Springfield XDS OSP: New Micro Single-Stack Comes Optics-Ready

The micro single-stack, 9mm concealed carry pistol market continues to boom, and for good reason. The slimmer design is simply more comfortable to carry and easier to conceal than most other semi-automatic pistols. Competition amongst manufacturers has been fierce to put out the best gun possible. Springfield Armory just raised the bar with the all-new XDS Mod.2 OSP.

Springfield XDS Mod.2 OSP Details

The XDS first launched in 2013. In 2018, Springfield released the Mod.2, which had anti-slip texture and extended beavertail to prevent slide bite on the web of large handed shooters. Fast forward to Thursday, when Springfield announced its new OSP model, which means it is ready for a red dot sight to be mounted. Better still, it decided to offer a package deal where it comes with a red dot sight already mounted: The Crimson Trace CTS-1500. The sights automatically adjusts brightness based on the ambient light and I can tell you from experience it works great everywhere from dark closets to sunlit skies in Arizona.

The XDS Mod.2 comes with a ton of features. Firstly, it has mounting holes for the red dot sight that line up with the Shield Reflex Mini Sight Compact, the most common red dot for micro pistols. The CTS-1500 uses the same screw hole pattern. This means the sight mounts directly to the slide without a conversion plate which is almost always required to mount a red dot sight. This makes the mounting stronger and lower. The XDS sights co-witness through the screed of the CTS-1500, and they are standard height sights, not suppressor height.

Upgraded Components & Controls

The other features are quite the laundry list: Melonite coating on the slide and hammer to aid in lubricity prevent rust, passive external grip safety to prevent accidents, an accessory rail allows you to add a light or laser for low light situations, and it has true ambidextrous magazine release buttons. Both buttons work, you don’t have to reverse them if you are a lefty. The gun comes with a seven- and nine-round magazine. Both magazines have a finger lip at the bottom, but a flush mag bottom is also included for the seven-round magazine for better concealment if you want it. A polymer plate is also included to cover up the flat red dot sight mounting area if you decide to take it off. It even additional cocking serrations. The barrel and slide are both hammer forged for strength and longevity.

The XDS OSP includes mounting holes for the red dot sight that line up with the Shield Reflex Mini Sight Compact, the most common red dot for micro pistols.

Most importantly, how does it shoot? Far better than a micro 9mm should. The trigger is a little mushy, like all striker fired pistols. My gun averaged a little less than 6.5-pound trigger pull which I consider near perfect for a concealed carry gun. But the really amazing thing was the accuracy. Micro guns are supposed to be for point blank range to save your life from an attacker. This one consistently had 1.5-inch groups at 15 yards with virtually any type of ammunition. Head shots with a micro pistol at 25 yards should be virtually impossible, but it isn’t with this gun. The XDS had zero malfunctions all day no matter what ammo I threw into it.

Final Thoughts

Springfield continues to improve the concealed carry market, especially with entries like the Hellcat and now the XDS OSP. There are a lot of different single stack 9mm pistols available today. However, finding one with all the features of the Springfield XDS Mod.2 OSP will probably take you awhile. It feels great in your hand, it runs like a top, and best of all, it is easy to aim and shoot accurately. If you get a chance to pick one up and put it through the paces, I think you will be as impressed as I am.

Retail prices, without the CTS, start at $425. With the CTS, the MSRP goes to $549, which is well worth it, in my opinion. For more information, please visit springfield-armory.com.