Springfield XD Mod.2 with GripZone

by
posted on January 18, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
The Springfield XD was a game changer when introduced, but the original gun didn't have some of the features common on more recent designs. In particular, texturing has become de rigeur on polymer-frame handguns (as opposed to the "grenade" style checkering of the original XD). Stippling is expensive on a metal-framed gun but can be incorporated into a mold on a polymer-frame pistol-especially if a company is ready to upgrade or replace its mold. Now, Springfield has given the XD a facelift, dubbed the Mod.2, that could be a "nip-tuck" of an already outstanding design. The most obvious changes is the stippling to the three "Grip Zones," which include the backstrap, the frontstrap and the forward part of the frame  where one's fingers engage the gun. But there is more to the Mod.2 than just a skateboard tape like finish built into the mold. The slide has been slimmed and recontoured, and aggressive, pratcial "Posi-Wedge" serrations have been added to the back. There is an undercut in the trigger guard and the beavertail has improved geometry that helps the shooter's hand really get into the gun. The sights, too, have been upgraded with a red fiber-optic pipe dovetailed into the from and and a low-profile extended rear, which, too, is dovetailed into the slide. Managing Editor Joe Kurtenbach took the Mod.2, one of the most interesting guns of 2015, for a test drive, and you can see it here.

Latest

1860 Spencer Carbine 2
1860 Spencer Carbine 2

I Have This Old Gun: Model 1860 Spencer Carbine

One of the most revolutionary shoulder arms of the American Civil War, the Model 1860 Spencer carbine went from being an experimental design at the war's beginning to ultimately becoming the official issue arm of the U.S. Cavalry by war's end.

New For 2025: Tippmann Arms Integrally Suppressed M4-22s

In anticipation of the upcoming $0 NFA tax stamp enactment, Tippmann Arms is now offering integrally suppressed versions of its M4-22 design.

Favorite Firearms: A Winchester Model 54 Turns 100

Serving during World War I in 1918, my father completed two years in the Engineer Corps. In addition to his engineering duties, he and all the other soldiers had to carry and qualify with the Model 1903 Springfield rifle, since they were often on the front lines.

Winchester Ammunition Opens New Office In Missouri

Winchester Ammunition opened a new office in Clayton, Mo., which will accommodate much of the company's full-time administrative staff and is located several hours away from the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.

Searching For The Perfect Single-Action Revolver

Bitten by the cowboy handgun bug early on—and influenced by no less an innovator than Elmer Keith—the author finds that, in the search for the ultimate single-action revolver, perfection is an elusive target.

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 15, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.