I've tried lot of 45 Autos over the years; several 1911s, G30s and 21s, the first run M&P Midsize, the PPQ and some others I'm probably forgetting. They're all good pistols and if they fit your hands and shooting style, it'd be hard to pick a bad one.

In 2004 my wife and I had 40 XD service size pistols and my oldest son had the same model in 9mm. Both 40s are still in the family. They all ran trouble-free and were basically ‘3 inches at 25 yards’ pistols. I later saw reviews indicating the XD 45s were more accurate.

More recently I've handled a couple of the XD mod 2 Pistols and I have to say the grip has been improved substantially. I ran across a used ‘XD Mod.2 45 ACP 3.3 Sub Compact’ last week, which was missing the short magazine. The OEM 13 round mag with the grip adapter felt really good in the hand. I made an offer low enough to cover a replacement mag and kill the sales tax.

Dixie the orange Lab says it passes the smell test-

https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20220118_151603.jpg

To get an idea of the size, here it is with my much-carried (and showing it) Airweight 38

https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20220122_090717.jpg

Comparisons to the Glock 30 are inevitable. Glock internal parts are available everywhere but Springfield is stingy as hell with XD parts. These days Ebay is loaded with XD parts. Both pistols weigh about the same, are essentially the same size and both use a 9 round, flush fit magazine. Both also accept the 13 round mags of their fullsize counterpart. The XD’s trigger guard is larger and definitely more ‘glove friendly’. Most of the grip mods I’ve done to Glock 30s are already here; when I point this pistol at something, the sights are aligned and right on the mark. The factory barrel shoots great and handles lead bullets just fine. Sig 22x sights fit XD dovetails, which opens a lot of options.

After light polishing of contact surfaces and a little oil, the trigger settled at 4 1/2 pounds with a pretty clean break. I test drove it with my bulk +P 45 ACP reload using the Bear Creek 230 grain flat point. Plinking steel to 50 yards showed excellent accuracy with the POI just a tad left. On the off chance I might hit the diamond plate at 100 yards, I fired 5 shots carefully as I could using both hands. It shoots really well for a compact 45 Auto.

https://www.thesixgunjournal.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/20220118_151828.jpg

I like it a lot.

Direct Impingement is the Fart Joke of military rifle operating systems. ⓒ