Springfield Armory loaned the author the pistol used in this review.
When it comes to shooting small pistols, I need as much help as I can get.
The attraction to smaller guns for me is, well, they are small.
The new XD-S Mod.2 OSP is an optics-ready version of the popular and rugged 9mm single-stack pistol.
This often makes these smaller guns easier to conceal and to carry comfortably.
Just like everything else in life, selecting a concealed carry handgun requires a series of trade-offs.
With the gains that smaller size provides, there is also a downside.
With a 3.3″ barrel and slim, single-stack magazine, the new XD-S is a great CCW option.
Smaller guns tend to have a more substantial felt recoil due to their small size and lightweight.
The XD-S Mod.2 9mm has always been a shootable gun.
Its overall design delivers the sensation of shooting a larger and heavier gun in a slim, single-stack package.
The pistol comes standard with a 7-round magazine and an extended 9-round magazine.
This new offering brings the popular XD-S series of pistols intothe world of red dots.
Why Red Dot Optics for the XDS 9mm Pistol?
Since the 1990s, optics have been available for pistols.
The direct-mount design of the OSP cut allows you co-witness the iron sights through an optic.
They first showed up in the competition world where athletes were pushing the limits.
They were big, heavy and delicate.
As time progressed, the dots got smaller and lighter.
Due to the location of the OSP cut, the loaded chamber indicator of the XD-S Mod.2 OSP was changed to a witness hole design.
The result is the massive influx of dots and dot ready pistols over the past few years.
What is important to understand is the reasoning behind the trend.
They wanted to win, and to win in action pistol sports you have to be fast and accurate.
Pistol shown with Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red dot mounted on the slide.
One without the other, and you are with the losers.
Compete with both and you increase the odds of winning.
Red dot optics increased shooters ability to very quickly obtain a sight picture on a target.
The XD-S Mod.2 OSP with cover plate installed and no optic.
The bright red dot is easy to see even when it overlays a distant target.
As soon as the dot is on target, the trigger can be pressed.
Nothing complex to line up.
Paul really enjoyed testing out the new XD-S pistol and found it to be a great performer.
Literally, point and shoot.
you’ve got the option to focus on the target rather than your sights.
The dot remains visible during the trigger press and after the shot breaks.
Note how the cover plate features grooves on its top face.
With a red dot, the learning cycle of an attentive shooter can be shortened significantly.
It reminds me of switching from shooting a film camera to a digital camera.
With film cameras, I would spend a few hours shooting without feedback.
Paul got really good results with Atlanta Arms 115-gr. Elite JHP ammo.
Only AFTER the film was developed did I find out if I got it right.
This meant slow progress.
I could immediately correct a host of errors and increase the likelihood of making the shot.
Its the same way shooting with a dot.
Human eyes are only able to focus at one distance at a time.
Traditional iron sights require attention at three different distances at the same time.
We need to see our target, our front sight and our rear sight all at the same time.
The problem is, only one can be in focus.
Traditionally we are taught that the front sight needs to be in focus.
Our brain naturally wants the target to be in focus (especially when it comes to self-defense).
you’re free to see the conflict.
A red dot sight solves the issue.
The human eye assumes the dot is on the same plane as the target.
When your eye naturally focuses on the target, the dot also appears in focus … Magic!
The only addition is a slide that is cut at the factory to accommodate a red dot sight.
The slide cut is well executed.
There is no need to invest in a set of tall sights as a back-up to your dot.
The XD-S Mod 2 OSP 9mm is available in two configurations.
A defensive handgun needs to be easy to shoot.
The red dot helps you make the hits, and the XD-S makes it easy.
The XD-S Mod.2 has a stellar trigger right out of the box.
When it comes to recoil, I have to say I am really impressed.
This little pistol shoots like it is a full-size gun.
The recoil impulse is light and even more surprising it is very flat.
I shot the XD-S Mod 2 OSP 9mm with 147-gr., 124-gr., and 115-gr.
9mm rounds, and all were exceedingly easy to shoot.
The most impressive were the Atlanta Arms 115-gr.
Elite hollow-point match rounds.
These were accurate and fast.
The gun ran flawlessly during my review throughout more than 300 rounds of various 9mm rounds, as expected.
The XD-S Mod.2 OSP 9mm shot well beyond my expectations.
Pressing the trigger put a smile on my face.
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