Reliability was unquestionable and accuracy was as good as you could ask for from pistol of this kind. Accuracy was exceptional from a factory pistol such as this. The “eXtreme Duty” pistol, or XD, was first introduced in the most popular L.E.

The Springfield Armory Hellcat is a reliable accurate pistol that would be great as a CCW option and we recommend it without hesitation. However, it still feels like a gun made in Croatia (because it is) in that it feels like a solid “value” gun that has a LOT going for it.

This sidearm, initially created by industrial parts manufacturer I. M. Metal, was first produced in 1991.

A new addition are fiber optic sights which have certainly become popular on just about any pistol you can name. In addition the XDm 3.8 comes in a compact version which holds 13+1 rounds with the standard magazine while this model I tested holds 19+1 rounds. That is one heck of a lot of bullets!

Many moons and pistols have passed since the purchase of the XD, including the XDs 4.0 in 9mm and .45 ACP chambering, and the 1911 Loaded and Loaded Compact. I never really gave the XDm a passing glance until lately. The Springfield XD 4.0 is a full size service pistol and not one that is easily hidden away in an IWB holster.

The Springfield Armory XD started out life in Croatia in the early 1990’s as the HS 2000. HS Produkt created the design, which is used by the Croatian police and Army. In 2002 Springfield Armory began negotiations with HS Produkt for licensing rights in the USA.

The Springfield XDs 4.0 in .45 ACP chambering is; however, very concealable but lacks capacity and is very narrow in the grip department. I was looking for a happy medium of size, capacity, and concealability (a Goldilocks version) that would be at home as a HD, PD, and range pistol.