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…

As previously posted in my review of the XDM I promised a comparison of the Glock vs. XDM.

I have owned Springfield Armory’s XDM 40 S&W for a few months and pleased to announce that I am still happy with my purchase.   I view myself as a regular gun owner that enjoys pinking and pistol competition as much as the next person and not a Todd Jarret.   When I went to purchase my XDM I was doing research on 1911′s and considering an XD40.   Needless to say… buying the XDM was a bit impulsive.

So why did I buy an XD vs. Glock?

Fashion!   What?   Shooters like fashion?   “Heck Ya!”   Have you ever considered that at an IDPA competition or IPSC match the guys talking about their rigs and wearing their favorite manufacturer’s shirt was all about fashion.   If that “ain’t” fashion awareness then I might have to start reading more tabloid magazines in the grocery store check out.

I bought my XDM because fewer people have them and it makes me more original and remaining tasteful.   Had I gone with a Nickle Plated   1911 it would have been too bold of a statement for a newbie.   Although I have been in possession of firearms since I was a wee little one, noob none-the-less in the eyes of my shooting buddies.

Lets compare the the Glock 23 to the XDM.

Nobody can deny that Glock is perhaps the most popular pistol manufacture of polymer pistols.   In fact it is probably the most dominate pistol in law enforcement protecting streets today.   I have received numerous e-mails asking me to compare the Glock to the XDM.   None more pointed than my new friend Officer Relacion at Hanalei, HI Patrol Services of the Kauai, HI Police Department asked: “I live on the Island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. I was just wondering if the 20% off is still eligible. Also whats your pros and cons for the XDM vs The GLock22 .40.”   I don’t know about the 20% off. But here are some Pros vs. Cons for the Glocks.

Lets start out by looking at the specs on the Glock 22 & 23

Glock 22 Specifications - From the Arms Site

GLOCK 23 Specifications - Also from the Arms Site

XDM Specs

So did you look at the specs? Besides the barrel length and weight there isn’t much difference. The XDM does come with a Match Grade barrel which is far and above Glocks Hex barrels which have been nothing but headaches for money conscious reloaders.   If you take out using lead cast bullets I can find little difference in the function of the weapons. The barrels of the three compared weapons are different lengths. The weight between the weapons is a major separator.

But what about performance. I like the sights out of the box on the XDM over the Glocks. As far a function and accuracy I can’t tell a difference. They both function well and the only accuracy difference I can tell is perhaps at 100 yds with the XDM is a little better. Shooting at 100 yds is not self defense.

In my opinion these three weapons are similar and are clearly built for different reasons. It is hard to compare them. Each weapon is a great weapon for that job. For weekend plinking the XDM is the winner and my choice for what I do. If this comparison was between an XD40 and Glock I would go with the Glock even though I own the XD40. Why? Because there have been so many Glocks sold that every gunsmith shop can fix them without sending out for work. Parts are abundant, and the price is a little lower at my store. But if cost wasn’t a factor and all three were never before seen guns without a brand name associated with it I would choose the XDM over and over again. Besides being a great weapon is just looks cool too.

What is your opinion of Glock vs. XDM or XD?