Testing Springfield Armory’s XD Mod.2 .45ACP Pistol – Range Report

By Rob Leatham

Springfield Armory XD Mod 2
Testing the XD Mod.2 .45ACP Pistol – Range Report

Geneseo, IL – -(Ammoland.com) – GripZone. That’s the most important thing you need to know about Springfield Armory’s new XD Mod.2 3.3″ Sub-Compact .45ACP Pistol.

We took it for a spin last week and let me summarize by saying that in addition to the outstanding ergonomic experience, this pistol boasts some great sights and a darn good trigger pull.

When it comes to subcompact pistols chambered for higher caliber rounds like .45ACP, its important to remember that how a pistol feels in your hand is more than a matter of comfort. Your grip determines how well a pistol points as well as your control over it when it pushes and lifts throughout recoil.

A good firm “grasping” of the handgun is essential but the texturing and shape of the grip will contribute greatly to a shooters control.

That’s where GripZone shines. 

What I Love About The XD Mod.2 .45ACP

Excellent shape and design minimizes slippage during recoil.

XD Mod 2 GripZone
XD Mod.2’s GripZone

The Mod.2’s GripZone is designed to minimize slippage through different levels of texturing on areas or “zones” of the grip.

It grips more where it needs to and less where it would just cause abrasion or discomfort.

Simply, the shape of the grip just fits in your hand comfortably and it can make you a more accurate shooter.

Let’s talk features

  • Front Sights. The Mod.2 has a fiber optic light gathering rod installed that gathers ambient light and creates a red dot that I can quickly see.
  • Rear Sights.  The rear sight’s deep, wide notch with a white dot on each side allows for quick and accurate sight alignment. The serrated surface of both the front and rear sights insures a glare-free sight picture.
  • Trigger.  Like all the Springfield Armory polymer pistols, The XD, XD(M) and XD-S, the Mod.2 has a great trigger pull offering a solid “wall” and “stopping point”. This feature allowed me to feel exactly where the trigger was in its movement and when it was going to fire. “Safe, consistent and predictable” are how I describe it.
  • Ease of use. Simple things often overlooked like the shape of the slide and indeed even the cocking serrations and relief cuts on it make the Mod.2 one of the easiest to operate compact pistols ever. The strong recoil spring ensures reliable feeding and soft recoil while extending the life of the pistol.  Thanks to the shape of the slide serrations, my 84 year old mother can operate the action on this pistol.  I’m pretty sure you can too.

On top of all these updated features, the Mod.2 is underneath it all, a Springfield Armory pistol.

Like the XD, XD(M) and XD-S before it, the Mod.2 is built with same quality and precision of every Springfield Armory product. Not only can you count on its performance, you will have the comfort of owning a handgun with a limited lifetime warranty, the best customer service in the business and a history of performance, durability and reliability you can bet your life on.

Who the XD Mod.2 .45ACP is for.

I see the shooter who buys the Mod.2 .45 as someone that needs a gun to be both portable and powerful. He or she knows they want a .45, but one that fits their hand well and is comfortable to shoot. They want a gun that performs above its category in regards to accuracy and speed of use without being so big that it makes discreet use troublesome.

For me, the Mod.2 .45 is that perfect combination of compactness, controllability and firepower. I get it all in one easy to shoot package. You must know that I’ve shot pretty much everything there is in regards to this category of handgun. Nothing, and I mean nothing fits me better and shoots better than the Mod.2 .45.

I know you expect to hear me say that, but it’s still true.

Do this. Go to a Springfield Armory dealer and just hold it. Maybe they’ll have a range and let you test fire one. Shoot a magazine through it and you’ll get it, you will understand my excitement.

Only you can decide what you really require. Not me, not your buddy, not the guy at the gun shop counter. Just you.

I can however tell you this, if I want a .45 AND I want it to hold 10 rounds AND I want it to be small and still maintain excellent ergonomics and control ability, the XD Mod.2 .45 would be my first choice.

