OEM Sights: XDm 5.25 Comp vs. 4.5

[Speedster]

Hey Crue,

I thought I had decided on a Springfield XDm 45 as my next piece due to its fit in my hand, magazine capacity, and just how it shoots and seems to be what I'm looking for.

I figured I'd get the 5.25" barrel (they call it the "competition model") over the 4.5". I'm using it as a trail gun when I'm backpacking or hunting big game in Montana. I'm not carrying it concealed, so I'd go for the long tube and get some extra accuracy.

I haven't seen the 5.25 in person until tonight. I got to compare the two side by side. With the cutout slide, the long tube was actually noticeably lighter than the 4.5.

The only thing I didn't like was that the 5.25 has a red fiber optic front sight, and the back sight is plain black, no dots. It was much easier to acquire a sight picture with the short barrelled version with white dots front and rear.

Of course I can change out the sights on the Comp model, but then there goes another $100 bucks on top of the already more expensive piece.

Have any of you compared and have an opinion? All input appreciated.

Speedster

 

[CZ57]

The best sights I've seen so far are the TruGlo TFOs. I have the 4.5 in .45 ACP. Nothing about I don't like but I may replace the sights.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I figured I'd get the 5.25" barrel (they call it the "competition model")

The only thing I didn't like was that the 5.25 has a red fiber optic front sight, and the back sight is plain black, no dots. It was much easier to acquire a sight picture with the short barrelled version with white dots front and rear.

The reason it has the no dots on the sights is because it is their competition model.

The all black rear sight blade has proven to allow faster sight alignment and the fiber optic rod in the front sight allows your eye to pickup the front sight faster as you bring the gun up.

In side by side testing the 3-dot systems are slower to perceive a correct sight picture, as the dots distract the eye trying to align them

 

[Speedster]

The all black rear sight blade has proven to allow faster sight alignment and the fiber optic rod in the front sight allows your eye to pickup the front sight faster as you bring the gun up.

I certainly don't doubt that for a competitive shooter, but for a lowly hack like me, it found the opposite. My other thinking is that in low light situations, such as hiking in the dark before legal shooting light, that the fiber optic would be difficult or impossible to see.

I'll probably still get the comp model and change out the sights. I wasn't wanting to spend that much to get my setup correct, but I usually keep it once I have it, so I might as well get my ultimate setup.

Thanks for the input.

Speedster

 

[M2]

Just picked up the XD(M)-45 5.25" Comp Series this past weekend, I have a XD-45 Service (4") that I've had since 2006 and a XDs (3.8") single stack .45 that I picked up a few months back.

I haven't shot the XD(M) yet but I expect quicker target acquisition for the exact reasons 9mmepiphany stated...the sites. The XD is not a target pistol, it is a primary carry and/or self-defense weapon. The XDs is a BUG or, on occasion, a secondary carry weapon (although I not only prefer the greater capacity of the XD-45 but it is easier to shoot despite the fact that the XDs is an amazing pistol for its size).

That said, I am pretty deadly accurate with my XD. It is a great pistol and it has never hiccuped through all the rounds I've put down its barrel. I would say it's easily as good as you'll need for up to 25m or more, plus it's a lot cheaper, so given your wants and desires I would say save the couple of hundred difference and get it over the 5.25.

Cheers! M2

 

[CZ57]

Like M2 stated, the XD is quite a bit less expensive and you could get the XD-Tac with a 5" barrel. There's only 1 real problem. Most of the XD pistols in .45 ACP will not reliably function with LSWC bullet loads. I shoot a lot of 200 gr. SWCs so the XDm was a must for me.