Within the above picture, we see two very helpful instruments. Our ‘88 Cheyenne is a truck we use when we have to cart one thing that wants an 8-foot mattress and a few energy. The Springfield Armory XD-M Elite 10mm within the picture is a device I exploit to maintain issues operating and so as on our homestead. Each have earned their place and my appreciation.
In case you’re a reader of my musings herein, you would possibly recall that I’ve talked about, in a number of critiques and articles, that we stay out within the boonies within the Hoosier State. We’ve got chickens. We like our chickens, and particularly the great brown, white, and olive eggs we get. So, it’s with alarm that we view predators invading the coop. I’ve killed raccoons, possums (a number of possums) and different vermin attempting to grab a rooster.
We’ve had protected-species juvenile bald eagles, hawks, and one large owl attempt their luck – normally efficiently, apart from the owl that acquired tangled within the roofing internet and expired. I can’t shoot them, however we attempt to hold them out. At 3:00 this morning, we heard the chickens alarming and noticed a fox attempting to determine a approach into the coop. My spouse chased him off. We do hold busy within the chicken-vs.-varmint recreation and firearms play an vital half.
Reside Stock Worth Checker
A 10mm pistol is overkill for one thing like this, however it’s a consolation to know that I don’t must seize an extended gun to have one thing with some energy in case I must put one thing bigger than a fox down. As a matter of truth, this pistol will probably be on my hip throughout my first foray into the deer woods in November. We don’t have bears round right here, however we do have bobcats and one massive mountain lion… our native deputies had seen it after we reported it roaming by means of our yard, which verified our sighting. You by no means know what is perhaps roaming the woods behind our home.
OK, sufficient about the place we stay and the critters we see. I simply needed to make the purpose {that a} pistol like this XD-M Elite is far appreciated and really helpful in our family, as I’m positive it’s in lots of others. The SA XD collection has been used on many events to get the job achieved. However… the place did the XD pistols come from?
The XD Sequence
Right here’s a fast rundown of the XD collection of pistols that Springfield Armory (SA) sells. In Croatia, there’s a producer recognized for making military-grade small arms and supplying army wants. That firm is HS Produkt.
The XD began in 2002 when SA negotiated with HSP to provide and modify that firm’s HS2000 striker-fired pistol into what would grow to be the XD (eXtreme Responsibility) collection of pistols on the market within the U.S. They ultimately expanded into ten fashions in 5 calibers and numerous finishes and sizes, however that has gone off the chain within the intervening years with many extra fashions, calibers, finishes, and so forth. added to the combo. In 2003 and 2006 the XD gained honors because the pistol or handgun of the yr by the American Rifleman and the Capturing Trade Academy of Excellence.
The “M” model – Match – happened in 2008 and gained Handgun of the 12 months by the American Rifleman in 2009. It used interchangeable backstraps and a match-grade barrel. Transferring ahead, the 10mm XD-M was launched in 2018. Numerous different XD collection have been made – XD-S (single-stack), XD-E (exterior hammer), and XD-Mod 2.
It wasn’t till Could of 2023 that the 10mm XD-M Elite 4.5 OSP happened. That they had made a 3.8-inch model, however the 4.5-inch mannequin elevated not solely the barrel size but additionally the journal capability and grip size.
The gun sports activities these options:
META Set off: Match-Enhanced-Set off-Meeting. The set off is tuned. The one on this pistol broke at slightly over 4 kilos with minimal take-up and no creep.
Match Barrel: The 4.5 barrel supplies wonderful accuracy and has a feed ramp polished so nicely you’ll be able to see my gentle field’s rows of LED lights mirrored in it.
Detachable Magazine Properly: There’s a small magazine nicely to assist in journal insertion, however it could be eliminated if not desired.
Optics-Prepared: The Elite OSP is able to settle for one in every of many pink dots. I mounted a Holosun HS407 on this one with no hassle. The gun comes with a number of plates.
Sights: If you wish to keep on with what’s on the gun, no downside. You have got a fiber optic entrance sight and a Tactical Rack U-Notch rear which might be simple to make use of. They’re, nevertheless, not tall sufficient to co-witness with a pink dot.
LCI and Cocking Indicators: There’s a loaded chamber indicator on the highest of the slide, a “flag” that sticks up when the chamber is loaded. Additionally, a pin protrudes from the again of the slide when the gun is cocked. Each of those are seen and in addition tactile – you’ll be able to really feel in the event that they’re engaged.
16-Spherical Magazines: You get two stainless 16-round magazines.
Guarantee: Restricted Lifetime
Grip Texture: The very knobby grip “bumps” are aggressive however work nicely.
Grip Security: I do know, find it irresistible or hate it, however it actually doesn’t get in the way in which. I might gladly put up with a grip security so long as they depart the journal disconnect security off. They did… the gun will hearth with no journal in place.
Longer Body Rails: The rails are longer than what you get with many pistols.
Capturing The XD-M Elite
After some earlier expertise behind the set off of this pistol, I had come to anticipate accuracy and reliability. The 10mm cartridge tends to be amazingly correct, throughout a number of loadings, and this XD-M Elite takes benefit of that. Listed below are some 5-shot, 25-yard targets that I shot with three totally different “regular” velocity masses. (I didn’t have entry to the “flamethrower” masses, however they’re on the market for many who need/want them). In some way the Holosun pink dot moved its P.O.I. to the appropriate a bit however that’s simply mounted.
Listed below are the outcomes…
Load: Velocity, fps | Vitality, ft.lbs.:
CCI Blazer Brass 180-grain JFP: 1168 fps | 539 ft.lbs
MagTech 180-grain JFP: 1188 fps | 564 ft.lbs
HSM “Bear” Load 200-grain Onerous Forged FP: 1080 fps | 518 ft.lbs
Winchester Goal & Observe 180-grain JFP: 1079 fps | 467 ft.lbs
Ballistics have been measured utilizing a Garmin Xero C1 Professional chronograph
Listed below are some consultant targets.
And, after you shoot the gun, you gotta clear it. Right here’s tips on how to take it aside.
First, clear the chamber and drop the magazine. Lock the slide again. Rotate the takedown lever up (not down, just like the Echelon), launch the slide, and let it come off the body. No set off press is required. Separate the spring and barrel. When achieved, reverse the method to place it again collectively. The takedown lever and no set off press make it simple to take down.
Conclusion
For these shooters who want to add a(nother) 10mm to their gun secure, the XD-M Elite makes lots of sense. The match set off and barrel actually contribute to its inherent accuracy. The magazine nicely makes loading magazines simple, however you’ll be able to take away it when you don’t prefer it. The power so as to add a pink dot helps, once more, with accuracy as do the inventory sights when you don’t wish to stick an optic on it.
The 10mm is a really versatile cartridge. You will get mid-range masses that rival the .40 S&W for observe, or go all the way in which to bear ventilators if wanted. This gun is a handful, however not an excessive amount of. My medium-sized arms don’t have any hassle with it. Add within the availability now of 10mm ammo and holsters, and also you’ve acquired a cut price right here. Let’s hear from some house owners beneath!
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved capturing and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Dwelling in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged writer, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
