XDm9 5.25 Competition Series Report

[lokihunter]

OK all, truth in lending here.... I am a 1911 fan first and foremost.

BUT...I have to say, the second I picked up the new XDm 9 5.25, I was sold. This gun has the closest feel to the 1911 of any polymer gun. I was so impressed, I bought it right out from under another guy in the gun store.

I made some mods to the gun, broke it in, developed a load specific to the gun and went out to see what it could really do.

Let me show you the target then I will go over what I did to the gun and my load data. I shot 100 rounds total standing off hand. The first 10 went through the chrono, the next 89 went into A zone and the last shot went into the head....OK so I got cocky and pulled the shot due to rushing the shot....lesson learned. Shots were fired at 10 yards at about 1 shot per second then reloading a single mag over and over again (for a bit of a break).

OK so here is the final target:



And here it is at 10 yards from where I was shooting:



As you can see, this gun is wicked accurate. That is 89 rounds in a 2.5" group shot standing....not from a rest. It may be the most accurate gun I have ever had in my hand.

I am already being harassed by my 1911 buddies so it kills me to admit how good this gun really is....so much so that my 1911 is collecting dust because I just want to shoot this thing. I really like this thing and it has become my new go to game gun.

As for the gun mods:
1) I stippled the grip and under the trigger guard
2) I installed a drop in PRP trigger kit (just the drop in model)
3) I added a Canyon Creek Custom Tungsten guide rod
4) I installed a .100 Dawson Precision fiber optic front sight

As for my load data (USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!)
Case: Win
Primer: CCI SPP
Powder: 3.4 grains of WST
Bullet: 147 grain Precision Black Bullet
COAL: 1.120
Velocity: 885fps
Power Factor: 130

I think Springfield really delivered here. They built a platform that can be easily and cheaply upgraded to a true match gun. By the way, I now have about 3000 rounds through the gun without a single FTF or FTE/E. I did have a single primer fail to go off but that can't be blamed on the gun...it had a really good primer strike.

Hope this range report helps folks......

[lokihunter]

Originally Posted by br0ck

I think you are spot on in your assessment! I love my 1911... but I find the 5.25 way more accurate and fun to shoot. It makes me look more accurate than I actually am. The only mods I made were the same PRP drop-in trigger kit and a solid stainless steel guide rod. My wife has a 5.25 stainless that is waiting at our FFL guy's place... and the same trigger and guide rod already shipped and on the way.

That setup on the 5.25 just makes it a dream to shoot! Best polymer I've ever shot!

I would highly recommend the Dawson front sight....it will shrink your groups by half with some practice. The tungsten guide rod will really do away with recoil....my front sight never leaves the target out to 25 yards. I am still better with my 1911 but this gun and I have a "thang going on..." I love it.

[lokihunter]

Originally Posted by br0ck

How much was the sight? Did you send the slide off?

$39 and it just pushes on...they even send the tool with the sight.....it is bright and easy to pick up but it is also thin enough to be able to see both sides of your target....4" steel at 25 yards is very....very doable.... never easy at that range but first...second shot max

[john_bud]

I'm guessing that this isn't your first trip to the range! NICE group.

If the 1911 guys keep on you, you'll have to shoot for "pinks" like they street rod'ers used to do. If they fall for it, you'll get a pretty nice collection of THEIR guns.

[lokihunter]

Originally Posted by br0ck

They send a tool? Is that used to remove the stock sight? How did you remove the stock sight? $40 is very doable. Also... Who did you order through? I haven't seen anybody who sells the Dawson sights mention the tool.

I got it straight from Dawson....call them and they will make sure you get the right part number. The tool is a shaped piece of aluminum so you can hammer out the old sight and hammer in the new one.... using the word hammer loosely.... tap is probably a better description...but with a hammer. Any gunsmith can do it for you in less than an hour...probably 15 minutes or so. The tool is right in the sight package.... I have the same type of sight on all of my 1911s and my 525 9mm and I also got a 45 ACP version.....for 3Gun...but don't tell my buddies or I will never hear the end of it.

[lokihunter]

Originally Posted by john_bud

I'm guessing that this isn't your first trip to the range! NICE group.

If the 1911 guys keep on you, you'll have to shoot for "pinks" like they street rod'ers used to do. If they fall for it, you'll get a pretty nice collection of THEIR guns.

