WE XDM .40 GBB Pistol review by Booligan
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Introduction
Ordering
Basic Gun Information
First impressions/Packaging
Included
Gun Specifications
Externals
Trademarks
Magazines
Performance
Internals
Modifications
Pros/Cons
Overall
Introduction:
I'm a huge fan of the real steel XD pistol, so much so that the first handgun I ever purchased for my own carry use was the 1st generation XD 9mm Subcompact. It was one of the only pistols that properly fit me and my hand structure, as well as my natural grip angle. I just couldn't get a good grip or grip angle to save my life with the comparative Glock model. I'd been on the lookout for an airsoft replica of the XD for years, and when TM came out with their replica, I knew a full metal Taiwanese replica would be on the horizon. Luckily, I was correct in my assumption, and WE released a full size XDM replica just a few months ago. I'll be discussing all of the pros and cons of this replica today, so keep reading for more info!
Ordering:
I was sent this gun for review by Airsplat, who has it available HERE, priced at $99.99. It was sent to me using UPS Ground, which got it to me in two days from the day I ordered it. Airsplat always puts together good packaging for their shipments, and the gun got to me without any damage.
Basic Gun Information:
The XDM is the evolution of the standard XD platform with some updates and changes for easier operation. The airsoft version comes with most of these features including interchangeable backstraps, a trigger safety, ambidextrous magazine release, striker indicator, and railed dust cover for mounting lights, lasers, or other accessories. WE replicated the full size, 4.5" barreled .40 caliber version, which seems to be the more commonly sold real steel version. This means that you have a ton of options out there for holsters and other accessories.
First impressions/Packaging:
When I opened the shipping box, I was greeted by the glossy black WE packaging with stylized XDM decoration. Inside the box, you'll find a white styrofoam inner liner to keep everything safe during shipping. My first impression on actually pulling the gun out of the box was how close it felt to my old real steel XD. TM did a great job replicating the XDM, and WE used their research to make a fantastic copy.
Click on the individual thumbnails to see the full size photos
Box art
Included:
Along with the pistol itself, WE included three separate backstraps in a variety of sizes for different hand shapes. You'll also find a manual explaining the proper use and function of the pistol, as well as an exploded diagram showing every tiny little part inside the gun.
Manual
Gun Specifications:
Weight: 1.6 lbs
Length: 8"
Width: 1.25"
Height: 5.75"
Sight Radius: 6.6"
Externals:
The WE XDM is a full metal replica, as every part that is metal on the real gun is metal on the replica. The only polymer part of the gun is the frame, just like on the real XDM. The frame has a nice matte black finish with a very mild texture to it, and the slide finish matches it very well. The paint finish on the outer barrel is a little fragile and tends to scratch easily with normal use.
Overview, left side
Overview, right side
The most important part of any handgun is the grip, as without a comfortable and secure grip, you'll be unable to hit your target. Luckily, not only is the grip comfortable, it can be tweaked using the interchangeable backstraps to fit shooters with different hand sizes. One of the big selling points for me with the XD design is the more vertical grip angle when compared to the vast majority of polymer framed pistols such as Glocks. The grip angle just plain works for me. There is aggressive texturing on all sides of the grip to assist in keeping a good grip while shooting.
Grip
Interchangeable backstraps
Aggressive texturing
The rest of the frame is ergonomically designed with dual sided thumb rests for ambidextrous operation. At the rear of the grip, where it meets the frame, you'll find a grip safety, similar to one you find on a 1911 pistol. This safety is fully functional, so you need to be properly holding the pistol in order for it to fire.
Grip safety
The controls are pretty basic, consisting of a trigger with safety lever built in, slide lock, takedown lever, and an ambidextrous magazine release. Everything is designed to be easily reached while shooting the pistol, without taking your hand off of a shooting position. The trigger pull is really smooth and short with a nice crisp reset. The trigger safety is functional, and is similar to the one on the real gun.
Controls
Right sided magazine release
Takedown lever
Slide lock
Slide locked back
Trigger safety
At the front of the frame, you'll find the railed dust cover which is designed to fit most 20mm railed accessories. At the bottom of the rail you will find a serial number plate that doubles as an additional safety device. It can be slid back to prevent the trigger from moving back far enough to fire the gun. It's a bit tricky to actuate in the heat of battle, so it probably won't get much use.
