Springfield Armory’s new “external hammer” handgun, the XDE. At a quick glance, it could be mistaken for the XDS, until a closer look reveals there is a hammer, it is not a striker-fired handgun. Whether you are “old school” like me or someone who prefers a striker fire pistol, if you remove all bias and preconceptions, most will agree the XDE is… yes, totally awesome.
Filling the gap
Springfield has produced a sleek, well balanced, medium weight, compact, conceal carry pistol… with an external hammer! Call me “old school” but I do prefer an external hammer rather than a striker fire; that being said, let's take a look at what I found with the XDE.
Back Story
My wife normally carries an S&W/PPK however, because of her arthritis, the slide has become too hard for her to operate. We had been looking at several models for her, after visiting several gun shops, the only handgun she could operate the slide on was the PK380.
As for me, I wanted a new gun. Please note, I did say “wanted” not “needed” a new gun. I was handling, several models, Glock 29, PK380, M&P Shield, and a few others that I immediately set down because of the feel in my hand.
One shop to check out, our favorite, but sometimes their stock is low at least for guns we have been interested in. As we stood at the counter, my wife and I were looking at what was on display. When the salesman heard we were looking at getting a new gun for my wife and the reason why; he immediately showed us the XDE.
The XDE.
SA/DA, hammer-fired, 9+1 or 8+1 magazines (one each comes with a new XDE), ambidextrous safety and magazine release, de-cocker, single stack, polymer frame, dovetail rear sight with fiber optic front sight, textured grip and L.E.S (Low Effort Slide), overall length: 6.75 inches, height: 5 inches and the width: 1 inch.
The XDE in my wife’s hand.
My wife racked the slide, once, twice, three times, and kept going. After racking it six times she turned to me smiling, She loved the feel and fit in her hand, racked the slide not just easily but with no pain (obviously very important).
The thumb safety.
To our surprise.. ambidextrous, easy to reach, and operate. Safety lever all the way up, safety is on, slide down, fire mode, push down again, gun de-cocks and stays in fire mode but double action. A big difference from what both of us are used to, for us, safety and de-cocking happen at the same time with the same lever. The XD-E can be “cocked and locked”. Mean you can put the safety on with the hammer pulled back, or you can "lever" down, de-cocking, and leaving the safety off if your situation warrants this position.
The magazine release.
Again ambidextrous, and in the traditional location; down and back of the trigger. Immediately, my wife was thumbing between mag release and the different positions of the safety lever and smiling.
The slide release.
Left side only but not a big deal considering after popping in a filled magazine, pull back on the slide just a little, release, and it springs forwarding chambering a round, leaving the gun in SA mod. No need for a slide release for self-defense. Please note, chambering can be done with the safety on or off.
The slide, is one of the easiest I have ever pulled other than maybe the PK380 but I have a couple issues with the PK380, still an ok gun though. If anyone has arthritis or any issues with their hands/fingers, they should consider the XDE. – The Rickster
The results
My wife bought the Springfield Armory XDE.
The true test, shooting the XDE.
Shooting
One hundred - fifty rounds by each of us of each: Winchester 115 grain FMJ, American Eagle 115 grain FMJ, Speer Lawman 124 grain TMJ. The XDE chewed through the ammo, not a single fail. Accuracy with no sight adjustments: 3 inches, 2.25 inch, and 1.75 inches respectively of the ammo type. I am not saying one ammo type is or worked better, I believe the difference was my wife getting to know her new XDE.
Trigger
If a person has big or small hands, the reach for the trigger seems to come in a natural position/reach. For my wife and I, no problem, in fact, the trigger reach was comfortable and natural for us. In double-action, the trigger pull is listed 10 to 12 pounds, I think it is closer to 10 pounds. In single action, the tripper pull is listed 4 to 5 pounds, I think it is closer to 4. In either S/A or D/A, the trigger has a smooth, comfortable pull.
Balance
For my wife and I, the balance loaded and unloaded, was very natural, on the draw, and coming up to sight in the target, very natural, smooth, and comfortable.
Grip
For our hands, the grip is comfortable and not too thick or bulky. A slight finger contour gives increased comfort, control, and balance. Definitely, something to mention is the beavertail contour, it is smooth and extremely comfortable for the shooter.
Recoil
I can only compare the recoil with the guns I have fired, I am not going to go with the techy stuff since I know most of us will relate to a comparison. Keep in mind, this is how the results felt to me using the ammo listed above.
XDE vs Smith and Wesson 915 (all metal, alloy frame), XDE 20-25% less
XDE vs S&W/Walther PPK380 (all steel) XDE 30% less
XDE vs Glock 19 9mm (polymer frame) XDE 25% less
XDE vs Glock 29 10mm (polymer frame) XDE 30-35% less
XDE vs Kimber 1911 45ACP (all steel) XDE 30% less
Recommendation
I ordered my XDE the following day of shooting, I pick it up in a few days. Yes, I would recommend the XDE for the novice and the expert shooter. As a conceal carry, I believe it is a good size, not too heavy (25 oz.), the design and finish of the hammer will not be a concern as a CCP. As a range gun, I found the XDE fun to shoot, comfortable; even after 150 rounds the beavertail design and contour left no wear and tear on my hand as some other guns have done.
Feel free to leave comments and please follow me for more reviews.
The Rickster
#concealcarry #Springfield #XDE
