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The XDm being reviewed is the XDm Elite 4.5" barrel.
The new Elite brought some improvements to the table. As an upgrade to previous models the Elite has wider thicker serrations on the front and rear of the slide. I found that these improved serrations make it easier to "rack the slide." Using the front or the rear serrations the process was almost effortless. Even with my weak/off hand, "racking the slide" was a breeze. The front fiber optic has always been an upgrade as they stand out on any pistol above the standard white dot. I swapped out the factory red fiber optic with the generously provided green one. Just my preference.
The "U" shaped rear sight is unexpectedly easy to get lined up and get on target with point of aim and point of impact.
The rear sight has a shelf on the front side of the sight. I was able to use this shelf to charge my Elite on my belt and my table. A definite plus should your support hand get injured. You can still charge the slide with one hand.
The web safety is more defined like a 1911. However, it is unnoticeable and does not affect my grip.
The ambidextrous controls on this pistol make it a win win in all situations. I'm a right handed shooter. The magazine release does not get in the way or is it in jeopardy of accidentally being activated and dropping the magazine unexpectedly. The ambidextrous slide lock release is a definite upgrade in my opinion. This feature is excellent as a viable option for both left and right handed shooters. And the big advantage to this is if you're shooting hand/arm is injured during the fight for your life, you can still manipulate the Elite with your weak/off hand. The flared mag well is a simple helpful addition. Not only does it aid in faster reloads, I find it gives a subtle lip for my hand to rest on. Giving me a more stable comfortable grip.
Let's talk about the magazines. The Elite came factory with twenty round mags. So fully loaded, that's twenty one rounds of 9mm. Very fitting for the name Elite. So immediately I began to think how can I make it even more Elite? So I purchased the twenty two round magazines. And now my XDm Elite has the capability of "23" rounds in my first mag. Who can argue with that? And if your like me and believe that capacity matters, these mags are right on point with the term Elite. They stick out just a little, but to me they are astheticly correct.
The barrel like previous XDm's is match grade. Some might say if it's not new then why the notable mention? Well I would like to remind you that getting a pistol with a match grade barrel at the price point of the XDm line is always an upgrade. For instance, if you purchase a Glock and want a match grade barrel your going to pay for it. As the date of this review a match grade barrel from Zev Tech is $229.00 and a Wilson Combat is $149.00. That is an extra expense that I do not have to pay for with my XDm Elite.
Now let's move on to the trigger. The XDm Elite comes with Springfield Armory's Matched Enhanced Trigger Assembly. For starters this is a flat trigger. A definite upgrade from previous bow triggers. I measured the trigger pull weight. This measurement was conducted with a Wheeler Professional Digital Trigger Gauge. I utilized a simple five pull test. Out of the five pulls, the minimum reading was 1lb 7.4 oz. The maximum reading was 2lb 15.7 oz.
This yielded an average trigger pull of 2lb 3.3 oz.
I utilized the gauge in the place and speed in which I would naturally pull the trigger. So your finger placement and speed may differ.
Range time. Straight out of the box reliable. I was shooting Winchester white box 115 grain 9mm fmj. My target was set at 7 yards or 21 feet. However you like to calculate the distance.
Now I know this distance is not far. But straight out of the box and shooting it for the first time, I wanted to see where I was with my new Elite. I placed a quarter next to the results for size reference. Twenty rounds later, I am convinced that Springfield Armory has produced an Elite pistol. Just ask a man that owns one.
The new Elite brought some improvements to the table. As an upgrade to previous models the Elite has wider thicker serrations on the front and rear of the slide. I found that these improved serrations make it easier to "rack the slide." Using the front or the rear serrations the process was almost effortless. Even with my weak/off hand, "racking the slide" was a breeze. The front fiber optic has always been an upgrade as they stand out on any pistol above the standard white dot. I swapped out the factory red fiber optic with the generously provided green one. Just my preference.
The "U" shaped rear sight is unexpectedly easy to get lined up and get on target with point of aim and point of impact.
The rear sight has a shelf on the front side of the sight. I was able to use this shelf to charge my Elite on my belt and my table. A definite plus should your support hand get injured. You can still charge the slide with one hand.
The web safety is more defined like a 1911. However, it is unnoticeable and does not affect my grip.
The ambidextrous controls on this pistol make it a win win in all situations. I'm a right handed shooter. The magazine release does not get in the way or is it in jeopardy of accidentally being activated and dropping the magazine unexpectedly. The ambidextrous slide lock release is a definite upgrade in my opinion. This feature is excellent as a viable option for both left and right handed shooters. And the big advantage to this is if you're shooting hand/arm is injured during the fight for your life, you can still manipulate the Elite with your weak/off hand. The flared mag well is a simple helpful addition. Not only does it aid in faster reloads, I find it gives a subtle lip for my hand to rest on. Giving me a more stable comfortable grip.
Let's talk about the magazines. The Elite came factory with twenty round mags. So fully loaded, that's twenty one rounds of 9mm. Very fitting for the name Elite. So immediately I began to think how can I make it even more Elite? So I purchased the twenty two round magazines. And now my XDm Elite has the capability of "23" rounds in my first mag. Who can argue with that? And if your like me and believe that capacity matters, these mags are right on point with the term Elite. They stick out just a little, but to me they are astheticly correct.
The barrel like previous XDm's is match grade. Some might say if it's not new then why the notable mention? Well I would like to remind you that getting a pistol with a match grade barrel at the price point of the XDm line is always an upgrade. For instance, if you purchase a Glock and want a match grade barrel your going to pay for it. As the date of this review a match grade barrel from Zev Tech is $229.00 and a Wilson Combat is $149.00. That is an extra expense that I do not have to pay for with my XDm Elite.
Now let's move on to the trigger. The XDm Elite comes with Springfield Armory's Matched Enhanced Trigger Assembly. For starters this is a flat trigger. A definite upgrade from previous bow triggers. I measured the trigger pull weight. This measurement was conducted with a Wheeler Professional Digital Trigger Gauge. I utilized a simple five pull test. Out of the five pulls, the minimum reading was 1lb 7.4 oz. The maximum reading was 2lb 15.7 oz.
This yielded an average trigger pull of 2lb 3.3 oz.
I utilized the gauge in the place and speed in which I would naturally pull the trigger. So your finger placement and speed may differ.
Range time. Straight out of the box reliable. I was shooting Winchester white box 115 grain 9mm fmj. My target was set at 7 yards or 21 feet. However you like to calculate the distance.
Now I know this distance is not far. But straight out of the box and shooting it for the first time, I wanted to see where I was with my new Elite. I placed a quarter next to the results for size reference. Twenty rounds later, I am convinced that Springfield Armory has produced an Elite pistol. Just ask a man that owns one.
), very well done 
