New Polymer 45 ACP Pistols From Sig Sauer and Springfield

As recently as the September 2010 issue of Gun Tests, we referred to our evaluation of two similar 1911 45s as being something of a rarity. That's because the guns were essentially a different interpretation of the same design. More often, we compare a roster of test guns that, despite being of the same caliber and approximately the same size, end up demanding widely different skill sets to operate.

The Springfield Armory XDM 45 XDM945BHC 45 ACP, $709, developed consistent accuracy from the 20-yard bench and the action test. Fronting the Caldwell Orange Peel targets from left to right, test ammunition included Federal 230-grain FMJ rounds and 185-grain and 200-grain Hornady Custom XTP jacketed hollowpoint rounds. Our action tests, bottom IPSC target, were performed using the 200-grain Hornadys.