Springfield XD40
My Primary Carry Weapon
I have possessed a carry license for approximately 3 years now and
had to borrow a weapon to do the qualifying shoot for my permit.
I say this to relate the novice thinking and then give a rational explanation
for my choice of a Springfield XD40 as my primary carry weapon. My
XD40 also serves extra duty when I shoot informally with some gentlemen
whose expertise and knowledge surpasses mine in IDPA style shooting that
I participate in monthly.
... not a toy
My first handgun purchase I made after receiving my CCL was a Berretta
96FS in .40 caliber. The thinking process on this was the long history
of duty and reliability of the weapon and my own novice “keep it simple
stupid” thinking. It did serve me well and yes it was not always
easy to conceal. I shunned the Glocks and other weapons of this type
with the thinking that if I was to carry a weapon and make a decision on
using it, then I wanted the weapon to feel like a gun in my hand and not
a toy, therefor the Berretta.
Growing Confidence
Wanting to maintain the same thinking as mentioned previously and deal
with the subject of concealment, my next purchase was a Berretta 8040 Cougar.
Both weapons helped me to meet my criteria in their selection and helped
me to advance in my ability to shoot and the decision to shoot. As
some reading this may already know, my first shot with a double action
weapon versus the succeeding shots was many times a daylight and dark difference.
With the proliferation of Glocks among my companion shooters and the growing
confidence I had developed about handguns and shooting, I started the thinking
process towards a polymer weapon that was reliable and easy to conceal.
Direct Competition with the Glock
The Springfield XD40 came to my attention through the seller, an active
police lieutenant who had fired 50 rounds to qualify with it and was letting
it go at a very reasonable price due to his department issuing Glock 22s.
Before the purchase, I did the research on the weapon. The XD40 was
previously known as the HS2000 made in Croatia. It had received good
and bad press with the weight of the opinions leaning toward good.
It is compared to and in direct competition with the Glock. The price
was steadily going up on the weapon as researched because it was added
to the Springfield line as the XD9 and later XD40 and had the lifetime
warranty of Springfield backing it.
Built for Tactical Use
I made my purchase and can say I have been very pleased with it.
It features a size comparable to the Glock 22 in a four inch category weapon
with added safety features that removed my personal concerns about Glocks.
The features out of the box for this weapon are a 1911 style grip safety,
a firing pin status indicator, chambered round indicator, Sig Sauer type
dove tail sites, ambidextrous magazine release, Glock style trigger which
is a USA trigger safety with a firing pin block (drop safety). This
is a weapon built for tactical use. It also features rear slide grooves
for charging, front slide grooves for ease in pressure checks, and a tactical
rail to support laser or light attachments. I have not used the laser
but I did borrow the M3 light and it fit perfectly.
Has Been a Pleasant Surprise
The weapon has been an appreciable experience for me. Having
dealt with the long pull trigger, the weight, and the recoil of a Berretta
in my previous experiences, the XD40 has been a pleasant surprise. The
short trigger travel, the short recoil with the locked breech mechanism,
and easy glide stainless magazines make it a shooting pleasure.
Associated with the XD40 is the “point ability”, meaning it is easy to
grip and provides easy eye level target acquisition. It fits well
in my hand and with the double stacked magazines giving a wider grip still
gives a comfortable ride to an inside the waistband style holster rig.
Comp-Tac Victory Gear
As to rigs, I currently carry the Pro Undercover Kydex IWB holster
built by Comp-Tac Victory Gear out
of Houston, Texas. The weapon fits glove smooth and has adjustable
tension in the holster. It is worth a serious look in my opinion
and it is backed by the Comp-Tac guarantee.
Shooting Has Improved Drastically
I carry the Springfield chambered with Federal Hydra Shok ammunition,
demonstrating my confidence in the built in safeties of the weapon.
My shooting has improved drastically and I can say after many thousands
of rounds the only “hiccup” I have had with the weapon was with Wolfe brand
ammunition during a three day training class with nearly a thousand rounds
expended. The feed problems even then were minimal.
Worth Serious Consideration
It is easy to disassemble for cleaning and can go for long periods
without attention to cleaning, much like a Glock. I would say that as an
out of the box standard service weapon, the Springfield XD40 is worth serious
consideration. It comes in 9mm, .40 cal. and now .357 SIG.
It is still experiencing price fluctuations. When I purchased the
weapon it sold over the counter as the HS2000 from $325 to $350.
As a Springfield weapon it sold for under $400 at first and has now reached
the ball park figure of around $480 or more in some markets.
So, in the final analysis, if you want a Glock style weapon with added safety features and not at a Glock price, consider the Springfield XD40 and I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Jack Knight, Star City, Arkansas