After that, attributes like chambering, magazine capacity and hand fit come into play.
Springfield Armory offers a number of compact pistols suitable for concealed carry.
For example, the micro-compact Hellcat is one of the most popular handguns in America today.
But what if you want something a little beefier?
Maybe something in a caliber beginning in 4?
Thats where the Springfield Armory XD Sub-Compact in .40 comes into play.
Oh, and Springfield priced the gun very competitively.
So, is this the gun for you?
Thats one of the questions I tackle in this Springfield XD40 subcompact review.
General Information
The XD 40 Sub-Compact is a miniature version of the larger XD 40 pistols.
This striker-fired pistol has a 3 hammer-forged barrel, which contributes to a short overall length.
The grip length is also relatively short for improved concealment.
Without a magazine, my pinky finger hangs off the bottom of the gun.
With an included extended magazine, I can get a full grip on the pistol.
The reduced grip size helps you avoid printing when wearing more tailored clothing.
Ive carried backup guns on my boot and on my body armor in my prior law enforcement career.
In both locations, the XD 40 Sub-Compact was sized just right for concealment under a standard-issue uniform.
Steel three-dot sights are standard on this pistol.
While I personally like theU-Dot style sights found on the Hellcat, three-dot sights are perfectly useable.
The sights will not bump out of position or simply break because of rough handling.
Up front is an integral accessory rail.
The rail is large enough for most compact lights and lasers if you wish to add one.
Personally, I like having a weapon light on my CCW pistol and ahandheld flashlight.
Another standard feature engineered into the XD design is the ambidextrous magazine release.
The stainless slide gives the gun a two-tone appearance I find quite attractive.
Even so, there is no premium attached to the price tag as both versions list for $540.
As you might imagine, this severely limits what products Californians are able to legally purchase.
Springfield Armory has not forgotten the Americans living in California.
So, if you are reading this in Oakland, Anaheim or Fresno you might purchase this pistol.
For readers in the other 49 states, the gun is available to you as well.
Range Performance
Ive been blessed with what is a dream job I shoot guns for a living.
While rifles and shotguns are fun, Ive always had a preference for shooting handguns.
When we are talking about modern production guns, I guess Ive shot most of them.
Springfields XD line impresses me.
The guns are relatively simple in form and have excellent reliability and ergonomic characteristics.
The XD 40 Sub-Compact proved to be more of the same: pleasant shooting and complete reliability.
I carried various .40 caliber duty pistols as a police officer.
While the felt recoil with all of them was greater than their 9mm counterparts, they were never uncontrollable.
I felt the same about the XD Sub-Compact.
Springfield built the same design characteristics into this model and did an effective job of taming the .40.
From full metal jacket loads to hard-hitting defensive loads, the .40-caliber XD Sub-Compact handled all with aplomb.
Everything ran smoothly with nary a hitch.
But, Is It For You?
The guns run well, offer excellent accuracy and have better ergonomics than much of the competition.
Both of those pistols offer advantages including softer recoil, improved sight radius and a full-size grip.
In other words, dont go small if you dont need to.
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