The Springfield Armory XD-S 4.0 9mm is one of the new carry guns that I got a chance to shoot during range day at this year’s SHOT Show. It’s identical in every way to the original 9mm XD-S, except it has a 4-inch barrel and slide as opposed to the 3.3-inch of the original. At SHOT, I thought it seemed like a pretty interesting gun, so we got our hands on one to do a more in-depth review.
Here are a couple photos and some additional thoughts on the XD-S 4.0 that didn’t make it into the final cut of the video.
Grip Safety
One of the big complaints I have had with the XD series is the way the grip safety functions. If it’s not completely engaged, the slide cannot be fully retracted, even manually. That means you can’t clear the gun if there’s some kind of malfunction that’s preventing the grip safety from working. You also can’t perform a standard “tap rack” malfunction clearance unless you maintain a good firing grip. Neither of those are likely scenarios, but I’ve still always considered this a serious design flaw. Fortunately, Springfield Armory did not include this “feature” on the XD-S. There’s still a grip safety, but it no longer prevents movement of the slide when it’s not engaged.
The XD Briefcase
A distinctive feature of the XD series has always been the inclusion of an oversized plastic briefcase that includes a paddle style holster and magazine carrier. I have mixed feelings about this “feature”. On one hand, it kind of makes sense, at least for the full size guns. The holster and mag carrier are both far too bulky and flimsy to be used for everyday concealed carry. I’m sure people do it, but you wouldn’t have to spend much to find some far better options for either accessory. On the other hand, they aren’t bad for casual use at the range, and would even work for anyone just starting out in the action shooting sports.
But for a small carry gun like the XD-S, you’re going to have to get a concealment holster anyway, so the plastic paddle holster is unnecessary. It’s not so much that I object to the inclusion of the holster per se, it’s the $599 MSRP that I find somewhat offensive. The gun itself has some interesting features, but there’s nothing about it that should warrant a price tag $150 higher than almost every other polymer single stack on the market. The included accessories come across like a half-hearted attempt lessen the sting of the comparatively high cost. Here’s a suggestion for Springfield; dump the holster and mag carrier, include night sights, and two additional magazines, and then I’ll feel less grouchy about the asking price.
What’s Your Take?
Do you carry an XD-S in 9mm or .45ACP? How does it compare to other guns you’ve carried in the past? Anyone hoping Springfield Armory will release a 4.0 version of the .45ACP XD-S?
56 thoughts on “Review: Springfield Armory XD-S 4.0”
I had the xds 45 and I wasn't happy with it. So i sold it. I now own the xds 9mm 4.0. Defiantly prefer the 9mm 4.0…
i’m a 45 guy. saved my life in vietnam. Damn shity m16 jamed on me. i have a few 45, but would rather carry my Glock 26 in 9mm. theses old hands in a confrontation, i have better control with the 9mm. I use DRT 90 gr. non lead fragmenting hollow points. low recoils at 1900 FPS. considered a one shot stop in the right place.
Congrats on the CCW. I have had a Glock for over 16 years. I like it. I also have a Taurus. Find something you like and practice as often as possible. Be safe and carry on.
The XDS 4.0, 9mm fits my sisters hands perfectly. The double stack thickness of my XD9 was to much, but she liked the grip angle over other choices. For people with small hands, the XDS maybe the correct choice.
The XDS 4.0, 9mm fits my sisters hands perfectly. The double stack thickness of my XD9 was to much, but she liked the grip angle over other choices. For people with small hands, the XDS maybe the correct choice.
ROBERT! CAN YOUR WIFE HANDEL THAT RECOIL ON THE 40? IT HAS MORE RECOIL THAN A 45ACP.IN THE LONG RUN A SMALL 22LR, WITH CCI STINGER’S WILL KILL YOU JUST AS FAST AS ANY OTHER ROUND. SHOT PLACEMENT!!
i went to my local range and shot both the 4.0 and the 3.3 in 45acp. did not like the way it pointed. the grip saftey really had to grasp the gun hard to rack the slide. tried a glock 30. much better and no grip saftey. i have shot all the polemer pistols and still can't find one that out performs the glock. plus you can customize your glock and no extra saftey to fumble with.the G30 with a ported barrel and tungten guide rod spring and a triger kit shoot great. still is a handful to shoot so i got a G26 in 9mm and did a trigger job and put and exteneded slide release on it. 10 round+1. shoots straigt and is so much easier to handel than the 45acp.
i'm a 45 guy. saved my life in vietnam. Damn shity m16 jamed on me. i have a few 45, but would rather carry my Glock 26 in 9mm. theses old hands in a confrontation, i have better control with the 9mm. I use DRT 90 gr. non lead fragmenting hollow points. low recoils at 1900 FPS. considered a one shot stop in the right place.
