  The Springfield Armory XD(M) 5.25 is yet another category of handgun that they have raised the bar on. World Champion shooter Rob Leatham helped designed this built for competition pistol. It has a longer sight radius and weighs the same as the XD(M) 4.5.
 All of the XD(M) features are present on the 5.25, with added features specifically for competition shooting.
 The XD(M) line of pistols are an extremely good value and I would argue are unsurpassed in quality and reliability.
 The adjustable rear sight is held by a pin that is held down in a machined slot in the slide. Out of the box you get the lowest profile sight possible, and it is of the highest quality for competition shooters.
 Springfield is able to match the weight of the XD(M) 4.5 with the 5.25 by machining out a slot in the slide. Organizational rules allow this specifically in approved production guns. The fiber optic front sight is also specifically allowed in most competition, even those designated as iron sights.
 The fiber optic enhanced red dot is much easier to pick up than a standard blade or even three dot “Novak” type configurations.
 I was able to shoot this new XD(M) better than any pistol I have ever shot. This was my average group at 25 feet, just around an inch. A competitive shooter could do much better I’m sure.
 This XD(M) comes with all of the standard case candy of the XD(M) line, including a holster, magazine holster, extra 19 round magazine and grip inserts for different sized hands.
 The XD(M) holsters are not some cheapo Chinese knock offs created as an afterthought. Springfield revolutionized the concept of case candy with their XD Gear and the holster is made in the same factory as the gun and fits it perfectly. You can open the box on your XD(M) 5.25, go practice with it for a couple weeks and step right into competition.
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Springfield Armory
https://www.springfield-armory.com/
Changing the way you think about polymer pistols is not an easy task, but this is exactly the goal of the new Springfield Armory XD(M) 5.25. They have taken the world class XD(M) design and matched it with new features designed specifically for competition shooters. Designed by the Springfield Armory team and world champion shooter Rob Leatham, the XD(M) 5.25 is everything you could want in a competition pistol out of the box. At some point they will release a tactical version, but this first 5.25 was made to be on the cutting edge of what you expect from a target and competition pistol. It is made to change your view of what a polymer pistol can be.
“Usually when the shooters and the competitive shooting community design a new gun it gets watered down by the marketing guys,” explains world champion Springfield Armory shooter Rob Leatham. “With this gun we started two years ago with a list of criteria that I felt were absolutely required for an out of the box competition pistol and I got everything I asked for. This gun is a game changer. I have been shooting the prototypes for some time now and they have not only eliminated my production class pistols. I am using this 5.25 for some Limited class events as well, and it has even taken the place of some of my 1911s. ”
Built for Competition
Serious competitors need every advantage that they can get. Springfield Armory has addressed many of them with the 5.25 in a give and take that satisfies most of the requirements to shoot in the major shooting organizations. The barrel is five and a quarter inches, right below the NRA barrel length limit, and once they have 2,000 guns made they will be able to get it on the USPSA list of approved pistols. Until now Springfield Armory has fielded both a 5” regular XD and a 4.5” XD(M) for competition, and both are popular, but this 5.25 XD(M) provides all the advantages of the M series with the longest slide length possible, at the weight of the XD(M) 4.5 inch gun.
If you are unfamiliar with the advantages to longer barrel and slide, it isn’t complicated. The longer slide gives you what is called a longer “sight radius” which is the distance between the front and rear sights. If you think as your rear sight as a pivot point in the middle of a circle, and your front sight as a swing arm making an arc as you aim, that line from the middle of the circle to the edge is called a radius (bringing back High School geometry).
The greater distance between the two sights translates to a longer spread out on the outside of the imaginary circle, and a finer level of control over where you aim. The closer the sights are together, the coarser is your ability to aim. Finer is better because it is more forgiving of error. In the quickness of competition pistol shooting, even a small increase in sight radius can add up to a significant advantage in hits on the target.
A longer barrel translates into more space for the powder to burn behind the bullet before it exits. Competition loads for serious competitors involve what is called a “power floor.” They generally load the heaviest bullet possible with the fastest burning powder at the slowest allowable speed to reduce recoil and muzzle flash. A slightly longer 5.25 inch barrel gives you an extra 30 feet per second or so out of the same load with a shorter 4.5 or 5 inch barrel, with the same recoil and less muzzle flash. This is generally the margin over the floor that competitors try for when cooking up their ideal loads, so it brings up the performance of your loads that meet the specs of the rules..
The downside to a longer barrel and slide are that with the extra length and weight the slide slows down and isn’t as “snappy” shot to shot, which can throw off your timing when you are shooting against the clock. One of Rob’s goals in creating the 5.25 was to make it feel like a much smaller gun, and the result is a gun that has the sight radius and barrel length advantages of the 5.25 at the weight of the 4.5. There is a large port in the top of the slide that is legal for competition.
“The 5.25” XD(M) is three quarters of an inch longer than the 4.5 and it weighs the same,” explains Rob. “You can’t not shoot it better. Believe it or not, the hardest thing with designing a competition pistol is to get it to shoot light and frangible loads reliably and well. This gun will shoot loads at the power floor with frangible bullets without having to change springs or alter the slide. Out of the box it does what you need it to do, and it does it well.”
The other major feature on the 5.25 is its adjustable sights. The first thing most competitors do when they get a new gun is bang out the sights in the dovetail and replace them with a Bo-Mar design, at a cost of up to $250. The replacements are big, bulky, sit “on top” of the gun, and they are prone to snag.
The 5.25 sights are integral. The pin that holds the sight leaf is held in the frame itself. This results in a sight that is as low profile as can be. There is no dovetail, so you can’t change it, but fortunately you won’t want to. All XDs point as if they are an extension of your hand, and this “down in the gun” adjustable sight lines up just as naturally as the gun does.
“Most adjustable sights are too bulky and they snag and break,” says Rob. “In competition you are inevitably going to want to go from a 115 grain bullet to a 147 grain and back again, depending on type of match, and that means a different point of impact at 25 yards. The sights on the 5.25 are so compact that they don’t snag on things, and that makes them less likely to break. Out of the box you get sights that adjust easy, that are repeatable, and that you will never want to replace.”
The front sight on the 5.25 contains a fiber optic insert. This has become a standard for nearly all competitors these days and the rules even on iron sight and production pistols specifically allow them. Combined with the low profile adjustable rear sight, the 5.25 is as close to ideal as you could ask for if you are stepping into competition for the first time, or have decided to up your game to compete with the champs.
If you are already a champ, even at the local or regional level, the 5.25 might be the gun that is in the hand of the next guy knocking on your numbers and you might want to give it a try. The first guns that come into production are reportedly going into shooting ranges as rental guns and will not be available for sale to the public, so everyone can have a chance to try them.
I Got to Shoot One First!
I was actually able to shoot this 5.25 you see in the pictures. It is one of very few that have been made as test guns and I was able to have it for all of one range trip before it needed to move on to the next reviewer. These are my thoughts.
