Springfield Hellcat and XDM Elite Series

[Big D]

Hey yall. I recently switched my EDC to a Hellcat earlier this year from a M&P9 2.0 subcompact and have never looked back. The Hellcat handles and shoot great....I shoot it much more accurately and it seems easier for me to shoot well. I absolutely love the sights and the fit/finish/machining is some of the best I have seen on any modern handgun, this goes for the XDM Elite as well.

After carrying the Hellcat, I fell completely into the XD/XDM rabbit hole. I can not believe I waited so long to try one of these handguns. At this point, I have owned and carried at one time or another the following:

Glock 19/19X

M&P9 Gen 1, M&P9 2.0 standard and 5"

Sig P320 Carry

The Glocks were Glocks, they worked. The M&Ps all handled better for me and that was also the case for the P320. I ditched my P320 as it would not reliably run steel case ammo. The M&Ps, although nice, still left me wanting more. I then stumbled upon the Hellcat, bought one and LOVED it. I can't say enough nice things about this; the machining and fit/finish is as good or better than anything domestically produced.

I then purchased a XDM Elite 3.8 9mm, and again immediately fell in love. The flat trigger is awesome both in feel, reset, and overtravel. It shoots flat and is extremely accurate, not to mention it points naturally for me when I press out to the target from the draw. Both the Hellcat and XDM have been ultra reliable with anything I run through it. Also, I found the sights very easy to change on my XDM with a sight pusher, and the factory notches both the front and rear dovetails, giving you a visible guide to center the sights without having to "eyeball" it.

As a result, I just ordered an XDM Elite 4.5 9mm, as I wanted more of a long slide variant, but decided against the 5.25 model due to the lightening cut on top of the slide (potential ingress point for contaminants. I will do a a full work up range session when it arrives. I am stoked! Anyone else loving the Elite series?

 

[hook63]

How many forums did you paste this on?

 

[Big D]

Several, as I have always done after new purchases and/or posting range reports that I feel might provide insight. My primary reason for this is reaching a larger amount of people, thus hoping it will generate more feedback and therefore, discussion of the subject matter. I appreciate your input/question.

 

[MikeInOr]

Time to break out of the 9mm world and add a .45acp or 10mm XD gun to your arsenal!

 

[Big D]

I do have a Springfield 1911 in .45 Auto, but with ammo prices being what they are, it is more economical for me to consolidate on one primary caliber. I considered a .45 XDM, but Springfield currently only makes 9mm or 10mm pistols in the Elite series. Another advantage, is I can utilize the same magazines in both the 3.8 and 4.5 XDMs. Caught the 22 round XDM mags at Springfield's store on sale for $27 and change, and they are extremely high quality magazines.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I’ve always enjoyed my XD-45 service model and have had it for more than 6 years now. Picked up the Hellcat last year and the Elite 10MM yesterday.

The Springfield offerings are definitely fun to shoot and have their place in my line up. Glocks do as well and I have 6 of them.

Haven’t shot the XD-M Elite 10 MM yet but fondled it quite a bit since acquiring it yesterday and so far all feels well. Will see how it handles my stout 10MM reloads I shoot in my G20 and Hi-Point carbine.

 

[Trey Veston]

I owned a couple of XD handguns back in 2007, when the M&P series came out. I bought the M&P equivalents and did a head-to-head comparison for the full-size and compact versions.

Extremely close, but the M&Ps barely won, so sold the XD models.

Then bought an XDS 40 back in 2015 and found that it was incredibly accurate, but recoil was punishing. Replaced it with a Sig P365. Still have the XDS since it will do under 2" at 25 yards with factory ammo. It is a freak.

Always liked the XD series and when they came out with the new compact 10mm, had to have one. It is very accurate, feels great, and is currently undergoing evaluation to be my new carry gun.

 

[Big D]

I owned a couple of XD handguns back in 2007, when the M&P series came out. I bought the M&P equivalents and did a head-to-head comparison for the full-size and compact versions.

Extremely close, but the M&Ps barely won, so sold the XD models.

Then bought an XDS 40 back in 2015 and found that it was incredibly accurate, but recoil was punishing. Replaced it with a Sig P365. Still have the XDS since it will do under 2" at 25 yards with factory ammo. It is a freak.

Always liked the XD series and when they came out with the new compact 10mm, had to have one. It is very accurate, feels great, and is currently undergoing evaluation to be my new carry gun.

View attachment 1040815

Very nice! I have never shot 10mm, but have shot/carried a Glock 22 in 40S&W. How is the recoil with 10mm?

 

[MEHavey]

The new Hellcat also has a 1911-style thumb safety, which
for bare jacket-pocket carry is a significant factor.

 

[lee n. field]

I owned a couple of XD handguns back in 2007, when the M&P series came out. I bought the M&P equivalents and did a head-to-head comparison for the full-size and compact versions.

Extremely close, but the M&Ps barely won, so sold the XD models.

Then bought an XDS 40 back in 2015 and found that it was incredibly accurate, but recoil was punishing. Replaced it with a Sig P365. Still have the XDS since it will do under 2" at 25 yards with factory ammo. It is a freak.

Shot a .40 XDS once. Did not care for it. "On the stout side" for shooting (says the guy whose second most recent purchase was a Kahr CM40 ).

Try the 9mm XDS if you can get hold of one. Much nicer. Even the .45 ACP version is.

Always liked the XD series and when they came out with the new compact 10mm, had to have one. It is very accurate, feels great, and is currently undergoing evaluation to be my new carry gun.

I've never experienced any of the problems "the innernet" alleges happen with the XD. That said, mine seldom get shot at this point.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Very nice! I have never shot 10mm, but have shot/carried a Glock 22 in 40S&W. How is the recoil with 10mm?

Took my new XDM Elite 10MM out yesterday and the recoil is a breeze. I’ve owned 10MM’s in G20, RA 1911, XDM full size, S&W 1006 and Witness and to be quite honest, this gun manages recoil well. Even with my 180 gr 800 x loads (slightly over max). I even ran a few Underwood 220 gr Hard Cast thru it and was a breeze to control recoil. I have some Underwood 135 gr JHP moving at 1600 fps (advertised) coming to run thru it as well.

Honestly, out of all the 10MMs I’ve had, I’m most excited for the 3.8” Elite

 

[Trey Veston]

I shot my G29 and the XDM side-by-side with the same loads. Seemed like the XDM had less recoil, but with the stout stuff, the G29 was less painful to shoot. I attribute that to the thicker grip of the G29 that distributed force over a greater area.

The G29 recoil was more "violent", but less painful.

 

[groundhog34]

How many forums did you paste this on?

So what!