The XDM review sample demonstrated excellent accuracy at 25 yards.

What do you do if you've already introduced one of the hottest-selling civilian and duty handguns in America and rapidly seized an unexpectedly large share of the already-crowded polymer-pistol market? If you're Springfield Armory, you develop a new and even-better version. The new gun is the Springfield XDM, which takes the company's existing XD semiautomatic to a significantly improved level of performance and refinement.

A scant half-dozen years ago, nobody would have predicted that a polymer-frame auto pistol developed in Zagreb, Croatia, could ever be a success, but Springfield Armory has proved us all wrong. The original XD design was first made available in the U.S. on a limited scale in 2000 by importer HS America of Knoxville, Tennessee, designated as the HS 2000. Recognizing the gun's potential, Springfield acquired exclusive import rights in 2001, renamed it the XD (for X-treme Duty), and began to aggressively promote it and expand the line. In addition to the original-configuration 4-inch Service Model currently available in 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and .45 GAP chamberings, in 2002 Springfield added a ported version of the Service Model and a 5-inch Tactical Model. And in 2003, the company announced a 3-inch, short-grip Subcompact Model in 9mm and .40 S&W.

In 2005, the .45 GAP was added to the list of XD chamberings, and eagerly anticipated Service and Tactical .45 ACP models arrived in 2006. With the addition of the .45 ACP Compact in 2007, there are now more than 50 available standard XD versions and configurations, chamberings, sight setups, and finish variations.

The "M" Factors
Now comes the XDM, initially introduced in .40 S&W chambering. The superscript "M" in the XDM designation for the new version stands generally for "Match," and it is also being used by Springfield as a code letter for all the subtle yet significant refinements that set the XDM apart from the standard versions--which will continue to be available. The most effective way to appreciate these refinements is to simply go through them, one by one, using Springfield's own terminology.

Match-Grade Barrel
All XDM pistols are equipped with a black melonite-finish, match-grade, 4.5-inch barrel with a fully supported ramp such as typically found only on customized competition-grade pistols. With a bushing-free fit and a full-length recoil-spring/guide-rod assembly, the addition of a match-grade barrel to the XDM platform elevates its typical measured average-group accuracy by approximately 20 percent compared to standard XD pistols. Plus, the half-inch longer barrel length gives the XDM a balance and feel very close to a classic full-size Model 1911.

Model Contour Frame
The XDM carries over the ideal Government Model 1911 grip angle of the original XD but with slightly modified contours in the upper area of the backstrap and on both sides of the frame behind the trigger as well as in the magazine-release area of the grip. These minor modifications significantly improve the feel of the gun in your hand and your ability to manipulate its operating features without "breaking" your firing grasp. These differences are subtle but quickly apparent when you inspect and handle an XDM and a standard XD side by side.