Overall I have to qualify this by saying that I find the XD(M) line from Springfield Armory to be as fine a handgun as money can buy in today’s gun world. If you find a gun that you feel is its equal, fine. Most likely it will be more expensive and I doubt that it will be better in even one category compared to the XD(M). You may prefer a different type of action than a striker fired pistol, and I actually prefer a hammer fired pistol myself, but for reliability and overall quality, there is no gun better than the XD(M) in my perhaps not as humble as it should be opinion.
All of the standard XD(M) features are present on the 5.25. It has the extremely short reset (I have measured this at .1 inches), the crisp and clean trigger pull with no drag, the cocked indicator, the grip safety (that always disengages correctly despite what you read from naggarts on the internet), the aggressive grip surfaces, the good looks and the flawless reliability that works no matter how you hold the gun or what ammunition you use. I hate to repeat this for every XD(M) article I write, but as long as Springfield keeps raising the bar in so many new classes of pistol, I will be forced to.
The problem for me as a reviewer is that the 5.25 was made for a world that I am not a part of. The only competitions I have shot have been SASS, which is cowboy action shooting, and I don’t actually have a competitive bone in my body. I have never even been to a USPSA competition, which is the organization you see the most on TV, and the one that made shooters like Rob Leatham actual stars. I was so ignorant to the talking points on this gun that I had to ask Rob what the cutout in the slide is for, and I had no idea that no other polymer pistol had come out with an adjustable sight fit for competitive use.
I did love the balance and feel of this new XD(M), and I guess it is the sight radius that made me shoot it better than I have ever shot a pistol. I repeatedly shot into around an inch at 25 feet. The adjustable sight has positive clicks and feels like a high quality device when you use it. Rob Leatham is perhaps the greatest shooter of our time, and I think if you could hear the excitement in his voice talking about this gun I think you would want to run out and buy one as I did (yes I’m buying one).
“You don’t expect to write up a wish list and get everything on your list,” he said. Two years after I first envisioned it, that is exactly what he 5.25 turned out to be. When you buy an off the rack bicycle today it is a totally different bike than you bought even ten years ago. The reason for that is that the competition bike guys (and girls) told the manufacturers what they wanted, and they got it, then those features filtered down into the production bikes. That is what we have here. Custom competition pistols have been winning these matches for years, and finally we have some of those features, like a great adjustable sight, a front fiber optic sight, a lightened yet reliable side, and match accuracy, in an out of the box production gun. This is a gun that is so adaptable you are going to want to adapt to it, no matter what you are shooting now. The XD(M) 5.25 is going to change what you expect from a polymer pistol.”
Springfield Armory
I purchased the SA xd m 9 about 6 months ago, and I have to say I LOVE IT! I have owned lots of pistols over the last 20 years and the only gun I haven’t disliked or got bored of was my sig 220, and now this one. This one is a keeper and I will not get rid of it. this is the most accurate and fun shooting pistol I’ve shot. I would HIGHLY recommend this gun to anyone. you really couldn’t ask for more.
The exception to that would be if u were using a frame mounted sight such as as a c-more.
A Ransom rest indexs from the grips. It’s useful for a handheld bullet launcher with a fixed barrel & sights such as a revolver or a Ruger 22 auto. With most Browning based auto pistols with a barrel, slide & sights that are not fixed to the frame it is useless. 2 decades of competive pistol shooting for Uncle Sugar.
I purchases a springfield xdm 9mm 5.25 about 9 months ago. I really like the pistol and how it performs well. The only disappointment that I have is Springfield has no left handed holsters for this model. I was really hoping that Springfield would get some left handed holsters for this model like they have for the other models that they carry. In fact I am having a hard time finding a left handed holster for this model in the 5.25. If anyone has any suggestions I would be grateful to hear them. Thanks, Greg
I had XD’s a few years ago and sold them off to return to 1911’s. When my shooting buddy had shot his 5.25 XDm in 9mm for a year or so I caved and bought one in .40. My first time at the range I shot an IDPA classifier 1.5 seconds off a Master score. And I only recently made Expert with my well loved and worn STI Trojan. Today was my first match with it and it felt comfortable, familiar and flawless all day. Can’t wait to see the scores and am looking forward to the new IDPA rules taking effect so I can shoot this gun in SSP division. Frankly, I felt like I paid too much for it in today’s empty shelf environment. But after the first match with it, now I feel like it was a bargain.
I am having a great time with the new xdm 9mm 5.25 today i shot IDPA today and i did very well about 40% better i did change the trigger to a prp comp job in with i did myself it a great comp gun i shoot every weekend and i have been gettin 0s on most of my stages last week i shot uspsa steel match man i had did very well i shot great so go ahead and try it ….the new xdm 5.25 you will enjoy it see you there peter c,Instructor, RSO
I have shot guns and i want a 40 cal BAD. I just like most reviews i have seen and seem to be rugged? Also like them because 2 me they are LOUD and that i like. But i am wondering whats the diff on stopping power on a 9MM and a 40 Cal? We all know a simple 22 is a good gun. But they cost ALOT. So in my eyes i might as well spend the money on a gun i want and may buy down the road. If anyone sees my point?
As far as accuracy testing goes Ed Komelman is exactly correct. That is, when comparing the accuracy of guns in reviews, you have to eliminate the variables caused by the shooter’s skill. Tests done without eliminating those variables are useless. I find it very surprising that some in this thread don’t seem to understand that. They rightly point out that the accuracy that is important is the accuracy you find in real shooting situations without a Ransom Rest. But any test done under those conditions tell you very little. The most an accuracy test can do is tell you the inherent accuracy of the gun itself and that’s why it should be done with a ransom rest or similar control. Any deviation from that accuracy is due to the shooter’s skill. Reviews that are done when a gun is hand-held are all but completely useless. More than anything, they are telling you how skilled the reviewer is, not how accurate the gun is. You are not buying the reviewer; you are buying the gun. In any type of useful testing, variables must be eliminated for the results to be meaningful. Now, if a review is about how well a gun handles, that’s a different thing. But the part of this thread that I am referring to is talking about accuracy testing. Ed was spot on. Again, I find it very surprising that some posters here don’t seem to understand what his point was. When I read a gun review that either doesn’t specify how the gun was supported or one in which the review states that the gun was hand-held, the conclusions drawn by the reviewer are all but useless to me.
You apparently have never used a ransom rest.
Is there a sight base available for any of the holographic sights…All I seem to find are for dove tail mounts..
There are dove tail bases you can buy.
Oh it was $769, NIB. Included 3 19 rounds clips, a holster, a dual clip holster, a lock, a speed loader, 3 size grips, and green and red replacement filaments for the front sight.
Just got my XD[M] 5.25 9mm today. I put 250 rounds through it after work. Love it. I am glad I chose this over the Glock 19 and PX4 Storm.
agreed on that one
Are these accepted for IDPA matches.
