Springfield Armory’s XD-M Elite series has been gracing us with its presence since 2020. While the 3.8-inch barrel 10mm Springfield XD-M Elite has been out since September 2021, many shooters (myself included) have been hoping for a 4.5-inch option — like its 9mm counterpart has been offering. Now that it’s here, I can attest it was worth the wait.
Unboxing and First Thoughts
Opening the box, the first thing you’ll find is a Springfield-branded, soft pistol case with the handgun and one magazine neatly tucked in the magwell. Also in the box is an extra magazine, various rear backstraps, and a couple of magazine baseplates — everything you need, plus a little you may not.
Grabbing the pistol for the first time, you can tell it was built like a tank. I mean, this gun is solid. Mine came with a pre-mounted and zeroed Hex Dragonfly, which only added to the heftiness of the gun. I say heftiness not in a negative manner, but to reinforce how comfortable and solid it felt in my extra-large hands.
Aesthetically, I think it’s a great looking gun. It has aggressive styling features such as prominent slide serrations and grip texture, but without being gaudy. You can tell Springfield really paid attention to each part of the gun.
XD-M Elite 10mm Features
For those of you who love upgrading every aspect of your gun, this may not be the gun for you. Do you usually get your slide milled for an optic? Th XD-M Elite’s slide is already cut. Do you usually swap your sights for tritium or fiber optic sights? They are already installed. Do you usually replace the stock trigger with an upgraded flat trigger? Yeah, the XD-M Elite has got one of those too. I think you get the point.
I want to expand on the trigger briefly. It has what Springfield calls, the META (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly) trigger. Prior to receiving this gun, I didn’t have a whole lot of time behind the META trigger. I’ve shot a couple magazines through the 9mm Elite version, but I didn’t recall just how nice the trigger was/is.
The flat-face trigger has a crisp break and a quick reset, which allowed me to get quick and consistent follow-up shots off easily. Smooth comes to mind to describe it. Springfield listened to consumers when they added this trigger.
The XD-M Elite is loaded with other features in addition to those mentioned above. One of my favorites is the removable flared magwell. Especially when I first received the gun and started dry-firing, the magwell came in handy while practicing my reloads. I did wind up taking it off to see how I liked it, though I ultimately chose to keep it on. It also has a match-grade barrel, an ambidextrous slide release, and an accommodating accessory rail.
With all of these great features, there was one missing, in my opinion. I wish it came with optic height or even suppressor height iron sights. If you opt for the model without the pre-mounted Hex Dragonfly, you don’t need to worry. However, with the Hex Dragonfly attached, the iron sights are, unfortunately, too low to really get good use from them. I was able to still hit what I was aiming at with the setup as shown, but it would have been nice to have taller sights. Definitely not a deal-breaker though.
Springfield XD-M Elite Specs
Caliber: 10mm
Capacity: 16+1 rounds
Length: 7.6 inches
Sights: Fiber-optic front, Tactical Rack U-Dot rear, Hex Dragonfly optic
Safety: Grip and trigger
Height: 5.75 inches
Grip Width: 1.2 inches
Barrel: 4.5inches, match grade
Weight: 32 ounces
Range Report: Reliability and Accuracy
Typically, I prefer to put at least a few hundred rounds through a gun before I write my review. However, because I received an early sample that was embargoed, that didn’t happen. I have been able to put 125 rounds of 10mm Auto through it though, without a single malfunction. 100 of the rounds were Blazer Brass 180-grain FMJ and the other 25 were Hornady 180-grain JHP. I don’t foresee any issues arising, but I’ll try several other types before carrying the gun, to ensure it isn’t picky.
I’m not the best shot in the world, especially with 10mm, but I was pleasantly surprised with how I shot the XD-M Elite right out of the box. Having the red dot already mounted and zeroed didn’t hurt. It shot a hair low but was easily adjusted.
By the end of my first box of ammo, I was able to maintain slightly smaller than fist-sized groupings out to 21 feet. By the end of the second box, I had similar groupings out to 30 feet. For my personal skill set, I’m happy with those results after just two boxes of ammo. I’m confident with a couple more range trips, I’d be able to tighten up those groupings and replicate them at farther distances.
Final Thoughts
Simply put, I’ve really been enjoying shooting this gun. Admittedly, I haven’t shot as many 10mm handguns as I have 9mms, but this must be one of my favorites. I’ve been able to shoot it accurately and comfortably without having to make modifications.
With the included options and accessories, the Elite series comes with, I think the value is more obvious than it is with some of its competitors. If you’re in the market for a 10mm pistol, I highly suggest checking out the XD-M Elite.
Do you shoot or carry a 10mm handgun? If so, which handgun is your favorite and which 10mm ammunition is best? How do you think the Springfield XD-M Elite 10mm will compare? Share your answers in the comment section.
With the first 20 rounds through the gun and out to roughly 21 feet, the author was able to shoot fist-sized or smaller groupings. His own over-correcting at 30 feet caused a few strays, but it did not take long to tighten up the groupings. 
The XD-M Elite’s match grade 4.5” barrel is designed to improve accuracy, which is especially welcomed with the larger caliber. Here, you’ll also notice the flat META trigger which comes standard on the Elite versions. 
The slide serrations are aggressive without being bothersome. Pair those with a beefy Hex Dragonfly red dot, and you should have no problems racking the pistol with ease. 
