June 2nd, 2019
9:45 runtimeSome afternoons just stick with you. Not because anything dramatic happened, but because you finally slowed down long enough to appreciate what was in your hands. That was me when I wrapped up my time with the XD-M, which I have for the 10mm cartridge. I remember standing there, magazine out, slide locked to the rear, chamber checked twice out of habit, thinking, well, I am still on the right side of the grass, so this is a pretty good day to talk about a pistol that has been quietly impressing me for a while now.
This particular pistol had been with me for a couple of months. It rode along to the range, got passed around to friends I trust, and digested everything we fed it. Before long, it stopped feeling like a test sample and started feeling like an old acquaintance.
[Be sure to read Richard Johnson’s Springfield XD-M Elite 10mm review for information on the company’s current model of this pistol.]
First Impressions
The company offers this gun in two barrel lengths, a five and a quarter inch and a four and a half inch. My time was spent with the four-and-a-half-inch version, which struck me as the most practical balance. Big enough to take advantage of the 10mm cartridge, but not so large that it feels like a brick on your belt.
The slide is forged steel with a Melonite finish and rides on a black polymer frame. That combination is familiar territory these days, but familiarity is not a bad thing when it works. In the hand, the gun feels solid without being cumbersome. At just over 31 ounces empty, it has enough weight to help manage recoil without wearing you out during a long-range session.
Specs Are Fine, Shooting Is Better
On paper, the dimensions are respectable. Overall length is 7.7 inches, height is 5.75 inches, and width is 1.2 inches. The MSRP feels fair considering what you are getting.
Paper specs aside, what mattered to me was how the gun behaved when it mattered. Between my buddies and me, we put just over 400 rounds through it. Everything from mild 180-grain ball ammo meant for punching paper to hotter defensive and hunting loads. The result was boring in the best possible way. No malfunctions, no misfeeds, no drama. The pistol just ran.
The sights are straightforward and effective. A drift-adjustable steel rear with two white dots and a red fiber optic front that pops nicely against the target. The rear face is serrated to cut glare, a small touch that makes a difference under bright sunlight.
The striker-fired trigger broke at around five and a half pounds. There is some take-up and a bit of overtravel, but nothing that felt out of place for a duty-style pistol. It is not a match trigger, but it is predictable, and predictable goes a long way.
I appreciated the ambidextrous magazine release. No swapping parts, no extra steps. Just push it from either side and the magazine drops free, even when empty. The frame texture on the front and back straps provides a secure grip without feeling abrasive.
One thing that still sparks debate is the grip safety. Personally, I have never had an issue with it. If you are gripping the pistol correctly, it disappears from your awareness. The generous beavertail lets you choke up high on the gun, which is exactly what you want when dealing with 10mm recoil.
Between the loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide and the cocking indicator at the rear, you get both visual and tactile feedback about the gun’s status. Still, none of that replaces the most important safety, the one between your ears. Treat every gun as if it is loaded, and you will be just fine.
Accuracy at the Range
We benched the pistol at 25 yards to see what it could really do. Shooting three-shot groups, the best of the day came in at about an inch and three-quarters. Most groups hovered around two and a half inches. For a service sized striker fired handgun, that is nothing to complain about. Offhand shooting was just as confidence-inspiring, with the sights returning to target quickly shot after shot.
Let us be honest, this is not a compact pistol. Carrying it concealed is possible, but it takes commitment. A good holster, a solid belt, and a willingness to dress around the gun, especially in the summertime. The payoff is fifteen plus one rounds of 10mm Auto on tap. That is a serious amount of capability in a package that is still manageable.
Anyone who has followed my work knows this cartridge has my heart. The 10mm Auto is incredibly versatile. You can load it down to near .40 S&W levels for a relaxed range day, or step it up to full-house loads suitable for defense against both two- and four-legged threats.
Recoil can be snappy, especially in a polymer frame, but that is the nature of the beast. With a proper grip and good technique, it is entirely controllable. What excites me most is seeing the 10mm making a comeback. Fifteen years ago, finding brass or factory ammo was a chore. Now, major manufacturers are embracing it again, and ammunition companies are investing real effort into developing loads that take full advantage of what the cartridge offers.
Field stripping the XD-M is refreshingly simple. Magazine out, chamber checked, slide locked back. Rotate the takedown lever upward, release the slide, and it comes apart. Inside, you find a stout recoil spring on a full-length guide rod and a steel barrel with the same Melonite finish. Reassembly is just as easy. That stiff recoil spring reminds you this gun is built for a powerful cartridge, and that is a good thing.
After spending real time with it, I see this pistol fitting comfortably into several roles. As a home defense gun, it is excellent. Fifteen-round magazines, a rail for a light, and the proven reliability make it a solid choice. As a truck or trail gun, it shines even more. For hiking or hunting, especially in areas where large animals are a concern, the 10mm Auto loaded with hard cast bullets is nothing to sneeze at.
Concealed carry is doable with the right setup, though it may not be everyone’s first choice. What matters is that the option is there.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely like the pistol. In a crowded field of striker-fired handguns, it manages to feel more ergonomic and more comfortable than many of its peers, especially in a large frame configuration. It is reliable, accurate, and thoughtfully designed. Springfield Armory did a solid job of building a pistol that takes full advantage of the 10mm cartridge without punishing the shooter.
At the end of the day, this gun feels like a trustworthy companion, whether at the range, in the woods, or staged for home defense. That is high praise in my book. Take care of yourselves and each other, and I will see you at the range.
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Hunter Elliott
I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.