Owned the Springfield 5.25 since August. Smooth and accurate. Very comfortable in hand. Hug fan of the gun. Just go get one.
While wanting to know every ones opinion on the newest SA XDm 9mm 5.25″ competition pistol. I still get to hear from all of the “who ha’s” out there. If a gun was meant to to be custom fitted then there would be only one choice. If a gun was designed to be the perfect competition gun right out of the box, there again would only be one choice.And we would all have the same exact gun, set up exactly the way. Where is the competition? I have guns that when purchased 20 years ago were then the best feeling and shooting guns money could buy. NOW the times have changed just as people have. My comfort has been shifted to this new line from Springfield. The BEST “START” to a great competition pistol. I will teak to MY standard of perfection. Maybe lighten the trigger pull and adjust my ammo loads. That’s how you compete! Do you think someone is going to do ALL of your homework for you?
And now for those “GANKERS” out there. If you think your gun shoots low and left think again. You are anticipating the recoil causing you to pull the gun to offset the recoil. Quite being a sissy and hold your gun RIGHT!
I don’t think anyone should call the trigger on this pistol a competition type. My XDM 5.25, in 9mm, breaks at just over 7 pounds and has a long travel and reset. In what universe is this considered a comptetiton/target trigger? I am not sure why it went into production with this flaw. I love the pistol but hate the trigger. Not what I expected from Springfield or Rob Leatham.
I put 150 rounds throught my new XDm-9 5.25 today, and it does all it can to make its owner a better shooter!
It is going to Front Sight Firearms Training Institute for two courses back to back next month.
Great reset action and accuracy to boot. Am very pleased with it.
That is so great to hear. Can’t figure out why anyone wouldn’t want one of these guns.
Just went to the SA site. They now have the 5.25 in 9MM, .40 AND .45ACP. Welcome to the party!
btw, I’m also a FNG(to this site) who has trained and competed with AMTU at .22 level in competition and with Modern Penthathlon. Lived O/S where gun ownership is IMPOSSIBLE! Looking forward to trying out the new(to me) 9mm 5.25.
Fantastic Gun the XD(m) 5.25 9mm Pistol… This my very first Handgun that I have ever owned. I’m a recent immigrant from up North was never aloud to touch one until now (Maybe cause I am also single 🙂 ). Had it for a week and a half now and gone thru my first 1000 rounds without a hick-up or burb. This gun just feels good in the hands and pumping out the rounds is like drinking am ice cold canadian beer on a hot summers day. Now I am looking at the latest .45acp 5.25 Series to test out and maybe buy. With my recent membership in the NRA , my co-workers are saying that citizenship is alot closer to me than ever before 🙂
Thanxs Springfield… keep them coming.
Several of the new features on this pistol are exactly what I’m looking for. Longer sight radius, optical front sight, and adjustable rear sight. But several of the gun’s competition minded features are left in the dark. Namely the trigger and recoil spring.
TRIGGER?? So far I’m liking what I see here except I haven’t found any specifics on the trigger set up. Does this come out of the box from SA with the equivalent of a Competition Action Job or Combat Action Job?
I read in the article about the .10 inch reset but nothing else. I’d really like to know trigger specifics: take-up, overtravel, reset (given), and pounds of pull.
It seems to me that folks who want to compete in matches aren’t going to settle for the OEM trigger if it sucks compared to other customized polymer frame guns.
About the recoil spring… you wrote:
“This gun will shoot loads at the power floor with frangible bullets without having to change springs or alter the slide.”
That sounds nice. But often times when you try to build something that works for both ends of the spectrum, what you get is generic performance. Would you please be a bit more specific about this?
What is the load rating on the standard recoil spring? As easy as the gun is to field strip, maybe offering a lightened load spring would be an attractive feature? You already offer palmswell grips is different sizes?
Or you could report that testing lighter recoil springs with power factor loads near 125 didn’t offer any noticeable improvement in felt recoil.
So far, the platform looks interesting with the features you guys developed. But when something like this comes out, the desire to customize the trigger and recoil spring are at the top of the list. You guys already know this. I’m feeling a bit like a mushroom right now.
Make sure you are signed up for our email we are working intensely with these guns on the 125 factor now.
Done.
I registered using the subscribe function. Looking forward to reading more about the R&D for competition loads.
Are the details about the trigger set up going to remain a secret?
I got my new 5.25 last Monday. Practiced with it Tues/Wed and shot the Steel Challenge in Piru with it on Thur/Fri. My take is that it’s an incredibly accurate and Super FAST gun out of the box. Everyone already knows that the ergos on the XD’s are great but the balance of the gun and that fiber optic front sight are really nice. This is my “end of the world” gun.
I agree with all the positive reviews of the XD(M) so I won’t waste time pouring over what’s already been said. It’s super late for me so I need to make this quick but I hope to make my way back to write up a completely thorough review, that I feel completely qualified to give after feeding it somewhere around 7,800 rounds(which, BTW, could probably be done with “1” hand while field stripping my XD(M) with the other. I’m going to get straight to the point here, with the hope of ‘Administrator’ providing me with an answer. When can I expect to see XD(M) 40 S&W in a 5.25?
I wouldn’t get my hopes up for that right now. It is really a competition gun and they prefer lower calibers.
I just purchased my XDm 5.25 yesterday for $699. I used to have an xd tactical 9mm from Canyon Creek Customs and it shot great. I shot the XDm 5.25 a few weeks ago when my range got one from Springfield to rent out and let people try. It shot well, but nothing can match my CZ Shadow when it comes to production class. I’ve had glocks, m&P’s, xd’s, FN’s, and sigs, and I still shoot the cz better. That being said, I loved the new XDm 5.25. I will test it in the Ransom rest when I get my grip inserts in. I too hate when gun writers publish accuracy results and show a pic of the target and you say wow thats accurate, then you see it was shot at 10, 15, or 25 FEET not YARDS. Also trigger pull is not measured with a guage only feel. Come on guys, if I can afford a ransom rest, chrono, and trigger pull guage, I’m sure you can too. Maybe I should be a gunwriter since I have all the equipment to present a true picture of the guns specs. One reason I decided to revisit the XD line is because my other one shot 147 gr bullets very accurately. My XD .40 was a good gun too, but the .45 sucked. It wouldn’t feed semi wadcutters. Kept jamming unless you only put 3 in the mag. The XDm 5.25 should be a great production gun even though it has a high bore centerline, and that aggrivating loaded round indicator gets clogged up with powder residue and sticks.
I shoot in club competition with a Colt 1911 and Smith/Wesson M&P Pro9, which is the direct competitor to this new XDm. I do own the 3.8-inch XDm, and although it feels and shoots great (I’ve shot very well with it in competition), with a two-hand freestyle grip, the mag release is in the wrong position (or sticks out too far) and the gun almost always falls out of battery; a few times the mag fell completely out while I was shooting. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this new XDm, but if the ergonomics are the same, I’ll pass on it. (I don’t have this problem with the Colt, Smith, Ruger SR9, GSG 1911 knock-off, or any of my other guns.)
