SPRINGFIELD XD-M 10mm

     Springfield armory has been pumping out quality firearms for the US military since 1777 it was the first federal armory in the United States as well as one of the first factories.  The original armory closed its doors in 1968 now the building is a national historical sight. Controlled by the national park system you can take tours of the property, and it houses the world's largest collection of historic American firearms.

    Springfield arms are still in manufacture and put out some of the best weapon's systems out there everything from hunting rifles with the model 2020 to the ever-popular AR platform in the saint line but let's face it the M-14 is the bread and butter in their long arms.  But were here to talk handguns in particular the XD-M subcompact in 10mm.

   

    I always wanted a 10mm mostly because I consider myself a collector as well as a shooter.  So I wanted to have a 10 in my books as a representation on the caliber.  I spoke with many friends who are shooters and gun nerds, and they all liked the round.  none were like OMG it's the best but all did have favorable things to say about it so I decided to fill that slot.  I went on the hunt for a quality 10mm I was not married to any one manufacturer or size.  I hit the shops running searching for the one for me.  I shot some friends to see if I liked the ones they had, and I narrowed it down to two the Glock 29 and the Springfield XD-M.  I shot both and liked them both.  I wanted a sub-compact for carry and both were the top choices I was leaning towards.  To be Frank is now boiled down to the price.  I am in no means a rich man.  I work very, VERY, hard for what I have, and I don't want to blow cash on something I won't use. So, after figuring out the two I liked I hiked back to my local gun shop and had them look up the prices and availability of both.   And when we were looking the GLOCK was pricing in at $539.99 it had two mags, hard case, cleaning brush.  not optic ready, had a rail for light or laser mounting. but was not available there was a back order on it.  I had to wait for 2 to 3 weeks before it shipped.  then the SPRINGFIELD the price was $573.99 a $34-dollar difference BUT the Springfield was holding a sail of the gun.  it was $455.00 you also got 6 mags, optics ready, hard case, cleaning kit, and best of all it was ready to ship.  So, I decided to go with that one.  I plunked down the cash made the order, and it come in 3 days later.

    Now let's get into the meat and potatoes shall we this is a very compact little hand cannon 

specs: 3'' barrel, forged steel slide, optics ready, fiber optic front post U dot rear sights, 1.2'' grip, 11+1 rounds, 27 oz dry (is a tad heavy) , 4.58'' Hight, 

    Shooting, the gun has a flared mag well that feels a bit odd if you do not have in the extended mag but that is manageable the width of the grip added with the stippling give it a good hand feel and this aids in control.  the 10mm does deliver some power so you do know you are shooting something its much more noticeable than 9mm or .40 cal.  I do like the round and the energy it can dump into a target.  the weight is a small draw back if you are in an extended training session it gets cumbersome when switching from weapon system to weapon system.  the trigger is what you expect from a non-competition or custom gun brakes easily single action about a 3.5-pound pull. Now the accuracy is fantastic.  you do your part it will not let you down.  as for ammo, I feed it several different brands and she was a little finicky it does not like cheap ammo. especially in the brake in period.  lots of stove piping and the like.  when I switched to a better brand and a little higher grain count the issues started clearing up.  since I purchased this gun, it's been going on two years now and I have sent about 800 to 1000 rounds down range and it will eat almost anything I feed her.  still takes issue with say white box target ammo but it will shoot them.  you may shoot 4 or 5 mags then get an issue failure to feed or a stove pipe you clear it and then she runs like a top again.  After I bought this, I was reading and watching others review the gun and there were a considerable number of negative comments around the feeding and possible reliability issues.  But it looks like this was all but cleared up.  I do feel it is a totally reliable gun and worthy of a daily carry.