The all-new Springfield XD-E, a double-action/single action polymer framed pistol chambered in 9mm.
It’s XD-E day ninjas!
A few weeks ago, I was invited to the Springfield Armory secret squirrel product unveiling. Finally, today, on the holiest of NRA days, we can reveal the magic about the XD-E, Springfield’s all-new DA/SA polymer pistol chambered in 9mm.
Note: This is just a quick look at the new hotness. My full review will be published over the weekend and appear in Monday’s Digest. So, stay tuned for that.
Specs
- Chambering: 9mm
- Barrel: 3.3 inches
- A Length: 6.75 inches
- Weight: 23 oz
- Frame: Polymer
- Sights: Fiber Optic front, low profile rear
- Finish: Melonite
- Capacity: 9+1, 8+1
- Width: 1 inch
- MSRP: $519
The “E” in XD-E
The “E” in XD-E stands for “External,” as in external hammer. There is a significant portion of the market that really prefers this option and doesn’t trust strikers. This same segment tends to really prefer a mechanical safety as well, and Springfield Armory has delivered.
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The “E” in XD-E stand for “External,” as in external hammer.
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Cocking the “E”!
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The XD-E is chambered in 9mm.
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The barrel length is 3.3 inches.
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The XD-E is slightly larger than the XD-S, reflecting Springfield’s mastery of small gun ergonomics. A hammer, a safety, and a decocking lever are a lot to cram in a package that small, but they have succeeded. The large magazines for an XD-S fit the new gun, which saves some coins if you have both.
We Have A Shooter!
This is a gun you have to shoot to believe. I generally don’t prefer DA/SA guns, but this one runs like a scalded cat. If you are in the market for a carry gun, I strongly suggest you run a magazine or two through this one before you decide what to buy.
Currently available in 9mm only, capacity is 8+1 or 9+1 depending on the magazine. It retains the slim width of the XD-S, with just a little more height. It’s an easy comparison for me since the XD-S has been my carry gun for almost 4 years.
In a holster, the difference between the XD-S and the XD-E is negligible. On that positive note, Springfield has teamed with CrossBreed Holsters so there is a concealed carry option on day one.
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The CrossBreed setup.
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Definitely a great way to go.
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The XD-E with pinky extension.
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The XD-E with an extended magazine.
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At the event, I ran this Supertuck holster on a CrossBreed belt with friction lock all day, and I like the setup. There is some crossover with existing holsters in the CrossBreed lineup since the frame and slide are so similar, but new options will also be available.
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Capacity is 9+1 or 8+1 depending on the magazine.
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She’s a shooter. No doubt.
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The XD-E comes with a fiber optic front sight.
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And a low profile rear sight.
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As mentioned, this just a quick look at the XD-E. My full review is coming out soon, so please check back.
Don’t forget to shop for the new XD-E and other Springfield products on GunsAmerica.
I own both the XDE and the taurus pt111 g2. It appears the grip with is exactly the same on both pistols. Both are very comfortable in the hand, but the XDE points more naturally for me. I have very large hands, so any compact gun feels a little cramped. I absolutely love the carry options the XDE offers. With the g2 you only get safety on or off, and no ambi controls. As a southpaw, ambi controls are a great convenience even though I’ve learned to live in a right handed world. I think both of these pistols are great, and it all comes down to what works best for you. For me, Springfield’s latest offering is my new everyday carry. Carry on!
I love my XD-s in 45 acp. If they make this new XD-e in 45, I’d be interested. Plus no pinky extension, just a flush mag (as an option). Much easier for me to conceal.
I wish XDE in cal 40, please……….thanks!!
I bought my XdE yesterday. I own over 20 XDM, XD, and XDs’. I love all of them I am a 62 year old woman who loves shooting but never have shown any consistency. I took the XdE and actually shot around 50 rounds. The first shot was a bullseye. The next two completely missed the target!the rest were all in the 9 or 10 range mainly 10. I used the single action most of the time. I love love it. The magazine is a little longer than the Xds. Which is great for my hands. The mags are supposed to be interchangeable with the Xds. It’s really an adds. With a hammer. It’s my favorite Springfield right now
I held the xde and kept thinking who would want a gun so skinny? You being a woman made me realize that it is a good womans gun. I much prefer my taurus pt111. It has a fatter grip like it’s made for my hand plus the advantage of 12 +1.
