April 21st, 2021
7:37 runtime
Itry not to be a gun snob.
At the same time, I will admit that I like things to be refined.
If you start with a solid foundation, it’s possible for you to build something very capable.
And the XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact OSP is the latest addition.
When Less Is More
The new XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact OSP is anXD-M Elite at heart.
It isnt a major departure from the rest of the XD-M Elite line, nor should it be.
I suspect the effort to take a product design to the next level can be frustrating.
What do you add, what do you change and what do you keep the same?
The Elite line offers pistols ranging from competition-ready pistols to suppressor-ready options to standard pistols to compacts.
Its in that latter group that the new XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact OSP fits.
The whole family of XD-M Elite handguns share a set of features.
First off, accuracy and performance are very important goals with the Elite design.
The hammer-forged barrel is designed to deliver not only match-grade accuracy, but also a very long life.
The META trigger is quite simply the best out-of-the-box polymer-framed pistol trigger Ive shot.
It has a clean, crisp and consistent break as well as an overtravel stop built right in.
The triggers flat face makes for a great interface between the trigger and the finger.
As mentioned earlier, the Elite series of pistols sports a collection of features that discerning shooters should demand.
The forged slide has enhanced slide serrations at both the front and the rear of the slide.
These serrations strike an outstanding balance; they have just the right amount of bite and they look great.
The Elite pistols also have an ambidextrous slide stop/release lever.
And an enhanced bump on the grip safety ensures positive engagement when you grip the pistol.
These match up with the extended magazines and ensure lightning-fast, no-miss reloads.
Where It Fits
Which brings us to the new XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact OSP.
The 3.8 in the name refers specifically to the length of the barrel.
Just shy of 4, this 3.8 barrel lives right in the sweet spot for me.
Its short enough to be easy to conceal, but long enough to deliver impressive ballistics with standard ammunition.
The target market of the XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact OSP is clearly concealed carry users.
The compact grip length is great this role as it significantly reduces the chances of printing through clothing.
The 3.8 Compact OSP has a magazine capacity of 14 rounds.
The height of the gun, including the removable flared magwell, is 4.58.
For me, the compact grip is a great length.
I have mediumish-sized hands and my pinky rides up just a touch on the magwell.
Oh, did I forget to mention optics?
Eyes On Target
The new XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact OSP comes from the factory cut for optics.
This combo was easy to set up, easy to shoot and a lot of fun.
I used the word perceived for a reason.
However, a deeper look reveals there is more to the equation.
Triggers matter, slide length matters and mass matters.
Over the course of my range time, I noted the speed of follow-up shots with the OSP gun.
And in my opinion, the Elites are truly Springfields cream of the crop.
I currently have four of them, and they all make it into the shooting rotation.
However, I have found the OSP ones are the ones that get fire off the most by me.
