Springfield Armory XD/M
August 15th, 2008 by Syd
From John Farnam
Springfield Armory XD/M
I’ve been carrying and using an SA/XD in 40S&W for a number of months now, and I have no complaints. Even with minimal maintenance, I can’t get it not to run, and it effortlessly digests DPX and Gold-Dot, as well as all varieties of garbage-ammunition I’ve fed it during Courses. It is a thirteen-shooter (twelve, plus one), so with a single spare magazine, I routinely carry twenty-five rounds. I now rank it in the same league with Glock, SIG, Beretta, S&W, and H&K, and I have no compunction about carrying it for personal protection.
Now, I have a copy of SA’s new XD/M! It is a half-inch longer than my XD, but all other dimensions are essentially the same. It is smoother and less cluttered than the XD, and sharp corners and edges have been essentially eliminated. The slide is no longer blocky. It is now nicely rounded. The XD/M’s slotted rail easily accommodates my Safariland Rapid-Light and my Surefire Weaponlight.
Other new features include variable grip-geometry. This feature, pioneered by S&W with their M&P pistol, is extremely popular with chiefs of police, as the pistol can be instantly "customized" with regard to hand-size. The XD/M comes with three inserts. I have the smallest of the three installed on my copy.
Trigger take-up is slightly stiffer than on the XD. Break is the same, but the XD/M’s link is less deep, allowing for a quicker reset.
The most significant improvement, in my opinion, is capacity. The XD/M is no wider than the XD, and the grip is the same length, but the XD/M is a seventeen-shooter (sixteen, plus one)! With the pistol and one spare magazine, I’ m now carrying thirty-three rounds of 40S&W/DPX, rather than twenty-five. That represents a substantial advance!
The XD/M’s magazines are slightly wider than the XD’s, and the two, although they look similar, are not interchangeable.
The XD/M comes apart the same way. No dry-fire required.
The XD/M is comfortable, smooth, slick, and high-capacity. SA deserves a lot of credit for making all these improvements and introducing this new pistol. I’m now comfortably carrying it concealed in a Comp-Tac Minotaur Holster. I’ll be giving it a thorough workout at a Course in WA this weekend. More to follow.
/John
Visit John’s Site
See also Defense Review’s article on this gun
Any ideas as to whether there will be a Tactical and maybe a .45 in this new toy??
I don’t know. I am inquiring with SA to find out what plans they have for future models.
I have been preaching the wonders of the XD series as a best buy since Springfield came out with it. Front Sight also BTW!
Fred says that he acquired his on my recommendation. Ask him. He is one very honest guy.
Like Fred, I am very opinionated. I think the 40 S&W is quite over rated. I like ten auto’s and 45 ACP for “social work” in semi-auto’s. In revolvers? The 41 Mag is what is under my pillow at night. More than most folks can handle, I know… But so is supposedly the 45 ACP. I believe that with proper training any of the above caliber pistols would serve most folks well. In decent pistol,s anyways.
Dumb question Syd? Have you actually seen anyone hit in the belly with a 38 frag type bullet? I have. I am a retired Paramedic BTW. We in this business of gunfighting, need to reassess the new bread of ammunition.
Love the blog friend…
I think that I should also add the 38 Special, with “modern” ammunition. For women, and smallish statured men? I think it’s viable. As well as practical.