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My friend had an XD 9mm that I was always pretty neutral about. Then Sportsman's Warehouse had a closeout on an XD mod 2 3.3" inn 45acp for too good of a price to pass up... many years ago. So I bought one and it quickly became my favorite utility pistol.
Although I unmercifully made fun of the "grip zone" label on the grip in forums the grip is nothing short of excellent. It is by far the most comfortable plastic grip I have found and Springfield was right to make a big deal about it! The upgraded trigger in the XD mod 2 is also excellent. Very noticeably better than the XD and worlds better than any stock Glock trigger I have ever shot. I also REALLY appreciate the "Stricker cocked" indicator and "chamber loaded" indicator that can be seen visually or easily felt with my fingers. Then there is the take down lever which is so superior to the Glock style take down bit of steel. I find all three of these features to be glaringly missing on Glocks. P.S. I personally love the grip safety (ala 1911) on the mod 2 and have NEVER not actuated the grip in the thousands of rounds I have put through my mod 2.
I find the size of the 3.3" subcompact excellent for IWB with the 10 round factory magazine. I also like that I can easily slip it into a robe or sweatshirt pocket to take out the trash or what not. Personally I feel very comfortable only packing 11 rounds when those rounds are 45 acp +p Gold Dots.
But then there is 13 round extended magazine with the conforming magazine filler piece. The piece is perfectly fitted to the magazine (unlike the after market ones I have for Glock magazines) and give the gun the feel of a full sized pistol. With the excellent stock sights I shoot my XD mod 2 every bit as well as my full sized pistols. For me 14 rounds of 45 acp +p Gold Dots are perfect for a home defense pistol.
Alas, Springfield got tired of my "grip zone" ribbing and discontinued the entire "mod 2" line, just to spite me.
Yesterday I was looking at the XDm 3.8" in 10mm on sale on the Sportsman's Warehouse website when I saw something that SHOCKED me! An XD mod 3!
From what I can tell the XD mod 3 has the same EXCELLENT grip of the mod 2. Hopefully it also has the same excellent trigger as the mod 2. But it appears that Springfield has improved the slide with more svelte lines and what look to be some excellent slide groves for easily cocking the slide under the worst circumstances. Then Springfield also included a red dot cut out on the slide as standard.
What really blew my mind though was the $315 list price which translates to $299 at SW: https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...in-black-melonite-pistol-161-rounds/p/1901446
I REALLY don't need another 9mm pistol but at $299 I think I am going to have to pick one up! Packing 17 rounds of 9mm in a Glock 19 form factor with all the excellent features Springfield has added is just too tempting! I can't imagine why anyone would choose a Glock over the mod 3! (I am sure there are many forum members that will more than happily educate me on why the Glocks are better!
)
I am hoping that Springfield will continue the mod 3 line and come out with 3.3" subcompact 45acp and 40 S&W versions! I have always wanted a XD mod 2 3.3" in 40S&W to complement my 45 acp version! ...but the mod 2 pistols are hard to find.
Although I unmercifully made fun of the "grip zone" label on the grip in forums the grip is nothing short of excellent. It is by far the most comfortable plastic grip I have found and Springfield was right to make a big deal about it! The upgraded trigger in the XD mod 2 is also excellent. Very noticeably better than the XD and worlds better than any stock Glock trigger I have ever shot. I also REALLY appreciate the "Stricker cocked" indicator and "chamber loaded" indicator that can be seen visually or easily felt with my fingers. Then there is the take down lever which is so superior to the Glock style take down bit of steel. I find all three of these features to be glaringly missing on Glocks. P.S. I personally love the grip safety (ala 1911) on the mod 2 and have NEVER not actuated the grip in the thousands of rounds I have put through my mod 2.
I find the size of the 3.3" subcompact excellent for IWB with the 10 round factory magazine. I also like that I can easily slip it into a robe or sweatshirt pocket to take out the trash or what not. Personally I feel very comfortable only packing 11 rounds when those rounds are 45 acp +p Gold Dots.
But then there is 13 round extended magazine with the conforming magazine filler piece. The piece is perfectly fitted to the magazine (unlike the after market ones I have for Glock magazines) and give the gun the feel of a full sized pistol. With the excellent stock sights I shoot my XD mod 2 every bit as well as my full sized pistols. For me 14 rounds of 45 acp +p Gold Dots are perfect for a home defense pistol.
Alas, Springfield got tired of my "grip zone" ribbing and discontinued the entire "mod 2" line, just to spite me.
Yesterday I was looking at the XDm 3.8" in 10mm on sale on the Sportsman's Warehouse website when I saw something that SHOCKED me! An XD mod 3!
From what I can tell the XD mod 3 has the same EXCELLENT grip of the mod 2. Hopefully it also has the same excellent trigger as the mod 2. But it appears that Springfield has improved the slide with more svelte lines and what look to be some excellent slide groves for easily cocking the slide under the worst circumstances. Then Springfield also included a red dot cut out on the slide as standard.
What really blew my mind though was the $315 list price which translates to $299 at SW: https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...in-black-melonite-pistol-161-rounds/p/1901446
I REALLY don't need another 9mm pistol but at $299 I think I am going to have to pick one up! Packing 17 rounds of 9mm in a Glock 19 form factor with all the excellent features Springfield has added is just too tempting! I can't imagine why anyone would choose a Glock over the mod 3! (I am sure there are many forum members that will more than happily educate me on why the Glocks are better!
)I am hoping that Springfield will continue the mod 3 line and come out with 3.3" subcompact 45acp and 40 S&W versions! I have always wanted a XD mod 2 3.3" in 40S&W to complement my 45 acp version! ...but the mod 2 pistols are hard to find.
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