Savage Arms, legendary for quality rifles, released its first handgun in 2021. The first edition of the Stance, a 9mm concealment-ready pistol, is out of production. But the Stance lives on in its updated form, released in 2025. The new Stance XR is available in three renditions, featuring amenities demanded by today’s well-informed concealed carrier. Lately I’ve had the chance to try the top-tier XR manual safety XP version, and the experience has been largely positive.
Stance XR Features and Options
There are three trim levels on the Stance XR. The base model is distinguished from the mid-level by the presence of tritium night sights on the upgraded model. Both are available with or without an ambidextrous manual safety. The top-tier Stance XR adds “XP” to the name and includes both tritium sights and a Crimson Trace CTS 1500 red dot optic. Oddly, in my estimation, the XP is only available with a manual safety.
What makes the Stance XR a modern carry gun? For starters, its capacity in view of its relatively small size. I say “relatively small” because it’s not the smallest on the market with hefty capacity. Sig Sauer’s P365, the Taurus GX4, and Springfield Armory’s Hellcat, for example, have slightly smaller dimensions but equal capacity. Each ships with a flush 10-round magazine plus a pinky-supporting (for all but very large hands) 12-round mag.
Controllability of an inherently snappy package is built into the XR. It has interchangeable backstraps and aggressive stippling, applied in an attractive and futuristic design. Lightening cuts on the slide help to tame recoil and keep the gun light for concealability, not to mention they enhance the looks of the gun.
Savage Stance XR Shown in Black Version
Concealability often means compromise on gun size. Savage has done a good job of attempting to please as many handlers as possible with the features of this gun while keeping it in that unofficially defined micro-compact category.
Even though it’s sized for concealment, it never hurts to have a gun that’s easy on the eyes. Stance XR delivers in the eye candy department in a functional way. The lightening cuts, accessory rail, stippling pattern, and extra-high sights offer excellent usability.
Shooting/Handling Impressions
The steel magazines are relatively easy to load, with the follower probably stabilized by a section of single-stack width at the very top. In any load condition, they drop free with a press of the ambi release.
The CTS 1500 and night sights are a great combo
Also ambi is the safety, which is less easy to operate. I can sometimes operate it with the middle knuckle of my thumb, but that is fatiguing. Loosening my grip to reach it with the strongest part of my thumb is the most reliable method, albeit not defensively astute. I choose to leave the safety in the off position in favor of strict trigger discipline.
Normally I’m not a fan of rough stippling, but Savage somehow came up with a grip that’s both comfortable and extremely grippy. The Stance’s slab-sided shape, reminiscent of the M&P Shield, probably helps with this.
Like any micro-compact, it is necessary to lighten one’s grip with the lower fingers to insert the magazine. Another similarity to the Smith & Wesson Shield shows up with the larger, 13-round magazine. It has a collar/spacer that slides along the length of the mag, creating another potential pinch point and precluding rapid tactile detection of cartridge direction, since the collar creates an oval base. It’s a minor inconvenience on the range, but has needless potential to cause a delay in loading in the dark or under stress.
The trigger is typical for the striker genre. Its slack, wall, and reset points will feel familiar to anyone accustomed to other popular factory striker guns. It functions well, predictably, making this gun enjoyable for experienced shooters as well as being a good prospect for a first carry gun in less experienced hands.
Shooting results with the Hornady 9mm 124 Grain were impressive.
An ambi slide lock is built in. I am an enthusiastic (some might say errant) believer in loading the gun by releasing the slide lock with the thumb rather than using the support hand, I find the two-handed method much easier with the Stance. Its low-profile slide lock, which is on the short end for my thumb size, doesn’t invite one-handed loading.
Firing the Stance XR is a pleasure. It feels solid and weighty in the hand. Lightening cuts on the slide push the gun’s bulk, and thus recoil, right into the grip where it’s best controlled. There are two backstrap choices on this gun; I find either easy to handle but for concealment, would opt for the thinner.
Also contributing to accurate and enjoyable firing is the excellent CTS-1500 red dot optic. It’s motion-activated, performs well under rapid fire, and has a generous yet concealable window. I got excited about this optic when I first saw it several years ago as a feature slated for inclusion on the DVG-1 pistol by SCCY, a development that to my knowledge never came to fruition. This is a great little optic and I’m happy to see it included on the XR XP, even though it does add width and, under snug clothing, a potential snag point. A cover plate to match the slide is included if the end user desires to go optic-less.
The three-dot sights, including the driftable rear sight, are easily visible through the glass if needed or preferred. Tritium is a smart inclusion.
Accuracy of the Stance XR is fully acceptable. I fired three types of ammunition on this test; one HP and two FMJ. The test model made the tightest groups with Hornady Critical Defense ammunition. It also cycled Hornady American Gunner FMJ well. I had two unexplained stoppages with Aguila 115 grain FMJ. In both, the gun cycled but the new rounds ended up slightly out of battery despite using a good grip. As with any gun, it’s advisable to test your choice of defensive ammunition before carrying it as a lifesaver.
At first, difficulty was encountered in the field strip procedure, which is unnecessarily complicated by redundant safety features. It sounds simple enough: With the safety in “fire” position on the unloaded gun, lock the slide open, rotate the takedown lever, release the slide with a slight pull rearward then push it off the frame. It took many attempts and some frustration with the slide getting stuck about a half inch forward of home base. The secret, it seems, is to do what the manual clearly says not to do, and pull the trigger rearward before moving the takedown lever.
It’s no secret that finding a holster for a newly released handgun can be challenging. My go-to for any Stance edition would be the Quick Click & Carry High Ride by JM4 Tactical, size 03 Large. There is an optic-ready option to suit the XP.
Overall, I think the Savage Stance XR, especially the XP model, is a solid choice for a defensive handgun for anyone who wants an enjoyable shooting experience from a micro-compact and doesn’t mind slightly stiff controls. It is a looker and, at the XP level, is made top-shelf by the inclusion of the Crimson Trace red dot. MSRP for the XP model of the Savage Stance XR is $659.
Specifications (measurements by author; Savage website doesn’t offer all specs):
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 10+1 or 13+1 (two magazines included)
Sights: Crimson Trace CTS-1500 plus elevated three-dot tritium
Manual safety and trigger safety tab on XP model
Barrel: Stainless steel; 3.2 inches
Weight (with unloaded short magazine): 22 ounces
Overall Length: 6.5 inches; subtract approximately 0.25 inches for small backstrap
Overall Height With Optic/Short Magazine: 5.3 inches
Overall Height Sans Optic/Short Magazine: 4.75 inches
Width of Optic: 1.0 inches
Width of Gun: 0.9 inches
Frame Color: Black, Flat Dark Earth, or Gray
MSRP: $659
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For Consumer Purchases visit www.galleryofguns.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eve Flanigan is a defensive shooting and lifestyle student, practitioner, and instructor based in the American Southwest. Flanigan holds numerous NRA Instructor certifications and is licensed to instruct New Mexico’s intensive Concealed Carry course. She regularly designs, conducts, and co-teaches classes on concealed carry, introduction to pistol, defensive pistol, basic rifle, last-ditch medical, and use of force for civilian students. Flanigan enjoys competing in run-and-gun biathlons that include carbine and pistol.
