I took one look at the Springfield XDM and fell in lust.
Pricey at 700 bucks but a little dickering got it down to $650 OTD.
I chose the 9mm with purpose.
Why?
Because I can still afford to shoot a LOT of 9mm ammo that's why.
I can/have/do reload for everything I shoot, but if I did reload for everything I'd have little time to shoot!
So I still buy 9's when the price is right, plus when Walmart still had the stuff every week I'd buy two or more boxes of Rem. 100 pack h.p. at 23 bucks, and 50 pack Win. FMJ at $8.89.
Before I knew it I had over 1000 rounds of nines and NO GUN TO SHOOT! Yup.
Just bought ammo 'cause a 9 would come my way sooner or later.
I also stocked up on my favorite two other calibers; the bulk packs of 22 l.r. and .45 a.c.p., the 230 grn h.p. load at 15 bucks box/50.
Got near a K of those too.
And I DO have a H&K USP, in .45, certainly one of the finest handguns out there.
She delivers 2 to 2.5 inches at 25 yards ALWAYS, the controls fit me big paws perfectly and I love that big phat boolit.
Stopped by a gun shop. Spotted a Sig P6, made in W. Germany, police trade in, fired little, worn a lot.
Not my 1st ever 9 by any means but a darned good if rough looking gun.
I've put a LOT of rounds downrange 115/124/and 147 grainers and they all shoot plenty good.
I have a target showing 6 147 UMC flatpoints inside 1.5 inches at 25 from the bench.
Well it's a Sig ya know.
Good gun ya know.
2nd 9 is/was, the XDM.
Wonderful trigger, good controls, nice looking sights, handsome gun.
Shot 14 inches high from the bench, 4 inches right, and "grouped" about 7 inches.
I tried EVERY major brand of ammo, including some so called 9mm accuracy loads but to no avail.
I called Springfield. They said "send it back and we'll return your cost for shipping".
Huh? Because they have to be airmailed the same day you take them to UPS!
They had my gun 11 weeks.
ELEVEN WEEKS I did without my $650 wondernine.
However I did get real good with frugly Sig.
I finally called S.A. and they siad they were having trouble getting it to shoot low enough! Huh? Don't they make the sights too? Don't they make adjustables?
Weeks more went by, I got the gun with a letter explaining the gun was going to shoot a "little" high still as the next size sight would make it shoot low.
A "little high" turned out to be 5 to 6 inches!
I called an old chum and explained I was having an off day, had a new XDM, would he shoot three major brands of ammo through it and determine which shot best.
He shot 6 inches high with groups around 8 inches with all ammo, PMC, Win and Rem.
He suggested in language I can't use here to get rid of the JUNK!
I did too.
I bought a Smith M&P, full size and promptly put 6 shots into 3 inches at 25 yards. ( $475 and tax)
147 UMC did better with 6 into 2 inches.
This one shoots about two inches high but not enough to miss a gobblin.
The Smith seems to have stolen everything from Glock. It works and works well.
The Smith and my Sig are my two "go to" guns.
(among many others, you know how we are)
It's been near 3 months now and I have yet to see my postage for the airfreight of $67.09.
Springfield took me pretty good I'd say.
So if you are looking for a new handgun my suggestion would be to look AWAY from Springfield.
I seldom knock a product but this one deserves knocking and more.
All the gun really needed was a slightly higher front blade.
I have no idea why it would not group.
S.A. claims they gauruntee 3 inches at 25 from the bench.
I would have pushed for a new P.O.S. but look at what the first one cost me in just ammo and shipping.
Curious about something else too.
Why call the P.O.S. gun Xtreme Duty Match?
?
My $350 worn out Sig would easily outshoot the S.A. the new Smith M&N easily outshoots it.