The Springfield XD-S Mod.2 OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) illustrates the motto “less is more,” especially when it comes to defensive handguns for women. We’ll start with a bit of an explanation about why that is. You may have heard the terms “single-stack” and “double-stack,” both of which refer to the design, not of a handgun, but of its magazine. A double-stack has its cartridges staggered, which increases the capacity of the magazine. With a single-stack, the cartridges line up one on top of the other. Semi-automatic pistols are designed specifically for one system or the other.
Single-stack pistols are as old as the first semi-automatic handgun designs. It wasn’t until 1935 that John Browning brought double-stack magazine pistols into the mainstream with the Hi-Power. While most police, military and self-defense handguns use double-stack magazines, the single-stack still has its place amongst compact concealed-carry pistols. After all, while it’s comforting to have the extra ammo capacity a double-stack handgun affords, single-stacks offer a smaller grip frame—great for smaller hands—and a slimmer profile for concealability. Springfield Armory’s XD-S is the single-stack version of its wildly popular double-stack XD (eXtreme Duty) semi-automatic handgun.
That said, not only does the Springfield XD-S Mod.2 OSP address the market’s need for a defensive gun with a smaller grip, it's on trend with concealed-carry pistols that feature micro red-dot optics. This type of optic has a small red dot that you can use to line up your shot on the target. Unlike a laser, it is only visible to the shooter when looking through the sight. The XD-S Mod.2 OSP, chambered in 9 mm, is the only micro-compact, single-stack handgun currently on the market that comes from the factory already set up for mounting a red-dot sight.
The Springfield XD-S Mod.2 OSP is ready to serve in a concealed carry capacity.
The XD-S white dot front sight and serrated rear sight co-witness with the CTS-1500 red dot optic.
As an option, you can purchase an XD-S Mod. 2 OSP with a Crimson Trace CTS-1500 red dot installed from the factory. The CTS-1500 doesn’t have an on/off switch, as it is on all of the time. A supplied plastic cover can be placed over the sight to turn it off when it is being stored. A plate is provided to cover the mounting holes on the slide if you want to take it off. Springfield offers the XD-S Mod.2 OSP without the CTS-1500 red dot, for those who have another red dot they’d prefer to mount instead. A short rail on the front of the frame provides a place to mount a micro flashlight or laser. The XD-S Mod.2 OSP comes standard with a black Melonite-finished slide with rear serrations and the black polymer frame is slightly textured.
The XD-S OSP weighs just over 21 oz. unloaded, with the CTS-1500 in place. Its compact frame fits nicely in any size hand. Comparing the XD-S Mod.2’s size and weight to other similar compact models, it comes in slightly larger than a Glock 43, S&W Shield or Ruger LC9, but smaller than a Shield EZ. The magazine release button is mirrored on both sides of the frame and can be operated by both right and left-handed shooters. Some smaller-handed shooters may find it easier to reach the mag release on the right side of the frame with their index finger, instead of shifting their shooting grip to reach the button on the left side. The XD-S is supplied with both a seven-round magazine with a finger extension, and an extended nine-round.magazine, which offers a larger grip area.
A bi-lateral magazine release button can be accessed from either side, using a thumb or index finger.
While the XD-S does not have a manual safety that you have to flip on and off, it does have three passive safety systems. A firm grip on the pistol depresses a grip safety, and the handgun will not fire until you squeeze the trigger, pressing the trigger safety. Additionally, there’s a “drop safety” striker block connected to the grip safety, which prevents the gun from firing if dropped. Other safety features are a loaded chamber indicator, where you can feel the extractor protruding slightly along the right side of the slide, as well as a small cut-out in the top of barrel hood to visually verify if there is a round loaded in the chamber.
Disassembly of the XD-S is easy. The supplied manual goes over the disassembly procedure step by step to break the pistol down into four parts for cleaning. Out on the range, the compact size of the Springfield allows for an excellent two-handed shooting grip. The trigger pull weight is around 6 lbs., 6 oz. A smooth pull comes to a slight pause before you feel the trigger break. The Crimson Trace red-dot aided in accuracy.
Testing the pistol at 15 yards on a bench rest yielded five-shot groups under 2”. Moving up to 7 yards and shooting from a standing position, the XD-S could put all seven of its rounds into groups about an inch in size. Using red-dot optics can take a little practice, but with the drift-adjustable iron sights co-witnessing with the optic, acquiring the target quickly at close range soon became instinctive with the XD-S OSP.
With the XD-S OSP Springfield brings a factory option for a red-dot optic to the micro-compact, single-stack 9 mm world. The MSRP of Springfield’s XD-S Mod.2 is $425 and the OSP version is $549. Springfield-Armory.com
