The Springfield Armory® 10mm XD(M)® – From Plinking to Predators

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https://www.gunnewsusa.com/2018/10/10/the-springfield-armory-10mm-xdm-from-plinking-to-predators/

OCTOBER 10, 2018

With Springfield Armory’s recent introduction of their 10mm 1911-style pistols, I’ve been reminiscing about my first encounter with the 10mm cartridge…

Back in the mid-1980s, I remember buying my first 10mm pistol. It was a Colt Delta Elite. As I recall, Colt was one of the only companies that had introduced a “production” 10mm semi-automatic pistol. It wasn’t the first 10mm pistol built, but it was one of the first manufacturers that actually had a production capability that was keeping up with customer demands.

While I liked that pistol at the time and loved solidly knocking down steel targets with it, there were some shortcomings with the gun. I will always have fond plinking memories of my first 10mm pistol, but memories are all I will have, as I sold it years later to further another gun project. #SacrificialPistol

THE TEN MEN
During the 90s and into the early 2000s, the 10mm cartridge seemed to develop a cult-like following –again, there were only a few manufacturers that actually mass (and I use that term loosely) produced the pistols. I won’t get into the history of the 10mm cartridge, as my colleague Rob Leatham has already written an excellent blog about just this. Break for 10 and check it out.

TAKING ON TEN AGAIN
Ok – you’re back.

Although I have always been a huge fan of the 10mm cartridge, I do recognize that for some people, the recoil and percussion of the round is more than they may want or can handle.

Some of the ammunition manufacturers, though, have actually lowered the power threshold from the original 10mm load specifications. So if you have never been fond of 10mm — but haven’t shot one with the newer ammo, I suggest you definitely give it a try again!

As you know (from Rob’s blog), Springfield Armory is also taking on 10mm, and recently introduced the 1911 TRP™ 10mm and the 1911 TRP™ 10mm RMR Pistols. Rob and I agree that these are some very cool guns, and we’re evidently not the only ones with this opinion. Springfield has already had a great response to them! It only makes sense for us to continue with 10mm product lines.

So, let me introduce you to the Springfield Armory XD(M)® in 10mm — both the 5.25 and the 4.5-inch models!
I know for a fact that there will be a lot of interest in these guns. Since 2008 (when Springfield Armory began production of the XD(M)® line of pistols), I’ve had tons of requests from customers at trade shows, events and demos for a 10mm XD(M)®.  #WaitNoMore

XD(M)® TEN TESTING
The XD(M)® 10mm pistol that I received for testing was the 5.25 model, which incidentally is my favorite of all the XD(M)® pistols. My thought process when requesting the 5.25″ was that I would actually use this pistol a lot more; from competition and home defense, to hunting. #Versatility

I received my test pistol the day before leaving for several work trips, so I had to squeeze in my evaluation of this gun between all of the travel. When I finally found the time to take the 10mm XD(M)® 5.25 out to the range (my backyard), I shot exactly 102rounds through the pistol, of course, without a single malfunction or issue.

Horsman XDM 525 10mm image2

The gun was perfectly zeroed right out of the box at 15 yards, so I shot a couple 12-to-15-yard drills to test how the gun handled with the 10mm cartridge. It was controllable and comfortable to shoot. I really enjoyed just plinking away at my favorite steel targets. Honestly, is there any better sound than the ring of a steel target in your own backyard? 

I was definitely surprised at how little the 10mm cartridge actually recoiled. The felt recoil, movement and handling of the new XD(M)® 5.25 was exactly like my .45 ACP-chambered XD(M)®. It makes sense that the recoil impulse was very similar, as the overall size of the pistol is almost identical to the .45 ACP XD(M)®, with these few, very minor changes:

10mm is 31.2 ounces in weight (with an unloaded mag) vs. 32 ounces
10mm grip width is 1.2″ vs. 1.26″
10mm comes with 3 15-round magazines vs. 3 13-round magazines
The only visual change I noticed was in regard to the magazines — they have the indentations to accommodate the smaller diameter of the 10mm round (versus the .45 ACP round).

Call me weird, but I also enjoy testing ammo and shooting groups. It’s a great relaxing project for a lazy Sunday afternoon. So I was also really looking forward to getting the 10mm XD(M)® 5.25 because of its adjustable rear sight. I knew I would get to dial in all of my different 10mm loads, and that made me happy.

Many have argued that an adjustable-sighted pistol may be too fragile for every-day carry and hard range use. I will have to politely disagree, because in all of my years shooting the gun, the robust rear sight on the XD(M)® 5.25 has never failed me. Ever. And I am not necessarily easy on my pistols — this shooter shoots! 

A TEN FOR WILEY
One of the things that I have always wanted to do is to shoot a coyote with a 10mm pistol, and now I have the perfect opportunity. Living off the grid and far from all of my neighbors, I went out yesterday with just this in mind. I took out my new 10mm XD(M)® 5.25, and spent a few hours calling for coyotes. Unfortunately, not a one appeared, but I will continue my endeavor in pursuit of “Wiley” with my XD(M)® in 10! Of course, I’ll keep you posted with my predator progress.