ROBERT! CAN YOUR WIFE HANDEL THAT RECOIL ON THE 40? IT HAS MORE RECOIL THAN A 45ACP.IN THE LONG RUN A SMALL 22LR, WITH CCI STINGER'S WILL KILL YOU JUST AS FAST AS ANY OTHER ROUND. SHOT PLACEMENT!!
Congrats on the CCW. I have had a Glock for over 16 years. I like it. I also have a Taurus. Find something you like and practice as often as possible. Be safe and carry on.
i went to my local range and shot both the 4.0 and the 3.3 in 45acp. did not like the way it pointed. the grip saftey really had to grasp the gun hard to rack the slide. tried a glock 30. much better and no grip saftey. i have shot all the polemer pistols and still can’t find one that out performs the glock. plus you can customize your glock and no extra saftey to fumble with.the G30 with a ported barrel and tungten guide rod spring and a triger kit shoot great. still is a handful to shoot so i got a G26 in 9mm and did a trigger job and put and exteneded slide release on it. 10 round+1. shoots straigt and is so much easier to handel than the 45acp.
I have an XDs 3.3 9mm, and I absolutely love it. Shoots straight (that coming from a guy with little handgun shooting experience), almost no recoil, has approximately 500 rounds through it with not a single malfunction. Great little gun!
I have an XDs 3.3 9mm, and I absolutely love it. Shoots straight (that coming from a guy with little handgun shooting experience), almost no recoil, has approximately 500 rounds through it with not a single malfunction. Great little gun!
I used the .40 for a few years. I liked the firepower, but it doesn’t shoot straight enough. I had the .40 XDm compact… I loved the gun for every reason except accuracy. I just now traded it in for the XDs 9mm 4.0 and will never go back. Very straight shooting, in comparison. Who wants to shoot a bystander while aiming at a mugger?
I had the xds 45 and I wasn't happy with it. So i sold it. I now own the xds 9mm 4.0. Defiantly prefer the 9mm 4.0…
I prefer 45acp over 9mm any day.
I had the xds 45 and I wasn’t happy with it. So i sold it. I now own the xds 9mm 4.0. Defiantly prefer the 9mm 4.0…
I have an XDs in .45ACP. I'm very happy with it.
I prefer 45acp over 9mm any day.
i’m a 45 guy. saved my life in vietnam. Damn shity m16 jamed on me. i have a few 45, but would rather carry my Glock 26 in 9mm. theses old hands in a confrontation, i have better control with the 9mm. I use DRT 90 gr. non lead fragmenting hollow points. low recoils at 1900 FPS. considered a one shot stop in the right place.
I have an XDs in .45ACP. I’m very happy with it.
I carry the 3.3 .45 xds – love it
I'll have to look into a Springfield, got my CCW recently
Chuck Shelton good for you Chuck, there are so many great handguns out there these days, then there's that old debate about revolvers vs. automatics
I have a 4" XDM, I like it but would not consider it for CCW. Just too big. Give me a 3" inch to carry. I shoot them equally as good at the range.
I carry the 3.3 .45 xds – love it
I’ll have to look into a Springfield, got my CCW recently
Chuck Shelton good for you Chuck, there are so many great handguns out there these days, then there’s that old debate about revolvers vs. automatics
Chuck Shelton – Congrats on the CCW!
Congrats on the CCW. I have had a Glock for over 16 years. I like it. I also have a Taurus. Find something you like and practice as often as possible. Be safe and carry on.
I have a 4″ XDM, I like it but would not consider it for CCW. Just too big. Give me a 3″ inch to carry. I shoot them equally as good at the range.
The XDS 4.0, 9mm fits my sisters hands perfectly. The double stack thickness of my XD9 was to much, but she liked the grip angle over other choices. For people with small hands, the XDS maybe the correct choice.
The XDS 4.0, 9mm fits my sisters hands perfectly. The double stack thickness of my XD9 was to much, but she liked the grip angle over other choices. For people with small hands, the XDS maybe the correct choice.
Chuck Shelton – Congrats on the CCW!
