Follow-ups
Follow-up for Episode 007 Ruger LCP Recalled Bad news the Ruger LCP, which we reviewed in Episode 007, has been recalled. Click here for more information.
Follow-up for Episode 004 From our friend John Farnam’s DTI Quips
13 Aug 08
Springfield Armory XD/M
I’ve been carrying and using an SA/XD in 40S&W for a number of months now, and I have no complaints. Even with minimal maintenance, I can’t get it not to run, and it effortlessly digests DPX and Gold-Dot, as well as all varieties of garbage-ammunition I’ve fed it during Courses. It is a thirteen-shooter (twelve, plus one), so with a single spare magazine, I routinely carry twenty-five rounds. I now rank it in the same league with Glock, SIG, Beretta, S&W, and H&K, and I have no compunction about carrying it for personal protection.
Now, I have a copy of SA’s new XD/M! It is a half-inch longer than my XD, but all other dimensions are essentially the same. It is smoother and less cluttered than the XD, and sharp corners and edges have been essentially eliminated. The slide is no longer blocky. It is now nicely rounded. The XD/M’s slotted rail easily accommodates my Safariland Rapid-Light and my Surefire Weaponlight.
Other new features include variable grip-geometry. This feature, pioneered by S&W with their M&P pistol, is extremely popular with chiefs of police, as the pistol can be instantly “customized” with regard to hand-size. The XD/M comes with three inserts. I have the smallest of the three installed on my copy.
Trigger take-up is slightly stiffer than on the XD. Break is the same, but the XD/M’s link is less deep, allowing for a quicker reset.
The most significant improvement, in my opinion, is capacity. The XD/M is no wider than the XD, and the grip is the same length, but the XD/M is a seventeen-shooter (sixteen, plus one)! With the pistol and one spare magazine, I’ m now carrying thirty-three rounds of 40S&W/DPX, rather than twenty-five. That represents a substantial advance!
The XD/M’s magazines are slightly wider than the XD’s, and the two, although they look similar, are not interchangeable.
The XD/M comes apart the same way. No dry-fire required.
The XD/M is comfortable, smooth, slick, and high-capacity. SA deserves a lot of credit for making all these improvements and introducing this new pistol. I’m now comfortably carrying it concealed in a Comp-Tac Minotaur Holster. I’ll be giving it a thorough workout at a Course in WA this weekend. More to follow.
/John
