Hi all,

First post here as I am trying to decide what my first 10mm should be. I'm debating between the Springfield XD-M 4.5" 10mm and the Rock Island Rock Ultra MS 10mm. Unfortunately, "get both" isn't a viable option currently. They're within $50-75 of each other so cost isn't a deciding factor. This gun will almost exclusively be used a sidearm while hiking/hunting solo in the Rockies, so concealability isn't a factor either. From my perspective pros for the XDM are capacity, out of the box reliability, and a striker block safety. Pros of the RIA 1911 are aesthetics and classic nature of the gun, and heavier for faster follow up shots. The Glock 20 is too big for my hands and the SIG 10mms are out of my price range. I want to be able to rationalize the RIA 1911, but can't decide if any reliability issues and the lack of a firing pin block safety sway things in the XDM's favor.

Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks.

I love my XDm 4.5 OSP 10mm and highly recommend it.i would go that route if I were you.

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I have two 5" 1911s and an XDM10 4.5 at the moment. The grips on the XDM were a little too slippery so I went with the Talon grips. I also wasn't impressed with the trigger mine came with, so I installed the Powder River Precision replacement. According to their website, some XDMs come with that trigger from the factory. Mine didn't. I also noticed the muzzle flip and felt recoil was too much with full power 10mm ammo. I upped the recoil spring with a replacement guide rod from Springer Precision and a heavier spring from Wolff Springs. So I was into it for $525 for the gun, $20 for the Talon wrap, $80 for the PRP trigger, $30 replacement guide rod, and $9 recoil spring.

The positives are; it's never jammed, it's pretty darn accurate, capacity, mags aren't that expensive and seem very well made, it cost less than a G20 and the ergonomics are better, chamber support is excellent, too.

The 1911s are still my favorites. Every RIA I've shot has had a pretty decent trigger, even when compared to much more expensive 1911s. Recoil is more manageable and they are vastly more customizable to your personal taste. Reliability should not be an issue.

For the intended purpose you mentioned, I would suggest you consider a 5" RIA with night sights. Just as easy to pack and 9 rounds of 10mm is still a pretty potent deterrent.

I wouldn't give a second thought to the series 70 design of the RIA. Striker blockers and firing pin blockers are two entirely different things, even though it may seem like they have the same function. Strikers are basically big firing pins that sit under spring tension against the sear after you chamber a round. They're waiting to be released and move forward.

1911 firing pins are under no spring tension, when cocked, to move forward. In fact there is a spring in front of the firing pin to prevent it from contacting the primer due to inertia, if the gun is dropped straight down on the muzzle. Series 80 1911s came out after some dubious testing that basically said it was still possible to drop a series 70 1911 and have it fire.

Basically our litigious society created a solution for a nonexistent problem. If the hammer doesn't fall on a series 70 1911, it's not going off.

Just my 2 cents, but both can get the job done. Good luck with your purchase.

Welcome pds794,
As for your question, I do not have any experience with the XDm in 10mm, however I do know that my FS, and. 3. 8 XDm's in 9mm have performed flawlessly, and would assume the 10 would not be any different. As for  RIA's  mid-size 10mm, I do not know that model, however I do own the RIA Ultra FS / HC 10mm, and really like it. As for your use, weight, capacity, and reliability are paramount, or at least they would would be for me.  Also, you may want to consider RIA's Rock Ultra full size HC 10mm which can be had for aprx $700.00. Ultimately I think either weapon would serve you well. Lastly, regardless of which weapon you go with (as I'm sure you know) reliable feeding is a must, weather it's for a self defense weapon, or something to protect you from large four legged toothy critters. Regardless of the expense, I like to run 150 - 200rd's of my chosen ammo. If there are any  issues, I re-evaluate, and then move forward

Ken

https://www.armscor.com/firearms/ria/rock-series/rock-ultra-fs-hc-10mm/

I have a couple of 1911 pistols and like them but for a 10mm woods carry gun, I'll vote for the XDm. I have one with the 4.5" bbl and love it. 100% reliable, accurate and pleasant to shoot.

After giving it more though, I totally agree with Blaster, XDm's like Glocks (in most cases) are purpose built, and tend to be ultra reliable, not to mention they don't weigh a ton  like my RIA😀

Thanks everyone. I'm going to go with the XDM. I agree about value of the intended purpose of XDM and it's reliability. Glad to know the reliability of the XDM isn't just marketing based off of everyone's experiences. I had looked into the RIA Ultra FS HC but from watching videos and reading about it I think it would be too large for my hands; no one in my area has one in stock so that's as close as it'll get. I imagine I'll still end up with a RIA 1911 one day. I also found an XDM on gunbroker for a good price, so everything seems to be pointing that direction.

Can't speak for anyone else
But, I thought the Trigger on the Glock was bad .... until I shoot the XD !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKp9Z8vuOXc

Quote from: DenStinett on October 24 2020 11:23:20 PM MDT
Can't speak for anyone else
But, I thought the Trigger on the Glock was bad .... until I shoot the XD !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKp9Z8vuOXc

I was just the opposite. However, I put a PRP Extreme trigger in my Springfield and transformed it. It is now about as good as a striker fired trigger can get.

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Also, the Talon grips are worth a look, I sure like mine

Ken

Quote from: DenStinett on October 24 2020 11:23:20 PM MDT
Can't speak for anyone else
But, I thought the Trigger on the Glock was bad .... until I shoot the XD !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKp9Z8vuOXc

Ditto, mine was over 7lbs. Much worse than a couple of stock G20s I've fired. The PRP installation cured that.

I don't want a trigger as light as the PRP Extreme trigger. The PRP Ultimate Easy Fit trigger sounds like it would be a good fit for my needs. Anyone of you guys use that one? Also, what recoil springs weights are you all using? My carry rounds would be alternating hard cast and JHP, so I think a 20 or 22 lb Wolff spring should work well.

I have the 22# spring and if you are running nuclear load, it is not enough. I have.the Springer Precision SS guide rod on Wolff 26# spring. It works very well with light plinking loads all the way to my nuclear loads.

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Quote from: pds794 on October 25 2020 07:39:05 PM MDT
I don't want a trigger as light as the PRP Extreme trigger. The PRP Ultimate Easy Fit trigger sounds like it would be a good fit for my needs. Anyone of you guys use that one? Also, what recoil springs weights are you all using? My carry rounds would be alternating hard cast and JHP, so I think a 20 or 22 lb Wolff spring should work well.

I went for the PRP Ultimate Match Target Trigger for the same reason. I'm happy with the results.

Like Alabusa, I also went with the Springer Precision SS guide rod that allows the use of 1911 recoil springs. I also settled on the Wolff 26# recoil spring. 5" 1911 springs minus 2 coils fit perfectly. I also tested 24# and 28# recoil springs. The 24# still wasn't enough for hot stuff. The 28# ran fine but made it quite a bit harder to get off of slide lock.

Quote from: Graybeard on October 26 2020 05:38:18 AM MDT
I went for the PRP Ultimate Match Target Trigger for the same reason. I'm happy with the results.

Like Alabusa, I also went with the Springer Precision SS guide rod that allows the use of 1911 recoil springs. I also settled on the Wolff 26# recoil spring. 5" 1911 springs minus 2 coils fit perfectly. I also tested 24# and 28# recoil springs. The 24# still wasn't enough for hot stuff. The 28# ran fine but made it quite a bit harder to get off of slide lock.

Thanks. I was going to ask how Alabusa found a 26# spring. To clarify, you buy a Wolff spring then snip two coils off of it? Does that just make the spring a little lighter or do you have to do that for it to fit the Springer Precision rod?