Springfield 10MM XD-M - Thoughts?

Looking at getting a sidearm to take with me when I’m out in more remote areas hiking and what not. There has been a lot of wolves and cougars spotted recently, more-so than normal. I know I can go with a revolver, but not my thing really.

I’ve been looking at Springfields new 10MM handgun apart of their XD series, seems to be reliable and built pretty well. Anybody have any experience with it? I’ve looked at the Glock 20 as well.

Thanks!

 

I have about 150 rounds through mine - functioned fine so far with a variety of ammunition. It's a large frame pistol, and being polymer, it's got a bit of snap to it (especially with "true" 10mm loads)... but an experienced shooter should have no problems with it. Accuracy is on par with other XD pistols.

I like mine.

 

I love my Glock 20. I have a lone wolf threaded barrel and a compensator on it. Does a great job taming muzzle flip.

Factory 10mm loads are pittiful. Loading your own is the only way to get the full potential of 10mm without dropping big money on Buffalo Bore or Underwood. 200g hollowpoints with Blue Dot will safely do 1250FPS. 135g Noslers - nearly 1600fps.... I put the hot loads exclusively in new Starline brass. Be careful of range pickup stuff.

 

There are a lot of things I DON'T like about the XD design. The guns are good enough, I just don't like the design. They are true single action which means the firing pin is fully cocked with no active safety. And I despise grip safeties. Back in the day when people actually carried 1911's a common modification was to disable the grip safety. They are more likely to prevent the gun from firing when you NEED it to fire than to prevent it from firing when you don't WANT it to fire. And the 1911 grip safety is far better designed than the one on the XD.

I've had a G20 for years and added a G29 2-3 years ago. The smaller G29 is every bit as accurate for me and still takes 15 round G20 mags if needed. Lately it is carried a lot more. I have complete faith in the better 10mm loads stopping anything I need to stop. Forget energy numbers, heavy 200gr + 10mm hardcast bullets give more than adequate penetration on big stuff. And it is penetration that stops attacks, not energy. The round has proven it will take the largest bear and cape buffalo with those loads.

When camping in bear country I keep a mag of DoubleTap 200 gr hardcast @ 1300 fps from the G20, 1250 fps from the G29. Otherwise a mid range load of 165 or 180 gr HP bullets to stop 2 legged threats. You don't need to use full power loads for everything, the 40 S&W equivalent loads are more than enough for stopping any man. In fact 40 S&W ammo feeds, fires, and ejects perfectly from my Glocks with the same accuracy. I can get 10mm cheap enough that I don't do it on a regular basis. (10mm is about $1/box more expensive), but it is nice to know if I ever need to do so.

Bedtime in bear country.

 

Thanks for the super detailed feedback! The glock 29 seems promising, especially with the capability of using the glock 20 magazine with it. I’ll look into it.

Thanks to all for the feedback, really helpful!

 

Shoot first, ask questions later. Go to a range that rents pistols and try both and bring your own Underwood or Buffalo Bore, the range probably won't have it but Cabela's will. Some people have issues with Glock grip angles... unless they train to at least a moderate level and with frequency (because after all shooting is a perishable skill). I have a Gen 3 G20 SF that I modified extensively, it barely exceeds the performance of a stock XDM in my opinion. After I reduced the finger grooves, changed the trigger, added decent metal sights (not OME Glock plastic), and changed to a longer Lone Wolf barrel, I achieved something that has similar ergonomics and mechanical accuracy as a stock XDM. If you won't spend the time/money (in ammunition) to train on a Glock and the XDM shoots more naturally, get the XDM. Grip safeties aren't an issue like some may lead us to believe. I would rather have a grip safety than a thumb safety; it's always there and you don't have to think about it. I have never heard of a grip safety getting someone killed in recent history. From a liability standpoint, the XDM line would have been outlawed by now or production would have stopped under self-imposed terms. Instead, its market expanded into a niche pistol caliber. I think that lack of training in pistol-handling skills and/or marksmanship would have much, much, much greater impact than unproven theory on grip safeties. If you have exceptionally small hands, it might be an issue. Like 4'11" female with carnie hands. For reference, I wear size small gloves and my favorite pistol to shoot was my XDM 45 which shares the approximate frame size. Also for reference, I've owned numerous 1911s, numerous XDMs, a few Glocks, and one M&P 2.0. I have 1911s because! Glocks are mostly for training, I personally don't prefer their ergonomics though they have exceptional reliability and unmatched aftermarket support. M&P 2.0 is the most well-rounded. XDM is easily the most mechanically accurate and because it's popular as a gamer gun, it has some aftermarket support (triggers, grip tape, sights, holsters). Like all pistols, if you start modifying into a speedy race gun, they will become finicky with ammo. Either way, if you take a G20 or XDM into the woods, get good (read high-end name) iron sights with tritium inserts. Day-glo outer circle helps too. In closing, the entire world uses Glock for a reason. Namely, simplicity, reliability and NATO commonality. It is accurate enough for security/defensive purposes. The XDM, I believe, is just as reliable though time will tell in this new caliber. More mechanically accurate, someone from the Navy Pistol Team told me the Army Marksmanship Unit began using XDMs though in 9mm. If you are unhappy with an XDM 10, I will surely buy it off you provided it's the OSP model!!! Or I'll trade my G20!!!

 

It's on my short list to buy.

 

Frankly if I carried a 10mm pistol, it would be a full size, 100% steel frame monster. Something as least as heavy as a full size 1911. Don't think my wrist would be happy shooting 10mm rounds out of a lightweight polymer pistol.