Im a bit of a traditionalist.
It isnt hard to explain.
There were lots of double-stack polymer-framed guns.
Springfield Armory designed the XD-M Elite to be a no-compromise defensive pistol ready for a wide range of uses.
The XD-S was a big step forwardfor the guns for me.
The slim, single-stack guns were awesome.
And if Im any indication, it opened peoples eyes to the other XD and XD-M guns.
The author fully equipped the XD-M Elite with a Viridian X5L, HEX Dragonfly and a Banish 45 sound suppressor.
They grew on me, but I still didnt put an XD-M into my EDC rotation.
The XD-M Elite has changed that for me, completely.
For me, theTactical OSP 9mm in FDEchecks all of the boxes.
The author found there was very little muzzle flip from the 9mm out of the 5.28” barrel.
For out-of-the-box functionality, this gun is high on my list.
Why do I like it?
The finish is a Desert Flat Dark Earth Cerakote.
The XD-M Elite line is a mature product series with good support from holster and accessory makers.
This adds a nice protective coating that requires little maintenance.
It also contrasts nicely with the Melonite (black) parts.
This gun has Springfields META (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly) trigger.
The author used this GTG target to get a baseline feel for the gun when running it fast.
The META trigger adds an integral overtravel stop and a flat-front trigger blade.
The triggers on these guns are really impressive.
The overtravel stop adds to the fast reset and speeds up follow-up shots.
The barrel, which is 5.28, is threaded to .528 and is capped.
The whole thing is coated in Melonite.
The twist rate in the barrel is 1:10.
Ive just gotten aBanish 45 suppressorin, and Ive been shooting the XD-M even more.
The balance is perfect on the XD-M, and it works exceptionally well.
First, just know that theyre robust.
It is a flat-black blade thats built like a tank.
The rear sight has an exceptional shelf.
Grab it, hook it on a belt or a boot, and push with your shooting hand.
Every gun should be this easy to manipulate with one hand.
Simply fit the right plate to the top of the slide and screw down your red dot.
I topped mine off with aHEX Dragonfly red dotfrom Springfield Armory.
The magazines are a bonus, too.
There are two 22-round mags included.
Theyre stainless with polymer caps.
The flared and extended magwell is removable.
There are other bonuses.
The slide release is ambidextrous, and with the ambi mag release you have a fully ambidextrous gun.
Also, it has a full-length, one-piece guide rod.
One of the safeties is on the back of the grip.
The other another that requires no mental energy to engage is built into the trigger shoe.
There is no slide- or frame-mounted thumb safety.
This set-up is growing in popularity for full-sized handguns and is standard on many EDC pistols.
Holsters
I had the XD-M Elite on hand for a couple of months without a holster.
Ive since had one built by Ares Tactical.
You canread my in-depth review here.
Two things to consider when looking for holsters.
One: the design needs to reset the sights.
Since the gun has suppressor-height sights, it isnt going to fit in most standard holsters.
Two: the threaded barrel and added length may influence how it fits.
And while youre at it, lets add two more considerations.
Even if you dont have a RDS model in mind now, plan ahead.
And add a light.
Ive had this one molded around theViridian X5L(which also comes in a flat dark earth).
The pistol has three rail slots underneath for adding a light or a laser.
Shooting
Ive become a real fan of how the XD-M line handles.
The full-size guns have enough mass and control surfaces to properly mitigate recoil.
They shoot flat and fast, making them ideal for both defensive and tactical applications.
Accuracy is solid and both predictable and repeatable.
Id put the XD-M up against any of my polymer pistols.
Thats not hyperbole the design simply works.
Ive not experienced failures with the gun, but I regularly practice them.
The wide serrations on the slide both front and rear make manipulation easy.
And the super-high rear sight is a dream.
With an MSRP of $733 for this model, theXD-M Elite Tactical OSPisnt going to break the bank.
In the real world, we call that value.
The XD-M might not be your first choice but hear this youd be missing out.
Im glad I did.
