So I was checking on my S&W M&P Shield yesterday at the gun shop and I was presented with the new Springfield Armory XDs .45 ACP pistol. Here is a quick run down:

.45 ACP
5+1 Capacity
21.5 oz.
1″ width
6.3″ Long Overall
4.4″ Tall (with magazine)
Melonite finish
Box included a plastic paddle holster, dual magazine carrier (only two magazines), lock, papers

So other than the width and the fact you can’t manipulate the take down lever with a magazine inserted, the pistol is your basic XD. I will note that it has a red fiber optic front sight and tradition white two dot rear sight.

In the store the gun felt good in the hand, though I can only get two fingers on the front strap and the third cradles the magazine. Your eyes are drawn to the red front sight. And it points as it should for me.

Today I took it to the range with a load of my least favorite .45 ACP ammunition, 230gr. FMJ CCI Blazer Brass. It is mediocre in the accuracy department and it’s lack of a roll or taper crimp can wreak havoc on a semi-automatic pistols. I ran my target out to ten yards. I was at the indoor range due to the heat. While by most standards, it is a fairly well lit facility, the front sight failed to gather much light to make it an asset. I ran two hundred rounds through the gun without incident. Accuracy was more than acceptable for self-defense considering the ammunition. After the first eighty rounds the web of my right-hand began to ache due to the recoil of the weapon and the rubbing of the tang on my knuckle. Quick aimed follow-up shots were easy. After the two hundred rounds of ball ammo, I put a box of Winchester PDX 230gr. JHP through the pistol. Accuracy improved considerably thanks to the new rounds, but I did experience a failure to fire. After a few seconds I ejected the round and examined the primer and sure enough the firing pin had struck the round. I did not consider it to be a light strike. After finishing the remaining PDX ammunition, I loaded that failed round into the pistol and was able to file it. Unfortunately, I was not able to retrieve that piece of brass to examine it.

Overall, it’s a nice little gun but I think any extensive practice would be limited by the discomfort associated with shooting it. It was a handful with the full power defensive loads. Also, I would change out the sights for some Trijicon HD Night Sights. This gun really has me looking forward to shooting the S&W Shield.