10 Mm Compact - This new compact 10mm pistol is a pistol that can be used as an everyday carry weapon, for backcountry defense, or both.
The recent renaissance of 10mm auto didn't happen overnight, but the cartridge has become a more desirable and viable option for overseas carry, gunmakers have taken note. New 10mm pistols appeared more frequently, populating a market that was mostly dominated by the Glock 20 and a few 1911 pistols. Still, until now compact 10mm pistol options were basically limited to one – the Glock G29 Springfield Armory recently introduced its newest addition to the XD-M line, the XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP 10mm. It is very close to the G29 in terms of weight and almost all dimensions. The test model I shot included Springfield's Hex Dragonfly red dot optic, but the gun is available without the Dragonfly and is compatible with other optics.
10 Mm Compact
Sharp recoil is the most limiting factor when it comes to 10mm compacts and perhaps there aren't many options in this category. Combine that with the variety of defensive loads and the excellent 9mm pistols available, and the 10mm pistol probably won't be big game as an everyday concealed carry firearm. But for those who want a gun that can pull double duty as a concealed carry pistol, but also a realistic option for backcountry defense, the XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP 10mm is a welcome sight. As someone who has carried 1911s and Glock 10mm pistols into the field over the years, I was eager to get my hands on this new XD-M. At first glance, it's a versatile pistol that promises to shine where other 10mm pistols don't.
Eaa Witness Compact 10mm Auto 3.6in Stainless/black Pistol
With a capacity of 11 + 1 and loaded with the Lehigh Defense Extreme Defense cartridge, this compact 10mm cartridge packs a punch. Tyler Friel
The G29 is a hell of a gun, but it has room for improvement. The XD-M Elite Compact OSP 10mm is essentially the same size and weight as the G29, but has a less blocky profile. The Hex Dragonfly optic makes the XD-M heavier than the G29, but only by a few ounces. The XD-M and G29 are similar in that they are both polymer-framed, bolt-action pistols that cost roughly the same $650 if you opt for the XD-M Compact OSP 10mm without optics. Beyond that, the XD-M compact OSP 10mm pulls off the features that set it apart from the G29.
Springfield's XD series has been around for over 20 years, and the XD-M line was introduced in 2008. If you are familiar with them, you won't find much difference in the compact OSP 10mm It has a similar grip style to other XD-M pistols and is very comfortable in the hand.
The frame features a safety grip, a removable magwell and a three-slot accessory rail. The pistol comes with three interchangeable rear grip plates that allow the shooter to choose the desired profile. While the magwell helps make loading quick and smooth, I found it to be a hindrance to my grip. The gun comes with two magazines that hold 11 rounds each (compared to the G29's 10 round capacity). The magazine includes a molded base plate. With the magwell removed, it provides better grip. Removing the magwell allows the shooter to use a 15-round magazine, which can be purchased separately. With a sleeve that matches your chosen grip profile, these magazines effectively provide a full-size grip. Above the safety grip is a beavertail section built into the frame to aid comfort and protect the shooter's hand from sliding bites.
Ao Review: Springfield Xd M Elite Compact Osp 10mm W/ Hex Dragonfly
Removing the magwell allows you to use the 15-round magazine with the grip sleeve, effectively creating a full-size grip. (Aftermarket throttle release lever installed in this photo) Tyler Friel
The lack of finger grooves on the grip and the thin trigger guard outline help me get a firm grip on the trigger guard with my middle fingers. Guns with finger grooves often allow my fingers to sit in a less than ideal position, compromising my grip. Grip texturing is similar to other pistols in the XD-M series and I would have preferred it to be more aggressive than the Springfield Armory Hellcat. The compact 10mm round produces significant recoil, so you have to stick with it, and the texture of the grip makes a big difference.
The compact OSP 10mm also features an ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release, making it left-handed friendly. Instead of using the more traditional notch on the side, the magazine is held by a forward-rotating tab that secures the magazine to a cutout in the front of the magazine. Pressing the magazine release from the left or right side releases it.
The forged slide follows the typical XD-M bevel contour and features front and rear serrations. Compatible with common compact OSP optics using 10mm interchangeable mounting plates. The Hex Dragonfly model has a red dot installed.
Review: Springfield Armory Xd M Elite 3.8\
As with others in its line, the XD-M Elite Compact OSP 10mm is relatively easy to build. It has a rotary removal handle and is easy to remove for cleaning. Most shooters have no distinguishing features, but as a 10mm shooter I have three main points.
10mm auto is a high pressure round with sharp recoil and can be rough on guns if they are not built to handle it. The barrel of the Compact OSP 10mm has a well-supported charge. Stories of 10mm Glock pistols exploding with high-pressure loads are mostly attributed to unsupported chambers. Especially on older Glock pistols, the head of the case was left exposed - and unsupported - during firing. For some semi-automatic pistols the cartridges do not completely surround the head of the case, usually to make more room for the cartridge. I have never seen an unsupported chamber fail, but I have seen 10mm brass case heads where it was not supported. It is common for Glock shooters to purchase aftermarket barrels with better supported chambers for peace of mind. This XD-M Elite's cartridge provides more full head support than my aftermarket G20 Lone Wolf barrel.
The compact OSP 10mm tube (right) has a well supported chamber, with even more head coverage than my Lone Wolf G20 tube. Tyler Friel
The slide rails were noticeably thicker and the front slide rails were longer than on my Glocks and Glock versions. The slide guides on the Compact OSP 10mm were over 1/10 inch thick. The rear slide rails of this pistol are part of the polymer frame and are not lent with metal, the front slide rails, where the most stress is applied, are steel. The front rails are 1.26 inches long and are part of a single steel insert in the frame just above the trigger guard. Slide guides on Glocks are thinner and much shorter.
Best 10mm Carry Pistols
Finally, the contact surface where the slide hits the rearmost position on the frame during travel is part of the larger slide rail insert in steel and compact OSP 10mm. On the Glocks and Glock versions I've shot, this contact surface is simply part of the polymer frame. This is usually not a problem. However, after sending thousands of rounds through one of my frames the polymer just in front of the slide rail started to crack and warp due to recoil stress. There is no reason to worry about frame or rail damage with this gun.
This version of the XD-M Compact OSP 10mm includes the Hex Dragonfly I tested, a red dot reflex sight. The Hex optic is owned by Springfield Armory and their small Wasp red dot is included in this version of the Springfield Hellcat RDP.
The Dragonfly is a standard size red dot pistol with an anodized aluminum body and anti-glare lens. It has easy windage and elevation adjustments, and unlike the Wasp which automatically adjusts brightness based on light levels, the Dragonfly has an on/off button used to select the desired brightness setting.
The meter itself is robust and user-friendly. The sidewalls around the lens are thick, and the top of the housing extends over the glass, adding extra protection and making it easier to use the optic to stick the gun on various surfaces without damaging the glass. The dot is quick to pick up and return to target, and if you're used to using a red dot on a pistol, it's a piece of cake.
Springfield Xd M® Elite 3.8″ Compact Osp™ 10mm Handgun W/ Hex Dragonfly
The downside to this configuration is that you can't see the sights with the dragonfly. I temporarily removed the optic and the gun has a good set of iron sights - much better than the factory sights on any Glock 10mm - but you can't use them with the optic. The aim height of the suppressor would be better with optics
The Compact OSP 10mm includes good factory sights, but you can't use them if you get a model with Dragonfly optics. Tyler Friel
In my experience, the Springfield XD and XD-M pistols always have
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