AllOutdoor Review – Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm Barrel

It is getting to be that time of year again… that time of year where the swampy, hot days of summer are slowly trailing off into the crisp, cool days of autumn. Where I come from – my home state of Minnesota – that means that black bear hunting season is fast-approaching and inevitable conversations of the best millimeter are about to occur. Obviously, the best millimeter is the 10mm when it comes to semi-auto bear defense, but not all 10mm handguns are built the same. Springfield Armory offers one of the best ones on the market today with their XD-M Elite series (Xtreme Duty – Match) boasting a Match Grade barrel, high capacity, and their superb, factory META trigger (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly). The only thing that that particular 10mm was lacking was a threaded barrel, but now you can get that as well as an additional part from Springfield Armory’s webstore. We are going to review the Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm Barrel here today to see how it performs. Let’s dive in!

Springfield Armory Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm Barrel

For starters, how Springfield Armory lists their XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel is a bit confusing. They state it is a 4.5″ barrel, but it is actually 5.28″ in overall length. They state 4.5″ because that is the model of XD-M and XD-M Elite handguns that it fits. So, in actuality, you are getting a bit more barrel length than what is advertised in your XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel. This extra 3/4″ means more length for a longer burn rate, more velocity, more Foot-Lbs of energy, and the additional forward weight adds a very miniscule stabilizing effect while shooting. Some of the other rudimentary specs can be read below as presented by Springfield Armory:

Barrel Finish: Melonite®
Twist Rate: 1 in 16″
Barrel Length: 5.28″
Barrel Weight: 4.45 Oz
Thread Protector Weight: 0.195 Oz
Thread Size: 0.578″ x 28 TPI

Drop-In Compatible – Manufactured in the same facility as your XD-M firearm, this OEM threaded barrel delivers match-grade accuracy and is unrivaled in fitment and quality.
Thread Protector Included – A thread protector is included to protect the barrel threads when a muzzle device is not installed.
Melonite Finish – The Melonite® finish on the threaded barrel is corrosion resistant matches the factory finish on XD-M / XD-M Elite handguns perfectly.
Hammer-Forged – The threaded barrels are hammer-forged for unmatched durability while the feed ramp is polished to reliably feed round after round.

Want to upgrade your XD-M® pistol to be suppressor ready? Then be sure to check out these threaded barrels designed for the XD-M 4.5”. Available for 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP variants of this design, these drop-in threaded barrels feature a black Melonite coating for rust-resistance and lubricity. The barrels come with included muzzle caps to protect the threads when not in use.

The MSRP for the Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel is currently set at $159.99. This seems very appropriate for a Match-Grade, quality threaded barrel like what Springfield is offering here. The only other options in the market today are hyper-niche or so boutique that you question the source they are coming from.

For use in any 4.5″ XD-M or XD-M Elite pistol configuration.
WARNING: Caliber of barrel is intended only for use in the original caliber of the firearm. You cannot change the caliber of your firearm by purchasing one of these barrels.
Sales of threaded barrels are restricted and/or prohibited in the following states: CA, CT, DC, IL, MA, NY, WA. Please check your state and local regulations regarding restrictions.

Field Use – Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm Barrel

When it came to getting this XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel to the range and warming it up, we used some spicy ammunition for a spicy cartridge. We went with some Winchester Silvertip 10mm 175 Grain Defense JHP (Jacketed Hollow-Point). This ammo was extremely clean shooting, clean feeding, and was as stout as we would have expected at 559 Ft-Lbs of energy out of a handgun.

While shooting at the range, we did not notice any discernable difference in accuracy from the factory XD-M Elite barrel in my Springfield 10mm versus the threaded barrel. This was not surprising to me because both the factory barrel and threaded barrel are stamped and crafted to Match-Grade tolerances – a tier above traditional, run-of-the-mill barrels that their competitors are putting out.

Getting back to the accuracy portion, the Winchester Silvertip grouped very well for us from 10 yards with multiple rounds all clover-leafed together and touching. This occurred for both the XD-M Threaded 10mm and factory barrels. We only fired from 10 yards so our groups would hopefully have most of the element of human error removed, and 10 yards is a typical distance for defense against for 4-legged animals like bears as well as menacing 2-legged creatures.

When it came to mating this threaded barrel up to a silencer that was a cinch as well. The XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel that Springfield is selling is in a standard 0.578″ x 28 TPI (Thread per Inch) thread pattern. This means it is easily compatible with nearly all silencers and muzzle devices on the market today. The only thing that needs to be accounted for – with silencer owners – is you will want to be deploying a piston mount for a rear cap (and not a direct thread mount) to this barrel.

Other than the obvious attributes we want in a threaded barrel of being accurate and also widely compatible with muzzle devices (silencers or otherwise), this barre does everything right. You gain over 3/4″ in length to help boost the velocity and Ft-Lbs of energy of the ammunition exiting the barrel. You also have additional weight towards the end of your slide marginally help mitigate recoil; a small stabilizing effect. Couple in the fact that this is a drop-in barrel – no silly hand-fitting required – an the Springfield Armory XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel checks all of the right boxes.

Final Thoughts – Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm Barrel

So, what are our final thoughts on the Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel?… We might have given it away already, but we walked away very pleased with this barrel. It is drop-in, accurate, compatible with muzzle devices, Match-Grade, and appropriately (if not affordably) priced at only $159. There is not much else to ask from a threaded barrel like this. For anyone who might be in the market for a threaded barrel in 9mm, 10mm, and/or .45 ACP for their XD-M or XD-M Elite handguns, you don’t need to venture far because Springfield Armory has got you covered.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Springfield Armory for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Springfield Armory 4.5″ XD-M Threaded 10mm barrel is something worth spending your money on for competition, recreation, or concealed carry? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak