feature
you’re ready to shoot. T e cocking indicator at the rear of the slide also protrudes to in- form you that the striker is set to fi re when the trigger is pressed. T e grip safety on the XDM sets it apart from other similar polymer frame/striker fi red pistols. T e safest manner of carrying a semi-auto with a trigger tab-style safety is make sure the trigger is covered by a holster. For duty use, this concern is handled by an offi cer’s duty rig. However, sticking one of these pistols inside your waistband at the end of your shift to carry without your duty holster is not a wise idea.
Clothing can get knotted up inside the trigger guard and press on the trigger as if your index fi nger was doing the work in- stead. A holster for this kind of carry is a much safer idea. T e grip safety on the XDM lends itself as an extra measure of safety for this type of carry. Even if the trig- ger is pulled, the XDM will not fi re unless the grip safety is also depressed. T e grip safety requires a bit more train- ing and awareness when it comes to clear- ing a malfunction. T e worse-case scenario “Class 3” jam is when a cartridge case is in the chamber and a second loaded round is nosed up against it, trying to feed into the blocked barrel. T e slide needs to be locked to the rear to clear this type of problem. T e XDM requires the grip safety to be depressed in order for the slide to be re- tracted. A standard strong-hand grip on the pistol will depress the grip safety to allow this malfunction to be cleared. But, if the shooter twists the pistol in the hand and does not keep the grip safety pressed in, the slide will not retract to the rear.
Dependable and Ergonomic T e XDM is a dependable and ergonomic weapon that works well for police duty use. T e 5.25 version off ers a longer sight plane that is inherently easier to shoot accurately. T e sight system is outstanding for competi- tion use, but if a police offi cer is going to use the 5.25 also as a duty pistol, a front tritium night sight may be in order. PM
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The front fi ber optic sight comes with spare inserts in red and green. The lightening cut on the top of the slide reduces the slide’s weight.
The XDM 5.25 was found to shoot accurately with little recoil in 9mm.
16 The Police Marksman Jan-Feb 2014
www.policemarksman.com
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