• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Guns Holsters And Gear

honest reviews and news on firearms

  • Home
  • 2020 SHOT Show
  • Reviews
    • Ammo
    • Books
    • Flashlights
    • Guns
    • Hearing Protection
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Survival Gear
  • Resources
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Review Policy
    • Site Index
  • NRA Lifetime Membership
You are here: Home / Gun Reviews / Springfield XDS 9mm Review

Springfield XDS 9mm Review

The Springfield XDS 9mm is the latest polymer pistol from the folks in Geneseo, and one that I expect will be extremely popular in 2013.  The new pistol is a single stack 9mm with an obvious emphasis on concealed carry.  The gun is thin and light, yet is substantial enough for a shooter to hold onto during rapid fire.

Springfield XDS 9mm review
This is the actual Springfield XDS 9mm shot during this review.

I got to shoot this pistol at Media Day at the Range, the pre-SHOT Show event that puts new guns in the hands of writers.  This Springfield XDS 9mm review is based on my time handling the gun.  Additional details were obtained by interviewing Springfield staff and from their literature.

The gun uses seven-round, flush mount magazines, but will also take extended, nine-round magazines that Springfield will produce.  With the flush mount, my pinky finger doesn’t quite fit onto the gun, but with the nine-round mags, I am able to get a full grip.

Springfield XDS 9mm

While this is certainly acceptable, it would have been nice to have a slightly longer frame to allow a shooter to get a full grip with a flush mount mag.  Bersa accomplished this in the BP9CC pistol, and it would have been great if the XDS would have the same grip size.  But with the extended magazines, it does offer the flexibility for shooters who like the gun both ways.

The overall size of the grip frame fit well into my hand.  It was large enough that I did not feel like I was handling a child’t toy, yet it is substantially thinner than many other polymer pistols.  I like the feel of this gun.

The grip texture on the XDS is aggressive enough that the gun is not likely to slip from your hand, yet it id not likely to harm you either.  I don’t imagine anyone would have a legitimate gripe complaining the gun was too rough after a day on the range.

Springfield XDS review
This Springfield XDS review is based on shooting the gun at the 2013 SHOT Show.

The front sight of the XDS 9mm is a red fiber optic, while the rear sights are two white dots.  When shooting, the sights worked well.  I like having a bright, color-contrasting front sight, and the red fiber optic definitely does the trick.

The XDS frame is polymer; the slide is stainless steel.  Magazines are metal with polymer baseplates.  The magazines have a witness hole for each round, so you can instantly see exactly how many round have been loaded into the magazine.

The key characteristic of this gun is that it is thin, making it a good fit for many people’s concealed carry handgun needs.  When I handled this pistol, I had no doubts that this gun would work very easily in an IWB holster.

Springfield XDS 9mm photo

Shooting the gun was easy, and should be familiar to anyone who has shot a Springfield XD or Glock pistol before.  The trigger pull was consistent and the reset was short and obvious.

The gun was accurate and suffered no malfunctions.  I shot several magazines slow for accuracy, and the gun performed very well.  I also shot two magazines rapid fire, and I was unable to induce any malfunctions.

The 9mm XDS has the exact same dimensions as the .45 ACP version.  The barrel is the same as the .45, but with a smaller bore, so the 9mm version is slightly heavier than the bigger bore version.  This means that the new guns should fit all of the existing XDS holsters.

My time with the XDS 9mm was limited, but not rushed.  I liked the gun enough to put it on my “short list” of  guns to buy.  It looks like Springfield Armory is now making their own versions of the gun Glock refuses to make:  a single stack 9mm that is designed for concealed carry.

MSRP was not yet set, and Springfield expects to ship the XDS 9mm later in 2013.

Springfield XDS review
Springfield XDS review

June 2013 Update:  Firearms instructor Rob Pincus recently bought a production XDS 9mm pistol and filmed this video of the handgun:

June 2014 Update – We just posted a review of the XD-S 4.0 9mm here. Also, if you have one of these guns, take a look at our resource page on XDS night sights here.

Disclosure

GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a for-profit website. I do not charge readers a dime to access the information I provide.

Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. These links take you to the products mentioned in the article. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission.

The links do not change your purchase price. I do not get to see what any individual purchases.

Primary Sidebar

Join or Die Flag NRA

NRA Life Membership – Best Deal [Limited Time]

Gun owners need to sign up immediately for a lifetime membership to the NRA. Why? Let me tell you. As of January 7, the anti-gun team of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have officially won the White House. The US Congress is also in anti-gun hands. The bottom line: more gun control legislation is coming […]

Most Read Articles

  • What is the best optic for my Glock 43x MOS
    What is the best optic for my Glock 43x MOS
  • Springfield Hellcat Apex Trigger Review: An Upgrade Worth Considering
    Springfield Hellcat Apex Trigger Review: An Upgrade Worth Considering
  • What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat?
    What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat?
  • Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry Review
    Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry Review
  • Girsan MC1911 CT Review
    Girsan MC1911 CT Review
  • Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review
    Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review
  • Cheap Riot Guns
    Cheap Riot Guns
  • Wowtac A1S Flashlight Review - The Budget Torch that Couldn't
    Wowtac A1S Flashlight Review - The Budget Torch that Couldn't
  • Fenix LD15R Review - Handy Flashlight for Utility Use
    Fenix LD15R Review - Handy Flashlight for Utility Use
  • Wowtac A4 V2 Review - Bright Light at a Price
    Wowtac A4 V2 Review - Bright Light at a Price
Installation of Apex Trigger

Springfield Hellcat Apex Trigger Review: An Upgrade Worth Considering

Got a Springfield Hellcat you want to squeeze every bit of performance possible out of? I recommend taking a look at the Action Enhancement Trigger from Apex Tactical Specialties. This user-installable kit promises to retain all of the safety of the stock trigger while improving the break, pull and reset. In this Apex trigger review, […]

Springfield Armory Red Dot Optics

What Optics Will Fit the Springfield Armory Hellcat?

So, you recently purchased a Springfield Armory Hellcat and now you want to add a red dot sight (RDS). The question is “what optics are compatible for a Springfield Hellcat OSP?” Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered.

Best Price on the Wilson Combat WCP320

Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry Review

The Wilson Combat WCP320 Carry is one of the best 9mm pistols I’ve reviewed. From its announcement as the new standard sidearm for the United States military, the popularity of the SIG SAUER P320 pistol seemingly exploded. Original SIG pistols are in high demand and aftermarket accessories are plentiful. You can even build your own […]

profile shot of the Girsan 1911 pistol

Girsan MC1911 CT Review

In today’s review of the Girsan MC1911 CT, I take a look at a classically designed .45 ACP pistol with modern updates including a red dot sight. What might draw a lot of people in is the low price tag: only $661 at full retail. With the standard features, the gun seems like a great […]

Testing the SA XD SC

Springfield Armory XD 9mm Subcompact Pistol Review

While single-stack 9mm pistols seem to be all the rage in modern concealed carry, subcompact pistols that hold a bit more ammunition shouldn’t be dismissed by anyone interested in personal protection. In this Springfield Armory XD Subcompact pistol review, I take a look at the smallest gun in the company’s Defend Your Legacy Series of […]

Atlanta Police Red Dog Deployed to Protest

Cheap Riot Guns

Riots are raging across the United States – and have been for days. Consequently, I’ve had a number of emails come in from readers who are looking for the best self-defense pistol on a budget. Let’s not forget that the government lockdowns from the health crisis have left many people in a tough financial situation. […]

Copyright © 2021 GunsHolstersAndGear.com
GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com