Home defense is one of the most common reasons given when someone buys a gun. Like any tool, different guns can be suited for different purposes. So, if you are looking for a home defense gun, what should you buy?
There are a lot of great firearms on the market. For the money, I think the Springfield XD Mod.3 is a great choice for home defense. Let me explain why.
Why Choose a Pistol?
Home defense is different from personal protection outside the home. In your own house, you can select any kind of firearm without worrying about its size or appearance. Shotguns, rifles and handguns are all excellent choices depending on your needs.
Of all the potential weapons, I believe the handgun is the most versatile — especially if you are on a budget.
A handgun allows you to move easily through a house and only requires a single hand to use. While a long gun undoubtedly offers much better power, the handgun allows you to use your support hand to do other things like call 911 or carry a small child out of danger. You can do these things while carrying a long gun, but it is much easier with a pistol.
Unless you are a gun hobbyist, there is a good likelihood that you may only want to invest in a single gun. A good handgun makes a lot of sense as it can serve in both home defense and CCW roles.
And if cost is a concern, handguns tend to be less expensive than rifles. Combining these factors brings me to the conclusion that a pistol is the better choice for many people. But which pistol is the best choice?
XD Mod.3 for Home Defense
I’m a bit of a sucker for utilitarian firearms. Guns that are built well and run reliably are far more interesting to me than fancy scrollwork and inlay. Function over form, I suppose. In my younger years, I shot guns and appreciated their place in society. Yet, my real entrance into the firearms community was through law enforcement, with the hobby following later. I trained for serious use long before I enjoyed the sport.
It is through my experiences that I see the Springfield Armory XD Mod.3 as the best pistol for the money currently on the market. My reasoning is based primarily on three clear reasons: reliability, affordability and features.
Reliability of the XD Mod.3 Platform
I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it: reliability is the key attribute of any firearm. Without it, you’re flirting with disaster.
Attacks happen suddenly. They are typically fast and more violent than many people can comprehend. In those brief moments of response that will decide your fate, do you want to put rounds on target or spend them desperately trying to clear a malfunction?
The Springfield Armory XD line is a proven handgun series. Around for decades, the polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols perform well, with many examples having tens of thousands of rounds fired through them. It is this heritage from which the XD Mod.3 springs.
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I reviewed the Springfield XD Mod.3 last fall. Since that time, I’ve put thousands of additional rounds through the pistol with a consistency that is equal to, or better than, any other firearm in my possession. It simply runs with no issues whatsoever. I am confident that the gun will perform should I ever call on it to protect my family.
Affordability
This gun is priced aggressively with a suggested retail price of only $325, making it one of the most affordable guns on the market. When you consider the reliability of the XD Mod.3, I believe the gun is the best gun for the money available.
Beyond the initial price of the gun is the cost to feed it. Chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, the ammunition is inexpensive in comparison to other self-defense calibers. Hands down, the 9mm is the most common centerfire cartridge for handguns. This means that everyone makes ammo for it, and that competition helps to keep prices down. Don’t believe me? Compare prices on 9mm vs. 45 ACP.
Regarding ammunition, another point of affordability is that the pistol’s magazines are compatible with the standard XD 9mm mags. I’ve picked up a gaggle of 16-round XD 9mm mags over the years and they are 100% compatible with the newer XD Mod.3. While inflation has driven up prices, these magazines remain one of the most affordable stainless steel mags on the market.
Are there cheaper guns? Of course. But none, in my opinion, that offer the same reliability. And certainly, none with the features Springfield Armory packed into this pistol.
Features
One of the prominent features of the gun is the factory-milled slide that is ready for a red dot sight. Red dot ready pistols are common, but not at this price point. Springfield opted to use the OSP mounting plates — the same plates it uses on many of its other pistols like the XD-M Elite family. Plates are inexpensive and available for virtually any pistol optic you can find.
Old-school purists might not like having a red dot optic on a pistol. I get it. I’m an iron sights shooter back to the .38 Spl. revolver I learned to shoot with nearly 40 years ago. Nevertheless, I think red dots are a significant improvement to a defensive pistol. The XD Mod.3 ensures that pistol price will not be the prohibiting factor if you want to run one.
If you are not running a red dot, no worries. Springfield Armory uses a steel-protected fiber optic front sight paired with a low-glare steel rear sight. The fiber optic front sight offers a bright aiming point across a spectrum of lighting conditions. Steel — not plastic — also ensures the sights will stand up to regular use for years to come.
An accessory rail is also a standard feature. It follows the standard 1913 Picatinny specification meaning that almost all lights, lasers and other accessories will mount to the front of this gun. I think a home defense gun should have a white light mounted to it.
Springfield Armory upgraded the trigger on the XD Mod.3 and uses a flat-faced trigger. I’ve always liked the feel of the standard XD pistol’s pull. With the flat trigger, I like it even more. It has a consistent feel that lends itself to accurate shooting — even during rapid fire.
Final Thoughts on the XD Mod.3 for Home Protection
If you are reading this article, I don’t think I need to convince you of the potential dangers associated with a home invasion. As a husband and dad, I get it.
A pistol makes a lot of sense for a lot of people in the home defense role. In addition to the advantages I mentioned earlier in this article, regular practice can be done at virtually any shooting range.
For a top-quality pistol that remains affordable, I see the Springfield XD Mod.3 as the clear winner. It is completely reliable, easy to shoot and is incredibly affordable. You have to do your own research and make your own choices. Find the pistol that works best for your needs. However, I strongly encourage you to consider the XD Mod.3. I think it’s a strong contender at any price, and likely the best value by a significant margin.
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