Springfield XD(M) Elite 4.5" .45 ACP

The Springfield XD(M) Elite 4.5 in .45 ACP makes the strongest value argument in the .45 ACP polymer pistol category. At $699, it matches the Glock 21's 13+1 capacity while adding a factory optic-ready slide with RMR footprint and a match-grade Melonite barrel with a fully supported chamber, neither of which the Glock 21 Gen4 offers at any price. The Elite generation's trigger improvements over previous XDM iterations produce a cleaner break and shorter reset that brings it closer to Glock's trigger feel without the expense of aftermarket trigger work.

The match-grade Melonite barrel is meaningfully different from a standard production barrel. Melonite is a ferritic nitrocarburizing surface treatment that achieves a surface hardness of approximately 60-70 Rockwell C while maintaining the steel's core ductility. The fully supported chamber removes the exposed feed ramp area found in older XD designs, improving case support for handloads and maximizing-pressure factory loads. Fiber optic front sight is standard on the Elite, providing a bright acquisition point in daylight without requiring a tritium upgrade.

For shooters who want modern striker-fired simplicity rather than 1911 manual-of-arms or DA/SA training requirements, the XD(M) Elite 45 delivers the complete feature set: optic cut, quality barrel, rail for a light, and 13+1 capacity. The grip safety is the distinctive XD characteristic, a feature some shooters find reassuring and others find awkward. The aftermarket is smaller than Glock's, but holster availability has improved significantly as the XDM platform matured. At $699, the XD(M) Elite undercuts the Glock 21 while delivering more factory features.