Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 9mm Concealed Carry Pistol
The XD-M Elite is Springfield’s advanced handgun with a striker fired. The model is equipped with Iron sights with a suppressor, an the slide stop is ambidextrous, with improved serrations as well as a capacity 22+1 magazine packed in a small package.
The XD-M Elite is also equipped with a reversible system of backstraps. It comes in three types of inserts. This lets the pistol easily fit into a variety of hands.
The optical sight
The XD-M Elite line is the upgrade from Springfield Armory to their popular line of polymer frame striker-fired pistols. The XD-M Elite pistol is equipped with features that competition shooters want and is designed to carrying. It comes with a match-grade barrel, improved slide serrations and the firm’s Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META).
This barrel is hammer forged that has a Melonite match grade finish. Frame grips are compact and provides concealability for daily carry. This combination of speed and big capacity makes it a great EDC selection.
Out of the box, the XD -M Elite frame is set to run with any red dot sight you choose. The angled section of the dustcover of the frame has the Picatinny rail that enables you to mount tactical lights or lasers. You can use this pistol as a backup firearm when the illumination is dim or difficult to spot.
The model comes with all the usual XD-M Elite enhancements including an ambidextrous slide lock as well as magazine release. These make it suitable for southpaws, and enhanced slide serrations to give better grip on the slide. The extended magazine well allows you to put 22+1 rounds inside the magazine.
Similar to the rest of the XD Elite family of guns, this model is compatible with ammunition +P. But, a diet of high temperatures will wear out key components faster as compared to normal-pressure ammunition.
The ambidextrous rear and front sights are one of the greatest features on this pistol. It allows shooters who are left handed to effortlessly operate the gun and also makes it simple for anyone to quickly get the gun in hand and begin shooting.
Alongside two magazines with the set, you’ll also get one black carry case made of nylon along with a flat bottompad to substitute the fingerhooks. The front sight will have replacement fiber optics, which you can switch out for green ones, if you’d like to. It is necessary to put in the new rods yourself, though they won’t be supplied equipped with tools or instruction.
Trigger Pull
There was a time when the only polymer guns that were full size made across the United States were the Springfield Armory XD and The Smith & Wesson M&P, and Glock. It has changed now that many manufacturers now make this type of pistol. However, the XD is the most popular quality in the XD range.
The Elite has some advanced features that distinguish it from the earlier XD and XD-M models such as the hammer-forged barrel and a loaded chamber indicator to the side of the slide. This is both a visual as well as a tactile indicator of gun status. Reversible magwell extension that can be adjusted at the rear, as well as front sights with red fiber optics complete the set. The Elite also has a longer slide and barrel with an ebonite finish designed for long-lasting use and enhanced accuracy.
This gun is not an one-off. Both the XD and XD are known for crisp trigger pulls. It’s actually slightly more precise than many of the competition-ready XD guns available from Springfield. This is great news when you shoot a large number of targets or participating with bowling in pin shooting. Springfield offers an XDM extremely trigger kit the gun that will decrease the overtravel, take-up and reset.
My testing with a Caldwell Matrix rest, the Elite’s first three shots clipped the 1.1″ aim dot located within 25 feet. The next two shot into the four-inch radius, but the third shot failed to clear the intended target. This is pretty impressive for a pistol of this size, especially considering the eyesight and age of the old man. The ammo was Federal’s 180-gr. The ammunition was Federal’s 18-gr. The muzzle energy is 650 ft.-lbs.
However, I noticed it’s slide stop is equipped with an additional lever for both sides, which is nice for lefties but not as effective as the pistols I’ve tested with. In addition, there’s a much greater force for the release of the right-side lever than the left. This issue could be smoothed out and “break in” with time.
Accuracy
Springfield’s XD range of handguns with striker fire have evolved through the years. The most recent model, which was introduced in 2020, is the XD-M Elite Series was introduced. It offers features that include interchangeable backstraps as well as an excellent trigger. The platform can also utilize optics. In the same way, the XD(M) Elite OPS is no different, bringing a few key upgrades making it an excellent choice to shoot IDPA (or USPSA competition shooting.
Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly, or META as it is commonly referred to, can be one of the improvements that could be created. META is the most effective polymer pistol trigger that is available for sale. META’s flat trigger face with a built-in blade safety feature and an integral overtravel stop enhance the tension of the trigger, cut down on times for trigger cycling and give better control over the break.
META also results in the shorter time to reset the trigger and a more constant accuracy. When I tested using the XD(M) Elite OPS the five groups I shot using Federal Syntech 124gn target load averaged 4.3 inches. It’s an incredible result, especially considering that it was done off-hand using a bench rest, standard magazines and a handgun that was made from steel.
Another important improvement is the slide release and magazine release which are both multi-directional. Its XD(M), Elite OPS is very easy to use to both lefties and righties. You don’t have to alter your grip in order for removing magazines. The serrations that are angled on the slide make it easy to perform handling of the weapon even when your hands are cold and wet. They also help to ensure that the weapon doesn’t slide off the target when it is recoiling.
Finally, the XD(M) Elite OPS comes equipped with a threaded, rounded muzzle that accepts 1/2×28 pitch suppressors. A thread protector that is installed in the factory is supplied, which is easily removed to put in a whole selection of sound suppression.
Springfield has four mounting plates numbered to make it easy for you to identify the plates. These mounts are specifically designed to be mounted directly onto your firearm, which allows you to easily switch between red-dot sights without needing to take off the slide.
This XD(M) Elite OPS has an standard 4.2-inch barrel which extends out from the front of the slide, but it is possible to replace it by a shorter model should you wish. Front of muzzle threaded 1/2×28. It is possible to mount suppressors when you are not competing.
Bottom Line
Since concealed carry firearms have become more popular, gun makers have worked at reducing them in terms of weight and size, while remaining able to fire. Springfield Armory’s new XD-M Elite 9mm fits this mold. The XD -M Elite 9mm by Springfield Armory includes all of the things you’d want in carry guns https://springfieldstore.com/, for example, adjustable backstraps (3 in this model) easy controls, as well as a trigger that functions perfectly.
It is also equipped with a magwell funnel. XD-M Elite also comes with the “standard” funnel for magwells that is designed to help channel your gun when you reload under pressure. It’s important to keep in mind this while under pressure like you are when self-defense is involved. This device holds the magazine close to the frame making it possible to insert the magazine easily and fired.
Another aspect that comes with the XD-M Elite that I really enjoy is the slide stop that is ambidextrous and magazine release. It’s much easier to work with this pistol if you’re left-handed and particularly when wearing gloves. Springfield has also made sure that this pistol is as user-friendly as possible with a safety grip that has depressions on both sides of the pistol grip for finger placement. This reduces the chance that a slide could engage accidentally while grabbing the pistol to fire.
The XD M Elite has an Enhanced META Trigger that was specifically created for shooters who want to get the most out of their firearms that have striker firing. META’s overtravel-stopping mechanisms in the internal trigger prevent the trigger from moving too far and help you stay on track when shooting.
When it comes to accuracy when it comes to accuracy, the XD-M Elite did very well when I tested it. The XD-M Elite fired four shots using Federal Syntech 124gn ammo into less than 30mm. That is quite impressive. It’s just too heavy and large for the majority of shooters to comfortably carry it with ease in a concealable manner.
Anyone who is looking to purchase either a concealed or range gun, should consider the XD-M Elite. It is extremely impressive. It includes all the attributes that a carry gun lover needs, and can be purchased in two dimensions. There is also the tactical model that has an optics-ready slide for those that might want to use https://springfieldstore.com/ it for tactical purposes.