First Impressions: Springfield Armory XD Mod.3 OSP 9mm Pistol

A rock-solid, proven concealed-carry gun that's feature-rich for just about $300? Yes, please.

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posted on October 3, 2024
Springfield Xd Mod 3 October 2024

These days, a dollar just doesn't go as far as it used to just four short years ago. That is, unless, your dollar is going towards Springfield Armory's new-for-2024 XD Mod.3 OSP. Yes, that's a lot of alphanumerics, but the number to remember is $325. That's the manufacturer's suggested price for this feature-rich, striker-fired pistol, which means that you're likely to find it at dealers at or under $300. What does Springfield mean by feature-rich?

It starts with the slide, which is hammer-forged and finished with Melonite for matchless hardiness. It comes with a factory-milled OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) cut, so you can pop a reflex sight on it if you wish. OSP plates, available for purchase from the Springfield Armory Store, allow for easy customization to fit RMR, DeltaPoint Pro and Docter footprints.

If you don't wish to add a red-dot, the slide also boasts a set of rugged iron sights (actually, they're steel, but we'll never stop calling them "irons"). These aren't a just simple post-and-notch afterthought. The factory sights feature a high-visibility red fiber optic front sight paired with a white dot rear sight. Enhanced slide serrations both fore and aft offer improved grip in adverse conditions, while a flared cut at the rear provides additional purchase for easy manipulation.

That XD Mod.3 OSP slide also has a nice safety feature, with its visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator located atop. There's also a striker-status indicator on the slide’s rear face that adds an additional layer of security. Housed within the slide is a 4” hammer-forged Melonite finish barrel.

Moving on to the frame of the XD Mod.3, you'll see aggressive texturing strategically placed on the most important contact points. An undercut trigger guard and extended beavertail make it easy to grasp the pistol properly, with your hand as high on the butt as possible for superior control and shot-to-shot recovery.

The pistol’s passive grip safety features a raised “memory bump” for consistent and reliable engagement, and a flat-faced trigger delivers improved feel and performance. An accessory rail on the dustcover allows the user to fit a wide range of accessories, and the pistol ships with a 16-round stainless steel magazine. A 10-round version for restricted locales is also offered. That's quite a lot of gun for just $325! Find yours at Springfield-Armory.com.

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