Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 9mm Concealed Carry Pistol
Springfield has developed a new striker-fired pistol, that’s the XD-M Elite. The model is equipped with the suppressor height iron sights, an the slide stop is ambidextrous, with improved serrations as well as a capacity 22+1 magazine packed in a small package.
The XD M Elite is also equipped with an interchangeable backstrap using three different inserts. The pistol can comfortably accommodate a range of hand sizes.
Optic Sights
The XD-M Elite line is the Springfield Armory’s latest upgrade to their popular line of polymer-frame striker-fired pistols. This XD-M Elite pistol offers the attributes that competitors want with a design that is made for transport. The XD M Elite sports a match barrel with improved serrations as well as The Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly.
This barrel is hammer-forged and finished with the Melonite match-grade finish. The compact frame grip allows for concealability when carrying it daily. The combination of capacity and efficiency makes it a perfect EDC choice.
The XD Elite comes with the red dot-scope of your choice. The angled cut of the dustcover of the frame has a strip of Picatinny rails that allow you to install tactical lights or lasers. This enables you to use the pistol for backup when the lighting is dim or when it’s difficult observe the sights.
This XD Elite model comes with all of the standard XD Elite functions, which include a slide lock that is adjustable and a magazine release to southpaws. It also has improved serrations to the slide that give you an extra level of traction. Also, it has an extended magwell that enables you to put 22+1 rounds from the magazine.
As with the other models in the XD Elite family of guns, it is compatible with ammunition that is +P compatible. High temperatures can damage crucial components much faster as compared to standard pressure ammunition.
The ambidextrous rear and front sights are one of its best attributes of the pistol. This enables left-handed shooters to quickly operate the firearm while making it easy for anyone to quickly grab the pistol and start shooting.
In addition to the two magazines that come with it there’s an elongated basepad to replace those https://springfieldstore.com fingerhooks in the mags and a black nylon carrying case. Additionally, you’ll receive new fiber optic rods to replace the front sight. So, you could swap the current red ones for one in green if you prefer a different color. These new rods need to be inserted by you given that they’re not shipped equipped with any directions or tools.
Trigger Pull
For a time, the only polymer guns that were full size offered in the United States were the Springfield Armory XD as well as that of the Smith & Wesson M&P, and Glock. This has changed since numerous manufacturers have begun to make these pistols. But, the XD is the most popular of the line within the XD range.
It has a few advanced attributes that make it stand out. These include the built-in hammer and chamber, as well as the loaded indicator located on the back of the slide. This is used as a visibly and tactile display of the gun’s current status. Reversible magwell extension with an adjustable rear sight as well as red fiber optic front sights round out the package. The Elite includes a bigger slide and barrel with metal finish. It’s made to deliver long life and improved precision.
The XD-M is no exceptional one. The XD-M as well as the XD are renowned for their crisp trigger pulls. Actually, it’s quite more crisp than some competitors’ XD guns available from Springfield. If you regularly shoot or play in bowling-pin contests This is a fantastic news. If you’d like to reduce the weight of the trigger further, Springfield has an XDM Extreme Trigger Kit available for the gun that will lower its use-up, over-travel, and reset.
My testing with my Caldwell Matrix rest, the Elite’s three initial shots clipped the 1.1″ aiming dot from 25 meters. The next two shots fell into a four-inch circle, and the final shot was not able to clear the target. The accuracy is quite good considering a firearm of this size, especially considering the age and eyes of the old man. Federal 180gr. Trophy Bonded, a loaded soft point jacketed that has a velocity of 1,275 FPS and an impressive 650 ft.-lbs. The muzzle force is 650 ft.-lbs.
Slide stop levers are the bi-lateral lever. It’s nice for those who are left-handed, but it’s not the same as other pistols I’ve tried. The lever on the right is harder to open as opposed to the left. With time, this will likely smoothen out.
Accuracy
Springfield’s XD series of handguns that fire strikers has evolved over the years. In the year 2020, the XD-M Elite Series was introduced. It features options that include interchangeable backstraps as well as an effective trigger. It can also incorporate optics. This year’s XD (M) Elite OPS is a similar model, offering a number of upgrades to provide a superior choice for IDPA as well as USPSA competing shooting.
One of these upgrades include one that is a Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META) that delivers the top production polymer framed trigger for pistols available. META’s flat trigger face with integral blade safety and built-in overtravel stop improve the tension of the trigger, cut down on the time of trigger cycles and provide a more predictable trigger break.
META will also lead to an enlarger trigger reset distance as well as more accurate performance. In my tests of with the XD(M) Elite Ops, my five-shot groups using Federal Syntech 124gn target load averaged 4.3 inches. It’s an incredible outcome, particularly considering the test was conducted off hand using a bench rest, standard magazines, and a handgun made of steel.
Another important improvement is the slide release and the magazine release that are ambidextrous. This makes the XD(M) Elite OPS very accessible for both lefties and righties. This means you will not need to remove your grip to release mags. The slide’s serrations are designed to be angled, allowing you to operate the gun regardless of cold or wet hands. It also helps prevent shooting off the target while recoiling.
The XD(M), Elite OPS has muzzle threads that can accept 1/2×28 pitch suppression devices. The thread protector is pre-installed and can be easily removed for installation of an array of sound suppressions.
Springfield offers four mounting plates, each numbered to make it easy for the user to distinguish these plates. They are built to mount directly on your firearm, which allows you to easily switch between red-dot sights, without the need to disassemble the slides.
This XD(M) Elite OPS has an standard 4.2-inch barrel which extends out from on the side of the slide. However, you could replace it by a shorter model if desired. Front of muzzle threaded 1/2×28, you can mount suppressors if you’re not shooting in competition.
Bottom Line
As concealed carry guns have become more popular firearm manufacturers have worked hard to shrink them down in terms of size and weight, but being able to still fire at a high level. Springfield Armory’s XD Elite 9mm is a great illustration of this. The XD M Elite 9mm made by Springfield Armory has all the characteristics you’d expect from the carry gun like removable backstraps (3 in this model) basic controls and a trigger which works very well.
The magwell funnel comes available with The XD-M Elite. It’s designed to channel magazines when reloading in a situation of stress. This is crucial when you are under stress as is so often the case when using firearms in self-defense. The device helps to keep your gun’s magazine in line with the frame allowing it to be fired easily and quickly.
Another great feature that comes with the XD-M https://springfieldstore.com Elite that I really appreciate is the ambidextrous slide stop as well as magazine release. It’s much simpler to work with this pistol if you’re left-handed and particularly when wearing gloves. Springfield has made certain that the pistol is as user-friendly as possible through the inclusion of a grip safety that has depressions across both sides of the pistol grip for finger placement. This minimizes the chances of accidentally engaging the safety on the slide while holding the pistol for firing.
It is the XD M Elite has an Enhanced META Trigger that was specifically created for shooters who want to get the most out of their firearms that have striker firing. META’s overtravel-stopping mechanisms in the internal trigger prevent the trigger traveling too far which helps you remain on track when shooting.
In my tests, I found that the XD-M Elite performed very well in terms of accuracy. The XD-M Elite fired four shots of Federal Syntech 124gn ammo into under 30mm of distance, which was impressive. My only complaint I could detect was that the pistol may be a little too large to allow for a comfortable carrying concealed and also it’s quite heavy for some shooters.
Anyone looking to buy a range or concealed carry gun, should consider an XD-M Elite. It is incredibly impressive. It has all of the essential features a carry firearm enthusiast requires and is available in two dimensions. It is also available in one version for use in tactical situations that features a threaded barrel and optically-ready slide to those who may use the gun in a tactical setting.