My wife chose between the XD 3" in the .40 and 9mm. She preferred the .40 .
My wife chose between the XD 3″ in the .40 and 9mm. She preferred the .40 .
Good choice. I also prefer the .40 to the 9mm.
ROBERT! CAN YOUR WIFE HANDEL THAT RECOIL ON THE 40? IT HAS MORE RECOIL THAN A 45ACP.IN THE LONG RUN A SMALL 22LR, WITH CCI STINGER’S WILL KILL YOU JUST AS FAST AS ANY OTHER ROUND. SHOT PLACEMENT!!
The .40 XDm has low recoil…..
Paul Dragotto Yeah. She’s got no issues with the recoil at all. And it recoils less than my .45.
Good choice. I also prefer the .40 to the 9mm.
I went with a 3.3". The 4.0 gets in the way of my Yoga.
I went with a 3.3″. The 4.0 gets in the way of my Yoga.
good review
good review
i went to my local range and shot both the 4.0 and the 3.3 in 45acp. did not like the way it pointed. the grip saftey really had to grasp the gun hard to rack the slide. tried a glock 30. much better and no grip saftey. i have shot all the polemer pistols and still can't find one that out performs the glock. plus you can customize your glock and no extra saftey to fumble with.the G30 with a ported barrel and tungten guide rod spring and a triger kit shoot great. still is a handful to shoot so i got a G26 in 9mm and did a trigger job and put and exteneded slide release on it. 10 round+1. shoots straigt and is so much easier to handel than the 45acp.
i'm a 45 guy. saved my life in vietnam. Damn shity m16 jamed on me. i have a few 45, but would rather carry my Glock 26 in 9mm. theses old hands in a confrontation, i have better control with the 9mm. I use DRT 90 gr. non lead fragmenting hollow points. low recoils at 1900 FPS. considered a one shot stop in the right place.
ROBERT! CAN YOUR WIFE HANDEL THAT RECOIL ON THE 40? IT HAS MORE RECOIL THAN A 45ACP.IN THE LONG RUN A SMALL 22LR, WITH CCI STINGER'S WILL KILL YOU JUST AS FAST AS ANY OTHER ROUND. SHOT PLACEMENT!!
Paul Dragotto Yeah. She's got no issues with the recoil at all. And it recoils less than my .45.
i wna
Congrats on the CCW. I have had a Glock for over 16 years. I like it. I also have a Taurus. Find something you like and practice as often as possible. Be safe and carry on.
love it
i went to my local range and shot both the 4.0 and the 3.3 in 45acp. did not like the way it pointed. the grip saftey really had to grasp the gun hard to rack the slide. tried a glock 30. much better and no grip saftey. i have shot all the polemer pistols and still can’t find one that out performs the glock. plus you can customize your glock and no extra saftey to fumble with.the G30 with a ported barrel and tungten guide rod spring and a triger kit shoot great. still is a handful to shoot so i got a G26 in 9mm and did a trigger job and put and exteneded slide release on it. 10 round+1. shoots straigt and is so much easier to handel than the 45acp.
i wna
I have an XDs 3.3 9mm, and I absolutely love it. Shoots straight (that coming from a guy with little handgun shooting experience), almost no recoil, has approximately 500 rounds through it with not a single malfunction. Great little gun!
Love my XDS .45 and is my daily carry!
Love my xds 45 it's not your fault if you shoot a 9mm safer for the people around you
love it
I have an XDs 3.3 9mm, and I absolutely love it. Shoots straight (that coming from a guy with little handgun shooting experience), almost no recoil, has approximately 500 rounds through it with not a single malfunction. Great little gun!
Love my XDS .45 and is my daily carry!
Love my xds 45 it’s not your fault if you shoot a 9mm safer for the people around you
I agree get rid of the paddle and mag carrier, a night scope and 2 extra clips would be fab!
I agree get rid of the paddle and mag carrier, a night scope and 2 extra clips would be fab!
screw glock, xds .45 al the way
screw glock, xds .45 al the way
I have the xds 9mm with case . How much is it worth? Never fired
I used the .40 for a few years. I liked the firepower, but it doesn’t shoot straight enough. I had the .40 XDm compact… I loved the gun for every reason except accuracy. I just now traded it in for the XDs 9mm 4.0 and will never go back. Very straight shooting, in comparison. Who wants to shoot a bystander while aiming at a mugger?
Bought my XDs 4″ in 9mm a couple months ago… no mag holder nor holster included.