Springfield XDM - 9mm

This is a shout out for opinions from you pistol aficionados. So the time has come to select a pistol and as with all things that I have ever done in my life I want to select a pistol based on comfort and fit. I have handled all sorts of pistols since starting at the club and the issue that I have had is that I have tiny little hands and podgy little fingers which means that I can't grip the pistol and reach the mag eject with my thumb on any of the pistols I have shot. Yesterday I picked up a Springfield XDM and it felt the best in my hands but I still couldn't quite reach the mag eject. That said, I am thinking this could be the pistol for me. Does anyone have any good or bad Opinions about the XDM? There was a Croatian customer in the shop at the time who said they were the bees knees and that he had seven of them but then the pistol is Croat so I discounted those comments as being like a Kiwi saying Pav is the best dessert.

Not tried them myself but if your club is anything like mine any of the guys will give you a go on their pistols
Judging by your requirements try out a Walther P99 and/or a CZ - I have an 85 that I love the grip of but the Shadow is more popular

The other option is buy 2ndhand and try a few - the resale value is almost the same with a lot of semiautos, in my experience
Don't forget Trading Post here
Pistol New Zealand

You're not getting just one are ya? You're allowed 12.....

Hit me up if you come down to Wgtn and you're welcome to have a burn on my ones

Of all the polymer pistols the XDm is one of the better choices. One thing I don't like is the rear slide rail is plastic, but doesn't seem to be a problem with the 1000's of shooters who use them. Have you tried a 1911? single action and single stack gun might be good for your hands - can get them in 9mm. Or try a Glock19. Glock can be very good with a few small cheap upgrades.

If small and comfortable is the key, Walther PPQ might be a good fit too, or a H&K VP9

I also have smallish hands, and I rate the shadow. I find that I push the release from the side on a angle (can't get thumb right around on to the top, if that makes sense) and it works real well. Plus it just fits me.

Works well, accurate and I've only had 1 misfeed/click/ammo issue - and that was because I didn't put powder in the reload, so not a pistol issue at all.

I always liked the look of the XDM. I've since handle and fired both the XD in 40S&W (my bosses carry gun) and the XDM in 9mm here in NZ. I really didn't like how these shoot, the accuray for me wasn't there for the 9mm and I found the Glock and Walther better to shoot for me. I eventually ended up with a CZ Shadow(only gripe is the Double Action trigger for the first shoot on IPSC, but this is not the end of the world).

However, I strongly believe that if it feels right and shoots right in your hands, it the right gun for you.

Last comments, always remember that when buying a pistol in NZ, if you find you are not happy, there is a very limited number of possible buyers when selling second hand. Choose well.

I have the same problem with stumpy hands and fingers.

If it feels the best and shoots right, buy it.
I still manage to run a double stack 2011 happily with my hands so i am sure you will work around any mag release issues once you have spent some time shooting it.

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XDM seems to be good for people with smaller hands, kinda like a cross between a glock and the cz shadow.

If you want to spend large, look at the new Tanfoglio stock 3 extreme, also small hand friendly.

It rather depends on what you are using it for. Pling? IPSC? NRA? Is it going to be run hard? I tend to think firstly in terms does it meet divisional requirements, then in logistical terms (how available are spare or after market parts) then personal suitability. A lot of the guys are using the 5" barrel model for production class NRA, of course that model isn't usable in IPSC production. In my experience generalist pistols to switch between disciplines don't work terribly well.

Be aware most people have to break their grip to hit the magazine release, it is only if you really have to contort an astronomical amount that it is an issue. This is where availability of OEM or after market parts can be useful. CZ makes an extended magazine release, as does glock (though personally I find the gen 4 one all but useless).

i have only shot one a few times , felt nice and compact , and more "solid" than my glock , as for mag release , i had to get the extended one for my g17 ... suffer stumpy thumbs as well .....

Thanks guys I appreciate the comments.

Asked my boss why he uses a XD for a carry gun in Ohio. He tells me he finds the grips compact enough for a quick and firm hold, plus he gets shit loads of 40S&W in the mag.

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Originally Posted by Uplandstalker

Asked my boss why he uses a XD for a carry gun in Ohio. He tells me he finds the grips compact enough for a quick and firm hold, plus he gets shit loads of 40S&W in the mag.

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Nineteen in the 9mm

Use your left thumb to hit the magazine catch.

Works for most people with smaller hands or short thumbs.

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Originally Posted by systolic

Use your left thumb to hit the magazine catch.

Works for most people with smaller hands or short thumbs.

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I might try that myself.

I have to ensure I place my gun hand thumb on top of my safety after I button the mag or I sometimes engage the safety when seating a new mag.
I spent ages drilling myself to get it right but still do it every now and then.


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Originally Posted by R93

I might try that myself.

I have to ensure I place my gun hand thumb on top of my safety after I button the mag or I sometimes engage the safety when seating a new mag.
I spent ages drilling myself to get it right but still do it every now and then.


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My problem is when on a weak hand stage, not getting my thumb on top of the safety. Over come by more weak hand shooting

Something else to consider is a gun with a reversible mag catch. I swapped the catch on my M&P to the right hand side and used my strong hand middle finger to hit the button, so hardly had to break my grip. But now I've gone to a 2011 I just shift my grip slightly.

From reviews and videos on it, seems like the HK VP9/SFP9 (international version) is a very good option for anyone as its basically an improved glock in most aspects with massively improved ergonomics and customizable grip options.

I have the exact same problem Rushy. I was able to shoot an XD in the states and loved how they felt like a 1911. However, like you i couldnt quite hit that mag release without changing my grip on the pistol.
I then went to a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm and it was a huge improvement. The handle is ergonomically shaped for better handling. As with most modern polymer hand guns, the back grip is inter-changable with smaller fittings to cater to people like us. When i settle down, stop moving around the country and get into pistol shooting, the SW is what i will be getting.

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Originally Posted by mcche171

I have the exact same problem Rushy. I was able to shoot an XD in the states and loved how they felt like a 1911. However, like you i couldnt quite hit that mag release without changing my grip on the pistol.
I then went to a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm and it was a huge improvement. The handle is ergonomically shaped for better handling. As with most modern polymer hand guns, the back grip is inter-changable with smaller fittings to cater to people like us. When i settle down, stop moving around the country and get into pistol shooting, the SW is what i will be getting.

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Thanks. I will see if I can find one.

Another thing to consider whatever you end up choosing, is how easy is it to get parts? Extra mags, holsters and the like.

Some of the less common guns may be nice to shoot but if something breaks you could be out of action for a couple of months or more to get replacements. And of course murphys law says that things will only ever break a week or so out from nationals or South/North Islands.

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Originally Posted by Ozzy

Another thing to consider whatever you end up choosing, is how easy is it to get parts? Extra mags, holsters and the like.

Some of the less common guns may be nice to shoot but if something breaks you could be out of action for a couple of months or more to get replacements. And of course murphys law says that things will only ever break a week or so out from nationals or South/North Islands.

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good point

XDM's are a pretty good pistol. Very reliable hassle free, accurate, much nicer with a powder river precision trigger fitted.

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Originally Posted by jackson21

XDM's are a pretty good pistol. Very reliable hassle free, accurate, much nicer with a powder river precision trigger fitted.

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Thanks for that.