Railed dust cover
Safety lever/serial # plate
You'll find the slide mounted atop the frame, and it has its own list of useful features to make it easier to use. The slide has aggressive serrations on the front and rear of the slide to assist with cocking the gun. One unique feature of the gun is the striker indicator at the rear of the slide that allows you to see or feel that the gun is cocked and ready to shoot. This is fully functional on the replica, however, the loaded chamber indicator at the top of the slide does not function.
Slide
Slide, left side
Slide pulled back
Striker indicator
The gun is now cocked
The outer barrel is full metal and has the normal WE threaded inner bore for mounting up a threaded adaptor. It comes equipped with a metal orange tip screwed in from the factory, which is easily removed to swap it out with a threaded adaptor.
A pistol is useless if you aren't able to aim it, and the XDM comes with high contrast white dot equipped iron sights. The sights are not easily adjustable for windage or elevation due to how they are mounted. They are easy to distinguish quickly and make aiming a breeze.
Rear sight
Front sight
Trademarks:
This model is not licensed, so you won't find any real manufacturer markings on it, however it does have XDM molded in on the slide and frame, as well as caliber markings on the slide and barrel. You'll also find a serial number on the barrel, slide, and bottom of the dust cover, however, it is not unique to each gun.
Slide marking
Grip marking
Magazine marking
Barrel and slide marking
Magazines:
The included magazine holds 26 rounds and does a great job of replicating the real XDM magazine. The stainless steel appearance of the finish matches the real magazine, and it has markings on the rear indicating the real gun's capacity. I believe compatibility will be limited to either WE or TM OEM mags.
Magazine
Performance:
Chrono results using Airsplat .20g BBs and propane, shot through a Madbull V1 chrono, after a 100 round break in period:
High FPS: 307.2 FPS
Low FPS: 298.4 FPS
Average FPS: 301.9 FPS
Range and accuracy were pretty much standard in my experience with WE pistols. With my torso target set at 75', I was easily able to achieve 90% accuracy. At 100', my shots were probably closer to 75%, but that's about as far as I would try to engage targets with this gun if I really needed to make the hit. One thing I noticed was that the pistol was pretty damn loud, so you better hit the target you're aiming at, otherwise the target will easily be able to spot you by sound.
Gas economy is pretty standard by WE specifications, in that you should plan on getting just one magazine load of BBs out of a single gas fill. If you shoot as fast as possible, you'll probably run out of gas before you run out of BBs, due to the extreme cool down that you get with this thing. With double taps that are spaced out, you'll easily be able to get 30-35 shots out of a single gas fill.
Internals:
Disassembly of the gun is easily accomplished without the need to use any tools. You simply have to pull the slide back and lock it with the slide lock, followed by flipping the disassembly lever up and releasing the slide lock. This allows you to pull the slide off of the frame and access the inner workings.
Slide removed from frame
Inside the slide, you'll find the blowback unit as well as the inner and outer barrels. The hop-up is easily adjusted using a rotary dial, however you must remove the slide from the gun in order to do it.
Blowback unit
Barrel and recoil rod assembly
Inside the frame, you'll find the trigger and striker unit, which are pretty much what make this gun work. The striker assembly has a ball bearing roller on it to ensure smooth operation. Basically everything inside is made of metal for high durability.
Striker assembly
Modifications:
As far as modifications go, there's not a whole lot that you can do yet, however I'm sure upgraded slides and barrels are available. The railed dustcover will allow you to mount up lights or lasers if you so desire, and the interchangeable back straps let you tweak it to fit your hand. Being a WE, the threaded orange muzzle plug can be unscrewed exposing the standard WE outer barrel inner threading, meaning you can throw on a normal threaded muzzle insert without any issues.
Tricked out with a can and light
Pros:
Full metal replica of the XDM!
Very affordable – Sub $100
Functioning striker indicator
No tool disassembly
Railed dustcover allows for mounting lights and lasers
Ambidextrous magazine release
Cons:
Paint finish on barrel is a little fragile
No manufacturer trademarks
Some barrel to slide rattle
Nonfunctioning loaded chamber indicator
Overall:
As I said before, I'd been eagerly anticipating the arrival of an XD replica, and I'm happy to say that the WE model lived up to my expectations and experiences with the real gun. The thing feels great and fits you hand very well, and the trigger pull is light and crisp. The gun has features that make it easy to use for pretty much every shooter, due to the mainly ambidextrous controls and different sized backstraps. If you're looking for a polymer framed pistol, I really recommend checking this out, as in my case, it fits and feels much better than any other model that I've tried.
Many thanks again to Airsplat, and of course, Airsoft Retreat!