First Look: Springfield XD-M Elite

Boasting an enhanced trigger and plenty of capacity, the Springfield Armory improves the XD-M line with the XD-M Elite.

How Does the XD-M Elite Improve On The Original:

• Match Grade, flat-faced trigger with integral overtravel stop
• Cold hammer-forged barrel
• More aggressive cocking serrations
• Removable extended and flared magwell
• Enhanced 22+1 capacity

It won’t be January without Springfield Armory offering an update to its striker-fired pistol family. And the company didn’t disappoint, tacking on an addition to what many consider the pick of the litter. The XD-M Elite has several updates, including an improved trigger (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly), match barrel, ambidextrous slide stop, more aggressive cocking serrations, removable extended and flared magwells (Precision and Tactical OSP models) and enhanced capacity (20+1 rounds of 9mm in the 3.8- and 4.5-inch barrel models and 22+1 in the Precision and Tactical OSP models).

The trigger pull is what has gotten many jawing with about the pistol, claiming it lives up to its ‘match’ moniker. In addition to a terse and crisp break, the flat-faced trigger also features an integral overtravel stop, which should help you pick up the pace. Springfield offers four variations of the XD-M Elite, 5.25-inch barreled Precision, 4.5-inch threaded barrel Tactical OSP, 4.5-inch barrel service model and 3.8-inch barrel sub-compact. The MSRP of the 3.8 and 4.5 XD-M Elite is $559, while the Tactical OSP is $709 and the Precision $653.

Learn More About Handguns:

• Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts
• The Shot Timer And Defensive Handgun Training
• Video: Developing A Fundamentally Sound Trigger Pull
• Sig P6: Remembering A West German Icon Of The Cold War
• The All-Arounder: Springfield Armory XD(M) 10mm

More From Springfield:

GENESEO, ILL.– The new XD-M® Elite from Springfield Armory® represents the pinnacle of performance in factory striker-fired pistols. Taking the polymer platform that broke the mold and incorporating numerous upgrades and improvements, the XD-M® Elite redefines what you should expect from modern, striker-fired firearms.

At the heart of the new XD-M® Elite is the Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META™) system, a superbly refined trigger designed to wring out the most from the pistol’s most important interface with the shooter. Featuring a flat face and integral overtravel stop, the META™ system delivers the finest trigger pull available on a production polymer-framed pistol.

In addition to the exceptionally crisp and clean trigger pull tuned to the pistol’s fully cocked striker, the XD-M® Elite also features increased-capacity magazines holding up to 22 rounds of 9mm. These magazines mate up with another impressive upgrade on the XD-M® Elite — removable extended and flared magwells, designed to make ultra-fast reloads a breeze.

Ushering in the new XD-M® Elite family of purpose-driven pistols are four duly appointed models, ranging from competition-ready and tactical variants to duty-sized and CCW-ready versions. These models are as follows:

·XD-M® Elite Precision (XDME95259BHC)
·XD-M® Elite Tactical OSP™(XDMET9459FHCOSP)
·XD-M® Elite 4.5″ (XDME9459BHC)
·XD-M® Elite 3.8″ (XDME9389BHC)

The XD-M® Elite Precision features a 5.25″ hammer-forged barrel and extended slide with an adjustable rear/fiber optic front sight system while the XD-M® Elite Tactical OSP™ sports a hammer-forged 5.34” threaded barrel with thread protector, a slide capable of mounting today’s top red dot optics and suppressor-height iron sights. Both pistols feature a “standard” magwell design that works in concert with its 22+1 capacity magazines, for the ultimate in 9mm firepower.

The XD-M® Elite 4.5″ features a standard-length slide and 4.5″ hammer-forged barrel, while the XD-M® Elite 3.8″ is topped off with a shortened 3.8″ hammer-forged barrel and matching compact slide for enhanced concealability. Both pistols feature “short” magwell systems and 20+1 capacity 9mm magazines, combining amazing capacity with compact dimensions. Also, both versions feature U-Dot rear sights combined with fiber optic fronts. All four variants come packed with two magazines.

Other upgrades to the XD-M® Elite include an ambidextrous slide stop and improved slide serrations, with enlarged grasping grooves for slip-free purchase. The result is a pistol that handles as well as it shoots and shows you what today’s top polymer-framed pistol can truly do.

XD-M ELITE 3.8″
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.8″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Finish
Frame Black: Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (2) 20-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.75″
Length: 6.75″
Weight: 28 oz
MSRP: $559

XD-M ELITE 4.5″
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.5″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Finish
Frame: Black Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (2) 20-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.75″
Length: 7.6″
Weight: 29 oz
MSRP: $559

XD-M ELITE 4.5″ TACTICAL OSP
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 5.28″ Hammer Forged Steel, Threaded (.578 x 28), Melonite Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Desert FDE Cerakote Finish, Optics Ready
Frame: Desert FDE Polymer
Sights: Co-Witness, Suppressor Height
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (2) 22-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.875″
Length: 8.6″
Weight: 30 oz
MSRP: $709

XD-M ELITE 5.25″ PRECISION
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 5.25″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:16
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Finish
Frame: Black Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Fully Adjustable Target Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Magazines: (3) 22-Round
Grip Width: 1.2″
Height: 5.875″
Length: 8.3″
Weight: 30 oz
MSRP: $653

For more information on the XD-M Elite line, please visit www.springfield-armory.com/.

Next Step: Get your FREE Printable Target Pack

Enhance your shooting precision with our 62 MOA Targets, perfect for rifles and handguns. Crafted in collaboration with Storm Tactical for accuracy and versatility.

Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and get your downloadable target pack sent straight to your inbox. Stay updated with the latest firearms info in the industry.