The Springfield Armory XDM (X-Treme Duty, the M is for the match grade barrel and match grade trigger) are a series of semi-automatic pistols that are polymer-framed and striker-fired. They closely resemble their predecessor, the HS2000 pistol (most widely known in the United States as Springfield Armory XD). Manufactured in the city of Karlovac, Croatia by HS Produkt (formerly I.M. Metal), the Springfield Armory XDM is the marketing name for the firearm, which is licensed and sold in the United States by Springfield Armory, Inc..[1]
History
The most noticeable differences between the previous XD models are the XDM's interchangeable back-straps and match-grade barrel. The first XDM was produced in .40 S&W holding 16 rounds in the magazine. This gun was soon followed by the 9mm and .45 ACP. XDMs are also produced as compact pistols in .40 S&W, .45ACP and 9mm with 3.8" barrels. Recently XDM has produced a competition series in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP with a 5.25" barrel, remotely resembling the 5" tactical XD pistols. The XDM series of pistols won Handgun of the Year in 2009.[2]
Design
All XDM series of pistols comes with a 'Match Grade" barrel and trigger, and an ambidextrous magazine release. Match Grade barrels are manufactured to tighter tolerances and custom-fitted for better accuracy and to make the pistol "competition ready". The XDM is a polymer framed handgun with full steel inserts and a mounting rail.
While cosmetically looking superior to the original XD guns with its "all terrain" grip pattern, the angle and depth of each contour in the grip has been calculated for maximized control vertically, horizontally and torsionally. The Major Grasp Slide Serrations were modified for a better more penetrating grasp. All XDM pistols come with grip and trigger safety mechanisms and a loaded chamber indicator at the top of the gun just behind the barrel. A traditional manual safety is an optional feature. The surface of the metal has undergone a Melonite treatment, a salt bath nitriding process which leaves a hard, corrosion-resistant surface. Unlike the previous generation of XD handguns, the XDM does not require pulling the trigger to disassemble the gun, making field stripping safer and faster.[3]