Springfield Launching Improved Elite Series XD-M Pistols

For more information visit SpringfieldArmory.com.

Springfield Armory is updating its XD-M series starting with a handful of models, calling them the XD-M Elite pistols. The Elite series brings improvements to the already updated XD-M line that should appeal to the practical-tactical crowd and pistol shooters everywhere.

For now Springfield is rolling out four models in the Elite series, all chambered for 9mm Luger. They include an XD-M 3.8, an XD-M 4.5, an XD-M 5.25 and an XD-M 4.5 Tactical OSP model.

The Elite series pistols feature improved controls, starting with a new trigger. These guns get the new Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly or META trigger.

It is a flat-faced trigger with a passive blade safety and an integral overtravel stop. Springfield says it’s the best trigger of all of the polymer-framed production pistols on the market, and while it will take people time at the range to test and evaluate the trigger’s quality, aftermarket support for the XD-M series has shown that the XD-M design can host very nice triggers, especially for striker-fired handguns.

In addition to the trigger safety, these XD-M Elite pistols have an internal drop safety, an out-of-battery safety and an enlarged grip safety. The grip safety on the Elite models is extended and includes a “memory button” like on many popular 1911 grip safeties. The extended safety also helps ensure that the safety works under stress including awkward gripping positions.

Like other XD-M pistols the Elite series comes standard with ambidextrous magazine release buttons but the new models also come with left-hand slide release levers, making them truly ambidextrous with mirrored controls.

The Elite series also comes with extended magazines and flared magwells. The 3.8 and 4.5 models have smaller magwell adapters and flush-fitting magazine extensions while the 4.5 Tactical OSP and 5.25 models have large magwell adapters and even longer magazine extensions.

These guns have serious magazine capacity across the board. The 3.8 and 4.5 Elite pistols have a standard capacity of 20+1 rounds of 9mm while the 4.5 Tactical OSP and 5.25 Elites hold 22+1.

The 3.8 and 4.5 Elite models come with standard XD-M sights, which are steel rear sights and a red fiber optic front sight. The Tactical OSP model has raised suppressor sights and the 5.25 Elite has Springfield’s Competition sight set which pairs a red fiber optic front sight with a fully adjustable rear.

See Also: The NEW Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP Review

While all of these guns have competition appeal as well as practical appeal, the Elite 3.8 and 4.8 pistols are a little more pragmatic for everyday carry and nightstand duty while the Tactical OSP and 5.25 Elite are definitely tailored for the run-and-gun crowd.

Fully ambidextrous controls are also a good way to stand out in the crowded polymer-framed service pistol market. It will take some hands-on time with these guns to determine how much better the new trigger is but at the very least it’s a likely improvement over the original XD-M design.

Suggesting pricing for the Elite series starts at $559 for the 3.8 and 4.5, goes up to $653 for the 5.25 model and tops out at $709 for the Tactical OSP. That’s a solid value and real-world prices are typically lower than MSRP for Springfield products.

For more information visit SpringfieldArmory.com.

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