Springfield Armory XDM elite OSP 3.8 inch 45acp

I've been looking at obtaining this specimen. It looks really good. Does anyone on this forum own one. All the reviews refer to the 10mm version. Which I'm sure is great, but personally, I wouldn't get a 10mm with anything shorter than a 4.5 inch barrel.

It has a magwell, and I was wondering if it gets in the way. I don't have hammy hands, but I haven't seen one locally to hold. I'm thinking accuracy would be pretty good with the 3.8 inch barrel.

TIA

CH

x98 said:

Yup, have had one for about 7-10 days. Still playing with the different backstraps. I like it.

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Do you get a full purchase on the grip?

CH

Trey Veston said:

Why not?

I first bought the Glock G29 with a 3.8" barrel, then the XD-M OSP Elite with a 3.8" barrel. Both pistols are intended for woods carry and city carry.

The numbers I am getting on my chronograph from common loads are either the same, or exceed the numbers listed for 5" barrels. And I have gotten phenomenal groups at 25 yards from both pistols. 1" for the Glock and 3/4" for the SA.

The 10mm is far superior to the .45 acp in terms of energy and effectiveness.

https://guntradition.com/10mm-vs-45acp-for-defense-or-hunting/

With the XD-M Elite, you can get one in either caliber. The 10mm is superior in terms of power and effectiveness, and holds one more round than the .45 acp version, but, I understand if someone just wants a .45 acp for other reasons such as ammo cost or availability. Just didn't understand the under 4" barrel comment.

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I am aware of how much faster and more energy the 10mm has.

They reason I wouldn't get a 10mm in a 3.8 inch barrel is Because of the recoil. I have a 1911 chambered in 10mm. While I love shooting it at the range. I don't think I'd like to carry a 10mm in anything shorter than a 4.5 inch barrel.

CH

Quick update. The photo shows me holding the 3.8 compact. I don't have large hands, but as one can see the pinky dies on the magwell.

If you have large hands, you'd have to look at removing the magwell for the longer magazine.

As for performance, it's nice. Follow up shots are quick. And it's very accurate.

CH

Lennyjoe said:

I removed the mag well flare from my 10MM Elite.

To be quite honest, my XD 4” service model is one hell of an accurate shooter so I’m not sure I’d ever buy another XD series in .45 to replace it.

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The 3.8 feels pretty good. Love the length as I can shoot it more accurately (in a fast manner) than one with a 3.1 inch barrel. I don't really want to remove the magwell, but I can understand how having more comfort can aide in shooting better. I love the 4" barrel semi's, and I can shoot those that I have with 4" barrels quickly (follow-up shots and accurately), but when going CC, it is more difficult/uncomfortable to carry. 3.6-3.8 is the sweet spot for me in terms of accuracy and carrying it comfortably.

While I love the 10mm rounds, I noticed a delay in follow-up shots when compared to other calibers (9mm, 40 S&W, 45acp). While others have commented in other threads that a good number of FBI agents could not handle the recoil, I remember reading that it was not the recoil in terms of flinch or accuracy, but rather the delay in getting back on target after firing the first shot. Having fired it, I can understand. Which is why I have a 40 S&W CCW as well. I do love the ballistics of the 40 S&W, and reloading it is more enjoyable than reloading 9mm ammo. Honestly anything larger than 8mm is much more enjoyable. I did have the opportunity to fire the S&W 10mm with the 4.6 inch barrel. Loved it, but with the Sellier and Ballot rounds, they had a bit of a kick. It was more noticeable for me because of the rough stipling. M&P has gone to a rougher texter, which is great, but my hand, afterwards is red and stings due to the force of the gun and the amount the grip applied.

For those of you that can handle 10mm in a 3.8, my hats off to you. It is a great round with superb ballistics. for me, I'll stick to smaller calibers in guns with 3.6-3.8 inch barrels. I'll definitely get a 10mm in the M&P or SA variety in the future, but with a longer than 4 inch barrel.

CH

Madcap_Magician said:

I was thinking about this thread at Scheels the other day. I didn't pick one up, but I am wondering about the grip length choice. That mag well seems like it would prevent a comfortable full grip for anyone but the slimmest-fingered person (for which I'm in the running), but also like it might be too long to just get a three -finger grip with an underhanging pinky for someone with sausage fingers. That's an odd compromise in length that doesn't seem to help anyone.

The reason I thought of it though is because I wondered if one could swap the 4.5" barrel and slide from a full-size XDm to the compact. Then you'd sorta have both.

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Interesting idea.

Has anyone fired the Springfield Armory 10mm as well as the S&W 10mm? I shot the S&W with the 4.5" barrel. Mighty fine handling gun. However, I haven't shot any of Springfield Armory's offerings in 10mm.

CH

Quick update.

Springfield Armory had a demo to day (last minute announcement on the shooting range's part, wish they would have announced it at the beginning of the month) at the shooting range I am a member of.

They didn't have the XDM Elite in 4.5 10mm but they did have the XDM Elite 3.8 in 10mm.

Naturally, I thought, let me give it a try. Let's see how it feels.

I purchased 50 rounds of Magtech 10mm and checked out the 10mm elite in 3.8.

Verdict. It is a great firearm. Balanced, and while it isn't as heaving as a 1911, it was not difficult to shoot at all. I managed to get shots in the silhouette at 10 yards. I also did rapid fire at 7 yards and aimed at the head. All hits.

For those thinking about the 10mm, I recommend it. I am happy with my 45, but would definitely consider the SA Elite Compact in 10mm as a future acquisition and would consider it before the S&W 10mm. The two key reasons for this are the truly ambidextrous configuration that SA puts in their XDM elite lineup, and the stippling on the grips. S&W makes them too aggressive. You can use emory cloth to smooth it out a bit. If you don't expect red palms because the stippling will bite, especially out of a 10mm.

Thanks everyone for the input and recommendations. I truly appreciate it.

CH