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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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…

Strum Ruger announced what is most likely to be the hottest pistol of the year, the Ruger LCR.   The Lightweight Compact Revolver is .38 SPL +P with a 1.875″ barrel weighting in at about 13.5oz.   Two model’s are available.   The standard model, also called the Hogue mode, touting custom Houge Grips with a MSRP of $525.   Upgraded model comes with Crimson Trace Laser Grips with a suggested retail price of $792.

The fantastic part of this revolver is that it is made up of three major parts – polymer fire control housing, aluminum monolithic frame, and cylinder.   Ruger is not going to be shipping or make the LCR available until March 1, 2009.

Strum Ruger Firearms has the website up with great info about the Lightweight Compact Revolver.

I learned of the 2009 Shot Show announcement from DRTV.com