I just purchased the 5.25 XDM 9MM from XD Pistols for $699.99 / FREE SHIPPING. You must provide your own FFL for delivery. I was told that it would take 7-10 days for them to recieve the package from their supplier before it shipped to me. In any case these XDM pistols get the job done. I have the 3.8 / 9MM, which I am now selling to replace it with the 5.25. The 3.8 impressed me in the way it handled and how it utilized the various ammo, including both the +P and +P+ loads. Now its time to get serious and venture into the competition arena and show off my new aquistion.
I too own an XD9 that replaced my glock about a year ago. I loved my XD…until today. I just rented the XDM 5.25 at my local range this afternoon and it blew me away. I left my XD at the shop to sell on consignment and ordered the XDM 5.25 on the spot. The XDM 5.25 is everything that made me switch to the XD line, and a whole lot more. I voted with my wallet!
Is this available in the land of fruits and nuts?
The box says not california legal.
The Springfield Armory XD series is a remarkable weapons system. I own an XD 4.5″ in .40 Smith and Wesson and was stunned when the first shot out of the weapon, from a straight-arm Hollywood cop stance with no real effort to assure accuracy, landed squarely in the center of the ten-ring of my target. A friend who used to teach marksmanship in the US Army Special Forces was watching me and was amazed. I put 100 rounds through the weapon to partly wear it in, and had NO stovepipe malfunctions, NO failures to chamber, tight groups and only very occasional “flyers” in my target patterns which were more attributable to shooter fatigue than any deficiency with the XD40.
This is a VERY ergonomic weapon which is a pleasure to shoot even with a high-energy, moderately large caliber chambering and with me missing one finger on my shooting hand. I am more accurate with my XD40 than I ever was as a police officer with a variety of weapons ranging from a .38 Special Smith and Wesson Model 15 Combat Masterpiece to a 9mm Browning P35 “Hi-Power” semiautomatic pistol to a .38 Special/.357 Magnum Colt Lawman Mk III 4.5″ revolver. I haven’t fired the XD 5.25 yet but the added barrel length can only enhance its accuracy, ease of use and reliability.
I’m very curious to see the 4.5 vs 5.25 comparative ballistics with defensive loads like Federal 124 +p, Ranger 127+p, Cor-Bon DPX.
Isn’t the G34 only 5inches?
How much velocity is gained from 3.8 to 4.5 and from 4.5 to 5.25?
Not being a competitive shooter and being very happy with my Glocks, I can’t really justify a 9mm/.40 XDm even though I think they look pretty wicked but if I found out Glocks were radioactive tomorrow, I’d buy an XD or XDm to carry immediately while I tested out the M&P. I put a few thousand rds thru an XD 9 sc and it was completely reliable just like my Glocks as is a buddy’s XD 9 service with maybe 25-30,000 rds thru it. The XD 9 sc is on my small seller’s remorse list.
Now, if SA gives the XDm .45 a 5.25 barrel, I’ll be all over it. Even the 21 sf Glock is just too thick a grip for my hand without a reduction job and the M&P has a big capacity disadvantage. The XD .45 fits my hand ok, and the XDm .45 just feels great, remarkably small circumference for a double stack .45. I grinned like a kid when I felt how good 14 rds of .45 can feel in the hand.
I’m not worried about the texturing roughing me up in the least, but does anyone else have issues with the grip material? I’ve never had any “grippability” issues with XDs or Glocks and the XDm seems to have better ergos plus more traction. I’ve got no need for a .45, but I’m not sure I can wait for a 5.25 in .45 now that I’ve fondled the 4.5 XDm 45.
We only had the gun for an afternoon. When it is available we’ll get it back and do the ballistics.
It’s a nice and all but when are they going to make is legal in CA so anyone can buy it? It’s only available for LE. How about they work on a 10 round clip instead of 16 so it’s legal here.
I have owned 3 different GLOCK pistols – 17, 22, 36. I have also shot or owned their XD (or XD(M)) counterparts. I found the XD’s to be less snappy and more accurate. They also had a much better grip angle and trigger pull. I still own two GLOCKS but have not shot them near as much since getting my XD’s
Yes Springfield sell the xd,and xdm but we should give credit to the original designer and maker the gun a Croation gun co. that makes the guns for Springfield. The 1st one was the HS 2000,xd,xdm in that order Springfield had some input in the xdm but it is not that much different than the HS2000,that springfield decied to buy from the Croation gun maker and sell in the US.
If it priced right I’ll be getting one to replace my current 5in 9mm.
I happen to like guns made in old world countries, you often get old world craftsmanship at low cost. Who would not like that. I owne a Taurus Oss It is one of my go to guns,because it always goes bang [nuf said].
I’ve purchased and shot many manufacturer’s composite and 1911 model handguns. For my taste, I feel the XDM 9mm and 45 ACP are the best built and most accurate composites on the market. I have shot thousands of rounds without 1 misfire/jam etc. In the 1911 version, my loaded long slide is a thing of beauty, design and accuracy. I also own an A1 that recently began shooting and may give to my son as his first gun.
Springfield Armory…..the best for the money
I’m not an expert shooter, gunsmith, or anything else. Just another d.a. However, I know what works for me. I’ve had glocks, sigs, m&p, cz. All good guns in their own way. But when I went to shoot my xd .45 for the first time and a buddy fired a 3 inch group at about 18 feet with his eyes closed then I did almost as good. I sold the other guns and now go strictly xd’s. When I bring the xd up to fire it’s like pointing my finger at something. Normally when you bring your right index finger up to point at something your finger and eye are in line and no adjusments(of the finger) are needed. That’s why I prefer the xd. The other guns I’ve had always needed some front sight adjustment. For me, not the xd. On target all the time. God bless America.
Great.I have spent alot of time the last few weeks narrowing down the choices for my first pistol.After going to Bass Pro and Cabelas I had it down to the XDM9, the CZ75 SPOI, The Berretta M9.I have no plans to shoot in competitions but value accuracy above all else,except money.I wanted one this week,I don’t want to wait for months.
Gentleman,
These plastic guns may be OK, but an old army guy with some war wounds in his right shoulder and a shaky right hand, plus a limited budget. I’ll stick to my 9MM Mini Firestorm and my 45 Firestorm. Neither have hiccuped on me yet and the Mini has taken down 3 in house prowlers and 2 armed robbers on 4 different occasions. I tried a used Glock and could not hold it steady,
plus it’s grip felt terrible. Now I know my pistols were made in Argentina, but they were steel! They are no more as Beretta
took them over and have renamed them Px4 Storm. But they held steady just like my metal spoon does for my oatmeal in the morning instead of a Plastic D.Q. spoon. Now the only reason for me to buy this new Springfield is if they offer to throw in the Kahr Arms, “Thin is Sexy” Model!
