Springfield XDM .40 S&W
Have you heard about the new Springfield Armory XDM? I hadn’t until I bought one. I typically stay up with the XD Talk. I have liked the XD ever since I first got my hands on one. It is much like the Glock – but better, of course that depends on who you ask. I will save the XD vs. Glock discussion for later. 9/16/08 That later has come with a comparrison of the XDM vs. Glock 22 & 23.
Springfield’s XDM!
The XDM is built on the XD platform, or the HS Produkt HS-2000 in Croatia, and currently available in the 40 S&W and 9mm. It has a 4.5″ barrel similar to the XD Tactical. The main Difference between the XD Tactical and the XDM is the grip. The XDM comes with interchangeable grips to adjust for the shooters preferred grip size. It is a little bit wider than the previous XD-40’s, not sure – but it seems to be. It comes standard in Alabama with two 16 round high capacity magazines, all the normal XD gear Holster, speed loader, magazine pouch, and an allen/hex key. One thing I did not expect was the new larger case. The case it comes in looks a lot more industrial than previous versions and isn’t crowded for room.
Trigger travel is by far the shortest of any polymer pistol I have handled. Springfield even brags about it in the XD(m) marketing material. The barrel is match grade with a fully supported chamber – Something Glocks don’t have. It has an ambidextrous magazine release that is longer on either side than the standard XD release. The assembly is easier over previous XD versions without having to pull the trigger during breakdown and field stripping.
It comes standard with a 3 dot steel sights and can be changed. It has all the standard safety features like a trigger safety and grip safety. It weights in dry with an empty magazine with a forged steel slide at 2lbs. The trigger pull seems to be around 5lbs untested.
Pros and Cons
Pro: This seems to be Springfield’s attempt at producing a match ready production pistol, hence the “M Factor” in my view. Though polymer pistols have not truly cleared the path in match play this weapon has the potential to really make a name for itself straight out of the box.
Pro and Con: Having a removable grip means one more area to clean, break, and maintain. Instead of making different fixed grips with the weapon they decided to include three different removable parts in the case. Now granted this is nice and helps increase stock and availability, unlike Sig’s Attempt at the form fitting grips.
Con (personal Opinion): As a standard XD comes with a chambered warning. The way it sticks out from the slide it looks as though it can be worn, broken, and plus it will wear your holster too.
I always know if my pistol is locked and loaded. This indicator shows everyone else your pistol is cocked and locked. The warning system is great if you let people, specifically children, play with your gun loaded or leave it laying around. That is sarcasm if you didn’t catch it. If you let others handle your weapon locked and loaded, hand it to them, or don’t even open it for visual inspection before you share it you may not need to own a handgun. <-That is just a gun safety pet peeve. –<
This isn’t a necessary safety precaution and may cause more harm than it is worth for me.
Other review factors:
The price will come down.
Currently only a .40 S&W is available. Different Varieties are sure to follow Update 11/10/08 : The XDM 9mm is available
Since the weapon is so new not many accessories have yet to hit the market. So far I have not found an interchangeable part with the standard XD.
Conclusion and Overall First Impression
If me making the purchase isn’t indication enough – this weapon is well worth the investment and fires like a dream. If you can get your hands on one you will not be disappointed. Go out and get one today. Don’t buy one on GunBroker.com there buy it now prices are way too high. I bought mine for less than $550.
Update 11/10/08: Posted about prices and shopping suggestions
Update 11/12/08: Gun Prices Post Election and Market Demand
If you are having trouble finding an XDM in your local area shoot me a message through my contact form and I can point you towards the right direction. But you should check out the links in updates to find out more.
I am interested in the Springfield 9mm XDM stainless and have been reading reviews and seeing U Tube videos of it.
I just took up target shooting in March. I currently have a Ruger .22 Mark III and a Ruger GP100 .357 magnum and they are both top drawer in quality and accuracy.
Now, I am looking for a 9mm.
I know that the XDM is manufactured in Croatia so I have a question: if service is required on the gun by the manufacturer, does anyone know if the gun has to be sent back to the factory in Croatia?? or does anyone know where it would be serviced in that unlikely event??
I know that Ruger (an American company) services its semis in Prescott, Arizona.
Thanks,
RickM46
Two days ago I traded in my xdm 40 for a glock 22. xdm it was an unreliable gun, kept on jamming, Springfield company denied any problems related with the firearm (of course you are not going to have any problems if you shoot 20 rounds through it and put it in a closet). My best friend had 2 xdm’s 40s and he shot at least 600 rounds through both of them. The guns kept on jamming every other round. He traded both of his xdm’s lost money, and bought an H&K, I guess I was more lucky I didn’t pay anything extra for my glock except for the night sights. If you want a reliable pistol trust me don’t get an xdm. It’s garbage.
i would like to ask when was the first XDM manufactured? if you would recomend, what .40 pistol should i buy?
