{"id":1168,"date":"2023-06-14T21:48:06","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T21:48:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1168"},"modified":"2023-06-14T21:48:06","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T21:48:06","slug":"springfield-xd-m-elite-4-5-tactical-osp-9mm-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1168","title":{"rendered":"Springfield XD-M Elite 4.5″ Tactical OSP 9mm Review"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Richard Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n

B<\/span>y any measure, the Springfield Armory XD-M<\/span> Elite 9mm OSP Tactical is an impressive handgun. I recently received one in for review, and I can definitively say: this semi-automatic pistol delivers potent performance. Chambered in 9mm, the gun is perfect for law enforcement officers, competition shooters and for anyone interested in self-defense. In this review, I cover the gun\u2019s features and get it on the range for reliability and accuracy testing.<\/p>\n

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The Springfield XD-M<\/span> Elite 4.5\u201d Tactical OSP 9mm is a high-performance handgun suitable for law enforcement, personal protection and sport shooting\u00a0use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re unfamiliar with the Springfield brand, you\u2019re missing out on some of the best firearms being made today. A family-owned business, the company offers everything from classic 1911-style pistols all the way through to thoroughly modern AR-style rifles and a hunt-ready bolt-action rifle. The company is well-known for building reliable firearms; in my experience, this XD-M<\/span> Elite 9mm is no exception.<\/p>\n

Design and Features of the XD-M<\/span> Elite<\/h2>\n

At its core, the XD-M<\/span> Elite is a polymer-framed handgun with a proven striker-fired system. As the name suggests, however, the XD-M<\/span> Elite is more than just a \u201cbasic\u201d modern handgun.<\/p>\n

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The XD-M<\/span> Elite Tactical comes with an impressive feature set, including a threaded barrel, ambidextrous controls and an optics\u00a0mount.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first thing that jumps out to me about the XD-M<\/span> Elite series is the grip frame. The ergonomic grip is visually striking, and it fully fills your hand. Springfield also designed the gun with interchangeable backstraps that allow you to get the best fit for your hand. Three different inserts allow you to swap them around to find the right size for your hands. The grip texture works in concert with the adjustable grip size to lock the gun in for a solid hold while shooting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As with the original XD line, the Springfield Armory XD-M<\/span> Elite line uses a grip safety. It has a more pronounced \u201cbump\u201d at the rear to ensure a positive disengagement when you grasp the pistol to fire. Mine worked flawlessly in both dry firing and range testing.<\/p>\n

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The factory magwell is designed to funnel magazines more quickly into place. During competition or other stressful events, this ensures a faster and more consistent magazine\u00a0exchange.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As part of the \u201cElite\u201d treatment of the XD-M<\/span>, Springfield includes a removable \u201cstandard\u201d magwell funnel<\/a> on this pistol. This device is designed to help channel your magazine when reloading under pressure. This flared magwell also works in concert with a new lengthened 22-round steel magazine.<\/p>\n

As this is an optical sight pistol (OSP) model, the forged steel slide is machined to accept an optic with the appropriate mounting plate. I ran a HEX Dragonfly<\/a> on mine, but you can drop nearly any pistol red dot on the gun. Several available mounting plates make adding a red dot an easy affair.<\/p>\n

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The XD-M<\/span> Elite Tactical is an \u201cOSP\u201d model that is ready from the factory for a red dot optic. Red dots are easier for many people to use for accurate\u00a0shooting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Springfield includes suppressor-height iron sights on the pistol. Dovetailed into the slide, the sights are high enough to co-witness them through many optics and over an attached suppressor. Springfield elected to go with plain black sights with serrated faces that produced no glare in the time I spent with the pistol. They provide a crisp sight picture \u2014 especially in bright light conditions. The front sight nestles perfectly within the rear sight for precision shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Springfield Armory offers this pistol in both black and Desert FDE finishes. In black, the slide has a Melonite treatment. For the Desert FDE gun I tested, the slide had a Cerakote finish. It\u2019s my experience that both treatments are incredibly durable. You just need to select which color you prefer.<\/p>\n

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One of my favorite Springfield XD-M<\/span> Elite features is the META trigger. META stands for \u201cMatch Enhanced Trigger Assembly\u201d, and it has a flat face with an overtravel stop. The META trigger is one of Springfield Armory\u2019s enhancements to the original XD-M<\/span> line that classifies this gun as an Elite model. Frankly, it\u2019s one of the best factory triggers on the striker-fired market today. The XD-M<\/span> Elite I tested had a crisp 5.5-6 lb. trigger pull that felt much lighter to me than its measurement suggested.<\/p>\n

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The word-class META trigger on all XD-M<\/span> Elite pistols is easier for many people to use and shoot\u00a0accurately.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The XD-M<\/span> Elite line uses top-grade barrels. The model I am reviewing uses a match-grade, threaded barrel. The muzzle of the barrel extends beyond the face of the slide and is threaded .5\u00d728 for the easy addition of a sound suppressor<\/a>. A thread protector comes standard from the factory. I should note that the barrel\u2019s total length is 5.28\u201d, but the overall gun\u2019s configuration is in the 4.5\u201d gun pattern.<\/p>\n

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A threaded barrel allows for the use of a comp to reduce muzzle rise or a sound suppressor to protect the shooter\u2019s\u00a0hearing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Built into the dustcover portion of the frame is a strip of Picatinny rail. This rail allows you to attach a laser or flashlight such as the Surefire X300<\/a>. This is especially beneficial if you use the gun for home defense or are a law enforcement officer. Just be sure to carry a handheld flashlight in addition to any weaponlight you might attach to your pistol.<\/p>\n

Additional Elite enhancements to the XD-M<\/span> include an ambidextrous slide lock (that, with the ambidextrous magazine release make the gun very southpaw friendly) as well as enhanced slide serrations for even better purchase.<\/p>\n

A Word on Magazine Capacity<\/h2>\n

The Springfield XD-M<\/span> Elite 9mm OSP Tactical holds a very respectable 22 rounds in its magazine. This is one of the more generous capacities in a handgun. For a police officer or armed citizen, this gives you an ample supply of ammunition.<\/p>\n