Springfield XDs 9mm 3.3 ESSENTIAL Black (I pulled the trigger)

[rytchard]

I shot this one at the range last weekend and I was hooked! Everything I read and viewed about this handgun has been excellent. So last night I "pulled the trigger" so to speak at Bud's Gun Shop and purchased it. I would love to hear from anyone who owns one or has fired one to let me know what you think?

[FastCarry]

Great choice, i just picked up the XDS 3.3 in .45 last night and a buddy got the 9mm. Will try them out Saturday hopefully.

Sold my shield .40 a while back, this seems like it will be a great replacement.

[The Annoyed Man]

I haven't shot the 9mm, but I own the .45 version and love it.

[rytchard]

Congrats! I fired the .45 version as well and it was hard to differentiate between the two. Both were enjoyable to shoot and the accuracy even made me look like I knew what I was doing!

[jrs_diesel]

Congrats, that a nice gun! My wife and I both shot one at The Arms Room. I was impressed too. For a smaller gun, recoil is not a big issue. She ended up buying an XDs 9, 3.3 inch barrel in bi-tone.

Don't forget that Springfield Armory is having thier Gear Up and Go promotion until the end of the year, and you get a small range bag, two mags, and double mag pouch for your belt. My wife, got the 7 round and an 8 round mag with her gun, and SA sent her another 7 round mag, and a 9 round with the extension sleeve.

Overall, it's a very nice peice of hardware, and I have to say I am slightly envious of her XDs, it looks cooler than my all black compact XD 45 . And I also like how hers has the front fiber optic sight, makes for easy sight aquisition (my XD just has the standard 3 dot).

[rytchard]

I saw the "gear up" promo after I bought it which I thought was great! I love getting more for my money. Also on a side note: The price at Bud's Gun Shop was by far the best around. Almost $200 less than Academy Sporting Goods. I've never dealt with Bud's before but their reviews are noteworthy.

[The Annoyed Man]

I do know that the 9mm is marginally heavier than the .45 due to there being more metal in the barrel.

[jrs_diesel]

I do know that the 9mm is marginally heavier than the .45 due to there being more metal in the barrel.

Isn't that offset by having lighter rounds in the mag (115 grain vs. 230 grain)?

[The Annoyed Man]

I do know that the 9mm is marginally heavier than the .45 due to there being more metal in the barrel.

Isn't that offset by having lighter rounds in the mag (115 grain vs. 230 grain)?

Maybe. I don't know. You also have 1 or 2 more rounds in the 9mm, so I don't know what the difference would be in loaded weight. I have compared the loaded weight of my G43 to my XDS45, and the G43 is lighter, but then it is lighter unloaded too, so it's not really a valid comparison for the purposes of comparing both XDS pistols.

[rytchard]

How is it for everyday carry, as far are comfort, able to conceal, etc.

[jrs_diesel]

For EDC, I can't give very much info since my wife carries that, which hasn't been much at all (she's still waiting for her license). However, I can't give some insight since I carry the aforementioned compact XD45. I have not had much trouble at all carrying that IWB. Compared to the XDs, it's larger and heavier. I don't see the XDs having much problems for EDC.


TAM, I looked up cartridge weights. A 230 gr 45 ACP is aprrox. 325 gr total weight, and a 115 gr 9mm is approx. 185 gr total. So a standard load of 6 rounds in an XDs 45 would be 1,950 grains, and 8 of 9mm in the XDs 9 would be 1,480 grains. The difference isn't even a 1/16th of a pound, and might offset the weight of the thicker barrel on the 9mm, though I have no idea what each barrel weighs.

[Pariah3j]

Love this gun, its my EDC - very comfortable and alot easier to conceal then any of my other guns(they are full sized so thats part of it )

I highly recommend getting some Talon rubber grips for it - I think it takes an already great gun and makes it that much better.

http://talongungrips.com/grips/springfi ... m-.45.html

[FastCarry]

how long have you had the Talon grips? Are they durable?

[rytchard]

Love this gun, its my EDC

Am considering getting an Aliengear IWB holster for it. At present I like wearing around the 4 o'clock position. I really want to avoid purchasing another holster collection (drawer full of holsters that I don't wear). LOL

[jrs_diesel]

Triple T makes a very nice and comfy IWB holster. My XD lives in mine, and it will hold the XDs (same shape just smaller). They do make one for the XDs, and they are about $70.