Big Timber
Big timber, I own a browning high power knockoff. I really enjoy the extra weight the gun affords. However these modern competition plastic guns really have a reduced felt recoil. The compact plastic guns bite hard with recoil. OUCH!
By the way, have you considered moving to a safer area where you didn’t have to constantly defend your hearth and home?
I’m with a few others out there. Unless there is some miraculous price drop on these, I probably won’t move from my S&W M&P Pro 9. My M&P will shoot the same groups, or better, than the review target supplied, given the right ammunition.
I would venture to say that this pistol would be in the $700 – $800 range, out the door, given the XD-m past price evaluation. Put that next to the S&W M&P Pro, which runs around $600 out the door, and you have a definitive price difference of $100 to $200 speculatively speaking.
Again, sorry but if they don’t price it within reach of most shooters … they won’t sell very many.
Ugh…SA’s propensity to trickle out a new model or version gun every once in a while had grown old long ago. This XDm9 “G34” could have been released say 18 to 24 months ago! IMO, it’s not engineering limitations causing the “delays”, but more likely than not, SA’s marketing strategy of controlling the release of new models/versions in an attempt to sustain sales. Hey, more power to them for what appears to be a successful marketing strategy. Unfortunately, this strategy means customers waiting, and waiting, and WAITING for new gun models/versions that may or may not appear.
As for the new XDm-9 “G34″…very nice…although might be too late for me. Many here are wondering about the new gun’s intrinsic accuracy. I suspect it will be very good right out of the box. I (think I’ve) noticed that the newer released XDms are more reliable and very accurate right out of the box. For example, my fourth XDm, a 9mm purchased a few months ago, at ten yards distance, put 5 rounds almost into a single bullet hole when the gun was fired from a bench rest (what a surprise!). Prior to that, a bullseye shooter who wanted to try my 3rd XDm, a 40SW, shot a .50 inch ragged hole from 10 yards while shooting unsupported/freestyle. I wouldn’t be surprised it the new XDm9 “G34” shoots 1 inch at 25 yrds (give or take a quarter inch). My XDm-45 consistently shoots ragged hole groups out to 15 yrds when shot benchrest style. All in all, the excellent accuracy right out of box is nice, but is definitely more than adequante for “general purpose” USPSA match shooting.
As for the adjustable rear sight…it’s of limited value to me while adding more to the price of the gun. ALL four of my XDms have shot (almost) to direct point of aim right out of the box (it would appear that I don’t have the “shooting low and left” problem many shooters seem to have). I use different loads in all of the guns all the time, and the difference in POI is minimal. As for the FO front sight…that I could certainly use (although certainly available as an aftermarket option if the gun didn’t have them as OEM).
The only “problem” that I have with your new gun is the caliber. I would prefer an XDm-40 “G35” instead of the 9mm version, preferably with a dovetail fixed rear sight instead of adjustable. What I would REALLY like from SA is an XDm-10mm in the longer 5.25 barrel length!! Hmmm….looks like it’s time to play the waiting game with SA again….or do I? Sorry to say this SA, but the guns you couldn’t sell to me because they didn’t exist, I’ve had to purchase elsewhere (eg, Glock 20, 27, 35; S&W M&P 40, 40C, and 45 for the thumb safety). Too bad since my first preference is the SA XDm.
my $0.02,
f1
If you notice, all of the SA guns we’ve had to wait for require a new tooling line. This isn’t the Jetsons where you push a button and the product changes. There is actually proof of this. The 3.8 was an ugly and awkward gun that was put out as a stop gap measure because they couldn’t bring the compact to market. As explained in the article, different weight bullets have different points of impact, and being able to adjust from one to the other easily is important to those who compete. Some of your comments on actual experience are actually really great, but your speculation just makes you sound like someone who wants to believe they are smart, yet aren’t.
Hi Admin:
Production/tooling line limitations had occured to me (i.e., I “speculated”). Unfortunately, this is not the “problem” but just another manifestation of SA’s management philosophies. In short, if SA wanted to release more different models in a shorter period of time (i.e., in parallel) as opposed to slowly trickeling them out more or less sequentially, it’s obvious considerable enhancements to the current production line(s) would be required. Smith & Wesson, Taurus,…as well as companies like Ford, hp, IBM, Apple, Boing, Intel, etc, etc, are all excellent examples of companies that have both the desire and capacity to release multiple products simultaneously to great success. Perhaps SA should take some of the money out of their huge advertising budget and spend it on a consulting company to perform analysis/design of their existing processes to (surely) find, recommend, and perhaps imlement some changes.
As for my comments about fixed versus adjustable sights, I wasn’t suggesting mutally exclusive options. For customers who would like a lower cost fixed sight version, simply release both versions.
As for your derisive comments about my “smarts”…where you assume instead of asking for my academic and work related credential…there is what you would like to believe and there is what actually exists in reality.
f1
I always competed with 1911s in single stack 8 or 10 rd but recently got a XDM 3.8…I am still not crazy about the 3.8 because it is too heavy for a carry gun but I still have it and it shoots good…I would consider the 5.2 if I were to go back into competition….bootman
I’m surprised I haven’t heard a comment about the grips on XDm’s. I find them horrible and slippery. The glass filled nylon which the grip is molded from is inherently slippery stuff. And those big bumps (lugs) on the front and back are not comfortable when firing the gun. I checked with SA at the NRA Meetings in Pittsburgh last May, and they suggested that the custom shop could grind the grips smooth then put a stipple finish on them like a diamond pattern on 1911 grips. Not Acceptable for $150.00 !!!
My solution is to add tennis racquet tape to the grips, Works fine for $3 bucks !
Any other suggestions?
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/59747-1.html
I own a 4.5″ XD-M 9mm. I said the same thing. Now with these on, I CANNOT drop the gun. And it’s not hard on my hands at all.
I am buying a 40 cal for my wife and a 45 for me,have shot the 40 and loved it.
Actually, you CAN own and carry a handgun in NY City – if you are ANTI gun Senator Chuck Schumer, who has an URESTRICTED CARRY PERMIT for NYC! How is that for both hyprocrisy AND discrimination. (Sen Feinstein, I might add, has one of only TEN permits in San Francisco; the anti gun editor of the NT Times has a NYC permit; the list goes on and on). Bob Anderson
I agree with the others I would want to see the results on a ransom rest. I know everyone holds a pistol different etc. but we need to know the true accuracy of the gun. Also I hope they come out soon with it in .45. I own SA as well as Glock’s they are both fine pistols and I have had no trouble out of either. To tell you the truth I wish Glock or SA would make a longslide 6″ version in 45 for hunting,either one of these I would buy in a heart beat.
Gee, just when I was about to get an STI EDGE 9mm. Anyone have experience with both and can offer a comparison?
