Re: XDm 45
I've had my XDm 45 for a week now, but haven't gotten to shoot it much due to time constraints, but overall I like it so far. Since I generally shoot only 1911s and Glocks, that's what I'm comparing it against.
Pros
- For me it is the best feeling grip on a double-stack 45 (I prefer the small insert even though I wear size 11 gloves).
- Overall balance of the pistol is good.
- The standard sights are better than the standard sights on Glocks (wish they had a factory tritium option though).
- Accurate for a plastic gun, though no match for a tuned 1911.
- Despite the recoil (more on that in a minute), the pistol tracks straight in the hand and drops right back on target.
- The grip texture is better than most poly guns.
- Like I said, I haven't gotten to shoot it a lot, but I have tried several types of 230gr ammo; including American Eagle FMJ, old PMC FMJ, HST +P, Gold Dot, Fed Tactical Bonded +P and Ranger T. All worked fine, with Ranger T providing best accuracy at 15yds.
Cons
- The trigger pull itself is pretty good, but the reset is still too long.
- There's quite a bit of muzzle flip due to a slightly higher bore axis than something like a Glock but not as much weight as a steel 1911. However, the gun does track straight up and down (with proper grip of course.) so it is largely irrelevant unless you're shooting high level competition.
- The barrel heats up fast, more so than many other 45s I shoot, but it doesn't seem to affect accuracy.
- I wish the slide stop lever was about 10mm farther forward because I shoot with straight thumbs, but I've never over-rode it yet.