Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 9mm Concealed Carry Pistol

The XD-M Elite is Springfield’s advanced striker-fired handgun offering. It comes with suppressor-height iron sights, ambidextrous slide stop, improved serrations as well as a capacity 22+1 magazine, all springfieldstore.com in a compact size.

The XD-M Elite also sports an adjustable backstrap that can be swapped out using three different inserts. This allows the pistol to comfortably accommodate a springfieldstore.com range of hand sizes.

The optical sight

The XD M Elite series is the latest version of Springfield Armory’s their popular line of polymer-frame striker-fired pistols. The XD-M Elite comes with features that competition shooters demand in a carry-ready pack. This is a barrel that matches along with improved slide serrations as well as the firm’s Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META).

The barrel is made of hammer using it’s Melonite match grade finish. Its compact frame grip provides concealability for daily carry. Its performance as well as big capacity makes it an ideal EDC selection.

The XD Elite is equipped with red dot optics to choose. This dustcover with an angled design has a Picatinny Rail that could be used to place flashlights, lasers, or tactical lights. This allows you to use the pistol as a backup weapon in low light conditions or when it’s difficult observe the sights.

Its XD Elite model includes all the typical XD Elite characteristics, like the slide lock which is ambidextrous and a magazine release for southpaws. Additionally, it has upgraded slider serrations that offer the necessary traction. Additionally, it comes with an expanded magwell that allows you to put 22+1 rounds from the magazine.

Like the rest of the XD-M Elite family, this one is also compatible with ammunition that is +P compatible. High temperatures can damage the components faster than standard pressure ammunition.

One of the attractive features of this gun is its ambidextrous fore-sight and rear sight. It’s very easy to operate to left-handed shooters in addition to everyone else.

Alongside the two included magazines there’s the flat basepad that can be used to replace the fingerhooks on the included magazines as well as a black nylon carrying case. The front sight will include new fiber optics that you can switch out for green ones should you choose to. These new rods must be installed by you, because they don’t come with any instruction or equipment.

Trigger Pull

For a while, in the past, if you were looking for a big polymer striker-fired firearm inside the United States, your choices were restricted to three Big Three — Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P and The Springfield Armory XD. The situation has changed as there are more manufacturers of these kinds of guns, however in terms of the XD line, this one is the best the company can offer.

The Elite offers a variety of innovative features which distinguish it from the earlier XD and XD-M models including the hammer forged barrel and a chamber indicator to the side of the slide. This acts as a both visual and tactile signal of gun status. The entire package includes a reversible, extended magwell featuring adjustable rear sights and front sights made of red fiber optics. The Elite includes a bigger slide and barrel with an ebonite finish designed for long-lasting use and improved accuracy.

Both XD and XD-M pistols have been known for their smooth trigger pulls and this one is no exception. It’s also a bit more precise than the XD-M pistols available at Springfield. This is great news when you shoot a large number of targets, or taking part in bowling pin shoots. If you’d like to reduce the weight of your trigger, Springfield has an XDM Extreme Trigger Kit available for the gun, which will reduce the trigger’s take-up, reset and over-travel.

The Elite has been tested using an Caldwell Matrix Rest. In the initial three shots it clipped at 25 yards 1.1″ Dot. The next two shot into a 4-inch circle. the third shot failed to clear the intended target. It’s pretty impressive for a gun of the size. It’s especially impressive when you consider the age of this person and his eyes. Federal 180 gr. Ammo used by Federal was 180 grams. of energy at the muzzle.

The slide stop is an bi-lateral lever. This feature may be useful for shooters who are left-handed, however it’s not like other pistols that I have examined. Furthermore, there’s a greater amount of force needed for the release of the right-side lever than for the left. This can be smoothed and “break into” as more time passes.

Accuracy

Springfield’s XD series of handguns that fire strikers have been evolving over the years. The current XD-M Elite Series was introduced. It offers features like interchangeable backstraps, and an excellent trigger. The gun can incorporate optics. This model, the XD(M) Elite OPS is similar, with a few key upgrades which make it a great choice to shoot IDPA (or USPSA competitive shooting.

The most notable of these are a Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META) that delivers the finest production polymer-framed trigger for pistols available. Its flat trigger, with integrated blade safety, integrated stopper for overtravel, and integrated blade safety enhance your trigger’s performance while reducing times of operation.

META can also result in shorter distances for trigger reset and more consistent precision. When I tested with the XD(M) Elite Ops my five shot groups with Federal Syntech 124gn target load averaged 4.3 inches. This is an amazing achievement, especially given that it was done off-hand using a bench rest, standard magazines and a steel handgun.

The third major improvement is the ambidextrous slide stopping as well as the magazine release. This means that it possible to make the XD(M) Elite OPS very friendly for both lefties as well as righties. This means you will not require breaking your grip just to drop magazines. The angled slide serrations let users to control the gun even with wet or cold hands, and also prevents from slipping the gun off the intended target while recoiling.

Finally, the XD(M) Elite OPS comes equipped with a threaded muffler that accepts 1/2×28 pitch suppressors. A factory-installed thread protector is included, and it’s easily removed to install a full range of sound suppressors.

Springfield has four mounting plates that are numbered so that it is easy for people to find these plates. The plates fit right on the firearm and permit the user to easily switch between various red-dot sights without being required to pull off the slide.

Its XD(M) Elite OPS has the standard 4.2-inch barrel which extends out from towards the rear of the slide. However, it is possible to replace it by one that is shorter if desired. The top of the muzzle is equipped with 1/2×28 pitch threads meaning you’ll be able to install the suppressor even if you’re not shooting.

Bottom Line

The gun makers are at work to minimize the weight and size of concealed carry guns and still maintain their power. Springfield Armory’s XD Elite 9mm is a perfect example of this. The XD-M Elite 9mm model from Springfield Armory is loaded with attributes you’d expect from an assault rifle, for example, interchangeable backstraps (3 on this model), simple controls and a trigger that works effectively.

This funnel for magwells is integrated into it’s counterpart, XD-M Elite. It’s designed to direct magazines through it when you reload when under stress. This is particularly important when you are under stress like is often with an assault weapon in self-defense. This device holds the magazine flush with the frame, permitting it to be put in effortlessly and firing.

The magazine with ambidextrous slide release is another attribute I love about this model of the XD-M Elite. This will make it simpler for lefties to operate the firearm, especially when you are wearing gloves. Springfield has made certain that the pistol has the most user-friendly design through the inclusion of a grip safety with depressions that are located on both sides of the grips to make it easier for fingers to place. This helps reduce the chance of missing the slide safety when grasping the firearm for firing.

The XD M Elite has an Enhanced META Trigger. This trigger was specifically created for shooters who want to get the most out of the handguns they own with striker firing. META’s internal overtravel stops prevent the trigger from traveling too much and help you stay in control while competing.

When it comes to accuracy In terms of accuracy, its XD-M Elite did very well during my tests. The pistol fired four rounds at smaller than 30mm, using the 124gn Federal Syntech ammo which is pretty impressive. One thing I did not discover was that the gun isn’t quite wide enough in order to feel comfortable with carrying concealed and also it’s somewhat heavy for some users.

If you are looking to purchase a range or concealed carry gun should think about buying the XD-M Elite. It is extremely impressive. The XD-M Elite is a gun that can be fired by striking. It has several features that are vital to any gun enthusiast that wants to carry. It comes with two different sizes. It also comes with a variant for tactical use that has a barrel threaded with the slide is ready for optics.