry weapons.

I found a XD-S 45 and after a quick run through I fell in love with this little beast.

Great size, narrow, easy to conceal, 6 round capacity with one in the spout.

Not cheap but fantastic.

Shoots great as well

Are you aware of the recall?

I am now, dammit

I have an appointment to apply for my CCW permit on Nov 21st. I have been looking at the XD-S .45 for months now. Everybody seems to love it. That is my number one choice for an IWB carry. Sure it can only hold 6 rounds but its a .45.

I am surprised you found one on the shelf post-recall. Every shop I went to in the local area here was told to pull the serial numbers that were affected. Springfield initiated a recall without having the parts available to fix the weapons, so they are a few months behind. I did read that some of the fixed guns are finally getting shipped back to owners.

Still, color me jealous. Did you get the all black or stainless slide version?

Now there is a pistol I tried really hard to hate...

I finally broke down and shot a friends XD-.40 (I wasn't a fan of the XD or the .40) and holy-smokes!

If the XDs shoots anything like the full-frame then color me jealous man, congrats

Ah, if only I lived in the land of legal CCW. I love shooting handguns but they don't make a lot of sense if you can't take them anywhere.

And here I thought you were a Glock guy

My main drawbacks on the XDs for me was the grip length and 5-rd capacity. My man hands did not like the smallness of the grip at all. My taurus was absolutely perfect for my hands and feel. That's why I always say find what fits you best!

moparman76_69 wrote:

Hand on wrong arm.

I have my cc, but I still haven't picked my gun yet. I really liked a Kahr Arms CW45, and I've heard good things about the XDs.

^ I hear the Kahr is a decent pistol, but being a 1911 fanboi, any pistol with no external safety is a bit of an issue for me.

Bobzilla wrote: My main drawbacks on the XDs for me was the grip length and 5-rd capacity. My man hands did not like the smallness of the grip at all. My taurus was absolutely perfect for my hands and feel. That's why I always say find what fits you best!

Extended magazines are your friend. More rounds and more grip. I ordered two after trying one in the weapon.

I am a Glock guy, but this weapon fits my hand so well, it has a very progressive trigger pull and is very concealable.

^ And I am not a glock guy. Just can't get the feel. I think it's the grip angle difference between what is "right" for me (1911) and the Glock. That and the absolutely square feeling grip.

I'll tell you a full size pistol that feels phenomenal to me is the FNP45. I've only handled one but everything about that pistol felt natural.

I've seriously been considering selling/trading my Taurus 24/7 for another compact 1911 for CC. Sure, I lose 3-5 rounds of capacity but I like the slimness and natural feel of them. Whatever I'd get would have to be the aluminum frame.

aussiesmg wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: My main drawbacks on the XDs for me was the grip length and 5-rd capacity. My man hands did not like the smallness of the grip at all. My taurus was absolutely perfect for my hands and feel. That's why I always say find what fits you best!

Extended magazines are your friend. More rounds and more grip. I ordered two after trying one in the weapon. I am a Glock guy, but this weapon fits my hand so well, it has a very progressive trigger pull and is very concealable.

Glad you got something you like! I cross shopped the XD line in a few sizes/calibers when I was looking and ended up with the G23. They all feel slightly different for sure, and some fit where others do not. Both are great guns for sure!

I've been carrying for five years and sell holsters for concealed and open carry. One of the main things I hear is, "I want something small that I can conceal like a .380 or something." I carry a full frame .45 without a problem. I have taken a serious look at the XD-M 9mm as well, though. If you are comfortable with it, it is a good gun for you.

In reply to EastCoastMojo:

Most gun stores do a multiple-gun rental. I think I got any gun from the case I wanted for $12 (in addition to the rental of a lane). I must have tried close to a dozen.

I was happy with my Taurus PT145 PRO. Unfortunately I lost all my firearms in a terrible boating accident out in the middle of a very deep lake.

moparman76_69 wrote: I was happy with my Taurus PT145 PRO. Unfortunately I lost all my firearms in a terrible boating accident out in the middle of a very deep lake.

I have the spiritual successor to that, the 24/7PRO Compact. great little gun with one helluva bark. Sadly mine were also lost in a similar accident on some lake that I can't remember the name of.

I was at a gun range this weekend where you could rent just about any handgun. I am looking for something concealable and shot a few. The XD-S was not available, but I liked the Sig Sauer P238 a lot. I asked the range officer, and he said that the 238 was definitely the .38 that he would buy, but only if he had to buy a .38. He preferred the XD-S in a .45 for something small, and EVERYONE else there agreed. Dang! The one gun not available!

Sperlo, how do you carry a full frame 1911 concealed? My usual carry is around the size of a Walther .380.

aussiesmg wrote: I am now, dammit

Sorry to be the messenger, but it seemed like something you should know. From what I've read, Springfield has been making the fixes pretty quickly.

In reply to tuna55:

I did the same thing before I bought my Glock in Ohio. ECM, call around till you find a store/range that will cut you the same deal. It actually ends up being a pretty fun afternoon. Double check what guns you can rent though, I know some stores have a very limited rental selection.

I shot a friend's S-A XD .45 full frame a few years ago and was decidedly NOT impressed with the smoothness/build quality, have they improved lately?

In reply to aussiesmg:

My uncle in OH just got I think the same gun and caliber. Very nice. He liked it a lot and I liked the trigger when handling it. I haven't shot it yet.

I have a S&W M&P Shield in 9mm I got in the last year or two, and it's a bit thinner, but otherwise I might have considred the XD-S.

Hmm, I wonder if this relates to the fact the pin sticks out the backing plate?

I hated my xd40, but I didn't mind my friend's XDM 9mm......I would buy an M&P before a springfield again though.

Xceler8x wrote: Sperlo, how do you carry a full frame 1911 concealed? My usual carry is around the size of a Walther .380.

Body type. I can carry my 5" 1911 OWB with a shirt covering without issue. My best friend has a hard time concealing a Keltec P11.