May 2nd, 2023
7minute read
Springfield Armory now offers threaded barrel options for the XD-M line of pistols.
He also gives us a sneak peek at an interesting newHellcat threaded barrelas well.
Threaded barrels are just simply cool.
Adding a suppressor or compensator to your Springfield XD-M pistol is easily accomplished when you add one of these new threaded barrels in 9mm, 10mm or .45 ACP.
But how about a threaded barrel available direct from the original manufacturer at a great price?
Springfield Armory has done just that.
If Im counting correctly, they currently offer 15 different models of the pistol.
The author upgraded his XD-M and XD-M Elite pistols with the factory threaded barrels now offered by Springfield Armory. This one is fitted with the SilencerCo Osprey suppressor.
Each one incorporates superlative engineering and workmanship along with combat-proven features.
The barrels feature a black Melonite coating for rust-resistance and lubricity.
The barrels come with included thread protectors.
Springfield Armory includes a thread-protecting cap with every XD-M barrel kit. These caps ensure the threads are not damaged when you do not have a muzzle accessory attached.
The 9mm barrel feature 1/228 threading, while the 10mm and .45 ACP barrels sport .57828 threading.
Why should these being available matter to you?
Suppressors have steadily become very mainstream.
If you can clean your pistol, you can easily install a threaded barrel into your XD-M pistol.
There are several reasons for this.
The biggest is inflation.
That was around $3,500 in todays inflation-adjusted money, effectively shutting down commerce in sound suppressors.
Springfield’s new threaded barrels work in both the XD-M and XD-M Elite pistols. Shown above are the author’s XD-M (top) and XD-M Elite (bottom.)
However, over time, inflation took the teeth out of that $200 tax.
Nowadays, $200 is hardly chump change, but it isnt the onerous impediment it once was.
Once typical American shooters tasted the joys of sound-suppressed guns, there was no going back.
The Springfield Armory threaded barrels are match quality parts ensuring optimal accuracy with all kinds of ammunition.
And that number is growing daily.
Adding this capability to your favorite pistol is quite literally painless thanks to this new offering from Springfield Armory.
Adding one of these threaded tubes could not be easier.
The author tested the new XD-M threaded barrels on the range with suppressors. The guns ran exceptionally well with the new parts.
To start with the XD-M barrel installation, strip the pistol down as you might for routine maintenance.
you’ve got the option to see ourXD-M field stripping video hereas a guide.
Next, remove the factory barrel from the pistol slide.
The author performed some simple accuracy testing with the new barrels and suppressors. The groups were tight. These were fired at 12 meters with the ammo shown.
Now, remove the thread protector from the threaded barrel.
This will allow it to fit inside the slide.
After installation, you’re able to reattach the thread protector.
Slide the new threaded barrel in place.
you could now reassemble the gun.
There really is nothing else to it.
Once installed, the threaded barrel runs just like the stubbier sort.
These tubes all come with thread protectors.
With very few exceptions the threaded guns fit the same holsters.
Why Go to the Trouble?
Sound suppressors will absolutely ruin you to noisy guns.
If you havent had the pleasure, they dont make the gun silent, not by a wide margin.
A can just makes shooting way more pleasant.
For recreational training on a range, that means attenuated muzzle blast and more neighborly shooting.
A decent can will often actually enhance accuracy as well.
The addition of a threaded barrel really doesnt have a downside.
you’re able to thread on the suppressor when appropriate and leave it off when it isnt.
The transfer process for a sound suppressor is undeniably onerous.
You have to be fingerprinted, and the paperwork is convoluted.
Additionally, the wait times can be absolutely insane.
While the process could be done better, most of this is due simply to volume.
In 2022 the NFA Branch of the BATF processed 709,508 forms.
Thats 2,728 forms per workday.
They make the rules, we only abide by them.
Now, that being said, buying a sound suppressor has recently been made much easier.
The BATF e-Forms system also cuts a good deal of time off of the processing.
My first e-Forms app took me three hours to input.
My last one took me eleven minutes.
Like most things, it is function of familiarity.
(To learn how to purchase a suppressor, just see our article onSilencer Central here.)
Trigger Time
I outfitted my threadedSpringfield Armory XD-M Elite 9mm pistolwith aSilencerCo Ospreysound suppressor.
This unconventional can features an offset bore and rectangular cross-section.
That helps you dump the sights.
It literally couldnt be easier.
The Osprey is also one of the most effective pistol cans I have ever fired.
When run outdoors with subsonic 9mm ammo, the gun is comfortable on my ears without hearing protection.
The gun is also available in either OD green, flat dark earth, or basic black.
Ruminations
I think Springfield is onto something here with these new threaded barrels for the XD-M. Once you thread a can on that snout youll never look at noisy guns the same way again.
This drop-in barrel features a black Melonite finish on the barrel for rust-resistance and lubricity.
The compensator, included with the kit, is made from 8082 aluminum and is anodized matte black.
Rate of twist of the barrel is 1:10, and it weighs 2.72 oz.
The Self Indexing Compensator weighs 0.7 oz.
So there you have it, so great options for some of Springfields most popular polymer-framed pistols.
Be sure to check them out at the link below.
