XD's and XDM's have a reputation for the factory sights being so well driven into the frame that they're very difficult to do yourself (reports vary, some say their specific guns were easy, many others say they are impossible to do with a punch).

So I'm considering having a professional do it, but there's not much that I can find near me. I know I could send it off to somebody across the country, but that's a lot of cost for a relatively simple procedure, so I thought I'd ask around to see if anybody in HTF can make a suggestion.

Call Keith Pitts at Accurate Armory.  He machined dovetails in a Hi Power slide and installed sights for me- great work and attention to detail.

Do it yourself. I got one of those sight pushers off eBay and did mine xdm myself. Not one problem and didn't scratch the slide at all. It cost like $55 I think for the

Sight pusher.  Plus you can do any other handgun in the future. No brainier for me.

I live in a small apartment with no access to vice grips.

+1 for Accurate Armory

Or Pike Spraggins at Mod 1

+1

He's a good dude to worth with

Good point, Steve!  Pike can do an awesome stipple job on it too.

I've used Keith and Pike and both are excellent. Pike is a good friend of mine so I would definitely recommend him.