Got my XD E today . I love it ! Went shooting worked as expected . We all have expectations of what we need in any firearm we buy . As far as holsters I personally prefer the simple leather Bulldog holster . I had the xd e 10 minutes and could comfortably cock the hammer befor the gun even clears the trigger guard. I am the safety , its still one step to fire . I like the added safety and decock even if I dont use them I use the same holster for my xds, xd mod 2 , smith shield , the cheap bersa and micro seecamp 32. I want a gun thats easy to use and goes bang when I tell it to. All I mentioned do just that. I dont understand all the hating .
Finger off the trigger!
Never been a big fan of any striker “one in the chamber” carry (my Glocks – plus they are too large to conceal), and my SIGs are too large for concealed also, and the DA only (Ruger LCP and the Kel-Tec PF9) are not great accurate options – (with pretty lame sights)., plus they are really small to fire because of the size. But a Hammer operated with a de-cocker 9MM, and some real sights, seems to be an upgrade for many reasons to me. 9 plus 1 is pretty cool.
I wanna see one up close in the stores. Maybe a great option. Hope they start shipping soon.
And as far as Croatia manufacturing, I already have an Arex Zero One (from Solvenia) that is as good (or better) as either of my SIGs. So I have to assume eastern Europe has some great manufacturing capability. Some of those companies have been in the tool and die business for many decades. Just something we aren’t familiar with here.
Seems like a step backward. The most skilled technicians don’t reach for hammers but prefer electronic diagnostics, so that’s a poor metaphor. The angle of the grip and slide appeared awkward for the operator in the video attempting to thumbcock manually, and it could catch on holsters and/or clothing so perhaps it would be better and safer to be spurless and concealed within the slide like a classic Mauser HSC, or modern KelTec or SCCY system.
Why not get a Sig P250 and have your hammer and a waaaay better trigger? Im just not a fan of any xd, roo many safety’s.
I had an xd and found that a few times pulling from holster i was not getting palm safety depressed enough, sold it asap!! Now have a shield. 45, love it
The XDE doesn’t have a backstrap safety like the XDS for example. It does have the manual safety that can be used in different ways or not at all. I carry mine cocked & locked which I did for years with my 1911 or it can be carried with hammer decocked and safety off and shot double action with 7lbs trigger pull like my Sig M11a1. Then for those who may not be comfortable with those options, it can be carried decocked with manual safety engaged, an option I would not use but as I said, there are people out there who are more comfortable that way and if they are not comfortable without it they should absolutely use it. The multiple safety configurations available on the XDE is what helps make it very shooter friendly.
I would be very interested if they would incorporate the XD-E features into their Mod 2. Keep all XD-E features but add to Mod 2, a double stack XD E.
I have a Mod 2 in .45 and love it!
I got my CHL with it right out of the box, and the accuracy is great! I like the fact that it does not have an external hammer, since I use it for what it is conceal carry.
Now for this new XD-E with an external hammer, I just don’t see why I would want to use it for conceal carry only to have the hammer in the way and then to remember to place the safety in fire mode…as mentioned I’ll use the safety God has given me, it hasn’t failed for the past 60yrs.
I was hoping to get this XD-E for my wife since it mentions the slide is easy, but not with the hammer…who knows what that will get caught on in her purse!
So, what’s the next XD to come out?
Sooo close. Almost there. I will most likely pick this up, but I am still looking for this in a micro configuration and in SS & aluminum. Like the micro kimber and Sig 938. Both are fine, but in DA/SA with safety, decocker, fiber front, grip zone etc. That’s the stuff that dreams are made of!!
If this is the first SA/DA Cocked and Locked pistol from S.A. where did my P9’s come from?
