Return Of The DA/SA

Back to the future with the Springfield armory XD-E EDC

- Richard Schutz

When I first saw the new Springfield Armory XD-E at the 2017 NRA Exhibits in Atlanta, I asked, “Why?”

With all the striker-fired, slim-line, single-stack 9mm concealed carry guns available today, why do we need a hammer fired double-action/single-action (DA/SA) slim-line semi-auto pistol? When I asked that question to myself, I broke my cardinal rule, never to use the word “need” when talking about firearms.

As it turns out, many pistol shooters like SA/DA semi-auto pistols for concealed carry. After several weeks of carrying the XD-E and firing approximately 500 rounds, I now know why. Not everyone is a believer in the safety of carrying a striker-fired pistol without a traditional safety, and some were trained on a service weapon that had a double-action first shot and single-action successive shots.

Springfield Armory refers to the XD-E as the “hammer reinvented.” As such, they have taken the best elements of their XD line, added a hammer and a safety/decocker and, voila, the XD-E.

OVERVIEW The XD-E is a polymer frame, hammer-fired semi-automatic pistol that  fires either double action or single action on the first shot (depending upon in which mode you are carrying it) and single action for subsequent shots. Its single-stack, slim-line design makes it a good choice for EDC. It’s not a pocket gun, but it is easily concealable when carried IWB, AIWB or even OWB under the appropriate clothing. For women, it would fit nicely in a medium or larger purse.

When compared to an XD-S in .45 ACP, the XD-E looks considerably larger, but the frame with slide is only one-quarter inch longer (not including the hammer spur) and the grip is seven-sixteenths inch longer. There is also a little more meat at the rear of the frame/beavertail, where the hammer pivots, and the trigger guard is slightly larger on the XD-E.