Yeah …Edge $1750 smacks plus accessories; SA XD about a third of that amount including accessories.
If I were buying an Edge it would be for competition and would HAVE to be a 40 cal. just to make sense. 9mm’s limit you to one division, in USPSA competition, for instance.
I couldn’t agree more with the posters about the need for a Ransom Rest accuracy test. Its irrelevalent how an individual shooter manages to get a group at any given moment. Take the human element out first things first. Also, a review without a mechanical trigger pull guage reading is also short changing the readers. On a competition gun, this is singularly the most important number. And finally, no price? This review is more cheerleading than practical information.
I’m pretty sure if you check Springfield’s website, as of today, they do not even have a price listed. This tells me SA hasn’t even set a price yet. A .1 Trigger reset is damn impressive, but I do agree that a trigger pull gauge would be useful info to have in this article.
Otherwise, great article!
The human element is all that matters, if a person can get respectable groups out of the gun, who cares what it does from the rest, on the rest it could put all rounds in one hole, but can the shooter? I understand the need to see it’s accuracy potential with as many variable taken out but then if that’s what you want then you have to test a large number of them to see if there are any inconsistencies. Let a good shooter shoot the gun if he comes away with great grouping from different brands of ammo then by all means it’s as accurate as its going to get, I want to know how it handles in my hand not on a rest that only tells me something I’ll never be able to do, real world testing is the only way to go
Could be wrong, but im 99% sure the holster and case candy is made by fobus, not the Croatian company.
The XD(M) holsters are not some cheapo Chinese knock offs created as an afterthought. Springfield revolutionized the concept of case candy with their XD Gear and the holster is made in the same factory as the gun and fits it perfectly. You can open the box on your XD(M) 5.25, go practice with it for a couple weeks and step right into competition.
no the aren’t made by fobus.
I wonder why you don’t see XD’s on the tactical shooting scene? (Actually I do see why). Springfield has been selling XD’s to new, inexperienced shooters, mainly on price point. Then these poor newbs can’t figure out when they go to the range why the get pointed at and laughed at.
I see plenty shooting matches. As for sitting high on the hand, no higher then Sigs.
I see XDs and XDMs in competition shooting all the time. Price point? Your average “new shooter” going into the gun store is going to find the XD series among the more expensive of its type. The price point oriented customer will get a Glock or M&P, while the miserly ones will get Taurus. And, while I may get pointed at with my XD or XDm, it is usually met with a thumbs up or a request to shoot it.
Try a CZ 75 P01 Shadow. Super low in the hand because of frame over slide design.
I must say I do like my XDm in .40cal for steel matches at my club. I credit the super quick trigger reset to my improvement over the use of an old 96 fs.
The thought of anyone pointing and laughing at anyone else at the range irks me and is frankly quite schoolyard bully material. Everyone who has ever seen my XDm has admired it for what it is….a very nice hand gun.
Well this ‘poor newb’ has been shooting his 9mm XD-M for over 2 years and hasn’t met a factory under-$700 pistol that can match it yet for accuracy or reliability. Not counting friends who I’ve convinced to buy this firearm (4) I have 7 converts from the range where I get ‘pointed at and laughed at’… sound like what you were trying to say? And to address the tactical shooting comment? I’m currently in Afghanistan right now in Helmand Province and each and every day I look down at my M9 and wish I had my XD-M with me. It would be an absolute dream over here. I’ve actually modified grips, magazines, and sights on my M9 just to try to make it into a worthwhile piece of equipment. LAWYERED.
too bad it sets so high in the hand.
WOW Just reading the article here makes me want to buy 2! I love it this gun with longer slide and barrel is inherently more accurate. I have the First generation XD subcompact in 40cal.The gun was a bit hard to master I have shot as a hobby most of my life,i am 45. I actually hired a pro to help me get my aim better with the gun. I have another 40 cal the Baby Eagle By Magnum research awesome gun all steel very heavy 5 inch barrel I was always happy with the accuracy with that one. I can tell this XDm in 5.25 is awesome. REALLY I WANT ONE!
I hope these are better than the .45’s that all my friends have–they will only cycle 230FMJ with any consistance, If these 9’s function like the XDM 45 i will stick to my1911gold cup as it will cycle anything from180gr SWC to 230FNJ. I would have to shoot one before even thinking of buying one–maybe they got it down pat with the 9mm???
Find that hard to imagine!!
We have two XD compacts and have shot about every type and grain available with absolutely no malfunctions through the many hundreds of rounds including light loaded 185 grain hollow points…….. I’ve never even heard that complaint before……
I have NEVER heard of that with an XD. The only things I can imagine are a factory defect (which I’ve never heard of either) or a limp wrist. I’d return it to Springfield. It should feed anything reliably.
looks like a nice lil gun.im goin to check it out.
I own an XD .45 and an XDm 9mm. Love both of them. Can hardly wait for this one to hit the shelves. Thanks again SA.
The XD’s are fine pistols, I don’t know of anyone in my circle who doesn’t love theirs. But, no thanks, I’ll stick with my trusty old 1911A1 loaded model, it’s old, steel, well worn, and it goes boom and puts the bullet just where I want it each and every time.
I realy enjoy my 40 XDS and My 45 XDS real accurate’ The 9MM doesn’t have enough punch,thats why law inforcement
went to the 45 instead of the 40 SW.
If you want punch get a 10mm. A 175gr. 10mm has more Ft. lbs. of energy than a 250gr. 45. The only problem I have with 10mm is SA doesn’t make an XD in it. I wish they would, I would definitely be one of the first in line for it.
Accuracy of the hardware is of utmost importance. My father was part of the USAF pistol team. His 1911 would shoot a 1″ group at 50yds from a Ramsom Rest, no BS. The rest was up to the shooter. Aim small, miss small! I look forward to the test drive of the 5.25, Best wishes.
Sorry, but what a gun does in your hand, is totally different than what it’ll do in MY hand. That’s why God made the Ransom Rest. It’s a test of inherent accuracy. Even if it isn’t indicative of “real world” results, it at least gives a known, measurable amount of accuracy. Neither here nor there, I guess. It’s about this 5 & a quarter. I like it. I like the longer versions of the XD, and this one seems to be The Creme De Le Creme. I personally have had a hard time finding a polymer gun that’ll truly rival the G34. This I’m betting is The One. If my previous experiences with these guns are any indication, his new 5.25in version is going to be nothing short of impressive. I’ve been a big fan of S.A.’s 1911s for as long as I can remember. Now their polymer guns can have a run for the crown in their respective class.
Wonder what the price point will be. Most all makers put out some great guns but the prices get out of reach of the average shooter. Most guys can maybe..maybe ..stretch to $550. But usually it has do be gotten for Under $500 because of economics these days.
