Springfield Armory XDm/1911

[7.62mm.ak47]

I'm considering buying an XDm 4.5" in .40S&W or a nickel 1911 for about the same price of $600. I know most people favor Kimber but another $200 for the same gun just doesn't go well with my pocketbook (at least right now). Does anyone have any experience with the XDm preferably in .40 or a SA 1911? Thanks in advance.

 

[G27RR]

I think you'll hear varied opinions on a Kimber over the SA. My Super Carry Pro has about 600 rounds through it and still has an occassional failure to return to battery. I'm going to try a stronger spring but I shouldn't have to fix something like that in a $1200-1300 pistol. None of my three STIs or 2 Colts have had a single problem.

If I could have found a Springfield 1911 in stock locally I'd have one by now. In my experience they have a better rep than Kimber. I won't buy another Kimber even ifI get mine working properly simply because of the rep and now my own experience. I'd rather have something that works right out of the box.

I don't have an XDm, but my Springfield XD45 Tactical is an awesome gun and I use it with a Streamlight TLR-2 for home defense. Very reliable, well balanced, and very accurate.

 

[non2os13]

have you taken a look at the rock island 1911's? i own a couple of more expensive 1911's, but i seem to like the ria more. it's not as pretty, but it has gone bang every time on the first try.

 

[skipsan]

I have an XDM.45 and a Springfield Mil-Spec .45acp 1911. Both were essentially the same price--$600. Its not unusual to have to mess with a 1911, especially a lower end one (like the Mil-Spec) to get it to work acceptably and reliably. Mine was no exception. The XDM on the other hand was reliable out of the box and has never missed a beat from day one. If I were going to carry one or the other, the XDM would be the clear choice.

That said, I can shoot the Mil-Spec much better than the XDM with the same ammo on the same day, because of the much more precise trigger on Mil-Spec versus the squishy, long pull of the XDM.

Which is better? Depends. The XDM for instant out-of-the box reliability.
The Mil-Spec for more accurate shooting, and if you're looking for something that begs to be messed with.

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

Huh, I always was led to believe that Kimber set some imaginary bar in the 1911 world. That's good to know. Honestly I've never heard of Rock Island before but their 1911's were priced well and if they're good I'd consider buying one. As for the SA 1911 what is involved in messing with it? Also I would have thought that since the XDm had a match grade barrel it would have better accuracy than a basic 1911. Then again I'm still learning here.

 

[Greg528iT]

Kimber did set an imaginary bar. Unfortunately it was a bar of overpriced gun that has failures. Imaginary or not.. there IS a bit of noise out there that is not possitive. 10% making 90% noise? I don't know. If you read this forum long enough, you'll get a ton of Kimber lovers and haters.

Now as to the Springfield. I talked my nephew into getting the XDm 9mm over the standard XD. It looks (feels) like a great gun. He's been shooting it for a couple months with NO complaints. I'm contemplating getting an XDm now. BUT only after my newest Springfield 1911 finally comes in..

As for tweaking my Springer, 1911. I've really only had to put rounds thru it, and stop limp wristing it. I was getting a FTF, but I had a stack of assorted magazines (from father in law).. some were probably from his 1955 Airforce issue 1911. After weeding out the tired magazines, I've not had issues with feeding. I've also fully stripped it, and made sure there were no catches, hangs from edges not quite as smooth as could be. Did that help? Maybe?

 

[verdun59]

For less than a $100 you can change that squishy trigger into a nice crisp trigger with very little or no over travel. Try Powder River Precision. Worked wonders on my Xd9.

 

[Mudinyeri]

I have an XDm 9mm and have found it to be a very reliable handgun that shoots exactly where I point it. At anywhere between 7 and 10 yards, I can pretty consistently cover five-shot groups with a quarter.

Compared to a single-action trigger, I suppose you could describe its trigger as having a long pull and being squishy. However, in the world of DA triggers, the XDm certainly doesn't have a long pull or reset.

It's an apples and organges comparison and as such rather difficult.

 

[skipsan]

I agree completely with the "apples and oranges" statement above. Don't have any Kimber experience at all so can't comment there. I would speculate however, that Springfield dominates the lower end 1911 market with their G.I., Mil-Spec, and Loaded models and if that's true they would be the benchmark for comparison if one were to be made, right or wrong.

Regarding the "Match Grade" barrel in XDM. There is no standard that I know of that defines what a match grade barrel is and would further contend that its one of the most overused claims in the handgun business. In my opinion, the term mention of the term "Match Grade" with any factory handgun selling for less than $2K is complete horse droppings, and strictly a product of the marketing department.

Regarding the squishy trigger, SA claims, if I recall, that they have they shortest trigger pull of any of the tupperware pistols. I also have a Glock 21, unmodified, and find SA's claim on that subject is also horse pucky. I have trigger work on both the XDM and the G21 on the schedule, but the 1911s are so much more fun to mess with, that I haven't gotten to the XD/G21 work yet. The 1911s are already there.

