First Look: Springfield Armory XD(M) 9mm and 45 Threaded Barrel Models

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Springfield Armory XD(M) Threaded Barrel Models

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Shhh! At the request of Springfield Armory, we’re going to keep quiet for a little while. I picked up a package yesterday from the folks in Geneseo, and in the box were too shiny new pistols. I mean really new, like not even on the shelves yet. The first one is a 9mm XD(M) and the second is a .45 caliber XD(M). The cool part? Both have threaded barrels! I can take a hint. I think Springfield Armory is telling me to shut the hell up.

Hot off the press, the new models share the same features of the full-size XD(M)’s with some obvious exceptions. Before we get into that, I should note that the 9mm version is an exceptionally cool looking flat dark earth color with a black slide while the .45 ACP model is all black. One more thing, the 9mm is a standard Springfield Armory product, but the .45 is a special edition for Lipsey’s. You can buy either one starting Friday June 5, 2015.

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The Specs

The core guns are the same XD(M) full-size models so we won’t go through the full details on the XD(M) family. Instead, we’ll focus on the highlights of the new threaded models. For a quick review, here are the basic specs.

Springfield Armory XD(M) 9mm Threaded

Caliber: 9mm
Recoil System: One Piece Full Length Guide Rod
Sights: Dovetail Front and Rear (Steel) 3 – Dot; Suppressor Height
Weight: (with Empty Magazine) 29 ozs.
Height: 6″
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish
Barrel: 5.25″ Steel, Melonite®, Hammer Forged, Threaded
Length: 8.25″
Grip Width: 1.18″
Frame: Flat Dark Earth Polymer
Magazines: 3 – 19 Round, Stainless Steel

Springfield Armory XD(M) .45 ACP Threaded

Caliber: .45ACP
Recoil System: One Piece Full Length Guide Rod
Sights: Dovetail Front and Rear (Steel) 3 – Dot; Suppressor Height
Weight: (with Empty Magazine) 31 ozs.
Height: 6″
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish
Barrel: 4.5″ Steel, Melonite®, Hammer Forged
Length: 8.4″
Grip Width: 1.26″
Frame: Black Polymer
Magazines: 3 – 13 Round, Stainless Steel

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The Differences

Well, it goes without saying that the big difference is that the barrels are threaded, but there’s more than that.

Yes, the barrel is threaded and comes with a nifty thread protector. Unlike most I’ve seen, this one has vertical grooves (parallel with the bore) instead of a checkered pattern. I have to admit, it looks pretty sharp.

Threading also means that the gun comes with a little extra. Barrel that is. The prior XD(M) full-size models sported 4.5-inch barrels. As the threading needs to extend past the slide, these measure a full ¾-inch longer. Yeah, it’s functional and looks neat, even without a suppressor attached. Better yet, you’ll get a little extra velocity from that extra barrel length. Depending on your choice of ammo, it might be in the range of 50 to 100 feet per second more than a standard XD(M). Generally, that’s desirable. Just be aware in case you want to shoot suppressed with borderline subsonic rounds. It’s possible, though unlikely, that a round that’s subsonic in a regular XD(M) will go supersonic in this model, just because of the extra barrel length.

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You’ll also notice that the sights have grown a bit. Both new threaded models come with tall sights that help maintain an unobstructed sight picture when using a silencer. Both front and rear are dovetailed, so if you prefer another brand or want to install tritium sights, you can easily do that. The sights on my sample models are standard three dot. At this point, I have no information as to whether Springfield Armory will offer their own night sight versions. No worries, there are plenty available from other sight vendors.

Shooting Quietly!

Hey, since I had two guns ready to go with threaded barrels, I decided to try two different suppressors. Both of the models I had handy are .45 caliber silencers, but the larger cans work just fine on 9mm and .40 S&W also. You just have to replace the suppressor piston to match the smaller 1/2×28 TPI threading on the 9mm XD(M).

On the XD(M) 9mm, I installed a SilencerCo / SWR Octane 45. This is a round suppressor with a piston mount option. That spring loaded action helps semi-automatic guns cycle properly when dragging the extra weight of the suppressor during recoil. The Octane is 1.73-inches in diameter. The extra-tall front sight post is clearly visible through the extra-tall rear sight notch with this not-so-tiny silencer installed. There’s actually a little room to spare. To give you an idea, the entire front dot rested above the top of the suppressor, so the factory-installed sights worked beautifully in this configuration.

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It’s hard to describe how much fun it is to shoot a silenced pistol, especially with subsonic ammunition. If I used the word “giddy” would that result in the loss of my man card? Perhaps, but that’s still an accurate description. With the 9mm, most of what you hear is the zing of the bullet, just like on old TV westerns. I shot subsonic hand loads, American Eagle 147 grain flat point (subsonic) and Sig Sauer Elite Performance 147 grain V-Crown (subsonic) ammo and all functioned perfectly with the combination of XD(M) and Octane silencer. When you shoot supersonic bullets, like the Blazer 124 grainers I had, you can hear the mini sonic boom traveling down range, even though the muzzle blast is muffled.

If you think shooting a suppressed 9mm is fun, then try a .45 ACP, especially at an outdoor range. On the XD(M) .45 ACP threaded model, I mounted a SilencerCo Osprey 45. You might know this one from the Walking Dead. Main character Rick Grimes uses one frequently to bust Zombie gourds. Just for the record, I bought mine well before his showed up on TV. Anyway, like the Octane, the Osprey has optional piston mounts to assist reliable semi-automatic operation. I just had to swap in the .578×28 TPI version to for the larger diameter .45 barrel.

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My outdoor range has a huge berm at 100 yards to stop all the lead flying downrange, and this turned out to be quite fun free entertainment. I shot Sig Sauer Elite Performance 230-grain FMJ and Federal Premium HST 230 grain ammo, both of which mosey on down range well below the sound barrier. The most enjoyable part was hearing the loud THUDS as the heavy .45 slugs hit the berm 100 yards away. Sight picture. Easy trigger press. Phhfffttt noise. Wait a bit. THUD! It’s hard to describe in words, but you know the sound. It’s kinda like when you hit a big sofa cushion with a 9-iron. Yes, I’m easily amused, but I’ll bet you would have laughed too.

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Like the XD(M) 9mm / Octane combination, the XD(M) 45 Osprey duo worked perfectly with all ammo tested.

In between the THUD game rounds, I did manage to do a little serious shooting and clocked some velocities, suppressed, through both XD(M) pistols. I set up a Shooting Chrony Beta Master Chronograph 15 feet downrange.

Closing Thoughts

If you’re an XD(M) fan, you’ll love the new threaded options. If you plan to carry it, just be aware of the extra length out the muzzle end in the event you have a closed holster. Other than that, it’s the gun you know and love. No word yet on availability of threaded barrels only to upgrade existing guns, but we’ll keep an ear out.

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