Hands On! Springfield Armory XDm OSP 10mm Review

I reached out to Springfield Armory to send Scott an XD-M OSP in 10mm for review. Scott was scheduled to head out on a backcountry elk hunt and needed to strap up for bear. Sine COVID-19 showed up, Scott's bear hunt was scrapped, which gave him ample time to test the XD-M OSP at the range. - KJ

Review Date – September 2020

If you have any interest in learning more about this gun or picking one up for your next adventure pick one up HERE. Helpful hint: if you arrive at any site and they are out of stock simply request to be notified when back in stock. You'll receive an alert letting you know to snag it quick.

Recommend?:

Let's cut to the chase. Would I recommend it? YES. This gun would be great for many people in various situations if they use the proper ammunition.

Ammunition:

I tested two different types of rounds.  One had 18 inches of water penetration. The other had five FEET!  Carefully match your ammunition with your potential threats/targets.

Initial Observations:

Looks – Subtle, yet sexy

Balance – Very good. Balance helps with recoil management. That is important, especially in a 10mm handgun.

Backstrap Safety – Typically, I'm not too fond of external safeties, but I don't mind a backstrap safety since it does not require extra time/motion to disengage.

Size – It is a relatively big gun for my small hands (insert inappropriate – and inaccurate, by the way – joke here), but I adjusted.

Magazine Release – "Full time" ambidextrous. This is a great feature for me. It has a permanently-installed release on both sides. So, I don't have to do that awkward flip to make my thumb reach the release.The "flip" is not a big deal for many shooters, but it is something I try to avoid. And, if I have to shoot with my support hand, I don't have to adjust my mag release procedure much.

Standardized Rail – Allows for installation of nearly any lights and LASERs.

Striker and Loaded Indicators – Tactile and visual indicators allow for easy "cocked and loaded" status checks; if you find them to be helpful.

Sights – The suppressor-height sights are a great feature that allows for suppressors and red-dot style sights, but can also be used as-is if you do not use those accessories. They are the "old school" black rear and black front that many still prefer.

Optic Sight Pistol (OSP) – This means it comes pre-cut for a red-dot style sight. That makes it easy for users to install red-dot sights in minutes. However, if you do not want to use one – just do nothing. Since it comes with a cover plate preinstalled, it is perfectly fine the way it is.

Threaded Barrel – This a great feature if you pay your tax to "the man" and obtain the applicable government permission slip to use a suppressor. Again, if you do not use that accessory – do nothing. Another nice touch is that it comes with a thread protector already installed.

Trigger – It has a very smooth pull, crisp break, and a good reset. I think the take-up is a bit long. Springfield Armory (SA) has addressed this and made other trigger upgrades with their new "META" triggers.

Accessories Included – Zippered soft case with a sewn-in pocket for an extra magazine, two 15-round magazines, interchangeable backstrap panels (small, medium, and large), and interchangeable mounting plates for various red-dot sights.

First Use:

Magazine Loading – Easy to load until about round #10 of 15. Then, #14 puts up a struggle, and #15 lets you know how unhappy it is about going in. However, as with other magazines, it will likely get easier the more you use them.

Sights – I found the "black on black" sights somewhat challenging to use for my aging eyeballs. I can't wait to install a red dot AND light/LASER unit!

Trigger – It performed as I noted earlier. The longer trigger take-up did not seem to affect first shots negatively. It is a good trigger, but I like the META trigger so much more.

Recoil – It was MUCH better than I expected. SA has done a great job with recoil management.

Follow-Up Shots – Follow-up shots were relatively easy. I put a couple of hundred rounds through it with zero malfunctions.

Grip – This was the weakest link for me. Even with the small backstrap installed, it wasn't easy for me to get a proper grip on it. I had to twist my wrist a bit forward to get enough of my finger on the trigger. I have to do this with most mid-sized handguns. I would like an "extra small" backstrap panel and/or smaller side grip panels. The other issue I had with the grip was that it was a bit slippery when wet. I started losing my grip a bit after a few sweaty shots, but I recovered.

Reloads – They were quick and easy, especially with the full-time ambidextrous mag release.

Accuracy – Great! I was hitting consistent bullseyes at 10 yards – using sandbags, of course. Without the bags and taking my time, I was able to get nearly the same results. I'm sure it would be just as accurate much farther out, but I am the limiting factor.

Summary:

I would not hesitate to carry this gun for EDC, as a "bear gun" in the woods, or for handgun hunting, as long as I would be able to carry it Outside the Waist Band (OWB) or in a chest holster, etc. and matched the proper ammo to the purpose.

I would like to see improved grip texturing and more sizing options.

I will be adding a light/LASER unit or a red dot sight to it. Or, maybe even both? Decisions…decisions…oh, what marvelous choices we have these days!

I would REALLY like to see the META trigger incorporated into this gun.

I will be taking this gun on my first elk hunt as my "bear gun" next year.  I was supposed to take it this year, but that dang virus, which shall remain unnamed here, struck again and forced the cancellation of our trip.  (Insert various and numerous disgusted sounds here.)

This gun stirred a notion inside me of something I never seriously considered. After seeing what it is capable of, and considering the possibility of suppressor use, why wouldn't it be a viable option? So, I plan on trying my hand at this thing called handgun hunting. I think it will make for just enough of a challenge to spark some new fun in my hunting game (man, I love puns!). ~ Scott

Scott Jessen
Scott is a liberty/responsibility minded, retired enlisted military dude who is relatively new to the benefits of being involved in firearms, hunting, self reliance/defense, and politics.  As such, his understanding of how these things interrelate and strengthen every American is constantly evolving.  These experiences fuel his passion for not just "gun rights", but for ALL rights and what it takes to defend them.