Springfield XDM 3.8 10MM range report

Picked up the OSP model with red dot a week or so ago and took it out for a second run.

This trip had the red dot removed and an Olight BALDR with green laser installed. Also had my normal 180 gr XTP with a stout load of 800X, 8.0 and 8.2 gr Longshot loads under 180 gr Xtreme plated bullets and 135 gr Nosler JHP Underwood Ammunition offering.



The 180 XTP loads are my standard G20/Hi Point carbine loads that I’ve shot for years. It’s stout but the XDM handled them well with 1 exception. The gun cycles fine but it’s leaving an interesting mark on the brass. Think it’s a bit too much for the standard recoil spring and I may need to bump up the lbs a bit when they offer more options.



As for the Longshot loads, they both cycled fine and the 8.2 gr load was most accurate and will make a good range load. Didn’t have a chronograph to measure speed so I’ll save that for later.

The Underwood load is advertised at 1600 fps and I’d assume with the 3.8” barrel I’ll be a bit under that but the accuracy was very good and recoil a lot less than my 180 gr XTP loads. I may consider the 135 gr loads for personal protection but I’d like to try some more Underwood 165 and 180 loads before I make a decision.

So far I’m loving this gun and am considering moving this up ahead of my G32 in .357 Sig for concealed carry. That is, after I’ve completed more range cycles and different personal protection offerings. I’m up to 300 rounds through the gun already and have not had any issues other than my thumb occasionally activating the slide stop from recoil/thumb position. Am considering removing the ambi slide stop for a traditional left side stop.

 

Watched a few videos last night and it seems the 135’s didn’t get much above 10” of penetration in gel with denim so I’m not too excited for them as personal defense rounds out of the 3.8” barrel.

 

Nice. Do you prefer the red dot or the laser?

 

Laser. Not sold on red dots yet. Have one on my FNX45 and Glock 17 but still not totally committed to them yet.

 

Does that have a loose spring + guide rod, or a (more usual for the XD) integrated compound spring type recoil assembly?

 

Captured recoil system so I’d have to buy the complete assembly if/when they sold them

 

That’s a potent handful, suitable for urban or woodland trail carry.

It’s too bad the cases are getting dinged so badly, I wonder if the gun may be sprung for a bit lower powered SD rounds since it is a ccw-sized piece(?). I can imagine finding the perfect balance of spring weight, slide velocity, reliability vs. durability, etc. with these smaller autos must be a heck of a lot of the R&D time that goes into them.

Good luck finding the right spring to keep the gun running while preserving cases from being damaged .

Stay safe.

 

IIRC, my cases also had a similar, but much less pronounced, ding on the sides. I haven't processed them yet so will have to take a look at them when I get time.

 

Weird. Can't find the fired cases! I found one, and it had the ding, but was much less severe. My frame has been sent back to Springfield for replacement due to multiple imperfections in the texture.

 

The Blue Dot and Longshot loads didn’t have the dings, only my stout 800X loads did.

 

Found the fired cases, finally. I had the exact same results as the OP.

Weak sauce loads on the left and max loads on the right...

 

Hmmm

 

Any idea what velocity you are getting out of that piece??

 

Not yet. Need to get to the range that I can use a chronograph. Tried the local indoor range and the chronograph wouldn’t pick up the rounds.

 

I would be interested in the velocities it clocks. Seems like a short barrel like that would make it difficult to reach full 10mm potential. Keep us posted!

 

Probably an extractor issue slamming the brass into the ejection port as opposed to slinging it out cleanly. Not a big deal.

 

Gonna try and get out to the outdoor range this weekend (weather permitting)

 

Finally found a good SD load for this beast.

#1 165 gr God Dot JHP over 15.4 gr of AA#9
#2 165 gr Gold Dot JHP over 9.2 gr Longshot (I think I have more room to increase this load and will test later)

The above are based on grouping @15 yards. Next step will be to run them thru a chronograph for velocity.

Finally, I’ve removed the red dot prior to this last range session and actually shoot better without it. It’s not my first pistol with red dot installed so after I get the final load nailed down I may go back to the red dot again and see if I want to keep it on.

I also love my 180 gr XTP over a stout load of 800X and will chronograph that load out of the 3.8” barrel as well.