A Tale of Two Pistols: The XD-S Mod.2 and the XD Sub-Compact

By Richard Johnson

When looking for the right concealed carry gun, you might get overwhelmed by all of the choices. Yet, the sometimes-subtle differences between pistol models might make all the difference in how well you shoot or in your decision to carry at all.

Springfield Armory offers a number of excellent options for the CCW market. Two of them are the XD-S Mod.2 (now offered as the XD-S Mod.2 OSP optics-capable variant reviewed here) and the XD Sub-Compact.

Both of the guns come from the same line and both are aimed at the personal protection market. Even so, each offers a unique set of features that will make sense to different people. In this comparison, I hope to highlight the best features of each to help you understand which gun might make sense for you.

Going Skinny

Consider the XD-S Mod.2. A striker-fired pistol with a polymer frame, the gun has proven itself reliable with consistent accuracy and high visibility sights. It is a single-stack pistol chambered for the 9mm.

The single-stack design allows the gun to be much thinner than many alternatives. With a grip width of only 0.9”, this gun is ideal for inside-the-waistband carry under a shirt or other light cover garment.

Of course, that thinness impacts other aspects of the gun. For me, it seems perfect for trigger reach. That means improved accuracy under stressful conditions since I am more likely to press directly back rather than pulling to one side.

Also, the single-stack magazine affects firepower. This equates to 7 rounds of 9mm in a flush-fitting magazine. However, to my needs, 7+1 rounds of 9mm before a reload is very reasonable.

When More Matters

However, your needs may be different. If you need an easily concealable pistol with a bit more capacity, the Defend Your Legacy Series XD Sub-Compact is the pistol to consider. It is also a striker-fired, polymer-framed gun with a long history of outstanding performance. Unlike the XD-S, it feeds from a double-stack magazine.

Not bound by the single-stack mag constraint, the XD Sub-Compact squeezes 13+1 rounds into its magazine. For reloads, it can feed from the Service Model’s 16-round mags as well.

Understandably, the additional ammunition means a thicker pistol, though it isn’t as much as you might think: only 0.3” more. That’s not necessarily bad. When compared head-to-head, my wife much prefers the XD Sub-Compact to the XD-S because of how it fits her hand. She’s able to get a better grip on the pistol to control it throughout the shooting process.

Conclusion

My point is not one pistol is better than the other. Both are reliable shooters that will help you win any defensive encounter. Instead, I am suggesting that one or the other might be a better choice for you based on your individual needs. Get your hands on them both at your local gun shop and I bet you quickly fall in love with one of them.

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9^mm

XD® 3" Sub-Compact

9^mm

XD-S Mod.2® OSP™ Series