The Ballistic’s Best 2020 Reader’s Choice voting has officially wrapped. And with it comes the winners. We’ll start with the winner for “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun.”
2020 Reader’s Choice for “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun”
The nominees for our Reader’s Choice “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun” were:
- Beretta 92X Performance
- CZ-USA Shadow 2 OR
- IWI Masada
- Ruger-57
- SAR USA SAR-9X Platinum
- Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 C.O.R.E. Pro Series
- Springfield Armory XDM Elite
- Walther Q4 Steel
- ZEV Technologies Z320 XCarry Octane
Also, as a reminder, here are all of the categories in our 2020 Reader’s Choice voting:
- Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun
- Compact Semi-Auto Handgun — Winner Here
- 1911 — Winner Here
- Revolver (DA/SA .357 Magnum) — Winner Here
- Tactical Pump Shotgun — Winner Here
- AR-15 Pistol — Winner Here
- Semi-Auto AR-15 Rifle — Winner Here
- Semi-Auto AR-10 Rifle — Winner Here
- Bolt-Action Rifle (6.5 Creedmoor) — Winner Here
There were 12,751 votes in all for the “Best Full-Size Semi-Auto Handgun” category. And with 29.24 percent of the votes — which was double the next closest pistol — the winner is the Springfield Armory XDM Elite.
Springfield Armory XDM Elite Details
![Springfield XDm Elite Precision pistol, testing](https://dev.athlonoutdoors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/springfield-xdm-elite-lead-1024x575.jpg)
Here’s what our experts had to say about the XDM Elite in their testing for the 2020 issue of Ballistic’s Best:
“While not boasting an optics-ready slide, the Springfield Elite XD-M 5.25 Precision is also intended for competition. Its claim to fame, at least for this article, is the highest-capacity native magazines of our test group at 22 rounds.
“The Elite series is a step up in features over the standard XD-M lineup. Elite features include Springfield’s new META trigger with overtravel stop, a removable flared magazine well, more aggressive slide serrations and fully ambi controls including the mag release and slide stop. The Precision model features a fiber-optic front sight with a fully adjustable rear sight, and it also includes a 5.25-inch hammer-forged barrel and a lightening cut slide.”
Springfield Armory XDM Elite 5.25 Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Barrel: 5.25 inches
- Overall Length: 8.3 inches
- Overall Weight: 30 ounces (empty)
- Grip: Polymer
- Sights: Fiber-optic front, adj. target rear
- Action: Striker
- Finish: Melonite
- Capacity: 22+1
- MSRP: $653
Also, if you want to see all of the official winners, grab a copy of Ballistic’s Best 2020. Both print and digital subs are available now at OutdoorGroupStore.com.