With the taller grip and overall height coming in at 5.75”, the author found the pistol to fit very well in hand. The textured backstrap helped maintain a proper grip while rapid firing and increased the overall feel of the gun. 
The author couldn’t pass up the photo opportunity with an old metal ammo can and the XD-M Elite. There is something about olive drab green and black pistols that just looks great! Not only does XD-M Elite have a loaded chamber indicator on the top of the pistol, it also features this striker status indicator. Right out of the box, you’re ready to hit the range with a pre-mounted and zeroed Hex Dragonfly and two 16-round magazines. Having the red dot already zeroed in was a much appreciated time saver. The XD-M Elite comes in a nice soft pistol case within Springfield’s standard cardboard box. The case is a nice touch and easily fit both magazines and the pistol.
I have a RIA 1911, G20, G29. Currently working a good SD load for the 29.
Where i am now is with a 155grn xtp at abt 1220 fps for ~510 ftlbs.
Very controllable in this load for easy follow ups.
We’ll see where i end up. Large hands are a little challenging with this sidearm. The G20 is my go to bush gun or back up when hunting.
I Love my XDMElite Compact in 10 mm. The grip could be Just a half inch Longer and this would make it a Perfect gun! I still love it and shoot it as well as my 1911 in 45 acp.
I own the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Compact model. It’s a great shooter, and it is very well made, just like the full-sized model I am sure. This Compact model was put through all sorts of testing on the Turkey’s Opinion YouTube channel. The only problem that arose, it was a very critical problem, is that the trigger broke. Springfield Armory replaced found that the center piece of the trigger, which is a safety, broke. The trigger and the center piece are made of polymer. The guy on Turkey’s Opinion replaced the trigger with an aluminum trigger from Powder River Precision. After that, the gun became a perfect pistol, minus the optic-height sights. Rather than wonder if my polymer trigger and safety will break during a gunfight, I immediately replaced my trigger with the one from Powder River Precision. Now, I have absolute full confidence that my pistol won’t break during a gunfight. It is something to consider, for those of you considering the purchase of this full-size model.
The XDM 4.5 10mm was my third in that caliber.
Impressed enough I purchased a second of those.
Moved to a solid guide rod and two pound heavier recoil spring in both.
My first two 10’s were the Glock 20 and 29.
The XDM’s have become my carry choice.
Better triggers, accuracy.
Mostly carry a small 9mm for CC in the city, but those 10’s are now my travel and trail choice.
I have been shooting the 10MM for over 35 years and still love my Colt Delta Elite. My first 10MM was the modified colt .45 into 10MM issued by the government and my wife upgraded me to Delta Elite.
My load are my favorite brand of ammo.
I have two XD series side arms, one full size and one sub compact, both of which are chambered in .45acp.
The XD-S is my everyday secondary because of it’s compact size and knockdown power.
But I really love a 1911 and I love the 10mm cartridge so therefore I carry a Rock Island 1911 in 10mm.
But I also like the feel of the XD’s so I can’t wait to see how it preforms side by side with my RI 1911.
I won’t have to wait long to find out.
My neighbor has one on order to a local FFL and It’ll be here soon.
Could I possibly be looking at my new favorite EDC?
Only time will tell.
How much?
I Have a Sprfld.-XD-.45 Hi-Cap. (14rd.) Mags 5 of them no.6 in the Gun. 175.gr. Hydro-Shoks at 1250ft./per.sec. gets the job done. Main Carry gun. I will now Get the XD-M 10mm. That is my Favorite handgun round, Period. It has the very same Ballistics as the .41magnum Rd. And is a 98% one shot, one kill round, with Practice, Capeach!
I have always been an avid supporter for the 10mm cartridge! I currently own three 10mm handguns, a Glock Model 20, a Glock Model 29 and a NightHawk Custom Predator 1911 built for me some years back. I was part of the Law Enforcement community for over 20+ years in Las Vegas and during that time my preferred duty weapon was the Glock Model 20. For concealed assignments, my obvious choice was the Model 29. Both weapons were and are still loaded with 155 grain Underwood Bonded Speer Gold Dots!! After the Miami Massacre in 1986, the 10mm was found to be the superior tactical semi-auto cartridge which is why I carried it for duty! Glock was and still is the handgun of choice for the 10mm cartridge, but I must say this Springfield XD-M Elite looks VERY nice and will get a second look from me as a result!!
I have the Glock 29 (10mm) but really like to see the Springfield XD-M in 10mm. It’s a very nice looking gun. If all goes well, I may add it to my small collection.
I have an earlier XD-M 10mm with several spare mags. I wonder if the mags will be interchangeable between Elite and non-Elite models?
I have two Glock 10mm”s a 20 and 29. I am a retired LEO and I carried the 20 as a duty weapon . My favorite ammo is Underwood 165 grain bonded hp. I get 1375 f.p.s. out of the 3.5″ barrel on the 29.
I had the XD-M in 10 mm, and it was an excellent and reliable platform. I how have the TRP Operator in 10mm. It’s my only pistol chambered in that caliber, and IMO makes a formidable and reliable woods gun. I prefer the 1911 “locked and cocked” approach for this purpose with a chest holster. For home defense? Striker fired all the way with Hellcat being my carry choice and Glock 45 / 17’s for home when the shotgun is out of reach.
I don’t find the 10mm to be too “snappy”, and it’s hard to beat the ballistics of the round. I might take the dive back into the XD-M platform with the Elite!