At least for this pistolero. The money saved goes to ammo usually. I know I had to leave Cowboy Action Shooting because it was costing around $120 mo in ammo plus shoot fees. [you need ammo for 2 revolvers, 1 rifle and a shotgun 2X per mo at matches not counting practice ammo]
I hope Springfield can keep competitive. I currently use a CZ 75B for any events I compete in. So far it is a GREAT pistol and it cost way under $500 new w/ 2 16 rd mags.
Anyway I wish them the best on thier new offering.
I have not been indoor/outdoor range shooting as a hobby for atleast 10 plus years. 7 years ago I had head,neck & throat cancer, which resulted in quite a bit of mussel loss in my right shoulder. I use to shoot weekly with my brother and friend. I own a Colt 357 Revolver and have always enjoyed it, especially when my friend would do all our reloading. I was blow away went I recently went to purchase a 50 round box of 357’s. I have now been looking at a more affordable amo and decided a 9mm simi auto pistol would be a good choice for the changes in my life. Not wanting to do any competive shooting but do what to get back to shooting a few time a month, is this gun beyond my simple needs. I do appreciate quality and will more than likely keep my new purchase for a lifetime. I have been looking at the Taurus 800 Series, really like the way they feel in my hand. Any comments and sugestions appreciated.
This particular gun would, quite frankly, shit all over any Taurus you could possibly buy. I own two XD(M) – a.45 ACP and .40 S&W – and they are by far THE BEST striker fired pistols I have ever had the pleasure of shooting. I have shot several Glocks and decided after the first shot with a Glock, that my XD(M) were infinitely better. They feel great, are highly accurate, incredibly reliable, and are aesthetically pleasing. Not to mention, Springfield has an excellent reputation for Customer Service, not that I have ever needed it. My XD(M)’s have at least 1500 rounds through each of them and not a single hiccup. To compare them to a Taurus would be like a highschool football team playing against the Green Bay Packers or something. You get the idea – YOU CAN’T GO WRONG WITH AN XD!
Sounds exciting. Would this be a good self-defense weapon to carry? What is the suggested price for the 9mm pistol and its accessories and is it available at retail stores or on line?
We didn’t get a price from them, but I do feel the adjustable sight is low profile enough to carry, but it is a long gun.
If you are looking for a carry gun, I would suggest looking at the standard or compact XDm. Not to say you couldn’t carry this, but even the standard model is quite large and this slide adds almost another inch. That being said, I plan to get both a Compact and this sweet piece as budget permits, I’ve already got the full size XDm-40.
Also, I recommend getting the .40 and buying an aftermarket conversion barrel. They are a couple hundred bucks, but they are a drop-in conversion part. All you do is pull the barrel out and put the conversion barrel in, switch magazines and let ‘er rip. You cannot go from 9mm to another caliber, but you can go from .40 to .357 Sig or 9mm. I bought a threaded and extended 9mm conversion barrel for my XDm and it was one of the best investments I’ve made.
Am anxious to see what price point this gun will have. Getting ready to enter USPSA competitions and will definitely consider this new XDM 5.25 model. Have been shopping Springfield options incl. the Range Officer and Loaded Operator.
I have no problem with Glock except I shot several inches low with a 17 or 19 so I don’t own one. Not true with my XDm 9mm compact. Looks like I am purchasing the 5.25 as soon as I can. By the way, most of the questions being asked are answered in the article, that is if you read it….
Guys,
I’m an old soldier that hasn’t done much training since I detached back in the 60’s….. For me 9-11 changed all that…. In an insane moment, I actually sent the air marshal group my DD-214 and a recent target at about 25-30, and a request to challenge their P.T. test…… (they thanked me and offered me a training slot which, since I’m retired, I did’t need, aye?)Since then I have probably fired every 9mm that is out there as I felt a need to bring my skills back to where they were when I spent a lot of time with the military issue 9mm, snub nosed 38, M-16 and my favorite the AK-47. I’ve always favored any weapon that could go into the “mud” and still come up working…… Those of you that have “been there, done that” know what I mean, ok?
Anyhow, I am getting off the track…..After reading an article in, I think, American Rifleman, I asked my local range folks if they had one of these Smithfield XD(M)’s in their rental area. I was please that they had both of these fine weapons. I took both of them into the range and proceeded to put about 100 rounds through each of these fine weapons….. Personally, I have never found a weapon (save my beloved AK)that I took to so easily……. The smoothness of that weapon really worked for me, giving me the tightest group I’ve ever had with a 9mm. I must admit that I have had to relearn my count as these puppies have such big magazines! That said, Springfield Arms has gotten another customer…. Thanks for a great article!
Mike
My wife wanted to buy a weapon for me for Christmas 2010. I picked out the XDM9 4.5. I was expecting a fine weapon, but this one surprised me. It is the most comfortable, finest shooting weapon that I have ever fired. I have put away all of my S&W’s and my Rugers. I even put away my Red hawk. I still carry my KelTec, but only because it fits in the watch pocket of my jeans. I do not enjoy firing the KelTec.
My only regret is that I didn’t know about the 5.25. I wonder if my wife would ……. Not likely, but I can dream, Can’t I?
Just for the record about Glocks. This gun will out shoot a Glock, any day of the week. plus, just shake a glock, it sounds loose. Shake a XDm and you hear silence, rock solid, This gun is Excellently built.
I have the XDm .45acp in the 4.5 version, and in just one word…awesome. If you are looking at dropping that kind of money on a gun, give the XDm a serious look, I looked at a bunch before i bought, Just a great gun.
does anyone know what the msrp is and when they will be available?
We were not given the msrp. They should be available soon.
I’ll guess and say somewhere around the $750 mark.
I didn’t catch how many rounds it holds…..
8th picture down the right mentions it comes with an extra 19-round magazine.
From one of the photo captions: “This XD(M) comes with all of the standard case candy of the XD(M) line, including a holster, magazine holster, extra 19 round magazine and grip inserts for different sized hands.”
As with other full-sized XD(M) models, the 9mm holds 19 round magazines.
My SA 9MM target loaded is dead on accurate. Is this better for some reason?
The sight radius and adjustable sight are explained.
Thanks. I put Dawson precision adjustable sights on it, and I can’t imagine a more accurate 9mm.
Tom
Given the generation of the XD line originates with the HS-2000 9×19 manufactured in CROATIA. As a platform which Springfield Armory purchased in total granted SA the right to improve through redesign and innovation an already excellent production model product. With that stated, the NEW 5.25” XD(M) utilizes the current standard for mounting accessories under the front of the muzzle and forward of the trigger guard but then SA has overlooked the most logical change which would to have placed this accessory rail on top, running from front sight to rear sight and to have incorporated these sights into the rail design itself. This would have opened up a great number of accessories and other sighing equipment etc., making SA more revenue and so too for the industry at large, not to mention the overall satisfaction to be found with each owner or potential purchaser. The only way around this is through adaptability of drill and tapping the top of the slide to accept the accessory rail and added accessories.
