Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. (M) touch there. Think Ford and Lincoln. A Ford gets you there just fine — rugged, dependable, solid features and you’re proud to own one. Ah … but that Lincoln. Better finish, more options, that “thunk” of the door when you close it, that “is it running?” quiet power and grace; well, you see where we’re going. Both are good cars, but one might just be considered a notch above. For the more discriminating perhaps? More features, more function, more ideas and just perhaps — more fun, I asked? “Exactly,” said Denny. “Especially the more fun part.” So to clear the air, a short list of the “same” bits are as follows. The loaded chamber/cocked indicator, ambimag release, grip safety, and general design, action and functional bits are essentially the same. And indeed, the two are certainly obviously siblings. One, the handsome brother, and one, the “scrapper” of a tough-guy brother. Guess which one’s which. But it’s what’s different that matters in this equation. The elegant reverseangle of the slide from top to bottom changes the tone of the XD(M) completely — the Lincoln side showing. The forward slide mill slots are more refined, the slide lock and take-down levers are re-contoured to not bite the hand feeding them, the contours of the frame around the trigger are changed for the better and the grip molding is dynamic and more functional. The lanyard attachment is thoughtful, the match-grade barrel an “oh, really?” addition, and the more rigid polymer frame allows a bigger magazine, translating to higher capacities. The action is improved, with less take-up and a shorter reset, which is very nice. But just perhaps, the high point are the modular frame inserts. The Hi-Power feel wasn’t good enough, you see. Now you can have a Hi-Power feel customized to your hand! Exclamation point inserted intentionally, by the way. Continued on page 83 57 The More Discriminating While the new XD(M) has many of the features of the XD, it also has, um, more features. Which might explain the “M.” As Denny Reese, head man at Springfield told me, “Why Roy, the ‘M’ stands for more.” WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM