If you are currently in the market for one heck of a hunting pistol, set your sights on Springfield's XDM. This behemoth is one of the most capable handguns I've used in recent years, making it a great choice for those who are looking for power and control. When you learn about some of the rocky history that the XDM has behind it, you might initially scoff at the thought of adding it to your collection.
But after you have spent ample time with this beauty, you are sure to change your mind. This is one bear of a gun and it will certainly put a hurtin' on one, at that. In this Springfield XDM 10mm review, you will see why this handgun makes the perfect companion for wilderness use.
Difficult Beginnings
Depending on when you were born, you may remember when Springfield Armory had a very limited selection of pistols to choose from. Fast-forward to the modern era and things have certainly changed, with more coming from just about every gun manufacturer than you can shake a stick at.
If you are new to the game and are a bit overwhelmed with how many pistols you are presented with, stick around. Those looking for a 10mm will certainly want to hear what Springfield has to offer in that department. The XDM has actually been available for quite some time. Years, in fact.
Interestingly, between 2005 and 2006, the XD was being considered as becoming an official FBI armament. However, legend has it that the FBI quickly abandoned Springfield pistols when their offices couldn't shoot passing scores with the XDM. And that was allegedly on qualifying courses, not real ones.
What is equally interesting is that when used out in the wild for hunting purposes, the XD M 10mm is a force to be reckoned with. When you have spent some time getting to know this gun, you soon realize why it is one of the top-rated 10mm pistols.
This is a big handgun, make no mistake. It comes equipped with a 5 25-inch barrel, adding some serious girth to what is already a well-sized weapon. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's have a look at the overview of the XDM and what makes it so special. For comparison, read our Colt Delta Elite 10mm review.
Springfield's XDM 10mm Specifications |
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Corrosion-resistant Melonite finish |
Fiber optic front sights |
Adjustable rear sights |
7.38-inch sight radius |
One-piece guide rod |
Match-grade barrel |
Polymer frame |
Striker-fired |
Grip safety |
I like that you get both yellow and red dot optics-ready elements included with the XDM guns. The front sights fibers are a breeze to swap out, giving you some personalization options that best fit your needs. The rear sight on the 4 5-inch barrel version is adjustable for windage and has two white dots along its face.
The 5 25-inch barrel XDM pistols have a rear sight that is fully adjustable. Its face is all-black and features slight recesses on the slide.
And that's only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. What else does the XDM have up its sleeve? Let's find out.
Standout Features
By my estimation, the 10mm semiauto pistol was a commendable shooter in its own right. Like the 40 S W, both have been around for years but haven't gotten quite the following that perhaps they should have. The magazine, I believe, provides the same high level of performance as that found in the 45 ACP.
The 10mm loads 15 rounds with the cartridge and an additional 15 rounds of ammo with your reload. A polymer accessory rail along the slide gives you the option to add a light or laser.
Going back to the grip, it feels incredibly comfortable. I could see shooters with smaller hands struggling a bit and I would recommend Springfield Hellcat for those in need of a great compact pistol. Nonetheless, I think most people are going to feel right at home with the XDM. The magazine release feels nice, too, with a good location that's easy to access.
As far as 10mm pistols go, the XDM is a solid build through and through. But what about on the range?
Range Performance
Sure, there is more that they could have done to put the XDM through its paces. But what we did get proved that the 10mm is a well-designed gun that is built to last.
From my time with the XDM pistol, I like what I saw. At first, I was reminded why the FBI turned down this gun. At 25 yards, it just isn't at accurate as others I have tried. Don't get me wrong, the recoil is superb and the sight setup works well on both the 4 5-inch and 5 25-inch models.
I'm a fan of the fiber optic front sight options and Mega-Lock grip safety. The polymer frame helps give the XDM a good weight and feel when shooting. And the barrel length options ensure that you get the gun that feels right for your needs.
