Springfield XDM 9mm 4.5 vs 5.25

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david00210

Inactive
I am currently trying to decide between the two. I have been leaning towards the 4.5 mainly for it being more of an all purpose gun, where as i feel the 5.25 is kind of limited to its overall uses (not to crazy about the slide cutout). I do like the the idea of having a longer barrel/sight picture ect though... if that does in fact make a big enough difference? Will there be a significant difference in accuracy/handling/ease of shooting in the 5.25 vs the 4.5?

I plan on using the XDm for mainly target practice, maybe some light competition in the future once I feel I am good enough with it. It probably won't be used for concealed carry as I already have a g43 for that. Yet, sometimes a gun with more capacity near me would be nice if it fits the use. I've always loved the feel of the XDm's and want one, just cant decide on what size.

If anyone has any insight on either of these or what they'd recommend that'd be great!
 
I love mine but its not small to say the least. This thing is big and heavy. Cant imagine how much worse it would be with the 5 inch one.

 
As discussed in another thread, the small differences in sight radius for handguns is not a big deal in that size range.
Nor is it all that important for bullet velocity or most anything else, other than for personal preference.
Not even for concealment, as the grip size is probably more of a problem than barrel length for most folks.
 
The 5.25 is made for competition and SA calls the barrel a competition barrel. I love mine and use it for both USPSA and IDPA. I like it even better with the modifications I made that lower the trigger pull to 2.5 lbs.

I don't understand why you don't like the slide cutout. It's there to lighten the slide which makes the gun run faster. If you're worried about it letting in dust or something, don't. I've never had a problem with it and I've got well over 20,000 rounds through it. It is very reliable and has only jammed a few times in for years.
 
(not to crazy about the slide cutout).
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The 5.25 uses the same recoil spring as the XDm pistols with shorter slides. The mass of the slide needs to be reduced so that the timing of the slide and slide cycle speed is correct. This mostly has to do with the recoil spring closing the slide.

Heavier slides close slower, lighter slides faster. The opening in the slide lightens it for faster closing reducing the total open / close cycle time.

Glock uses the same type of slide opening on the Glock 34 and 35 for the same reasons.

The 5.25 is really a specialty range / competition pistol. Its not designed as an all purpose gun that can be used for the range and to carry for self defense.
 
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That shorter bbl. is going to carry better for you; less muzzle sticking down near the seat belt latch, clip-on pocket knife, box of your kids gummy bears, tractor controls, saddle cantle, deer stand tie in point...I think you get the idea. Too, accuracy wise, I really can't tell the difference between my Commander length bbls. and my full 5" gov't models except off the bags and having an exceptional "eyes" day.

As to the choice: son #2 has an ?XDs in .45 that's as accurate as any of our 1911s. It's his daily, and I mean daily, carry piece.

Rod
 
I just got the xdm 9mm 4.5 tan with threaded barrel from Grab a gun for $539.00.

First shots hit a 12 inch gong at 65 yards every time. Never missed with a full mag.

By far the most accurate handgun I own. the sights were perfect right out of the box.

I think the longer barreled model could not be much better than that..

The 19 round mags are very hard to load so I ordered a mag loader for it. hopefully that helps.
 
The model I bought has the raised sights for suppressor use but the problem with that is the gun will not fit any of the XD holsters I own.
:mad:
 
The 5.25 is not meant to be a carry gun. The added accuracy in a situation where you have to defend yourself is meaningless; the governing factors will be your speed, your split second decision, and stress, plus you will likely be shooting at 7yds or less. If you can't hit something that close with any decent gun, then a more accurate gun will do you no good.
 
I plan on using the XDm for mainly target practice, maybe some light competition
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If this is your intended use then I'd go for the longer one. As you already mentioned the benefits are the longer sight radius, less muzzle flip, the heavier gun soaking up more of the recoil etc.

If however you handle the longer one and don't like it because it feels unwieldy then drop it like a hot potato and buy the one that fits you best. (I'd still take the longer one though and try to get used to it-but that's me.)
 
I should have mentioned that the 5.25 will cost a couple hundred more than the other. I believe list price was around $800. It's a wonderful gun and has adjustable rear sights and a fiber front sight.

I suggest you find someone or a range that has both and try them out.
 
I love mine but its not small to say the least. This thing is big and heavy
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Big and heavy? Compared to what? I have an all steel TZ-75, pretty much exactly the same size, which is much heavier. I'd say the weight of the XDm is just about perfect, and so far mine has been very accurate and reliable, with a good trigger right out of the box
 
I appreciate the input from everyone! With what's been said, and for what my use of the gun will mostly be i'm now pretty much set on the 5.25 in the near future. Locally I can get it for around $650, so i might as well!
 
I bought the 5.25 in 40 and love it, I put the powder river drop in trigger in it and while it is a big gun it's relatively light and carries easy OWB.
 
I love mine but its not small to say the least. This thing is big and heavy
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Big? yes. Heavy? No. it's around 29 oz. if IIRC. That's less than 2 lbs. If it had an all steel frame then it would heavy.
 



I much prefer the longer barrel for target use but I will admit that these 4.5" models are more accurate than I am. Here's my 9mm and .45acp with my Octane 45 can. Surprisingly with the can on the POI at 15 yards only shifts about an inch.
Now for my one and only gripe about XDm's. I think the triggers suck compared to my Glocks. The reset is longer and when you pull it there is no feel. Not to mention if you want to do a trigger job on a Glock it only cost a couple of dollars for a connector and a few springs. On these things its about $150 for a trigger kit and still has to be fitted. Guess I'll learn to live with it.
 
On these things its about $150 for a trigger kit and still has to be fitted. Guess I'll learn to live with it.
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The powder valley "drop in" kit I have was $110 and is amazing very short reset, very little take up and no overtravel.
 
My wife has a 3.8 Xdm 9mm with full size grip. It was a mistake. We should have gotten the 5.25 version.
If not for concealed carry and/or duty carry, go for the 5.25.
 
My wife has a 3.8 Xdm 9mm with full size grip. It was a mistake. We should have gotten the 5.25 version.
If not for concealed carry and/or duty carry, go for the 5.25.
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I have the 3.8 compact and it is a fantastic concealed carry, but I would probably get the 5.25 for the range/OWB carry.
 
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