Springfield XDM Elite: 2020 Reader’s Choice ‘Best Full-Size Handgun’

The Ballistic’s Best 2020 Reader’s Choice voting has officially wrapped. And with it comes the winners. We’ll start with the winner for “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun.”

2020 Reader’s Choice for “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun”

The nominees for our Reader’s Choice “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun” were:

• Beretta 92X Performance
• CZ-USA Shadow 2 OR
• IWI Masada
• Ruger-57
• SAR USA SAR-9X Platinum
• Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 C.O.R.E. Pro Series
• Springfield Armory XDM Elite
• Walther Q4 Steel
• ZEV Technologies Z320 XCarry Octane

Also, as a reminder, here are all of the categories in our 2020 Reader’s Choice voting:

• Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun
• Compact Semi-Auto Handgun — Winner Here
• 1911 — Winner Here
• Revolver (DA/SA .357 Magnum) — Winner Here
• Tactical Pump Shotgun — Winner Here
• AR-15 Pistol — Winner Here
• Semi-Auto AR-15 Rifle — Winner Here
• Semi-Auto AR-10 Rifle — Winner Here
• Bolt-Action Rifle (6.5 Creedmoor) — Winner Here

There were 12,751 votes in all for the “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun” category. And with 29.24 percent of the votes — which was double the next closest pistol — the winner is the Springfield Armory XDM Elite.

Springfield Armory XDM Elite Details

Here’s what our experts had to say about the XDM Elite in their testing for the 2020 issue of Ballistic’s Best:

“While not boasting an optics-ready slide, the Springfield Elite XD-M 5.25 Precision is also intended for competition. Its claim to fame, at least for this article, is the highest-capacity native magazines of our test group at 22 rounds.

“The Elite series is a step up in features over the standard XD-M lineup. Elite features include Springfield’s new META trigger with overtravel stop, a removable flared magazine well, more aggressive slide serrations and fully ambi controls including the mag release and slide stop. The Precision model features a fiber-optic front sight with a fully adjustable rear sight, and it also includes a 5.25-inch hammer-forged barrel and a lightening cut slide.”

Springfield Armory XDM Elite 5.25 Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 5.25 inches
• Overall Length: 8.3 inches
• Overall Weight: 30 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: Fiber-optic front,  adj. target rear
• Action: Striker
• Finish: Melonite
• Capacity: 22+1
• MSRP: $653

Also, if you want to see all of the official winners, grab a copy of Ballistic’s Best 2020. Both print and digital subs are available now at OutdoorGroupStore.com.