Low prices on the Springfield Armory XD Service 9mm start at Champion Firearms.

A streamlined slide sits atop one of the most natural pointing grip frames on the market. The frame itself is constructed of a heavy duty polymer whose non- slip texture fits securely in the hand, while not being so abrasive that it chews up skin or concealment clothing.

Perhaps the greatest feature of this pistol, the one that really sets it apart from the rest, is the inclusion of a 1911 style grip safety. Not only is the safety ambidextrous, it's highly instinctive as well. Unlike a manual thumb safety, which requires conscious thought and deliberate action to deactivate (neither of which are easy in a deadly encounter), the simple act of gripping the XD Service make it instantly ready to fire.

If the thought of carrying a loaded handgun without a safety is unnerving, then the Springfield will bring peace of mind. The pistol automatically goes back "on safe" anytime the grip is released, such as if the weapon is dropped or re-holstered.

The forged steel slide is finished with an extremely corrosion and wear resistant surface treatment called Black Melonite. For those unfamiliar with the process, this is a ferric nitrocarburized case hardening, which diffuses nitrogen, carbon and trigonal nickel directly into the metal, thereby elevating the slide's Rockwell hardness to somewhere between a file and a diamond.

Then, a black Parkerized finish is applied over the top to provide a non- glare, stealth- like appearance. At the heart of the XD Service is what Springfield calls "USA" (Ultra Safe Assurance). This is a 5.5lb. striker fire trigger that provides a consistently short, smooth pull, shot after shot.

The trigger does not stack and it breaks clean. It also has an articulating safety lever built into the trigger blade. In order for the pistol to fire, direct pressure must be applied to the center of the trigger.

A tactile and visible loaded-chamber indicator is located directly behind the barrel. The device allows a shooter to confirm ready status without having to first retract the slide.

While it's always best to perform a visual safety inspection before handling any firearm, this feature is convenient in emergency situations. When suddenly awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of shattering glass, it's easy to reach over and instantly confirm that the Springfield has a round chambered simply by running your finger over top of the indicator. In other words, if you feel the cam sticking up, then there's one in the pipe and the pistol's effectively in condition one (or zero, once you disengage the grip safety).

If lying flat, the chamber is sitting on empty and it's time to lock and load. There's also a secondary system called the striker indicator pin that can be found on the back of the slide, which protrudes outward if the pistol is ready to fire. While this device will not tell you if there's a round chambered, it will at least allow you to quickly determine if the striker is cocked.

The Springfield feeds from a double stack, high capacity magazine that, in the case of the 9mm XD Service Essentials package, two are provided. It is a stainless steel sixteen round design that when released, drops free from the pistol.

Another user friendly feature is an ambidextrous magazine release. It's not just reversible like other brands, but works simultaneously well from either side.

When shooting hot self- defense loads, greater case support is achieved through the use a fully supported 4" ramped barrel, which is then Melonited for increased strength and durability. Dual slide serrations offer a firm gripping service and make it easy to charge the slide or safely preform a "press check" (pulling the slide far enough back to visually ensure a round has been chambered).

The XD Service is extremely accurate, weighs in at 28 oz. and includes one of the best lifetime warranty's in the industry. A dual recoil spring captive guide rod assembly provides softer recoil and adds longevity.

The sights track well and are a low profile three-dot pattern with steel construction dovetailed into the slide. The frame has a molded-in Picatinny rail for the addition of tactical accessories such as lights or laser sights.

Cleaning is painless with the pistol's easy take-down system. Once the slide is locked to the rear, a downward turn on the release lever allows the gun to be quickly disassembled.

Overall, the Springfield XD Service is a reliable, versatile 9mm pistol that offers excellent firepower power and is easy to conceal.

Established in 1993, Champion Firearms is a retail gun store and indoor range located in College Station, Texas.

As a brick & mortar store, we pride ourselves on customer service, quality products and our competitive pricing.

Each listing is an item we actively plan to stock. While not all of our inventory is listed, the items contained on our website represent some of the most popular products we carry.

Our staff has worked hard and done their best to ensure the accuracy of every listing. In the event an error has been made, Champion Firearms asks your understanding while we make it right.

From all of us here at Champion Firearms, thanks for visiting our store. For assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know what we can do to help: (979) 693-9948 or sales@championfirearms.com