February 11th, 2021
9:02 runtime
When it comes to practical pistols, Im no snob.
When Im putting a blaster on my hip, Im not typically looking for custom.
Instead, Im looking for reliability.
Powder River Precision takes the already capable XD-M Elite 3.8″ Compact to the next level when it comes to both looks and function.
I dont want fancy; I want function.
I recently had a chance to try out the newXD-M Elite 3.8 Compact pistoland was really impressed with it.
I had been doing some research on custom gunsmithing and had been looking at Powder River Precision.
The XD-M Elite has always been a good-looking pistol. The addition of an optics cut and the two-tone look of Powder River Precision’s version is particularly handsome.
Lets be frank, the Elites are darn close to semi-custom guns as it is.
What could Powder River Precision do this already advanced design?
I thought it might be fun to find out and share what I found with you in this review.
Powder River Precision took care of that by cutting the slide of this pistol to accept optics.
The pistol I received back was mounted with aShield SMSc optic.
I immediately took the pistol out to the range to try it out.
In addition to theShield red dot sight, Powder River Precision outfitted the Custom 3.8″ with a set of Dawson Precision suppressor height sights.
The dot was easy to pick up by adding some progressive pressure with my pinkies on the presentation.
I was pleased with how quickly the dot snapped back to the point of aim.
It made getting hits a simple process.
A red dot sight looks right at home on the Powder River Precision XD-M Elite 3.8.
The red dot itself is backed up with a pair of Dawson Precision suppressor-height sights.
For my range time, Winchester was kind enough to send me a selection of its 9mm ammo.
The gun and the ammo were accurate and reliable.
As expected, the Winchester Active Duty, 115-gr. FMJ flat-nose rounds were reliable and accurate.
Black plastic, black metal, black finish everywhere you look.
Now, there is nothing at all wrong with the color.
In fact, black has some advantages when it comes to a defensive handgun.
I’ve always liked the XD-M Elite’s ambidextrous mag release. Powder River takes it up a notch by extending it.
For example, it blends in.
I have always been a fan of two-tone finishes, and that is the angle Powder River took.
Its subtle but classy.
The scalloped and extended stainless steel grip safety offers a solid improvement in efficiency, whether shooting or operating the slide.
It immediately caught my attention.
The next accent to catch my eye was the extended, ambidextrous magazine catch.
Enhanced Function
The XD-M Elites ambidextrous magazine release has always pleased me.
The trigger was impressive. When tested with a digital trigger scale, it registered at just over 4.25 lbs.
It doesnt matter whether you are a righty or a lefty you are set.
No swapping of the mag release, just use it.
When I mean use it, I mean just plain get after dropping that mag.
I found the XD-M Elite from Powder River to be reliable and pleasant to shoot.
Take the time to ensure that any extended mag release holster combination works as intended.
The XD-M Elites grip safety can be a love/hate feature for some.
My personal preference is no grip safety, but the Powder River Precision grip safety is an exciting feature.
If you are looking to take your XD-M Elite to the next level, Powder River Precision seems to be the go-to for customization.
I like the fact that it is an extended grip safety.
Whether you are firing critical shots or operating the slide, I am a big fan of this feature.
Important Interface
I have spent a lot of time on quality triggers.
Ive shot duty-weight triggers with zero or post-travel and glass rod breaks.
Im rarely surprised by a trigger.
Dont get me wrong, a great trigger is still a great trigger.
With the number and types of guns I get to run, I have appropriate expectations of trigger performance.
I dont expect a duty gun to have a hair-trigger.
Powder River Precision really caught me off guard with the trigger in the XD-M Elite 3.8 Compact.
When I say caught me off guard, I mean that trigger was amazing.
Powder River installed the PRP Trigger Kit in this pistol.
When I shot the gun, I knew it was something special.
Powder River offers two triggers for the XD-M Elite, this trigger and the Extreme.
Based on my experience with this gun, they are both worthy investments.
Final Thoughts
I have spent a good bit of time running a full-sizeXD-M Elite Tactical OSP.
That is the pistol that lives on my battle belt.
Ive run it hard in both training and practice.
I havent been disappointed.
In fact, there is little I would change about my go-to gun.
That is until now.
Powder River Precision has put together a solid group of upgrades for XD-M Elite pistols.
The adaptations make an amazing pistol even more amazing.
