I handled (did not shoot) the new Springfield XDM 40 today.
The new grip is TOO jagged and rough for me. I prefer my single strip of deck-tape on the front strap. It appears more cosmetic than functional...
The new sights are improved over the original XD sights, but I like my Trijicons better.
The fit and finish is very good, with very solid feel, lock-up, slide fit. Same as my current XDs.
The slide is tapered inward at the top eliminating some of the "blockiness" of the XD. Maybe makes it a tad lighter, but mostly cosmetic.
The adjustable backstraps vary the grip size from Small (smaller han the current 9mm/40 frame), to Medium (about the same as the current 9mm/40 frame), to large (about the size of the 45ACP frame). I'd prefer it to be even BIGGER, considering my hands, but if you like the current frame size, or you'd like it smaller, you now have the option.
The trigger is SUPPOSSED to be the "shortest reset" of any current striker fired gun... Maybe. I haven't fired a Glock in while. It is a little shorter than my XD9SC, but no where NEAR my Custom Shop trigger-job on my 45. It still has some over travel, and the slack is still standard issue XD. I was hoping for a near-custom-shop factory trigger... NO LUCK.
The price was only $50 more than the current XD40 Tactical.
If I were a new shopper, looking at the XD40, or the XDM 40, I'd pay the $50 for the M. Why? Capacity, the 45-size grip frame, and the slightly improved sights and trigger.
Will I be trading in my Custom-Shop-Massaged XD45 ($489 gun + $175 trigger + $90 sights = $754) for the new XDM ($659). No way in hell.
JeffWard

