Another change from the XD is that rotating the take-down latch drops the sear out of the way of the slide, so pulling the trigger to disassemble the gun for cleaning or maintenance is unnecessary. Safety features carried over from the standard XD pistol include a loaded-chamber indicator on the top of the slide at the rear of the ejection port and a cocking indicator that projects from the rear of the slide. The Melonite finish on the Springfield Armory XD(M) is the product of a salt bath nitriding process that Springfield claims leaves a thicker, harder, more corrosion-resistant surface than traditional black oxide finishes. XD(M) pistols are currently available in a two-tone option: stainless slide, melonite matte black barrel and trigger, and black polymer frame; as well as an all-black matte Melonite and black polymer frame. XD(M)s come with a carrying case that holds the pistol, two spare magazines, a magazine loading tool and a carry strap. When it comes to a trigger’s impact on accuracy and performance, its consistency and predictability is more important than its pull weight. The standard XD has always been commendably repeatable. As a striker-fired gun, the first trigger pull is the same as the last, but the XD(M) has reduced trigger reach, a quicker reset point and shorter take-up. I had the opportunity to take an XD(M) 3.8 in .40 S&W and an XD(M) .45 ACP to the range. For accuracy testing, both guns were fired from a Ransom Rest using the adaptor for a standard XD pistol. Accuracy for both guns was commendable. The recoil of the XD(M) 3.8 in .40 S&W was snappier than that of a comparable 4.5-inch-barreled gun in the same caliber. The shorter slide travel was the likely culprit, but that said, the gun was still very controllable and follow-up shots came quickly after I got used to the tempo of the shorter gun. In the end, the 3.8 is something of a compromise. It is certainly an accurate and smooth-shooting gun, but it is less forgiving than its 4.5-inch-barreled parent. On the other hand, shooting the XD(M) .45 ACP was all pleasure. Most polymer double-column .45 frames are blocky so it can be a challenge to acquire and maintain a good repeatable grip. The blocky contours emphasize the fact that the frames are quite wide, so it’s difficult not to pull the muzzle off center when taking up a firing grip. But this is not the case with the XD(M) .45 ACP. It is a handful, but its transition between the side panels and frontstrap and backstrap is gently curved. As a result, I was able to maintain a proper grip, even after long shooting strings. Both the XD(M) .45 ACP and the XD(M) 3.8s greatly expand the versatility and utility to the Springfield Armory’s XD(M) line of semi-automatic pistols. At long last, XD(M)s are available in .45 ACP, and with the 3.8 models the qualities of the XD(M) line are now available in a duty-size gun. The XD is a good pistol, but the XD(M) offers a lot more. As choices in caliber and barrel length expand, a wider variety of shooters will be able to take advantage of the ergonomic and mechanical improvements that Springfield Armory has put into its XD(M) line. Springfield XD(M) .45 ACP Springfield XD(M) 3.8
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