Springfield’s Carry-Friendly XD-M Elite Compact

Hefty capacity, excellent ergonomics and trigger that breaks like winter ice … meet Springfield’s XD-M Elite Compact.

How The XD-M Elite Compact Enhance Carry:

• 14-round flush-fit standard magazines
• 3.8-inch match-grade barrel
• Flat-faced META trigger
• Flared, removable magwell

Striking a chord with its shootablity and ergonomics, Springfield Armory’s XD-M line has often been heralded as the best in the gunmaker’s catalog. It seemed the larger-framed pistols—especially in 10mm—excelled at just about everything … almost everything. The hitch in the giddyap was concealed carry, proving too much gun for most to keep under wraps—until now.

Catering to the insatiable demand for easy-to-carry defensive handguns, Springfield Armory introduced the trimmed down XD-M Elite Compact. Fifth in the series, the petite 9mm packs plenty into a small package, including an excellent price point. The MSRP on the striker-fired is $559, which should equate to slightly north of $500 once it hits gun store shelves. Easy on the pocketbook could equate to hard to obtain, however, given the clip handguns—even spendy ones—have flown off the shelves in recent months.

Based on the XD-M line, the Elite version of the pistols offers some welcome and practical upgrades. Among the more notable is what Springfield calls its Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META). Flat-faced—old XD-M shoe was curved—the trigger promotes a more linear path, while at the same tick reducing the perceived weight required to trip it. It breaks at a very crisp 5-pounds, without a lick of spongy feel, and has an extremely terse and tactile reset. The latter aspect, once a shooter is familiar with it, makes the gun particularly quick shot to shot.  In addition to this, the XD-M Elite Compact includes large chevron cocking serrations fore and aft, an ambidextrous slide stop, match-grade barrel and a removable flared magwell.

As to the XD-M Elite Compact’s tale of the tape, the pistol boasts a 3.8-inch barrel, is 6.75-inches in overall length, 4.58-inches in height and weighs in at a very manageable 27 ounces. Before its release, to go that small shooters had to turn to the original XD subcompact or XD-S model. But the new pistol has a major leg up on its sibling in capacity. The double-stack feeds off a 14-round flush-fit magazine with the option for 20-round extended-capacity mags. However, leveling up to large mags means forgoing the magwell. Can’t have everything.

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As to the XD-M Elite Compact’s sighting system, it’s similar to much of Springfield’s new additions, which veer away from traditional three-dot sight. Instead, the gunmaker opted for what it calls a U-notch, which is pretty much like it sounds—a white outlined u-shaped rear sight. Up front, the pistol has a fiber-optic pipe for a bright, eye-catching dot. Simply put the dot in the basket to get the gun on target.

Overall the XD-M Elite Compact offers a tidy and very shootable package that arms its user with enough firepower to hand nearly any situation.

XD-M Elite Compact Specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Color: Black
Barrel: 3.8″ Hammer Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish, 1:10
Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish
Frame: Black Polymer
Sights: Fiber Optic Front, Tactical Rack U-Dot™ Rear
Recoil System: One Piece w/ Full Length Guide Rod
Grip Width: 1.2″
Magazines: (2) 14-Round
Weight: 27 oz
Length: 6.75″
Height: 4.58″
MSRP: $559

For more information on the XD-M Elite Compact, please visit springfield-armory.com.

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