Rant and Rambling: the new XD-M
I have posted twice about this already ( post 1, post 2) but I figure third time is the charm. So Springfield Armory has the new XD-M it all over its website now. Lots of good detail on it like the following.
The more I look at it the more I like it. What has surprised me though is how much negativity the new version of the XD is being received with at XD-Talk. I did a quick poll and nearly 44% of 141 of the members did not like it. Certainly I can understand a portion of people not likely it but I was surprise it was some much. The complaint range from not liking the new looks to whining that SA did not come out with a particular version they wanted so they dislike this version. Those that want a Sub-Compact XD-45ACP and the 10mm Fanboys being the most notable whiners on that front.
Personally if you set the cosmetics aside the new XD-M is nearly identical to the existing XD-40. I would be willing to bet good money that many of the internal parts are nearly identical. The "operating system" is the same in principal if not is actual parts.
To show this I will do a little amature photo shopping.
The original XD-40 Tactical
Next the new XD-M
And a little image arithmatic and:
Other than the fact that the new XD-M will have a 4.5inch barrel rather than the 5inch barrel of the XD-40 Tactical they are nearly identical in plan form. The only thing that really stands out to me (although hard to see in the composite image) is the position of the triggers. I suspect that the XD-M has had all or nearly all of the pre-travel removed. I suspect my own XD-40Tactical trigger is in the same position after the recent trigger job I did to remove the pre-travel.
Other than the grip being slightly wider than the old one to accommodate the new wider magazines I suspect that its mostly cosmetic and internal changes to the gun.
They seem to be initially hitting the shelves at ~$700 but I suspect if I wait just a few weeks for the full supply to hit all the stores the price will come down a little bit after they are not so hard to find. With Little Miss on the way I might have to sell one of my existing XDs to finance this one. I definitely want one given that it will finally make a legitimate USPSA Limited gun. So if anyone is looking for a deal on a used but well cared for XD-40 Service it might be up for sale here soon.
The more I look at it the more I like it. What has surprised me though is how much negativity the new version of the XD is being received with at XD-Talk. I did a quick poll and nearly 44% of 141 of the members did not like it. Certainly I can understand a portion of people not likely it but I was surprise it was some much. The complaint range from not liking the new looks to whining that SA did not come out with a particular version they wanted so they dislike this version. Those that want a Sub-Compact XD-45ACP and the 10mm Fanboys being the most notable whiners on that front.
Personally if you set the cosmetics aside the new XD-M is nearly identical to the existing XD-40. I would be willing to bet good money that many of the internal parts are nearly identical. The "operating system" is the same in principal if not is actual parts.
To show this I will do a little amature photo shopping.
The original XD-40 Tactical
Next the new XD-M
And a little image arithmatic and:
Other than the fact that the new XD-M will have a 4.5inch barrel rather than the 5inch barrel of the XD-40 Tactical they are nearly identical in plan form. The only thing that really stands out to me (although hard to see in the composite image) is the position of the triggers. I suspect that the XD-M has had all or nearly all of the pre-travel removed. I suspect my own XD-40Tactical trigger is in the same position after the recent trigger job I did to remove the pre-travel.
Other than the grip being slightly wider than the old one to accommodate the new wider magazines I suspect that its mostly cosmetic and internal changes to the gun.
They seem to be initially hitting the shelves at ~$700 but I suspect if I wait just a few weeks for the full supply to hit all the stores the price will come down a little bit after they are not so hard to find. With Little Miss on the way I might have to sell one of my existing XDs to finance this one. I definitely want one given that it will finally make a legitimate USPSA Limited gun. So if anyone is looking for a deal on a used but well cared for XD-40 Service it might be up for sale here soon.