I seriously tried not to get excited about this, after the great Saint debacle. After all, it looks to be just another XD variation, so what’s the big deal? I already have a couple of those. Now, after actually seeing it, I’m genuinely intrigued. I think I might actually like this pistol.
When I heard there was another XD coming I wasn’t thrilled. I have a few S&W M&Ps and a few Glocks so I wasn’t interested
in another striker fired auto. When I saw that the XD-E has an exposed hammer all that changed. I like it! I also like the decocker.
This might be my first Springfield Tupperware gun.
Just one question….why? Unless you’re forced, (dept reg) to carry a DA/SA, why the F’ would you do it voluntarily? External safety? Again, why? Your head is the safety. The 4 rules are the safety. Ignore those and you could have 5 external safety’s and some bone head will defeat them all. I’m an XD guy. Switched to them, (from 1911) as soon as the first gen XD’s came out. Never looked back and no regrets. This is just stupid unless they’re trying to compete for Dept $$$ where DA/SA and external safety is mandatory.
Glock is an accident waiting to happen. And now most firearm manufactuers are imatating it. Why in the world would anyone carry a cocked revolver? Thats what a glock type is.
yeah, I KNOW that silly little trigger extension is supposed to make it safe, then why so many nd’s ?For all,those that think it will never happen to them, you are the perfect specimen for it go happen to.
If all the nd’s were statistcily reported, striker fired non manual safety 5/ 6 lb. trigger pills would acount for 80 percent of the nd’s.
Dont misunderstand me, I like those type firearms, but why in the world does any one think a thumb cannot release the
manual safety.
after all, if a thumb can cock a single action while removing it from a holster in the same time a glock can be removed and fired, the same thumb can release the manual safety on say a model 1911?
Imho
Well spoken .
I remember a few years ago where a rookie cop came home and his two year old son shot and killed him with his Glock. I swore that I would never own one.
I like the idea. I can’t wait to see where this project goes. Whether you agree with the design or not, everyone should agree that there is still a market for this weapon. If there wasn’t then I doubt SA would’ve invested the time and effort into this project. Just as there are die hard Glock fans, there are also die hard SA fans that like their XD’s in whatever flavor they come in. I have XD’s and I enjoy shooting them. I have guns that aren’t XD’s and I enjoy shooting them as well. Each of my guns brings a little something different to the table. The point is that everyone has various wants and needs in a gun and this one will undoubtedly fill that need for a bunch of people. Bashing it because it isn’t your cup of tea isn’t expressing an opinion on a well-written article. It’s just whining.
AMEN!
there’s really so much of a compact da/sa market that new guns are being developed?
and yet my sw 469 from the 80s is still worth less than i paid for it.
I’ve never cared for how the xds is textured, I love the way my mod2 feels and shoots so I think this has a lot of potential. Looking forward to handling one soon.
Nice. Looking forward to the full review. I’m probably one of the odd men out, but I like the SA/DA hammer/decocker configuration.
I sold all my H&K’s, and standardized on the XD/XDm platform because of the two safeties and no need to manually index on on the frame. This video just confirms that I made a good choice. Why do I want to regress into a manual safety when the combination of trigger and grip safeties eliminate one step in readiness.
I am disappointed that M&P, H&K and others have followed Glock with only a trigger safety. (If you can call it that) This is a nice piece, but why regress when they have a great series.
Also, since they were making an extended mag, why didn’t they incorporate the finger groove into it?
The real safety is between your ears. If your not safe no amount of mechanical safeties will save you.
Frank you are correct the trigger “safety” is really a travel block device integral to the trigger, Glock’s salesmen fooled all the bureaucrats tasked to purchase sidearms.
I only know what I see. SIG, S&W, Ruger, FN, Beretta, etc all have American manufacturing plants. Springfield chooses to make their in Croatia. Call me a radical nationalist if you want to, but I don’t see why an American company, wanting my American dollars, can’t employ American workers like everybody else.
Will this be available w/o a safety? DA/SA is enough for me.
No big deal if you don’t like the safety don’t use it
I like the concept and would have considered buying one.
Since Springfield sold out to the antis that won’t happen.
