A custom XD[M] duo: that "M" stands for more

American Handgunner, July-August, 2009 by Roy Huntington

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Have you ever picked up a handgun and you suddenly stopped in midconversation because something was, simply, right about it? It felt right in your hand? You can pick up legions of handguns and find some are too blocky, too skinny, too fat, too awkward, too abrupt, too short, too long, too ... well ... just too. Some can be "oh, that was sure close, but hope, not exactly right." And some might make you wrestle with a decision: Is it good enough? Do I want to buy it--or will I regret it later? Buyer's remorse is even worse when it comes to something as personal as a handgun. Note the word: hand. That's personal. That's why they call them personal guns.

Clint Smith will hold his hand up in a class he's teaching, spread his fingers and say, "These are all the same--and all different." He's right. He's exactly right. The same, but all so very different, and capable of astounding things.

Four fingers, a palm, opposable thumb, flexible, dexterous--and capable of feeling thousandths of an inch of difference in mechanical things. I once knew a grey-haired machinist with calloused hands who could hold a part and tell you if one part was a few thousandths different from another. He could hold it between his fingers and tell you that, while looking you directly in the eye. I quit checking with his well-worn calipers, because he was always right. A lesson for a 14-year old kid.

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If someone can do that, how can it affect what an entire hand feels? If you multiply it by a force of ten does it diminish the ability? Does it confuse your hand with information overload? Does it compare to what composer Antonio Salieri said about Mozart's music: "There's too many notes?"

Or do you divide it when you multiply it with all your digits, shorten the distances since there are many more talented fingers involved? Can you tell more when you use your whole hand--or less? In a word--more.

The Case In Point

I've held thousands of handguns in my decades involved in this passion-driven avocation. From $10 junkers to, literally, $100,000 collectibles, antiques and diamond-entrusted show-pieces. Yet, what has always struck me is the fact it's often the humble representations of the focus of our ardor that feel so right when you hold them. After all, aside from simply being works of art, a handgun's role is to be, well, a handgun. And there's that hand word again.

So to meld the gun to a hand and do it right is the deep-rooted goal of any designer, and the final period on whether they were a success or not. Think Browning Hi-Power for a moment. If you've held one, you know exactly what I'm talking about. It was, arguably, the most ergonomic of handguns in existence--until lately. You put up with rotten sights, a ridiculous factory safety, ammo of limited performance in the early days, and virtually no after-market accessories. And why? Because it felt so good in your hand. So it must mean a lot, that "hard-to-put-into-words" feeling. It meant a lot to me, because I was one of those legions who tolerated the "other" stuff for that one, magical thing.

But it seems we've learned something now. As a matter of fact, when Springfield first announced their introduction of the XD, most felt the grip reminded them of--drum roll please--a Browning Hi-Power. "Only better," most said. Imagine that.

And since then, the XD has essentially re-written the polymer pistol equation, and has even the Glockenmachinen looking over the "Collective's" shoulder, saying things like, "where did those people and that gun come from?"

When my now-retired other-half--Detective Ms. Suzi--was on the San Diego PD, they pushed open the doors for duty carry guns. From Glocks, to 1911s, if it worked it was virtually approved for duty carry. Her choice out of all those out there?--A Springfield XD in 9mm. "But it fits my hand and I can shoot it well," she told me. Imagine that--twice in a row for you now.

Time Changes Things

The XD has been on a roller-coaster ride to the top since then, and with many models and calibers of your choosing available, some niggling, almost begrudging whispers began to float. The "if-only" crowd made themselves known. "If only the action were a bit better" and "if only the grip were 'just so' it would be perfect" and "if only the slide were ..." well, you see where this is going.

And Springfield listened and, perhaps more importantly, took the ball and ran with it--far. Her original XD is still Suzi's favorite gun, the one that sits on the nightstand for her, goes with her on auto trips, is on her hip when she is out on our property on the tractor or on the ATV. But, when I showed her the guns in question, she took one of the XD(M)s in her hand, her eyes lit up, she stopped in mid-sentence and said the magic words, "oh, this feels, well--right. I like this. Lots." So there you go.

Which is, I firmly believe, what Springfield intended to accomplish. There has been some subtle changes to the XD proper, more of a polishing of the edges a bit, a touch here and a touch there. Think Ford and Lincoln. A Ford gets you there just fine rugged, dependable, solid features and you're proud to own one.