November 12, 2020
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Caliber: 10mm Auto
Capacity: 15+1 (standard) / 16+1 (Elite 4.5")
Action: Striker-fired, semi-automatic
Barrel: 5.3" hammer-forged, Melonite finish, threaded (.578x28) with thread protector
Overall length: 8.74"
Height: 5.5" (without sights)
Width: 1.25"
Weight: 28.5 oz. (empty, without optic)
Frame: Black polymer with interchangeable backstraps (S, M, L)
Slide: Forged steel, Melonite finish
Sights: Suppressor-height co-witness — fiber optic front, Tactical Rack U-Dot rear
Optics-ready: Yes (OSP system with three included mounting plates)
Optic compatibility: Trijicon RMR, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Vortex Venom, Burris FastFire, JPoint, and others via included plates
Trigger: Short-reset (META trigger on Elite models)
Safety: Grip safety + trigger safety
Rail: Picatinny accessory rail
Magazines: Two 15-round stainless steel double-stack magazines included
MSRP: $695 (standard OSP) / $837 (Elite OSP with HEX Dragonfly)
The standout feature set at this price is hard to beat: threaded barrel, suppressor-height sights, optics-ready slide with three mounting plates, 15-round capacity, and interchangeable backstraps — all for under $700 on the standard model. That's a lot of 10mm for the money.
The 10mm market has grown significantly. Here's how the XDM stacks up against the guns it competes with most directly.
Springfield XDM 10mm vs. GLOCK G20 Gen 5: This is the head-to-head comparison everyone makes. The G20 has been the default 10mm for decades — proven, reliable, and backed by the largest aftermarket in the handgun world. The XDM counters with better factory ergonomics (the interchangeable backstraps make a real difference), better factory sights (fiber optic front and U-Dot rear vs. GLOCK's basic plastic sights), a threaded barrel included from the factory, and a trigger that most shooters find smoother out of the box. The G20 is lighter and has more holster and accessory options. If you're already in the GLOCK ecosystem, the G20 makes sense. If you're starting fresh, the XDM gives you more features for less money.
Springfield XDM 10mm vs. SIG P320-XTEN: SIG's modular 10mm brings the P320's grip module system, optics-ready slide, and 15+1 capacity. The XTEN is a newer design with SIG's flat-face trigger and the ability to swap grip modules for different hand sizes and configurations. The XDM has the threaded barrel advantage (included) and the lower price point. The XTEN has the edge in modularity and uses a more standard optic mounting system. Both are excellent choices — the XDM is the better value, the XTEN is the more modern platform.
Springfield XDM 10mm vs. FN 510 Tactical: The FN 510 is the capacity king — 15+1 standard and 22+1 with the extended magazine. It also comes suppressor-ready with a threaded barrel and optics-ready slide. The FN 510 is a larger, heavier pistol and costs more. If maximum round count matters (think bear country where you want every round you can get), the FN 510 is hard to beat. For a more manageable carry size at a lower price, the XDM wins.
Springfield XDM 10mm vs. Springfield XDM Elite Compact 10mm: Same platform, different missions. The Compact uses a 3.8" barrel and a shorter grip with 11-round magazines — purpose-built for concealed carry and backpacking where size and weight matter. The full-size 5.3" OSP is built for range use, home defense, and open carry in the field. If you want a woods gun that doubles as a CCW piece, get the Compact. If you want the best shooting experience and maximum velocity from the 10mm, get the full-size.
For a deep dive on the 10mm cartridge and every pistol chambered for it, read our complete 10mm guide.
Bear country / backcountry carry: This is exactly why Scott tested this gun — he was gearing up for a backcountry elk hunt in bear country. The 10mm with hard-cast or bonded bullets provides serious stopping power on large predators, and the XDM's 15-round capacity gives you a meaningful advantage over a revolver. The threaded barrel is a bonus if you run a suppressor for weight-forward balance. With the right holster, it's manageable for AIWB or OWB carry during extended backcountry trips.
Home defense: A full-size 10mm with a red dot optic and a weapon light is a formidable home defense setup. The 15-round magazine, Picatinny rail, and optics-ready slide make the XDM easy to configure for this role. The extra power of the 10mm over 9mm is a debatable advantage for home defense (overpenetration is a real concern), but with the right defensive hollow point, it's more than capable.
Range and recreational shooting: The 10mm is just fun to shoot — it hits hard, it's loud, and it makes steel targets ring like nothing else in a semi-auto. The XDM's ergonomics and trigger make it comfortable enough for extended range sessions without punishing your hands.
Handgun hunting: With the right load and an optic, the XDM 10mm is a legitimate handgun hunting tool for deer, hogs, and similar game inside 75 yards. The threaded barrel, optics system, and accuracy make it well-suited for this role.
Is the Springfield XDM 10mm reliable?
In our testing, yes — the XDM ran flawlessly with multiple ammunition types. The XD-M platform has been in production since 2008 and has a strong track record for reliability across calibers. The 10mm version handles both standard-pressure and full-power loads without issue. As Scott noted, carefully match your ammunition to your intended use — the penetration difference between defensive hollow points and hard-cast bear loads is dramatic.
What optic fits the Springfield XDM OSP 10mm?
The OSP system includes three mounting plates that cover the most popular red dot footprints: Trijicon RMR, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Vortex Venom, Burris FastFire, and JPoint. The suppressor-height factory sights co-witness through the optic, giving you a backup aiming system if the battery dies or the optic fails. The HEX Dragonfly from Springfield is also available as a factory-installed option on the Elite models.
Can you conceal carry the Springfield XDM 10mm?
The full-size 5.3" OSP model is large for concealed carry — it's possible with the right holster and wardrobe, but most people will find it better suited for OWB carry in the field. If you want a 10mm for concealed carry, look at the Springfield XDM Elite Compact 10mm with the 3.8" barrel, which is purpose-built for AIWB and IWB carry.
What ammo should I use in the Springfield XDM 10mm?
For self-defense: Federal HST 200-grain or Hornady Critical Duty 175-grain. For bear defense: Buffalo Bore 220-grain Hard Cast or Federal Swift A-Frame 200-grain. For range training: Sellier & Bellot 180-grain FMJ or Fiocchi 180-grain FMJ. As Scott discovered in his testing, the difference in penetration between defensive and hard-cast loads is massive — match the load to the threat.
Springfield XDM vs. GLOCK 20 for bear defense?
Both are excellent choices. The XDM offers better factory ergonomics, a threaded barrel, and better sights. The G20 has a larger aftermarket, is lighter, and has more holster options from more manufacturers. Neither will let you down with proper ammunition. For a detailed take on 10mm for bear defense, read our best bear gun article.
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.