I like the glock 22, I shoot really well with it, and I got two of them now since I traded in my xdm, glock is a very reliable gun but some people don’t like it. it’s a personal preference, you should try for yourself, my best friend have an h&k, it shoots really nice,(it’s a little pricey thou), and I still prefer my glock, like I said personal preference. But what you need to make sure you get a pistol that is dependable. I can vouch for a glock and my best friend never had a problem with his h&h neither.
I’m having thoughts on the XDM as I’ve never fired any composit gun only steel. I’m used to a hammer and no exp. with a striker but I own a Para Ordenance P-13 in 45 acp w/2 13 rd mags and 1 10 rd. I’ve been offered a trade my P-13 for an XDM 40 S&W. How easy was it to get used to a striker fired pistol from a hammer and a drop from 45 to 40? another reason I’m hesitating is I have over 4 50 round loaded factory boxes of ammo about 500 new shells and 800 different weight bullets I’ve been using hornady hp-xtp but also have sierra and gold dots and golden sabers that have accumulated through the years is the xdm worth the problem of selling off all the 45 components and stocking a few hundred 40 S&W components. The P-13 also has a match barrel and looks like new what would you all do in my case?
Do you have holster and XDM 9mm designed for left handed shooters?
In response to the Glock comments: There is a differing opinion. I do not own a Glock, but work with several officers who do. They tell me they like their glocks and it an “ok gun”. None of them use it as a duty gun.
When I suggested a Glock 17, they resounding scoffed and suggested there was much better. A number of them have the XDm and had nothing bad to say about them.
I have the XD .40 sub-compact, enjoy shooting it, and agree it is tricky to get the hang of it for accuracy. I am looking for a good conceal holster, preferably hip. I have a Galco, which does not conceal well. Any suggestions?
I recently purchased The Springfield XDM 9mm full size version I have owned the XD-40 compact and was so impressed with it that once the XDM came out it was a natural selection for for me. The pointability of both guns (at least for me)are consistent and naturally line up. For defensive rounds in the 9mm I am using Corbon DPX although I use Speer Gold Dot in my Glock 26 9mm. Both guns are safe for P+ ammo. I spoke with Glock and Springfield about it. Springfield also added that the life of the barrel for the XDM wouldn’t last as long as with regular ammo (of course).
I don’t use the DPX for anything more than a defensive round and will shoot less expensive ammo for the range. The DPX ammo comes with a pretty hefty price tag anyway.
Although I am a “HUGE” fan of Glock’s and always will be because of accuracy, simplicity in design and reliability alone, I can see that same genius in the Springfield XD and XDM.
just left my local gun shop very unhappy. I went in to inquire about the XDM and was told that it is not legal in the gun law happy state of California. Can anyone tell me why? And if it may become legal in the future.
I have fired Glocks on several occasions and I agree they are very nice guns, but I am not thrilled with how they feel in my hand. Before buying my first handgun I decided to do a lot of research which included trying most top 9mm and .40 candidates for rent at the local range. I tested models like Glocks, Berettas, Smith & Wessons, Colts, H&Ks and what I ended up buying was the XDM 9mm. The price was fantastic, the purchase price included a lot of great stuff, it felt great in my hand, has a high capacity, but more than anything I was more accurate with the XDM than any of the others. I am very happy with the gun so far, but I am realizing I need a smaller pistol to carry because the XDM 9 is a little too big to hide in light attire.
I am waiting for LaserMax to make a guide rod laser sight for the XDM models. They are made to mount inside the gun so you can use standard holsters.
I know there is a long way to go before I have more of a frame of reference for how well this gun does in the long run, but so far it is doing great.
@michael placencia
Whats up Mike….the xdm is illegal in Cali. b/c of its high-capacity…..pretty sure thats the only reason why. I own an xdm and can say that im very pleased with it.(not to rub it in)
It good to be a P.A. resident!
@michael placencia
Any handgun in California cannot have a capacity greater than 10 rounds. I thought I saw XD’s available with 10 rd clips but not sure. Other than that reason I have not heard of these being illegal in Cali.
Just shot a Glock 22 and the XDM 9 at the range last night. Would recommend either. First Glock that I shot that didn’t slice left.
It was also not a compact which may be why it fires true. The XDM in 9 was scary accurate. My groups at 36 feet were less then an inch apart and all in the target center mass. They are both big guns and the Glock had a hefty but manageable kick. Next going to try the XDM in 40. The 9 out shot my S & W 3906 which has never happened before with any gun as I have around 1500 rounds practice on it. Hope this helps someone.
My understanding is because of the magazine size. Because the gun has what is perceived to be a high capacity clip. Move to texas!!