Thanks..... believe it or not....this is not all that good for me... my eyes are going and my front sight is now blurry (even when I am focused on it). To add insult to injury, I trained up my 13 year old and he can kick my butt now.... don't laugh... he won the USPSA Multigun Junior National Championship last year and is placing in the top 15 overall with the adult competitors.... here is a link to his YouTube channel.... he is really good...

tripletapjake's Channel - YouTube

It would not matter if I won a bunch of guns.... he thinks everything that comes into the house is his be default.... he has never met a gun he didn't like...or couldn't make sing.....

[Moebius]

Originally Posted by lokihunter

here is a link to his YouTube channel.... he is really good

That's the understatement of the (new) year, he's awesome! I wish I was that composed under pressure, and I'm almost 50.

[john_bud]

Originally Posted by Moebius

That's the understatement of the (new) year, he's awesome! I wish I was that composed under pressure, and I'm almost 50.

Yeah, he is good.

(Must have had a good instructor )

Being over 50, I'm just happy to not be compost under pressure because it's probably too late to be composed...

[psubowhunter]

Originally Posted by lokihunter

OK all, truth in lending here.... I am a 1911 fan first and foremost.

BUT...I have to say, the second I picked up the new XDm 9 5.25, I was sold. This gun has the closest feel to the 1911 of any polymer gun. I was so impressed, I bought it right out from under another guy in the gun store.

I made some mods to the gun, broke it in, developed a load specific to the gun and went out to see what it could really do.

Let me show you the target then I will go over what I did to the gun and my load data. I shot 100 rounds total standing off hand. The first 10 went through the chrono, the next 89 went into A zone and the last shot went into the head....OK so I got cocky and pulled the shot due to rushing the shot....lesson learned. Shots were fired at 10 yards at about 1 shot per second then reloading a single mag over and over again (for a bit of a break).

OK so here is the final target:



And here it is at 10 yards from where I was shooting:



As you can see, this gun is wicked accurate. That is 89 rounds in a 2.5" group shot standing....not from a rest. It may be the most accurate gun I have ever had in my hand.

I am already being harassed by my 1911 buddies so it kills me to admit how good this gun really is....so much so that my 1911 is collecting dust because I just want to shoot this thing. I really like this thing and it has become my new go to game gun.

As for the gun mods:
1) I stippled the grip and under the trigger guard
2) I installed a drop in PRP trigger kit (just the drop in model)
3) I added a Canyon Creek Custom Tungsten guide rod
4) I installed a .100 Dawson Precision fiber optic front sight

As for my load data (USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!)
Case: Win
Primer: CCI SPP
Powder: 3.4 grains of WST
Bullet: 147 grain Precision Black Bullet
COAL: 1.120
Velocity: 885fps
Power Factor: 130

I think Springfield really delivered here. They built a platform that can be easily and cheaply upgraded to a true match gun. By the way, I now have about 3000 rounds through the gun without a single FTF or FTE/E. I did have a single primer fail to go off but that can't be blamed on the gun...it had a really good primer strike.

Hope this range report helps folks......

You sound like me I got my XDm 5.25 last night it's my third XD ( I also own a compact XD in 9mm and the new XDm 3.8 in .45).

The 5.25 is IMPRESSIVE I shot one 5 shot group off hand last night that was less then 1 inch at 10 yards with Federal Hydro shock 124gr ammo

Never thought I would like a plastic gun but the XD platform has converted me They feel like my 1911's they eat EVERYTHING in the ammo box heck I can't remember the last time one had a malfunction whats not to like I am and XD /XDm FAN NOW.

[lokihunter]

Originally Posted by psubowhunter

You sound like me I got my XDm 5.25 last night it's my third XD ( I also own a compact XD in 9mm and the new XDm 3.8 in .45).

The 5.25 is IMPRESSIVE I shot one 5 shot group off hand last night that was less then 1 inch at 10 yards with Federal Hydro shock 124gr ammo

Never thought I would like a plastic gun but the XD platform has converted me They feel like my 1911's they eat EVERYTHING in the ammo box heck I can't remember the last time one had a malfunction whats not to like I am and XD /XDm FAN NOW.

I picked up the 45 ACP version of the 525 as well and did all of the same mods.... I did learn one thing about the drop in trigger, if you use the striker spring with the blue mark, you can have a few light primer strikes...swap it out with the other spring in the package and you are running flawlessly again.

I think I like the 9mm grip a bit better than the 45 ACP grip but that is just a feel issue. The 9mm feels like my 1911 grip, the 45 is just slightly off.....but not so much that I don't love the gun. BUT...given my 1911 vs the XDm 45 5.25, my 1911 is better. ..... the 9mm is where this gun really shines above everything else out there (for the money)....you can buy a custom gun that is better, but not for the money. The XDm9 5.25 is probably the best gun out there for the money right now.....just my opinion