Springfield Armory's family of XD pistols just keeps growing. The group is based upon a polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol and has been offered in 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .45 GAP. Now the .45 ACP is being chambered in the auto pistol.

The XD guns are available in three different barrel lengths: the 3.1-inch barrel is called the Sub-Compact, the 4-inch barrel is the Service Model, and the 5-inch gun is the Tactical Model. Shooters also have a choice of finishes and can opt for the black model, the OD green, or the Bi-tone, which consists of a stainless slide mounted on a black frame.

But, like that rabbit on the commercial, Springfield Armory just keeps on going. The latest addition to the XD family has really gotten my attention. The XD Service Model and Tactical Model are now available in .45 ACP. And, fully loaded, the new XD .45s carry a payload of 14 rounds.

The new .45 ACP XDs come with a polymer holster, magazine holder, and magazine loading tool.

Springfield Armory's design engineers were able to offer this high-capacity, big-bore loading by only slightly enlarging the pistol's grip circumference. I was pleased to see that the comfortable feel of the XD pistol grip has not been significantly changed with the addition of a 14-shot .45 ACP to the group.

I received both the .45 ACP Service and Tactical Models for testing, and both guns had the standard black finish and the other features we have come to appreciate from the Springfield XD. The sights are the popular three-dot combat version, made of steel and dovetailed into the pistol's slide. Barrels are all hammer forged and have an integral feedramp to ensure positive chambering.

Springfield has put a lot of thought into the design of the XD's grip frame, and it shows. The curved backstrap and flat sides seem to fit most hands very well. And the backstraps and frontstraps also have a checkering pressed into the polymer to assist the shooter in maintaining a positive grip. Springfield has also molded a slight depression at the top of the grip that is a perfect spot for the shooting thumb to further enhance a secure shooting grip. This thumb depression, by the way, is found on both sides of the pistol, an indication that Springfield is aware of the needs of their left-handed customers.

SPECS
Manufacturer:	Springfield Armory
Model:	XD Service Model; XD Tactical Model
Operation:	Striker-fired autoloader
Caliber:	45 ACP
Barrel Length:	4 inches (Service Model); 5 inches (Tactical Model)
Overall Length:	7.25 inches (Service Model); 8.1 inches (Tactical Model)
Weight, empty	30 ounces (Service Model); 32 ounces (Tactical model)
Safety:	Trigger safety, grip safety
Sights:	Three-dot combat sights
Stock:	Integral to polymer frame
Magazine Capacity:	13 + 1
Finish:	Matte Black
Price:	$559 (Service Model); $595 (Tactical Model)

Another ambidextrous feature of the XD pistol is the magazine release button. Located in the pistol's frame just behind the trigger, this release is full-time ambidextrous, which allows shooters, especially military and police, to completely function and fire the XD pistol with whichever hand gets to it first. That's a handy feature when someone has pushed the panic button.

From the beginning, I have been on record commending Springfield Armory for installing a grip safety in the XD pistols. The safety trigger, common to most striker-fired pistols, is a nice touch, but I never have believed that it is sufficient for adequate safety. With a round in the chamber, such a pistol is only safe when it is carried in a holster that is specifically made for it. During defensive encounters, a shooter may have to shove his pistol into his waistband or hip pocket in order to have both hands free to deal with a non-lethal threat. On the standard striker-fired pistol the trigger may become engaged by clothing and discharge the pistol. This is far less likely to happen with the Springfield XD pistol because the grip safety must be depressed and the trigger activated before firing can occur.

All XD pistols have an accessory rail located on the bottom side of the polymer frame just in front of the trigger guard. This handy but unobtrusive feature allows the shooter to install a flashlight, a laser sight, or whatever other accessory he might want to include in his handgunning program.

Sights on the .45 ACP XDs are the three-dot variety. The Sheriff says the grip frame's curved backstrap and flat sides, checkering, and ambidextrous thumb depressions help the shooter maintain a positive grip.

My two XDs in .45 ACP were only slightly heavier than their comparable XDs in other calibers. The 4-inch Service Model weighs 30 ounces, an increase of five ounces over other Service Models. And the Tactical Model, coming in at 32 ounces, has an increase of only one ounce over the other caliber 5-inchers. By the way, the Service Model has an overall length of 7.25 inches, and the Tactical Model is 8.1 inches long.