Just kidding. The Croatian gunmaker didn’t hire Swiss surrealist and Aliens‘ stylist H.R. Giger to create their new XD(m) 5.25 Competition handgun. It only looks that way. In fact, the new gun’s a standard XD(m) with a few mods: a 5.25″ match grade barrel made from “select fit” steel, a forged steel slide with a weight saving cut out, a fiber optic front sight and an adjustable rear sight. thefirearmblog.com provides the pics and specs, but not the price. Whatever it costs, it’s worth it. When it comes to XDs, you can never have enough striations. Meanwhile, I’d like to see what Damien Hirst could do for Glock design.

13 COMMENTS

  1. As soon as I saw the picture, I knew you were only joking: if it doesn’t look like a penis, it wasn’t designed hy Hansreudi Giger.

  2. If manufacturers can do cut-outs on the front of the slide, why can’t they round the bottom rear of the slide to cut down on the damage from slide bite?

    • I guess my question to you is why/how are you holding the pistol (particulalrly the XDM) so you are getting slide bit? I use an XD9 (5″) and an XDM-40 for competition, and I also own/use a XDM45 and XDM 3.8SC (40) and never once have I had slide bite. Then again, I’ve never had slide bit from ANY pistol, although a couple of pocket pistols have tried their hardest.

      • I sometimes take too high a grip on a rental gun and, as I am unfamiliar with that particular gun, don’t notice until I’ve been shaved by the slide. I have fairly normal size hands.

        I wasn’t speaking specifically of the XD(M) but of semi-autos in general. Does anyone know if there is a mechanical or machining problem which prevents the manfacturers from rounding the bottom rear corner of the slide? Or is it just something no one has tried?

        • If I understood you correctly, than rounding lower sharp edges won’t help – you still will receive damage. Instead of cutting you will have tearing by traction. Plus, what will you do with those slide-rails grooves? Even in CZ-style design it’ll be hard to round them up. IMHO, of course. 🙂
          Regarding gloves – I have medium/small hands (based on Youngstown and Hatch brands) – medium by wide, smaller by finger length. Though I have limited experience (i.e. not so much types of guns tested), I can’t remember even one handgun with non-distinctive grip profile and “beavertail” of some sort. Even on Glock extraterrestrial grip. What is strange: I’ve met some of their reps, including Friedrich Dechant (also known as one of papas of Steyr A.U.G.), we shake hands, and as I’ve noticed, they have quite ordinary human hands; I just don’t get it – why on earth they decided to create that grip? :).
          Hammerbites? Yes, had, on old 1911 (even with my smallish hands), once on High-Power, with spur hammer.
          But again, my experience is limited.

  3. The striations are there to distract you from the fact that if it ever breaks you have to send it back for repair, because they won’t just sell you spare parts. Don’t forget to pay for shipping overnight and insured, and remember that most pack & ship places don’t accept firearms, so you’re going to be driving all the way to your nearest hub. And back again upon return, because you’ve got to sign for it, and probably can’t take a whole day off work to be home when it’s actually delivered.

    But hey, you’ll have those striations.

    Not like those other people, who can repair their longslide competition guns right in the middle of a match, with nothing more than a 3/32nd punch, and a complete parts kit, purchased in advance, for less than the price you paid for return shipping. Or maybe just buying the part from a dealer or sponsor who happens to be there. Anybody can sell that stuff. No sense of exclusivity! Just look at them, back out on the range, getting all hot and dusty, while you’re sitting in the clubhouse, drinking a margarita.

    • That sounds like the voice of experience. The bitter, bitter, voice of experience. Is there a tale here?

    • You might want to check your facts before spreading misinformation:

      1. Springfield Armory pays for shipping both ways if you need warranty work
      2. You can use drop boxes for firearms ( I have on many occasion to send to gunsmiths for custom work)
      3. Factory and aftermarket XD/XDm Parts are available from several companies: pistolgear, powder river precision, springer precision, and canyon creek custom

      You are correct on the fact you will have to be home when you get your gun mailed back to you though.

      Cheers,

  4. I want to clarify a previous posters information as it is not accurate.

    You CANNOT just toss a firearm in mail nor ship directly to your house even in the
    event of repair.

    The only exceptions to this are if you have CRE or FFL license and the address of the
    business is run out of your home. also if it is black powder/air gun.

    It also requires signature required for the receipt. Putting your firearm in a drop
    is not smart and even if it gets to its destination you are taking a huge risk and not
    following correct procedure.

  5. No FFL needed for mailing a gun back for warranty work. They will ship directly back to your house.

    Drop boxes are just as safe as any shipping outlet.

    I will kindly no longer divert this thread.

    Can’t wait for the new XDm 5.25

  6. Everyone talks about this fabulous 5.25 and how accurate it is because of its barrel length. But, no one tells you where you can find one or the cost. Also considering purchasing the CZ USA 75d SP 01 shadow target. This supposedly outshoots all. Never shot one so I can’t tell ya.

  7. Dear all
    You are lucky in the US, I am in Croatia where the XD is made and I have to pay it almost double your price,any model. I have xdm40 and here it costs arround 1100 USD. I am also looking to buy now the XDM5.25 and my guess is, it will cost here arround 1500 usd but no doubt I will get one.
    Enyoe your low prices, 🙂
    All best

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