newbie question: is XD .45 acp same or better than glock?

[Sir Aardvark]

The XD fits my hand like a glove, while the Glocks are not really that comfortable to hold.

Also, the Glock requires exquisite trigger discipline to avoid a negligent discharge, while the XD has a little more to offer with its grip safety - this is something to consider for CCW purposes.

Kind of as a side note - the Glock 30 is an excellent pistol; I do not really like Glocks, but the Model 30 sets the standard in subcompact firepower - it is hard to argue with something that is about the size of my hand that holds 10 rounds of .45ACP, and... it is comfortable to hold too, unlike its full-size brethren.

So... I find that I prefer the XD over Glock due to the fact that I find them more comfortable to shoot and that the safety features of the XD offer more protection than the safety features of the Glock.

 

[Tazz10m]

Quote by Sir Aardvark: Kind of as a side note - the Glock 30 is an excellent pistol; I do not really like Glocks, but the Model 30 sets the standard in subcompact firepower - it is hard to argue with something that is about the size of my hand that holds 10 rounds of .45ACP, and... it is comfortable to hold too, unlike its full-size brethren.

Not try to talk you out of the XD as it really is a good gun, but try the Glock 29 sometime. Same size as the G30 and even more powerful. Really fun.

 

[das028]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm.


Some of you guys got me really interested in these xd's now. Any of you have any experience with the .40 cal models? Specifically the tactical 5 incher?

 

[Demiurge]

I've got the .45 ACP in Tactical 5" and it's one hell of a fine firearm. If you've never owned a Glock before, handle both the XD and Glock in the store and see how they feel. I still think the XD performs better, but I would get what feels best for you. Both are fine pistols.

 

[das028]

Thanks man.

I actually already own a glock. But the more and more I read about these xd's the more I like them.

 

[nitesite]

Not try to talk you out of the XD as it really is a good gun, but try the Glock 29 sometime. Same size as the G30 and even more powerful. Really fun.

You are so right, Tazz10m.

I prefer the XD45 more, but really like the G29. It's amazing the power available in such an easily-controlled pistol.

Still, when clothing allows I'll take my 4" XD45 every time!

 

[Tazz10m]

I must say this about the XD... and i've said it before... not here on this site, but elsewhere, and i'll say it again here... Glock really has some competition with the Springfield XD. People really love the XD. I talk to a lot of people on the phone who say it, and i sell a hell of a lot of AGrip's for it. I can always tell which guns are being favored and so are selling the best at a given time period... all i have to do is look and see which model AGrip's are selling the best and the rate they are selling. By reading this thread it is also very obvious that people really love the XD. If they made one in 10mm i would buy one.

 

[Newton]

XD45 is where it's at, especially the 4 inch service model - it seems to have better balance than the 5 inch, plus it's much more CCW friendly.

 

[.45 Cal]

Not the .45 versions, but I had the pleasure of firing both XD and Glock 19last weekend. First the 19, which I liked very much and also seemed to appeal to my sense of design. Then the XD, which I liked even better, mainly, as many have said, because it fits better in my hand. I also like the two-tone and OD green versions.

 

[XDKingslayer]

das028, the article about the XD torture test is here: http://springfield-armory.primediaoutdoors.com/SPstory11.html

It's the 20,000 round test where it was frozen in ice, run over by a truck, dropped down a mountain and other things. I don't know how much weight you put into those tests, but there it is...

Granted this test was done on the 9mm XD, but the new .45 has few, if any, changes over the older ones.

 

[Tazz10m]

XDKingslayer, you asked me a question in a PM, but i can't get the reply i wrote back to you to function... it keeps saying "Document contained no data, try again later..." so i hope you don't mind if i respond here.

Do your green A-Grips closely match the OD Green XDs?

Yes, they go very well together. Thanks for asking.

 

[dairycreek]

So are the XD better than glocks, or am I comparing apples and oranges?

Your question leads to a lot of personal opinion and, because you asked, here's another one. I have owned a series of Glocks over the years and currently own two XD's - a 45 and a 9SC. In the last few months I have put several hundreds of rounds through both of them and both have functioned perfectly - not a single problem of any kind. Let me hasten to add that my Glocks have all experienced the same kind of flawless behavior. Both guns are very, very good.

Now the BUT. The XD's have a true single action trigger and it IMHO tends to be much crisper than that of the Glock whose trigger system is a combination of single and double action and, once again, IMHO tends to be somewhat more spongy than that of the XD. A simple trigger job on the XD can result in a "near 1911" kind of trigger let off and that's definitely a good thing.

In addition to the trigger safety system the XD also has a grip safety which I consider a tremendous asset in terms of safety and my personal peace of mind.

For me, the grip is really what separates the two. I find the XD's grip to be so much more ergonomic than that of the Glock that it just makes the complete difference to me. XD is surely my favorite! Better than the Glock? For me the answer is a resounding YES!

