Springfield Xds 3.3 Single Stack 9mm Black Essentials Package

SURPRISINGLY SLIM. The Springfield's XD-S 9mm is an encore follow- up to the company's wildly successful 45 caliber pistol. However, shortly after the announcement was made verifying the existence of the XD-S and long before the 45's began shipping to the gun stores, customers were already clamoring for a version chambered in 9mm.

Even though the .45ACP cartridge has unrivaled stopping power, it also has considerably more recoil. Enter the 9mm XD-S. It has all the same refinements as its bigger brother, but in a slightly lighter package, with significantly less recoil and is more economical to shoot. The overall height of the pistol is still set at 4.4", its overall length again is 6.3", where the width is a miniscule .9" - we're talking extremely concealable.

Springfield built the XD-S around a seven-round, single-stack magazine and the resulting frame fits the hand well. It has two interchangeable backstraps and the idea here is to change the pitch in your hand, not make it bigger or bulkier.

The compact grip also makes concealed carry easier, as the shorter frame is less likely to print under your shirt or jacket. The frame has aggressive checkering for a secure grip and includes an ambidextrous magazine release to accommodate either right or left handed shooters.

A dual spring full length guide rod helps to reduce recoil, while a fiber optic front sight allows the pistol to track well, even in low light conditions. An integral Picatinny optics rail further enhances the pistols tactical capabilities by providing the option to attach lasers or lights.

At the heart of the XD-S is what Springfield calls its "USA" (Ultra Safe Assurance) trigger system. It's a 5.5lb. striker driven trigger that provides a consistently short, smooth pull, shot after shot. Perhaps the greatest feature on this pistol, and the one that sets it apart from other micro compact double action 9mm's (i.e. Smith & Wesson Shield, Ruger LC9, etc.), is the incorporation of a 1911 style manual grip safety. Not only is the grip safety ambidextrous, but instinctive as well.

Unlike a manual thumb safety that often requires calm and collected thought to deactivate quickly, something that's not easy during a deadly confrontation, the natural act of picking up the XD-S and wrapping your hand around the backstrap automatically disengages the grip safety. For those that don't like the idea of carrying a loaded pistol in their vehicle's console or nightstand without a manual safety (such as the Glock 26, Beretta Nano, etc.), the Springfield XD-S certainly brings peace of mind while operating in condition one.

You might expect that a compact handgun like this would be hard to control, yet recoil is surprisingly low. The flex of the polymer combined with the shape of the frame minimizes recoil, despite the pistol's diminutive size. In addition, it will reliably feed a wide range of high velocity 9mm ammunition. The fact that this pistol is extremely accurate is a testament to the engineers at Springfield Armory.

Even though the "Essentials" package is not supplied with the customary "Loaded" accessories such as holster, magazine carrier and speed loader, it does include two magazines: (1) seven round flush fit with (1) eight round semi-extended. The advantage to the longer magazine becomes apparent while carrying concealed inside the waistband. The additional gripping surface converts the micro compact dimensions into a more manageable size that is workable for big hands.

In addition, the extended magazine comes with a slide on sleeve to match the two different interchangeable backstrap profiles.

The barrel is 3.3" long - about as short as you can get and still have a handgun work reliably in such a compact design.

This handgun weighs in at a modest 23 oz., which is fairly lightweight for a heavy duty micro compact pistol. The forged carbon steel slide is finished with a surface treatment called Black Melonite. It is extremely wear and corrosion resistant.

For those unfamiliar with the process, this is a ferric nitrocarburized case hardening treatment, which diffuses nitrogen, carbon and trigonal nickel directly into the surface metal, thereby elevating the Rockwell hardness to somewhere between a file and a diamond. Then, a black Parkerized finish is applied over the top to provide the guns non- glare, stealthy appearance.

A loaded chamber indicator makes it possible to make instant tactile condition assessments, even in the dark, by simply running the weak hand thumb over the hood. If you can feel the raised cam sticking up, then you know there's one in the pipe. If it's lying down flat, then the chamber is sitting on empty. Overall, the Springfield XD-S is a reliable micro compact 9mm pistol that offers excellent stopping power and is easy to conceal.

Springfield Xds 3.3 Single Stack 9mm Black Essentials Package

Source: https://www.championfirearms.com/Springfield-XDs-Essentials-Black-7-1-9mm-XDS9339BE-p/xds9339ben18.htm

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