{"id":544,"date":"2022-11-16T20:45:15","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T20:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=544"},"modified":"2022-11-16T20:45:15","modified_gmt":"2022-11-16T20:45:15","slug":"xd-m-elite-vs-sa-35-does-new-outpace-the-old","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=544","title":{"rendered":"XD-M Elite vs. SA-35: Does New Outpace the Old?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"player-inline-wrapper no-margin-top\">\n<div class=\"video-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe class=\"player-inline\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/769480304?h=525cab0066&amp;api=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"byline\">By <a class=\"byline-author ajax-home\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/author\/justin-opinion\/\">Justin Opinion<\/a><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"dropcap\">B<\/span>asic semi-auto firearm technology hasn\u2019t changed much over the past century or more. Using the energy of springs and the recoil of a fired round, cartridges are chambered, fired, ejected and fed one after another.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-36782\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Although they are nearly a century apart in design, the author found them indistinguishable in regards to\u00a0performance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But while the beauty of this simplicity has helped make handguns durable and reliable \u2014 ever changing needs from military, law enforcement and civilian markets have taken us a long way from the pistols of grandfathers. Thus, there is sometimes a division between those who appreciate the classical \u2014 and those who demand the tactical.<\/p>\n<h2>Opposing Options<\/h2>\n<p>To bring life to this topic of conversation, I selected two Springfield Armory pistols that represent both the elegance of a simpler time and the state of the art of modern handgun design. The <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/sa-35-review-dissecting-springfields-new-pistol\/\"><span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> champions the classical<\/a> in every imaginable way.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-36783\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison.jpg\" alt=\"sa-35 comparison\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-comparison-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The elegant <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> is a classic, hammer-fired pistol with a manual thumb safety. It embodies all of the features for which many shooters are\u00a0looking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It was the swan song of John Moses Browning, implying that all he had learned before it was incorporated into the design concept. The <a class=\"ajax-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/review-xd-m-elite-4-5-osp-10mm\/\"><span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> Elite Tactical OSP<\/a> is the culmination of years of success with the <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> and the addition of the latest tactical compatibility.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-36784\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"787\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison.jpg\" alt=\"xd-m elite comparison\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/xd-m-elite-comparison-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thoroughly modern, the <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> Elite OSP is suppressor ready, with a threaded barrel and <span class=\"nowrap\">extra-tall\u00a0sights.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> is an all-steel gun with removable grip panels (that allows customization such as I have done with mine). It\u2019s a single-action-only firing system with an external hammer and a manual safety switch. The <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> Elite is a polymer-framed handgun that is striker-fired and has no manual external safety switch.<\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter inline\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: none;\" class=\"logo-tal-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/themes\/thearmorylife\/img\/logo-tal-tm-icon.svg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Live The Armory Life.<\/strong> The latest content straight to your inbox plus an automatic entry to each of our <a class=\"ajax-giveaways\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/giveaways\/\"><strong>monthly gun\u00a0giveaways!<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The safety systems in the modern <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> outnumber the older design of the <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> and do not require manual application, whereas the \u201cold-fashioned\u201d switch of the <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> is a preference for some due to peace of mind or ergonomic preference.<\/p>\n<h2>Hands-On<\/h2>\n<p>Both guns have modern sights, and both are great shooters. Testing both guns with some off-hand shooting at the range, their groups differed in size by less than \u00bd inch with ten rounds. Sight picture and shot placement are subtly different. The <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> is a point-of-aim\/point-of-impact configuration, where the <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> Elite has a six o\u2019clock hold setup.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-36785\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite.jpg.webp 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite-800x450.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite-400x225.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite-768x432.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1400\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite.jpg\" alt=\"shooting comparison of sa-35 and xd-m elite\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/shooting-comparison-of-sa-35-and-xd-m-elite-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Although the group placement is slightly different between the two, the size of the groups is nearly\u00a0identical.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> Elite has high sights and a threaded barrel \u2014 ready to accept a suppressor. It is also pre-cut for a mounted red-dot optic. Its magazine well helps funnel in the 22-round extended magazines for fast tactical reloads, and the accessory rail out front is a great place for a mounted light. The desert flat dark earth coloring hints at its capabilities as a duty sidearm.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><picture decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-36786\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm-800x640.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm-400x320.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm-768x614.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm.jpg\" alt=\"sa-35 vs xd-m elite 9mm\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm-800x640.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm-400x320.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/sa-35-vs-xd-m-elite-9mm-768x614.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"\/>\n<\/picture><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Putting the <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> against the <span class=\"nowrap\">XD-M<\/span> Elite: which is the winner? Either will serve you extremely well. It all boils down to your specific needs and\u00a0wants.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <span class=\"nowrap\">SA-35<\/span> has smooth curves and rounded edges, with a profile that harkens to the days of elegance in mechanical tools. The finish is dark and unassuming but shows off every fine detail.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Two different styles, one an homage to a classical era of handgun design and one no-nonsense, hi-tech modern sidearm. Whichever speaks to your personal taste, needs, or style, you can be sure of one thing \u2014 both are solid performers that are built to last. But let\u2019s not overlook the best way to resolve this dilemma\u2026 own both of them!<\/p>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in and discuss this article and much more!<\/em><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-forum-thread hide-share\"><span>Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"forum-thread-button-wrapper hide-share\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/forum\/threads\/13193\/\">Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"heading heading-featured hide-share\"><span>Featured in this video<\/span><\/h5>\n<section class=\"featured hide-share grid-two\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-sa35 \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/sa-35-series-handguns\/sa-35-handguns\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-9mm\">9<sup>mm<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;\n\t\t\t\t\t<picture loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin-top: 2.1rem; margin-bottom: 1.4rem;\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/HP9201.png.webp\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/HP9201.png\" alt=\"SA-35\u2122 Series\"\/>\n<\/picture>\n&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>SA-35\u2122 <span>Series<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"product series-xdm \" href=\"https:\/\/www.springfield-armory.com\/xd-series-handguns\/xd-m-elite-handguns\/xd-m-elite-45-osp-threaded-9mm-handgun-desert-fde\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caliber\"><span class=\"cal-9mm\">9<sup>mm<\/sup><\/span><\/span>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"max-width: 94%; margin-bottom: 1rem;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/XDMET9459FHCOSP.png\" alt=\"XD-M\u00ae Elite 4.5&quot; OSP\u2122\"\/>&#13;<\/p>\n<h3>XD-M\u00ae <span>Elite 4.5&#8243; OSP\u2122<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thearmorylife.com\/xd-m-elite-vs-sa-35\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Justin Opinion Basic semi-auto firearm technology hasn\u2019t changed much over the past century or more. Using the energy of springs and the recoil of a fired round, cartridges are chambered, fired, ejected and fed one after another. Although they are nearly a century apart in design, the author found them indistinguishable in regards to\u00a0performance. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":545,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-544","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/544","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=544"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/544\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=544"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=544"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}