I started this thread so I should report my results for you guys. I had the SA Custom shop hand fit the stock barrel on my 5.25. Cost was $135.00 including shipping and turn around was much quicker than they had told me. I shot it today with 2 types of factory ammo (Cheap stuff) and 2 different handloads, both with 124 gr MG JHP in front of Titegroup and one with N320. These loads were not developed, just loaded at random. The cheap factory stuff actually improved by cutting group size nearly in half. The handloads improved as well but not by 50%. All in all, I was pleased. Groups were shot by hand hold with dust cover support at 7.5 and 17.5 yards. The gains were at 17.5 yards which I needed to improve as the first thing I'm going to do with this gun is Steel Challenge and I don't need to shoot that with my lack of skills and old eyesight. Six inch groups were not going to work for me!
As a side note, for comparison I shot my Les Baer 1911 with my handloads. This gun remains an amazing piece! Pretty much one hole at 7.5 yards and not much bigger at 17.5. Gotta love Les Baer's handy work.
Thanks for listening and thanks to TGO for his valuable insight. Thanks to all of the Forum members who contributed to my knowledge of the XD(m) and loading info for it.