Bullet Boy on Shooting Sports

Springfield Armory has debuted the latest addition in the XD(m) Series of pistols, the 3.8″ XDm Short Barrel for easy concealment.

The new 3.8 XDm is currently only fitted in 9mm.   It packs a 19 rounds in the magazine and another one in the chamber.   The 3.8 concealable 9mm raises the bar in personal protection and concealed carry.   The image on the left shows a fiber optic sight that will soon be available in the XDM line.

Immediately noticeable on the 3.8″ is the slide serration.   Instead of being straight lines they are more curved giving a new functional image to the traditional straight serrations on previous XD(m) models.   It appears besides cosmetic changes in the slide, a new upgraded grip, and 3.8″ barrel the new XDM hasn’t changed much from the 9mm XD(m) introduction. There is a 4.5 oz weight difference over the full size where it’s closest competitor (Glock 19) only drops 1.5 oz   from it’s full size counter part.

I haven’t yet seen one in person but will be interested to know how the next line of XDm Polymer Pistol’s hold up to its predecessors the XD(m) 40 S&W and XD(m) 9mm.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Mercenary Wars Weapon List Rundown (cinemablend.com)
• Letter Re: Kevlar Helmets and Head Protection (survivalblog.com)

Today I received an e-mail about how the XDm functions and thought I would pass on the same information.

e-mail Body:

I enjoy reading all your stuff, all the talk about the xdm makes me wanna go out and replace this 1911 .45 with a new age pistol. I have read and read and havent heard much talk about these new actions out and to be specific the one in the new xdm. I dont understand how it works, its a double and a single? Does the gun have a decocker? when its decocked you can pull the trigger like a double action? im not sure how it works if you could clear this up that would be grand. Thank you for your time and keep up the good work

Now I admit that I am not an expert on the differences between “new aged pistol’s” and pistols of yester year but can answer the basics.

I don’t know if you can actually replace the 1911!   There is a reason the 1911 is still popular today and the preferred style of competitive shooters.   It works great!   As far as the cocking and firing mechanism works…   The XDm is a single action (technically pre-set or striker fired) which Wikipedia defines as:

Single action (SA)

A single-action trigger, sometimes single-action only, performs the single action of releasing the hammer or striker to discharge the firearm each time the trigger is pulled. Almost all rifles and shotguns use this type of trigger. Single-action semi-automatic pistols require that the hammer be cocked before the first round is fired. Once the first round is fired the automatic movement of the slide cocks the hammer for each subsequent shot. The pistol, once cocked, can be fired by pulling the trigger once for each shot until the magazine is empty. The M1911 is a single-action pistol that functions in this manner.

Pre-set

Pre-set hammers and strikers apply only to semi-automatic handguns. Upon firing a cartridge or loading the chamber, the hammer or striker will rest in a partially cocked position. The trigger serves the function of completing the cocking cycle and then releasing the striker or hammer. While technically two actions, it differs from a double-action trigger in that the trigger is not capable of fully cocking the striker or hammer.

After answering the readers e-mail I decided to make a video showing some of the different actions…

A few weeks back I made the decision to upgrade the XDM standard holster to a Blade Tech polymer holster. The included XD(m) gear holster worked fine but didn’t offer the security I was looking for.   After doing some looking and waiting at the local shops for holsters to come in stock for XDM’s I grew impatient.   After doing some talking and word of mouth I decided on Bladetech’s Sting Ray Belt Holster.

I also order Bladtech Magizine pouch to match. Apparently when shipping the order the Quality Assurance people mixed up pouch.   When I get the pouch in I will post more pictures.   Getting products from BladeTech can be tough.   Tough in the sense that everything is handmade when you place an order.   To get perfection   like Bladetech it takes time!!!   In truth everything I order was handmade specfic for me by workers here in the US.   I am happy with the product and supper glad I went for the extra cost and made the upgrade.   The perfect fit over an ejection molded pouch is far better than I expected.

If you are looking for a BladeTech SRB (Sting Ray Belt) holster you may have a hard time.   You can always look through the horrendous Bladetech website with hundreds of clicks and to no avail.   Just skip the website and call them (253)581-4347.   Tell them you read about in from “bullet boy” and they may give you a discount.   Also tell them it is time to tune up their website.

About the SRB from the holster website:

Now our most popular holster comes with our new (Sting Ray) belt Attachment. This attachment is wider than our standard belt attachment, thus providing a more stable platform, also being wider it tends to pull the gun in closer to the body, aiding in concealment. With the SR loop this holster can be adjusted from Straight Drop, to FBI cant to muzzle forward with just your standard screwdriver.This Belt holster is interchangeable with our paddle, Tek-Lok, Drop and Offset loops. This holster comes with our new adjustable belt loop that has a shim that can be adjusted from 1 1/4 to 2 1/4 inch belts. IDPA Approved.