Gun manufacturers are always striving to meet consumers' demands, and as more states adopt shall-issue concealed carry laws, law-abiding citizens are carrying guns for self-protection. This increases demand for suitable concealed carry firearms, and while some are satisfied with small-caliber, lightweight guns, others just are not comfortable without a substantial piece in the old reliable .45 ACP chambering. Certainly, there is no shortage of fine .45s on the market, but getting just the right one can be a challenge, especially if you are fond of a particular manufacturer's model and that model is too big to be the perfect solution.

The Springfield Armory XD-45 Compact is true to the XD line with grip safety, cocking indicator, ambidextrous magazine release and Ultra Safety Assurance trigger system. The gun comes with two magazines, one for 10 rounds and the other a 13 rounder with spacer to lengthen the grip to full size.

Five years ago Springfield Armory introduced its very popular XD line of pistols. Made in Croatia, they were available only in 9mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG. In 2005 .45 GAP was added, and then in 2006 the XD-45 was unveiled in .45 ACP. It instantly became a hit in both the four-inch-barreled Service Model and the five-inch Tactical version. But unlike the other XDs that were available in full size and subcompact with a shortened barrel and grip, there was only one grip size for the XD-45. It was long enough to accommodate 13-round magazines, which was good, especially considering that the grip circumference was only slightly greater than the smaller-caliber versions, but it made the gun more difficult to conceal.

To remedy the situation, Springfield decided to shorten the grip length and lopped off about .7 inch from the four-inch-barreled Service Model. With a height of 4.9 inches, the XD-45 Compact still holds 10 rounds of .45 ACP cartridges but is easier to conceal under a shirt or jacket because the butt is less likely to create a tell-tale bulge.

Like all XDs, this Compact .45 has a polymer frame, which reduces weight considerably and adds to its desirability as a carry gun. There is also a grip safety that must be compressed to allow the trigger to function or the slide to open. Springfield's USA (Ultra Safety Assurance) trigger system employs a lever that prevents the trigger from moving unless the shooter's finger first depresses it in a deliberate attempt to fire the gun.

Using a variety of loads suitable for self-defense, the XD-45 Compact functioned perfectly with each trigger pull. Accuracy was good for a personal-defense carry gun, and despite the abbreviated grip, the gun was comfortable to shoot and easy to control.

SPECIFICATIONS Springfield Armory XD-45 Compact
MANUFACTURER:	Springfield Armory
ACTION TYPE:	Recoil operated
CALIBER:	.45 ACP
BARREL LENGTH:	4.04 inches
OVERALL LENGTH:	7.25 inches
WEIGHT:	29.25 ounces
CAPACITY:	10+1 small magazine,13+1 full-size magazine
GRIPS:	Polymer
FINISH:	Matte Blue
SIGHTS:	Dovetail front and rear, three dot
PRICE:	$588

A loaded-chamber indicator protrudes from the top of the slide and provides a visual and tactile warning that a round is chambered. When the striker is cocked, an indicator extends from the back of the slide and can be seen or felt to indicate the gun's readiness to fire.

The all-polymer grip is heavily checkered front and rear and is textured on both sides to offer a good non-slip surface. Although the XD-45 Compact's grip is comparatively short, it still affords ample area for a good solid hold. Some with larger hands might find their little finger hanging in mid-air below the bottom of the grip, but with my medium-size hands, my little finger still found a purchase, and even with hot +P .45 ACP defense loads the gun was pleasant to shoot. In fact, I think the circumference required to accommodate the double-stack design and the heavily textured surface would make the grip acceptable even to those with large hands.

The barrel is actually slightly over four inches long, but I'll call it four inches for practical purposes, and it is rifled with six lands and grooves. Overall length of the gun is 71?4 inches, and weight unloaded with the 10-round stainless steel magazine is 291?4 ounces. Height of the Compact is 4.9 inches with the 10-round magazine in place compared to 5.6 inches for the Service Model XD-45.

Springfield also supplies a regular 13-round stainless steel magazine with a sleeve that slides snuggly over it, making the Compact's grip equal in length to that of the Service Model XD-45. It's really a pretty good concept. With the 10-round magazine in place, the gun is more easily concealed, but with a spare 13-round magazine, there is plenty of backup firepower available.

The gun above in the foreground is the XD-45 Compact loaded with the 13-round magazine with grip extension. In the background is the standard full-size XD-45. Photo by Nyle Leatham

The Compact has a standard accessory rail for lights or lasers molded into the dustcover, and the slide is nicely finished in an attractive matte blue that goes well with the black polymer frame. If Springfield follows its normal pattern in the XD line, I expect it will soon offer the Compact with a stainless slide and frames in OD and Flat Dark Earth.