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Written by JT
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 Springfield’s XD pistol has made quite a name for its self since its entrance into the market a few years ago. The original design can be attributed to a Croatian 9mm pistol created during the post Cold War era. Not many people took notice of it until Springfield acquired the design made some changes and re-designated it the XD. Soon after the XD began to come in various calibers and is now available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The XD has boasted many things over the years including the fact that it has gotten many Law Enforcement agencies to give up their Glocks and go to the XD.
Recently the XD line has gotten some new improvements and changes. This also leads to a new designation and so enters the XDm series. Now what does the “m” stand for? It depends on who you ask but the best answer that I have heard so far is match, which according to those who shoot it on a regular basis is the best description for the gun. This is new XDm model is also available in the above three mentioned calibers as well.  The sights are pretty standard of most pistols that are bought with minimal changes from the original XD. They are a white dot steel sight and are a Partridge style instead of the combat ramp style on the original. The sights allow for the cocking grooves to be used with greater ease than the previous XD. This also aids in re-holstering the gun. There are also no longer any angular takedown grooves on the left side of the XD slide. The rear sights are two white dots which can be adjusted for windage, again pretty standard these days. The ejection port is slightly different but to the point that only a gunsmith will notice and really only to them will those particular changes matter. There is still an indicator on the top of the slide to indicate when a bullet is chambered.
The XDm has a new polymer frame with a full-length light rail. The rail now almost meets the mil spec standards (M1913) for such a rail. It also sports and ambidextrous mag release that has been reworked and improved over the original. There is a more aggressive textured on the front strap then the previous XD. The XDm also has replaceable back straps that come in the standard small, medium, and large sizes. The pin that holds the back strap in can also be used as a lanyard point but is not recommended by Springfield.
There are again very small differences in size between the XD and the XDm magazines. Nothing that truly matters in the real world though. Again the difference that you need to know is this the XDm will hold 16+1 rounds of .40 S&W ammo and 19+1 rounds of 9mm ammo. This places the pistol in my book in a whole new category of duty weapon as well as self defense.
As far as the internal components go there have been quite a few changes in the XDm as well. The two major changes are the fact there is a new recoil spring, and field stripping no  longer requires a dry fire. None of the parts from the XDm that are new and improved can be swapped over to the XD and even if you could why would you want to?
On an initial evaluation there is not much that I can say that I would change on the new XDm pistol. The one thing at least from a left handed shooters perspective that I would change is the thumb safety. Why would I change, simple it is not there. It was an option the the XD and one of the best ever seen on a polymer pistol. It got lots of attention at the 2008 Shot Show and got rave reviews by everyone. It is not an option on the XDm however and really with no good reason.
The XD was almost an overnight success in the beginning. This not only in the Law Enforcement community but also the combat pistol, and regular civilian markets as well. I don't think many people including myself expected to see Springfield attempt to introduce an improved model of this for many years. They have however and managed to do it in a big way without changing the entire purpose of the gun and/or alienating a certain part of their original market. The XDm is a great firearm and competitively priced as well. If you are in the market for a new duty weapon, combat side arm, or just a concealed carry defiantly check out Springfield’s new XDm pistol at ( http://www.the-m-factor.com ) |
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Pistol Reviews 
