The Gun Companies Should Be Releasing - Springfield Armory XDS 4.0

Published on August 5, 2025
Duration: 9:40

This review of the Springfield Armory XDS 4.0 highlights its suitability for concealed carry, particularly its slim profile and 4-inch barrel length. The presenter, with extensive experience reviewing firearms, praises its ergonomics, smooth trigger after break-in, and the availability of stainless steel finishes. He discusses the versatility of magazine options for different carry seasons and compares its ballistics to larger pistols.

Quick Summary

The Springfield Armory XDS 4.0 is a highly concealable handgun with a slim profile and 4-inch barrel, available in .45 ACP, 9mm, and .40 S&W. Its trigger breaks in to become smooth and crisp, and magazine options allow for seasonal carry adjustments, offering a good balance of capacity and concealability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Channel Overview
  2. 00:47CRKT Redemption Knife Showcase
  3. 00:78Springfield Armory XDS 4.0 Introduction
  4. 00:94Modern Handgun Design Trends vs. XDS
  5. 01:09Concealability & Comfort Trade-offs
  6. 01:21Ballistics & Capacity Options
  7. 01:31Full Grip vs. Shorter Slide Design
  8. 01:43XDS 4.0 Caliber Options (.45, 9mm, .40)
  9. 01:559mm Magazine Capacity & Barrel Length
  10. 01:76Magazine Versatility for Carry Seasons
  11. 01:869mm Stainless 7+1 vs. 9+1 Configuration
  12. 01:96Longer Barrel Benefits
  13. 01:99Glock 48 Barrel Length Confusion
  14. 02:21Full Stainless Steel Construction
  15. 02:24Springfield's Stainless Steel Offerings
  16. 02:57Barrel Length & Guide Rod
  17. 02:65Sights: Fiber Optic Front, White Rear
  18. 02:72Serrations & Trigger Quality
  19. 02:83XDS Trigger Break-in & Smoothness
  20. 02:91Initial Trigger Stiffness vs. Break-in
  21. 03:05Smoothness of Racking the Slide
  22. 03:11OEM vs. DPM Guide Rod
  23. 03:14Trigger Break-in & Lightness
  24. 03:25Grip Safety for New Shooters
  25. 03:31Grip Safety Reliability (1911 Comparison)
  26. 03:41Springfield Armory Reliability
  27. 03:48.45 ACP Guide Rod Maintenance
  28. 03:53Guide Rod Replacement Recommendation
  29. 03:65Personal Experience with Guide Rod Failure
  30. 03:77Slimness & Recoil Absorption
  31. 03:89Thinness & Concealability Benefit
  32. 03:92Single Stack Design Appeal
  33. 03:99Concealability & Barrel/Slide Length
  34. 04:01Wedges for Short Barreled Pistols
  35. 04:07Pistol Flop & Wedge Necessity
  36. 04:13Longer Slide/Barrel & Wedge Use
  37. 04:16Blacksmith Tactical Wedges & Discount Code
  38. 04:30Wedge Durability & Cost
  39. 04:37Wedge Comfort & Functionality
  40. 04:48Wedge Function: Pushing Gun Against Body
  41. 04:51Wedge Savings & Holster Application
  42. 04:58Ergonomics of the XDS
  43. 04:63Feel of Smaller, Thinner Guns
  44. 04:66Hockey Tape Grip Enhancement
  45. 04:68Upper/Lower Compatibility
  46. 04:73Checkering Under Hockey Tape
  47. 04:79Textured Grip Enhancement
  48. 04:89Accessory Rail
  49. 04:93Ambidextrous Magazine Release
  50. 04:97XDS Series Appreciation
  51. 04:99Desire for Stack and a Half XDS
  52. 05:02Shootability: XDS vs. Hellcat Snappiness
  53. 05:09Larger Size & Shootability
  54. 05:10Stack and a Half XDS Concept
  55. 05:13Redesigning Frame for Stack and a Half Mags
  56. 05:16XDS with Longer Barrel & Stack and a Half Mags
  57. 05:22Smith & Wesson Shield Plus Comparison
  58. 05:28S&W Shield Plus Performance Center
  59. 05:38S&W Shield Plus 4-inch Barrel
  60. 05:44Slim .45 ACP for Carry
  61. 05:48Magazine Options for Carry Seasons
  62. 05:54Mod 2 Magazine Compatibility
  63. 05:57Magazine Feel & Fit
  64. 05:61Summer Carry: 5+1 Capacity
  65. 05:66.45 ACP Ballistics from 4-inch Barrel
  66. 05:69Ballistics Comparison: XDS vs. Glock 19
  67. 05:74Conclusion: XDS 4.0 in .45 ACP
  68. 05:77Thanks for Watching

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of the Springfield Armory XDS 4.0 for concealed carry?

The XDS 4.0 excels in concealed carry due to its slim profile, making it comfortable for appendix carry and reducing printing. Its 4-inch barrel offers a good balance between concealability and ballistic performance, and the option for different magazine capacities allows for seasonal adjustments.

How does the trigger on the Springfield XDS 4.0 perform over time?

Initially, the XDS trigger can feel stiff, but it breaks in significantly with use. After break-in, it becomes notably smooth, clean, and crisp, offering a very pleasant shooting experience that rivals many other triggers in its class.

What are the different caliber and capacity options for the Springfield XDS 4.0?

The XDS 4.0 is available in .45 ACP, 9mm, and .40 S&W. For 9mm, it can be configured with flush-fit magazines for 7+1 capacity or extended magazines for 9+1 capacity, offering flexibility for carry needs.

What maintenance is recommended for the Springfield XDS .45 ACP model?

For the .45 ACP XDS models, it's recommended to replace the guide rod around 1,200 to 1,400 rounds. This is due to the stresses of absorbing recoil in such a slim platform, and it's an inexpensive maintenance task.

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