The Springfield Armory XD Service 4" is a full-size striker-fired .40 S&W built for duty use and range work in states that cap magazines, and it has an MSRP of $540. A grip safety sits behind the trigger-blade safety, so the pistol needs a full firing grip and a straight press before it fires.

Two 10-round magazines come in the box. The barrel is 4.0 inches of hammer forged steel with Melonite inside and out and a 1 in 16 twist, and the recoil system runs dual captive springs on a full-length guide rod. The grip is textured polymer with no panels or inserts to swap, so hand fit is whatever the frame gives. The slide has no optic cut, and 7.3 inches of pistol on a 5.5-inch grip is duty size and not carry size.

If you're cross-shopping, the FN FNX-40 is now a used buy, also holds 10 rounds behind a 4.0-inch barrel, and gives a hammer, a decocker and three magazines. The Glock G22 Gen5 holds 15 rounds at 28.43 oz behind a 4.49-inch barrel. The XD's ten rounds suit states that cap magazines, and neither rival has a grip safety.