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

Alright guys thanks for the help. As for the match grade components I pretty much figured that but it convinced me so at least their marketing is paying off. Also one final question. This may sound idiotic to hand gunners but what's an average range of a semi-auto pistol and how can you tell before you buy the gun? I've used mostly rifles in my life and have just started to get into pistols after I bought my FN-P9. Thanks again fellas.

 

[skipsan]

If by "range" you mean how far will one shoot, I'm not sure there's a meaningful answer. I don't shoot competitively, but believe that most pistol competition takes place withing 25 yds. Some of the hot hunting caliber shooter claim clean kills on game at 100 yds or maybe even more. I believe the issue is the short sight radius making accurate shooting pretty tough, but more importantly its the balllistics of most pistol calibers which take on the characteristics of a mortar round rather than a bullet with drop measured in feet beyond 100 yds or so, rather than inches. The relatively low muzzle velocities, even for the hand-cannon rounds, being the problem compared to rifle calibers. Could be all wrong on this, but that's my take on things. 25 yds is more than enough challenge for me.

 

[Mudinyeri]

I'll add on to a couple things posted by skipsan.

1. I own three Springfield XD variants - an XD40 SC, XD45 Tactical and XDm9 4.5. I can't say that the "match grade" barrel on the XDm contributes to any noticeable accuracy improvement in the real world. I do like the trigger of the XDm a bit better than that of the standard XD's however. With that said, probably the biggest contributing factors in my accuracy with the XDm9 over the other two are the smaller caliber and longer barrel both of which reduce recoil and allow me to get back on target more quickly for follow-up shots.

2. It's a very rare pistol that has an effective range of more than 25 yards. Certainly such handguns exist but they are generally not intended for self-defense. Shooting someone in "self-defense" at 100 yards is probably going to land you in court defending your decision to shoot rather than run. That may or may not be "right" but it's highly likely to be what happens.

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

Shooting someone in "self-defense" at 100 yards

Lol where is Johnnie Cochran when you need him?
How much difference does the caliber of bullet have on accuracy? For example a 9mm vs .40 in the same gun. An XDm for example since the thread is about that.

 

[blo0dyhatchet]

I had a XD and a 1911. I liked the 1911 so much more that I sold the XD just to replace it with another 1911. Good luck in your decision. Basically, it comes down to what feels right for you.

 

[Mudinyeri]

Lol where is Johnnie Cochran when you need him?
How much difference does the caliber of bullet have on accuracy? For example a 9mm vs .40 in the same gun. An XDm for example since the thread is about that.

I would say the quality of the bullet has much more of an impact on accuracy than the caliber ... in any gun.

 

[7.62mm.ak47]

I would say the quality of the bullet has much more of an impact on accuracy than the caliber ... in any gun.

For my 9mm I have a couple boxes of Winchester White Box but other than that I don't know what are good FMJ's. I have some Hydrashok and Gold Dot hollow points I like as well. What ammo do you guys use?

 

[Mudinyeri]

For my 9mm I have a couple boxes of Winchester White Box but other than that I don't know what are good FMJ's. I have some Hydrashok and Gold Dot hollow points I like as well. What ammo do you guys use?

I shoot hand loads done by a friend of mine who's an expert.

 

[Greg528iT]

I like the XDm over the standard XD, for the trimmed lines, better grip ergonomics, and out of the box smoother trigger. My nephew and I agreed that the standard XD trigger over time (rounds fired, or dry fired) and some tweaking would be as good as the XDm is. At that point, why wait? As to how much better the barrel is? better fit maybe? it was a non issue.. nice to have.

But then again, that's why I have 1911s.. great trigger, great grip ergonomics (for me)

 

[ratt_finkel]

I own 3 handguns. One of which is an XDm 40. The other a SA 1911 Loaded model.
I shoot all my guns when I go to the range. So I have plenty of back to back comparison.

The xdm has never failed me. The 1911 has proven challenging.
I would try to shoot several hundred rounds through each. Just to make sure it's what you want. Both guns are more accurate than I am. But I find I just don't shoot the xdm as well. The grip is super long. And the gun will beat you up after a few clips.

I think most of my 1911 problems are mag related. But I haven't had a chance to test the theory. Both guns are a blast to shoot. Well made and damn accurate. If my life depended on it, I would take the xdm.

 

[Mudinyeri]

And the gun will beat you up after a few clips.

Interesting .... I'm not debating your experience but I certainly don't feel like any of my XD's "beat me up." I do shoot a lot of polymer pistols, though, and it could be the difference between the weight of the all-metal 1911 and the polymer pistol that has you feeling more recoil.

I must be particularly insensitive to recoil. I've put a couple hundred rounds through my Kel-Tec PF9 over the space of a couple hours and not been bothered by it.