The XD line from Springfield Armory got a new member via the XD-M Elite series and it won’t disappoint shooters who demand that new handguns release be optic ready as the new 4.5″ Desert FDE XD-M Elite 10mm OSP Handgun got that and more.

With the 10mm round, this new pistol also packs more power and with the removable seamless cover plate, when uncovered, reveals a mounting interface which allows shooters to mount their preferred optics with the mounting plates made available by Springfield Armory for the pistol. It has 4.5-inch match grade Melonite finished barrel and a highly ergonomic frame.

The 4.5″ Desert FDE XD-M Elite 10mm OSP Handgun has an extended/removable flared magwell for faster reloads which shooters can use the 16-round magazine. There will be two magazines that are included in the package when purchased. The frame is made of polymer.

For target acquisition it features a fibre optic front sight and the Tactical Rack U-Dot rear sight. Acquiring targets with the pistol get better when a optic is mounted. The slide itself is forged steel with desert FDE Cerakote finish. The company says that the Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META)  has a flat face, crisp break and integral overtravel stop.

Customers can expect the 4.5″ Desert FDE XD-M Elite 10mm OSP to arrive in a double-zipper case for better transport of the pistol. The case has an internal pouch that can carry a spare 10m magazine. As for MSRP, it is US$$695.

Press release below:

Springfield’s New 4.5″ Desert FDE XD-M Elite 10mm OSP Handgun

GENESEO, ILL. (03/14/23) – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of the XD-M® Elite 4.5” OSP™ 10mm in Desert FDE. This highly capable 10mm, now available in the popular Desert FDE color, redefines what you should expect from a modern, striker-fired firearm.

Built on a solid foundation, the XD-M Elite 4.5″ OSP 10mm in Desert FDE combines capable capacity with powerful performance. The 4.5″ match grade Melonite® finished barrel maximizes ballistic performance, and the highly ergonomic frame houses a 16-round, double-column stainless steel magazine. Two magazines are included.

Featuring the Optical Sight Pistol (OSP) system, the Desert FDE XD-M Elite 4.5″ 10mm features a removable seamless cover plate that covers a mounting interface for installing the optic of your choice with available mounting plates. Topping off its forged steel slide is Springfield Armory’s excellent Tactical Rack U-Dot™ rear sight, featuring a u-shaped white outline that works with the high-visibility fiber optic front sight.

To facilitate quick reloads, the Desert FDE XD-M Elite 4.5″ OSP 10mm features a removable extended and flared “short” magwell. Also, at the heart of the pistol is the Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly (META™) system, a superbly refined trigger featuring a flat face and integral overtravel stop. For enhanced operation, an ambidextrous slide stop works in concert with the pistol’s ambi magazine release to ensure the pistol can be run easily by either hand.

“The XD-M Elite 10mm in Desert FDE provides shooters with a powerful pistol that will definitely stand out from the crowd,” says Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory. “The popular Desert FDE color, combined with all the enhanced features of the XD-M Elite line, makes this newest variant an appealing option for fans of the powerful 10mm cartridge."