How to Easily Remove & Replace a Springfield XDm 9mm backstrap.

How to change the backstrap on a Springfield XDm 9mm .

The Springfield XDm 9mm is shipped with three back straps. The standard size is already installed on the gun but the box includes an additional large and small backstrap. This article will show you how to remove and replace the XDm backstrap to adjust of the overall circumference of the XDm’s grip.

It is important that your firearm fits comfortably in your hand if you intend to do well with accuracy as well as manipulation of the gun. I highly recommend holding any gun before you purchase it so you can be sure it works for your grip and hand size. Make sure you can comfortably reach the trigger and all other controls.

The Springfield XDm is designed so that the grip size is adjustable by installing any of the 3 different backstraps that come with the gun, which is a nice feature of this model. Not many firearms have this option.

You may want to install the larger backstrap to make the grip bigger if you have big hands or longer fingers, or the small backstrap if you have smaller hands or shorter fingers. My hand happens to fit the medium grip pretty well.

Also see my article on field stripping and cleaning the Springfield XDm 9mm pistol.

Tools Needed to Change the XDm Backstrap

The tools you are going to need are:

• 3/32″ punch
• Small hammer
• Pliers (depending on the length of your punch)
• Real Avid Bench Block (completely optional but helpful tool to have)
• Real Avid Punch Set w/hammer

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Gun Punch

My punch only has an 11/16″ working length before you get to the shoulder, so it does not quite push the pin all the way out. This is why I needed to use the pliers to pull the roll pin the rest of the way out of the backstrap. If you can find a punch with a longer working length, that would be a bit better but not a big deal to work around it.

Hammer

It doesn’t really matter what type of hammer you use. I have a soft tipped hammer here but any decent hammer will work.

Pliers

The pliers will be useful if your punch does not push the pin all the way out due to its length.

Bench Block

The Real Avid Bench Block is useful to raise the gun off the table so the pin can have room to come out. You could use a piece of wood, or even just hang the grip over the edge of the table and that should work fine.

Backstraps for the Springfield XDm

If you need the backstraps, try these links:

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/xdm000

https://www.xdgunparts.com/category/backstrap.html

Video: How to Remove and Replace the Springfield XDm Backstrap

Instructions to change the Springfield XDm Backstrap

The steps are listed below, then there are details and pictures for each step further down the page.

1. Unload your XDm
2. Verify it is unloaded
3. Remove the slide
4. Place the gun securely on a bench block
5. Tap out the roll pin at the base of the grip
6. Remove the original backstrap
7. Insert the new backstrap
8. Tap the roll pin back into the grip

I prefer to remove the slide and just set that aside. Now I don’t have any worries about whether it’s loaded or not, and it is just a completely safe piece of plastic for the moment.

Be careful to to hit the XDm grip with the hammer and mark it up. Just tap on it until it is almost flush with the plastic.

Now you’re done. The new backstrap is installed the Springfield XDm is ready to go to the range!

Thanks for reading this article on changing the backstrap on a Springfield XDm 9mm pistol. I hope this has helped.

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please leave it in the comment section below and I will reply soon.