17 Comments
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Fredy Lowe

OK, here my 2-cents: I own a Glock 21 45acp and a Glock 19 9mm that both my wife and I handle ‘fairly well’, but with the double-stack magazines and the different size of our hands, she always felt as if they were too big in her hand. I’m finalizing my NRA Pistol Instructor’s course and the topic of of ‘the best’ single stack 45 came up with my instructor. He said that he finds Sprinfield to make the best all around line of 45’s and recommended that I look into the XD, or XD Mod2 for my wife. We… Read more »

Chuck Turner

I have a Springfield XD mod2 45 cal and love it I have shot approx 300 rounds. I have been shooting Monarch 45cal 230 grain Steel Metal jacket. I did a search looking for price comparrisons on the Monarch ammunition and discovered the ammo I have bee using primarily is listed as rifle ammo. Will the rifle ammo damage my Springfield XD mod2 and should I use the Brass ammo made by Monarch? I thought the Steel metal jacket was for target.
Thanks Chuck Turner Knoxville, Tn

Keith dean

Just picked up my mod2 today at buds gun shop for 470. Can’t wait to put some rounds thru it.

Jeff

Ordered the mod 2 .45 on saturday from Grab a gun for $485. It was at my gun shop on Tuesday. Ill pick it up friday and put about 100 rds thru it. Im really looking forward to getting my hands on it. Jeff

jeff

I have now put over 100 rounds through it wi no problems at all. Love the grip and controllable recoil.

Jay

Retail is around the $540 range. I was lucky and got mine for $460.

J.C.Blatejr

you talk about everything but the price ……..whats up..

John

I bought a Mod 2 ,45 in June. I’ve put several hundred rounds through it with no malfunctions at all. None at all with 350 at one time. All hard ball of various brands randomly loaded in the magazine, including Hornady critical defense. I am carrying it for concealed carry so I wanted to really run it through the paces. It was all brass, no steel. Flawless and very accurate. Fantastic weapon. I carried a Colt Officers Model before. It is now my second choice after the Mod 2.

Jay

I have had a few FTE issues when I use remanufactured ammo. Otherwise, steel, brass, aluminum casings ammo cycle just fine.

Dakota Adams

I am getting a few people telling me that the Mod 2 (mine is .45, and I have not shot it yet) is terrible because of grip saftey malfunctions, choking on steel ammo, choking on cheap brass, just a list of things about this pistol. Now me being curious and a bit worried about the safety malfunctions Iv been doing research and can’t find anything negative.. Actually the opposite with people even firing 1300+ rounds with zero malfunctions period. Anyone here with some insight on what they are talking about or how valid the negative statements are?

Word

Supreme gun…this gun has quality like the hk but at sametime it is low cost gun…that’s fantastic.

anson

purchased the xd mod.2 45 a few weeks ago. I have ran about 100 rounds of 230 gr. FMJ thru it. The firearm performs flawlessly.I use the extended 13 shot clip which fits my larger hands great. It has a great trigger pull and nice sights. 2 white dots at rear and red or green fiberoptic at the front.,Gun is very accurate to 25 yrds. Have heard others complain about recoil from 3 inch 45s, not with this weopon, I could easily run 2 or 3 hundred rounds thru it with no problems.. That”s with 230 gr. FMJ. So far… Read more »

CB

I have recently purchased the Mod 2 40 and it is great. This gun puts my Glock to shame and is now my off-duty weapon.

Wing Wraith

I have owned many 45 caliper hand guns. Most have been the 1911 model, and I have had limited success with them. I am not blaming the 1911 for my woes, for operator error can be a major factor in firing a handgun. However, I have not had any problems in firing XD mod 2 45. At least, I can not remember having any. Size of this compact, well trained, rhinoceros makes it an excellent firearm for conceal and carry. I have purchased the 9mm too, and I have no complaints about it either. I swap back and forth between… Read more »

Jay Cheramie

I ordered one and was interested in what the reviews said. Can’t wait for it to come in.

Al Martinez

When does the XD Mod 2 45 ACP come out? When does it go to the dealers? I have requested one through a dealer and would like to know when I can start looking for it to come in. I own an XDS and Love it. I’m sure the Mod 2 is going to be Great! As soon as you can release it, I’ll own one. I just hope the testing will present any issues with firearm, unlike the XDS that had to go back for repairs? I missed mine when it was gone, but Happy to have it back.… Read more »

Tonya

They are out…picked one up last week. Shoots like a dream!