Congratulations Springfield Armory on your new 5.25” XD(M) product and hopefully the price shall be within the reach of the average weapons owner. Right now however, I’m happy to stay with my HS-2000 for it to is an awesome quality firearm.
looks like everybody is doing there best to build a ” better” glock! so you might as well own the real thing. GLOCKS RULE.
I never really liked the feel of a glock and the factory glock sights are terrible IMO. Everyone has their own prefrence though, after shooting a few glocks, I decided I did not want one.
I hate the Glock Trigger and the cheap feel when you pull it. GLOCKs can be a little snappy, too. The XD(M) that I own (9mm adn .45 ACP) both have better recoil mgmt and the trigger is much nicer than the GLOCKs I have shot.
I think the XD sights, Grips, Balance, and looks are all superior to the GLOCK. To each his own…
Yep the Springfield line has more of a Browning HP or CZ 75 grip angle. They feel great in the hand. And that is what counts in competition. The gun must fit.
Works for me!
They sure do with new sights, new barrel, redone trigger, different springs, then they are the cats meow, too bad both my XDMs out shoot my Glock right out of the box
Well, I was going to purchase a S&W M&P Pro next month, and I am glad I did not. I REALLY like the feel of the XDM’s and have suggested to numerous friends to buy them (and at least 3 have). I absolutely LOVE how the XDM shoots.
I agree with the poster Bob Brandt above. I’ve said numerous times I didn’t buy and XDM yet because I wanted a 5″ barrel, well 5.25″ is even better. XDM 9MM 5.25 is now right on top of my wish list.
Thought you Chi-Town guys could’nt own handguns ? Of course New York too has no crime whatsoever because you can’t own or carry a gun there too without an act of God to get a permit. And then they try to make you keep it in the house.;-]
Actually that was overturned last year in the supreme court. As with DC, it was found to be unconstitutional. There are some loop holes to owning a hand gun legally however it is legal. The loop holes are not all that different to owning a hand gun in Chicago vs a carry concealed permit in another state.
make it in 45acp.
I just love seeing “Ted Kennedy” writting comments like “make it in 45 acp” – this makes me think there is a God. With a sense of humor to boot! (Yes. I know. You are not the late Sen. Kennedy. It still warms my heart)
How much??
What is the MSRP.???
Manufacturers suggested retail price
I kept wondering why the geniuses at SA made the original XDM 9mm such a short gun.
Anyone who shoots in Production division in USPSA knows how well the longer Glock 34 runs. That extra length does matter! It’s all about sight radius.
I think I might even retire my tricked out XD 9mm tactical for this new model XDM.
And. Thank you Rob Leatham for pushing SA in the right direction:)
because those geniuses probably didn’t intend it for hardcore competition and 100% of their target market doesn’t compete in USPSA competion, so I’d think makes a tad more sense to build guns that cater to the majority rather than the minority but then again what do I know I’m not a genius
I agree totally! Why come ourt with a short barrel semi as the first version of your new handgun? It looked like SA was aiming for concealed carry right off the bat, which doesn’t make sense to me, since most semi auto onwers I know including myself own full size weapons.
I’m used to seeing new semi autos come out as full size versions first, followed by compact and CC size versions.
I don’t own any high dollar firearms but I know that I’m a lot more accurate with my hi point 40 s&w than my cobra baby .380. I’ve put about 400 rounds through each. I would love to get this handgun and try it out for size.
Eh. Reminds me of my G35. Call me when they release a version in .40sw.
Les we all forget, The preformance of the springfield line is great in all conditions, I’ll continue to shoot springfield over it’s competitors, due to the weapons preformance in the feild. I’ve found this lins thar is xd-xdm’s to out preform it’s competitors and this weapon work’s guy’s in the mud in the water under freezing conditions,ect. I’m writing this so that what we might call a Living testoment if you get my drift…..
Very exciting news, and just the 9mm I’m looking for. Any idea when Springfield will make it available to dealers?
I like everything said about this pistol except for the accuracy. 1″ groups at 25 feet turns into 3″ groups at 25 yards. There is also no mention of whether the pistol was shot from unsupported standing or off some type of bench rest. It would be nice if gun reviewers would shoot at the same range (25 yards for “standard” sized pistols) off a Ransom Rest or similar. By doing this the consumer could get a more clear idea of inherent accuracy. Finally, several different factory loads would be nice for comparison. Thank you.
At some point we will get a Ransom Rest, but most real world trainers out there will tell you that the performance of a gun in a fixture has little relationship to what it will shoot in your hand. That is why Springfield is sending them out to ranges first, so you can see how you shoot with it before buying it. Apples to apples is more along the lines of the same shooter shooting different guns, but one shooter isn’t always correlative to another. In most cases the gun is more accurate than all of us. It is just a question of how well we shoot it.
Forty years of shooting, twenty of of which was in military competition, has proven to me that the first item to be proven is the equipment. That entails removing the human element. Ransom rests offer the best equipment for that purpose. The tool should not be the shooter’s alibi. Certainly the handgun is more sensitive to the shooter’s grip, stance etc and differences can be accommodated after the handgun has been proven accurate and consistent. IMHO, standards of testing distance should be used with a ransom rest, normally at twenty-five yards. Practical range shooting, especially defense training should be conducted at the basic average engagement distance.
Makes no difference how it was held or at what range, the flaw in the delivery system is the human being, not the gun.
Just an observation: nothing new and groundbreaking – simply executed the EXACT same concept as what S&W did with their M&P line.
From where I’m sitting it looks like a copy of the S&W M&P pro (L) – other than the grip safety and slide-cut.
No?
Building a gun for the same market doesn’t mean it is the same gun. The SW doesn’t have an adjustable sight and the sight radius is shorter, as is the barrel. These are significant differences. Do the guns look at little the same? Yea, a little.
well when I squint my eyes the S&W m&P looks like a copy of a full size glock so what is your point? As far as polymer guns go they all look like a copy of each other and are of the EXACT same concept
Well Dan, I guess that means that all 1911’s are the same since they look alike?? So Wilson Combat = Rock Island…absolutely ridiculous. Just because two firearms resemble each other does not mean they are of the same quality and have the same performance specs.
Well steve, Dan never did state that the quality looks the same. He simply stating that they LOOK the same. His reply never said that the quality is the same. If your concerned strictly of look, as in what dan was stating. Yes the wilson combat does look pretty close to a rock island.
Why is it every time a new pistol comes out, people feel it necessary to have dick measuring contest? If the gun shoots well for you, and feels like an extension of your hand.than enjoy it. Just because I don’t care for Taurus guns, if someone likes the way one shoots. Then I shut the hell up. And say glad it’s working for you.
Not to be rude or a know it all, but have you taken any of these a apart.h&k, glock,s&w, sigpro,fn,xd,ruger. they all are quite a bit different in the inside.glock rails are quite a bit larger than the h&k for example, look in side a few,you may see thing different? Kirb Marriott