If I wanted to carry a gun with a double action trigger I’d pack a revolver. Oh wait, I suck at shooting double action revolvers. Nothing like yanking you’re all-important first shot under stress. And thanks for the innovative exposed hammer.
Nice looking & sounding gun. I’ll be watching for if & when they come out with it in 40 or 45.
“This same segment tends to really prefer a mechanical safety as well”
Count me out on that one. DA/SA pistols with decockers ARE safe. I am not manually decocking a double action pistol with a make-gun-not-work switch on it when there is a better option.
I got all excited until I saw the safety.
Decocker is similar to my Smith & Wesson 469. Nice addition to introduce this feature to newer shooters.
“This same segment tends to really prefer a mechanical safety as well, and Springfield Armory has delivered.”
Really? Find me another handgun safety that is hydraulic, or electric, or… There are ALL mechanical.
P-A-L-E-E-Z-E
We don’t use scripts for our stuff and when you are in the moment often the perfect word does not come to mind. Don’t be a tard.
The word you needed was “they’re ” … not There. Have you heard about people living in glass houses not throwing stones? If you want to be picky and comment on trivial matters, you need to use proper grammar when doing so.
Looks like Springfield has designed a pistol for the very fast growing concealed carry trend that is sweeping the country. A salute to Springfield and their engineers . This pistol is designed with the beginner and the veteran shooter in mind. Safety first . light weight , the perfect caliber for range practice, the ammo won’t break you up, and the perfect sights front and rear. What more could you ask for. Thanks Springfield,
I like it. Then again, I prefer hammer pistols and a safety (with a deep cover striker pistol, a safety is a must). Fits well within the Shield/Honor Guard group of CC pistols. Best of all, it has a real trigger; not one of those plastic articulated things.
When it comes out in .45 ACP, let us know. My XD-S is 45 ACP – as are all my 1911’s ( Colt, Canadian Pre-2000 ParaOrdnance, Ruger, Springfield ). Nine is fine – I just have to much invested to piddle with two calibers of ammo at this point. And if they can’t do it in double stack – why bother.
I have an XDS 3.3″ in .45, but because of arthritis it is hard to rack the slide and recoil takes its toll. I recently purchased an XDE and have no problem with it. I don’t need a double stack for concealed carry. If I need more than 19 rounds (2 nine round mags & 1 up the spout) I’m in way over my head.
So correct Dan. In my 35 years in L.E, before the high capacity mag’s hit the market the carry for us big city coppers was always a nice colt agent 38 on the ankle or in the pocket and a colt 45 – 1911 cocked and locked. After so many accidental discharges by the guys, the city banded the single action . Then some of us went to the the Smith – M-39 9mm. 7 and one in the pipe, then the city banned carrying that, and we got Ber. 92, always was a good shooter and 15 shot mags and an extra mag in the pocket did the trick.
After carry a two guns for decades, I wanted to lighten up and bought the glock 26/ 10 round capacity. My last 5 years I carried off and on, and most of the time my Smith 45 cal tactical. Extra mag and always the old the colt agent on the ankle. I now carry my Smith 45 with 7 rounds. The old agent, a little beat up is in a shadow box with all my LE stuff of the trade.
The point you made……, you are so correct regarding glocks. A toddler can pull the trigger. The poor family of the police officer. Glocks are crap and I consider them all in line with Generics flooding the market. Going with the new hammer Springfield. Glock are well known for accidental discharges.
I remember when the vast majority of the police only carried a 4 inch 38 spl with a sic round dump pouch. Glad I kept my Colt phyton I got in 1972 and paid $110.00 for it. Time to sell it and get 2 K.
For all you young bucks, always carry two !
💩🚮 what a waste
What you mean the air you breath and the food you eat, that you can’t even come up with a comprehensive thought? Agreed!
A new DA SA design is a waste its like coming up with a new muzzle loader design and marketing it as new and high tech.
So what did you come up with? Something new and exciting that has never been done before? I like shooting DA and understand its just not for everyone. Pulling a DA trigger can be difficult I guess.
It’s only a waste if no one buys it, and it seems to have sparked some interest already.