{"id":85043,"date":"2018-01-15T00:40:28","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T05:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=85043"},"modified":"2018-01-15T00:40:28","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T14:22:25","slug":"first-look-new-springfield-xd-s-2-0-45-acp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/first-look-new-springfield-xd-s-2-0-45-acp\/","title":{"rendered":"First Look: The New Springfield XD-S Mod.2 in .45 ACP"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, we finally get to talk about the new XD-S Mod.2. This is a difficult gun for me to review, for a number of reasons. First, I have said about all there is to say about the Gen 1 XD-S. I have carried the 3.3 model since 2013, and I reviewed the 4-inch<\/a> model here. When I wrote \u201c 9 Critical Concealed Carry Lessons\u201d, a multipart series, earlier this year, the XD-S featured prominently. The various caliber models basically had their own episode, here<\/a>. When someone asks what model I recommend for a CCW gun, XD-S is unfailing the answer. I am about out of words to tell you how awesome it is.\"First<\/p>\n

First Impressions<\/h2>\n

Secondly, I came to this XD-S Mod.2 release with some hesitation. I always worry when someone has \u201cimproved\u201d an object I already loved. From \u201c John Wick\u201d to New Coke, the sequel is rarely better. Go look at the market value of a Bronco II if you don\u2019t believe me. I didn\u2019t like the idea of Springfield Armory messing with what I already saw as the perfect carry gun.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, my fears are unfounded. Pretty much everything about the Mod.2 is better. I took them both to the range, to see for myself. Old faithful, my daily companion for the last 5 years. And the usurper, that some guy in a suit told me made it obsolete. No Disney stories here, the Mod 2 trounced the original.<\/p>\n

\"First

Say goodbye to the old and hello to the new.<\/p><\/div>\n

The number one question I had in mind, would the Mod 2 really have less felt recoil? That sounds like marketing hype. The XD-S already handled 45 ACP recoil like a champ, for such a small gun. I attributed a lot of that to the grenade style texturing on the frame, of which I am a fan. You could get ahold of this gun, and that matters. Well, turns out, the Mod 2 blows its doors off. Part of that has to do with a lower bore axis. The Mod 2 sits close to \u00bc inches lower in your hand, with your thumb web now protected by a small frame extension. Side by side, it is obvious which one stays on target better.<\/p>\n

Point:1 for the Mod 2.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

SPECS<\/h2>\n\"First\n