As a concealed carry, you certainly wouldn't want the longer barrel. But the 4 5-inch is doable. Of course, that's not the purpose of the XDM. Its application is out in the wild, not on the streets. At least, that's the conclusion I have arrived at.
Being 10mm, you can certainly take down larger game with it. Like the 41 Magnum, the 10mm is capable of holding its own. This is one bear of a gun that could most likely take down a bear, at that. And that's really the whole reason anyone would want to add this handgun to their arsenal.
It is definitely capable of providing you with some serious firepower. After all, you're not going to find this kind of hunting power in a 9mm. With that said, it's important to understand your wants and needs before you invest in this pistol or any other gun, for that matter.
Unless you are really itching to pack around a concealed 10mm, the XDM is best served as a hunting companion. Some fellow shooters might argue, but I've never felt like anything above a 9mm is needed for personal defense on the streets.
Now, home defense is a different story. If someone breaks into your house, all bets are off. But out in public, I can't reason the difference a 10mm would make. That said, I'm sure there are many others who feel differently, and that is certainly their God-given right and I won't argue if it makes sense to them. Aside from that, let's get back on track.
One of my favorite aspects of the 10mm is its soft recoil. And thanks to an accessible magazine release, I found it exceedingly easy to reload my cartridge. The more I shot with the XDM pistol, the easier it became to change the magazine. To me, this has always been the sign of a great gun for personal carry or use in the wild.
Again, though, the size is going to put the XDM 10mm square in the middle of the latter. The guns ammo is simply too powerful for concealed carry. And although its accuracy isn't as good as other guns I've shot (about 2 inches off target at 25 yards), it's still a solid choice for a 10mm.
These results are from using a combination of loads with both the short and longer barrel versions of the 10mm. Although some more seasoned shooters may get closer than I did with the different loads, I still couldn't break closer than 2 inches.
I really like the trigger and how it feels. Like other pistols that hold their own, there's something to say about how the grip and trigger work together to deliver a comfortable shooting experience. The grip has what I feel is the perfect circumference.
When squeezing the trigger, it becomes increasingly easier to fire off follow up shots. When using the rear sights, it feels really good when you reset for another shot. And thanks to the well-positioned mag release, the 10mm loads quickly and efficiently.
The beavertail profile is a nice addition, too. I prefer this setup, as it serves to prevent the slide from biting into your hand firing the gun. And thanks to the Melonite finish on the slide, you can look forward to protection from the elements when you're out in the wild.
This is a big part of why the 10mm XDM is so ideal for hunting. It is primed and ready for outdoor action. You can safely carry the pistol in cold, wet, or muddy environments without fear of corrosion or damage to the gun.
One would argue that considering the power and the size of these guns that it's a feat of workmanship that Springfield was able to deliver as solid as a contender as they did. Out in the wild, you can definitely tell when you carry this pistol.
This is especially true when packing around an extra cartridge and ammo. Depending on the model you go with, you will either get two or three magazine additions. The 4 5-inch comes with two, while the 5.25 comes with three.
I like to sport a holster that allows me to pack an extra cartridge or two. This makes it easier to carry all of your gear when you're out hunting. I would even recommend that you invest in a shoulder holster if you're adamant about using the 10mm as a concealed carry.
This will lighten your load, as using the 10mm with a hip holster might cause you some discomfort. And whether you are on the streets or in the wild, comfort is critical.
Disassembly/Reassembly
Wrap-Up
The bottom line is, if you are in the market for a hunting pistol, you're going to want a 10mm. As you can likely tell from this review, the XDM makes a great companion if you're looking to take down larger game.
While concealed carry is up the air and dependant on the user, there is no denying that shooting out in the wild is what this gun is best at.
Beginners might want to start out with something a bit less robust, but those who know their way around a handgun will feel right at home here. As with anything new, there's likely to be some adjustment time. But I found it to be relatively short.
If you know what to expect from the XDM, you're sure to have an enjoyable shooting experience. Sure, it's not the most accurate gun on the market. But it definitely holds its own on the range and even more so in the wild.