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.

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Yesterday I posted about Springfield Armory’s new XDm. Today I put it through the ringer.  The torture tested XD(m) performed perfectly.  I ran 200 rounds through it in about 5 minutes.

The only problem with the pistol’s performance was due to ammo.  A re-loaders nightmare happened not only 1 time but 3 times within a few minutes of each other.  The reloaded ammo did not have powder or had bad powder when the round fired.  The fast burn rate primers forced the bullet into the barrel.  Since I know the re-loader, me, I want give them too much grief.

The near 250 rounds I ran through Springfield Armory’s new polymer pistol were on target from about 5 yards away. I still have not done a complete test.  I If you have any specific test that you would like to know about don’t hesitate to contact me.  I will do the the test within reason.  (ie.  running over the XDM with a truck is not an option).

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.