Springfield Armory XDE Review

Springfield Armory’s new “external hammer” fired 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 fire handgun. Whether you are “old school” like me or someone who prefers a striker fire pistol, if you remove all bias and pre-conceptions, 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, lets take a look at what I found with the XDE.

Back Story

My wife normally carries a S&W/PPK however, because of her arthritis, the slide has become to hard for her to operate. We had been look at several models for her, after visiting several gun shops, the only handgun she could operate the slide one 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, decocker, single stacked, 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 to 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 mod, push down again, gun decocks  and stays in fire mod but double action. A big difference from what both of us are use to, for us, safety and decocking happens at the same time with the same lever.

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, 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 a round 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 a ok gun though. If anyone has arthritis or any issues with their hands/fingers, they should consider the XDE.

She 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 inch, 2.25 inch and 1.75 inch respectively of the ammo type. I am not saying one ammo type is or worked better, I believe the difference was my wife getting use to her new XDE.

Trigger

If a person has small hands, they may have a bit of a reach for the trigger in double action mode. 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 to thick or bulky. A slight finger contour give 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.

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 20% less

XDE vs Glock 29 10mm (polymer frame) XDE 25-30% 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 to 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 a 150 rounds the beavertail design and contour left no wear and tear on my hand as some other guns have done.

Rmartin

Trump Won, Are You Packed?

If Trump wins, I’m going to do this or that or the next thing.  Many quotes from celebrities, actors, sports stars, politicians, you know, the high profile, outspoken, snotty, Clinton supporters encouraging the entitlement generation.  Granted, many Trump supporters said the same thing, however, they are not in question since Trump DID win.

How many of these high profile people have moved?  Or in the process of moving?  Was all of that talk suppose to be a threat?  Do these individuals really believe they are “all that” that their threat to leave would really make a difference?  Well, obviously it didn’t so get over yourself and leave already!  Oh wait, that’s right, several of those high and mighty individuals have already reneged on their promise to leave the country should Trump win the election.

Some of these people have said, “I already own a house in England, Spain, France, Italy, etc. So I am prepared to leave as soon as Trump is elected.  Again, where are you now; still packing?  Bought your tickets yet?  Or was it all just an idle threat?

Get over it… err, yourself.

Well, Trump won; are you packed?

Lena Dunham said she knows of a lovely house in Vancouver, BC which would become her new home.  When?  Or will she back out?

Amy Schumer said she would move to Spain if Trump won.  He did, but did Amy move yet?  How’s your Spanish?

Chelsea Handler said she already has a plan and in fact according to her, she has already bought a place in another country.  Are the moving vans loaded yet?  Is your passport current and do you have correct documentation to live in whatever country you promised to move to?

At least Whoopi Goldberg left the possibility open-ended saying “maybe” she would move.  I personally hope she does not.  Why you ask?  I have respect for Whoopi.  I don’t agree with some of her views, but when she is not on a rampage, if you actually listen to her, her statements, thoughts, ideas should at the least make you think.  That is, if you have an open mind.  Therefore, I hope she does not leave, but becomes more of a public speaker/activist regarding topics that are wrong AND right in this country. 

In closing:

I hope those people threatening to leave this country because Donald Trump is now our President-elect, actually leave.  Those people are not part of the solution in bettering our country, those people have become part of the problem.  Just because they didn’t get their own way so they are going to leave, they are going to give up on this country, they are quitters.  It’s like a little kid playing a game, loosing then running home to mommy because they lost and didn’t get their own way.

This country is in dire need of reform.  To make this country great again, positive reform will only come from all sides of the aisle, republican, democrat,  independents; everyone needs to work together, with an open mind and ask themselves what is best for this country.  And then follow through and support the best ideas for rebuilding, reforming and changing this country to be great again.

Rmartin

The Worst of Two Evils

So here we are again, a nation readying ourselves for a presidential election.  Bantering back and forth, accusations flinging left and right, top to bottom, lies, half truths, misdirecting and insinuations; like many years of elections we are left to choose the worst of two evils.

A man who eleven years ago was recorded saying and admitting to sexist comments, disrespectful to women and actions towards women in most case any other man would have had legal charges brought against him.  Some call him a chauvinist, womanizer, sexist and/or racist.  A man’s arrogance, quick speaking before thought sometimes gets him in trouble and chances are it will in the future.  The man…. Donald Trump.

This same man says he will stand up for America, it’s people and the constitution. 

A woman who over the last few years has been riddled in controversy even as lately as a month ago, actions showing she believes she is above the law, doing this “her way” whether than following protocols and laws if her ideas went against her oath.  A woman who has bought her way through favors and a “pay for play” lifestyle to support her political ambitions.  A woman who has been caught in lie after lie, wrong doing after wrong doing, supported by not only big money but my media outlets twisting the lies verse truth even more than the woman herself.  The woman…. Hillary Clinton.

This woman says she will continue with current policies provided by our current administration which she so proudly reminds us, she was part of.

So here we are again, this should NOT be the norm.  The behavior and attitude should not be tolerated.  This is no longer just politics, it is laced with disrespect, holier than thou attitudes and actions, speeches only designed to give the people, us, the voters what we want to hear, words to convince us to vote for them, the elite, the powerful, hiding behind their money damned the laws we the people live by.

So there you have it, a choice as poor as it is, to choose between the lesser or more convincing of two evils.

R martin

They Do It Right! NOT!

I have a feeling right now Kaepernick is patting himself on the back saying, look at all my followers taking a knee.  Kaepernick may have started protesting by not standing for the anthem, but he is not the only reason our young are following suit.

Some parents, teachers and education administrators are also to blame.  History has taught us the reason for showing respect to the flag and the anthem. It is because of the men and women who have fought for our freedoms, fought for our rights, fought for our constitution, fought for our country and the justice, fairness, morality of our fellow beings and fought for the freedom and continuing change.   It is because of what this country stands for and part of what this country, our flag and anthem stand for is the opportunity and freedom to change the country to be better for all of it’s citizens.

Taking a knee or refusing to stand during the National Anthem IS disrespecting those who fought for YOUR right to protest.  You say you do support those people who have died for you?  The best and biggest way to show that support is by the most public display this country has and the display is the anthem and the flag.

There is an appropriate time and place to protest.  Forcing your protest on a captive audience or an audience that paid to be at a sporting event is forcing your protest on them.  And it is not appropriate or respectful.

Marching in protest, leading to riots and violence is not appropriate and it distracts the focus from your protest to the hatred and anger you inspire by protesting in an inappropriate manner.

Honestly, there is no simpler way to put it than: get over yourself, grow up, think about what you are doing; are you really drawing attention to your cause?  Or are you just drawing attention to the inappropriate behavior you display?

Look at the media reports regarding your strive.  For the most part the reports are broken down into three categories.  What is the news toting?  Is it the fact you took a knee during your sporting event?  Is it the fact more and more people are being vocal about how disrespectful you are?  Or is the news filled with the reason for your protest?

If you are honest with yourself, read the news, it is not the latter of the three options ranking high in the news reports.  The news if filled with the fact you took a knee and all the people who are disgusted by your lack of respect.

Radio stations refusing to air a football game because band members took a knee during the anthem.  Sponsors backing out, people refusing to buy tickets to events, fans not so much anymore, alumni immediately calling for students and faculty to be punished, the list goes on.   

Kneeling for the anthem is not furthering your cause, it is hurting it.  Your cause is not being heard.  Your actions are being seen and heard but nothing by any means is drawing support for your “cause”.  The words of your protest are being lost in your actions, your disrespect and hatred for this country and for which it stands.

R martin

Dishonorable, Disgraceful, Deplorable

Join the military, defend our country, it’s people, it’s constitution and follow the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the law of the military.

When a person signs that paper, stands and pledges, give the oath, they are part of the military. A military based on volunteers, not forced, not required, volunteers making a choice of their own FREE will to defend our country and at the same time, agreeing to follow the UCMJ or be punished accordingly.

Two Navy personnel have now disrespected and ignored the oath they willingly made when joining the military. They have chosen to dishonor, disrespect and disgrace the United States of America, and to go against their oath, their promise.  Young, naïve or old and wise, it does not matter, these two Navy personnel broke their oath, they broke military law.

Why did they enlist?  Was it in their hearts to defend the United States, the constitution, and it’s people?  Or was just for the college money?  In either case, these two Navy personnel agreed to follow the UCMJ.  They did not follow the rules, “the law” of the military.

As with any “job” there are rules listed in the employee handbook you must follow.  If you choose to ignore the rules and requirements of your employer, an employer you choose to work for, you can be fired.  Are you allowed to bring your politics into the work place? Stage a protest? No you are not. If you do, you have placed yourself at the mercy of your employer, you must/should stand up for your choice and take whatever punishment is dealt to you.

Ms. Ervin, you broke a promise, your oath, you broke the trust that was bestowed upon you and you broke military law (UCMJ).  It is only right you loose your security clearance and any privileges the military has afforded you. Do not dare to whine and cry because you lost your security clearance, it is your fault. Be an adult and own what you did. You are smart enough to know what you did and the consequences that may result, do not continue to play for public support from those that do not understand or know what it is like to be put in the position you were placed in as an Intelligent Specialist.

If you cannot be trusted to obey military law, how can you be trusted with military secrets?  How can you be trusted to not follow protocols or orders if you don’t like them or if you disagree with them.

Ms. Ervin, you are not fit for duty, you are a disgrace to your uniform.

Ms. Ervin, you and the other sailor who refused to stand for the flag or anthem, need to be dishonorably discharged, immediately. I am disgusted you represent our United States Navy.

The uniform you wear and the military branch you are part of, is not an appropriate platform for your protests.

R martin