 

[RNB65]

Ultimately the answer to the OP's question is --

1. Study both guns until you have a good understanding how they are alike and how they are different. Both guns have excellent discussion forums where you can learn much --

http://www.glocktalk.com/
http://www.xdtalk.com/

2. Handle both guns (and shoot both if possible) to see which feels better in your hand.

3. Select the one you like better.

4. Enjoy!

 

['Card]

I've owned a Glock 21 for a few years. I've owned a 5" tactical XD-45ACP for a few months. I'm not really a collector - I tend to sell a gun if I'm not using it, and right now the Glock is getting pretty close to going on the market.

It's not that the Glock is a bad gun at all. It's truly an excellent pistol. For the most part, it's pretty comparable to the XD. It's just that I'm more accurate with the XD. I'm not saying the XD is more accurate, mind you. I'm saying I'm more accurate with it. Both shoot better than I do, but the grip angle and ergonomics of the XD make me a better shooter.

So the XD has a grip angle that I really like. It also has 'loaded chamber' and 'cocked' indicators (little buttons that pop up, so you can even feel them in the dark) that the Glock doesn't have. The XD has a grip safety, which I like. Pretty much the only edge the Glock had left was the Tennifer treatment, but with the Melonite (which is exactly the same process as Tennifer, with a different tradename for licensing reasons) treatment on the XD, that one is a wash now.

Point being that I can't think of a single purpose for my Glock that my XD wouldn't do as well or better.

 

[30 cal slob]

I'm a Glock owner, but have had the chance to shoot an XD or two (.40 shortnweak and .45 ACP).

I was pleasantly surprised by how well the XD shot and the ergonomics.

Truth be told, I'd be indifferent to either one given a choice.

 

[XDKingslayer]

Tazz your PMs came through just fine. All 6 of them.

And I am starting to see a trend with the whole Glock/XD battle. I'm seeing more and more Glock owners starting to see the XD in a better light. Either as superiour firearms or as helping lower the costs of their Glocks.

 

[ugaarguy]

Triggers

There has been much said of the triggers in question on the two weapons and I feel it needs clarification. Neither weapon has a true double action nor single action trigger. In both weapons the striker is partially pre-cocked and pulling the trigger moves the connector back which finishes cocking, and then releases the striker. The difference is the degree to which each striker is pre-cocked. Most estimates put the Glock at around 60% pre-cocked while the XDs are in the 95-98% range; I will agree that XD is so far pre-cocked that it essentially is firing single action. The result is that the Glock feels more like a traditional double action and the XD feels more like a single action (and it is essentially single action). The reality is that main spring and hammer terms don't fit striker fired pistols so well. Even the old terms don't fit new designs using traditional mainsprings and hammers like Para's LDA, SIG's DAK, and H&K's LEM trigger systems. All partially pre-cock the mainspring to some degree, thereby smoothing and reducing trigger pull, while still retaining most traditional DA charecteristics. Maybe we should call them all PPA - Partially Pre-cocked Action - not really SA, but not entirely DA either.

 

[Tazz10m]

Quote by XDKingslayer: Tazz your PMs came through just fine. All 6 of them.

How embarrassing!

 

[Newton]

One other big advantage of going with the XD45 over the 9mm and .40 models is that it has Springfields new Melonite finish. This is similar to Glocks Tenifer finish and provides for superior resistance to corrosion and general wear on the guns metal components.

 

[RNB65]

There has been much said of the triggers in question on the two weapons and I feel it needs clarification.

Thank you for that, uhhhhh, clarification.

 

[doofus]

I posted this in the "Cooper on Glocks" thread, but it seems at least somewhat relevant here:

Glock really needs to do some innovating...

I don't necessarily think so...the same argument could be made against 1911 pattern pistols as well.

IMO, Glocks:
1. Work.
2. Use a simple design (which I tend to favor; less to break).
3. Have ergonomics that work for me.

As a tangential to this topic, I think it's odd when I read so many posts concerning "poor" ergonomics of one pistol or another. Maybe I'm just not experienced enough (I've been shooting for about 10 years), but I don't find it all that difficult to adapt to a specific pistol; there are pros and cons to any design.

Sure the Glock grip angle is more extreme than -- for example -- a 1911, but the trade off is a very low bore-axis. I don't think there are many mainstream pistols with "poor" ergonomics...it's simply a matter of what you prefer.

 

[Valkman]

I too have seen the torture test the XD went through and it will stand up to everything the Glock will. Should've saved the site, maybe they have it over at www.xdtalk.com

Grip safety - that alone makes the XD better to me seeing as I come from 1911 familiarity. Add that great grip angle and mag capacity and the XD 45 truly shines. The first time I shot my 4" model I shot it as well as my 1911's and went ahead and qualified with it for my carry permit.

Finish - there is no problem with the new finish SA is using.

There's also no problem loading the 13 round mags for the .45acp. My friend has a .40 XD and cannot load the last round in the mag but you don't even need the mag loader to get 'em all in the new mags.

 

[yy]

Thank you all.

I apologize for my absence in the last 48 hours. Internet problems.



I thank all of you for making this thread a very intelligent and civil discussion about Glocks and SA XDs. I suspect I'm as informed as I could be without shooting both weapons and studying their manuals and patents extensively.

I think das summed up my feeling best: All this talk has got me, a glock owner for price, really interested in a XD .45. (instead of a SA GI)

Special thanks to XDkingslayer for the info.

And to ugaarguy for the short essay on triggers. You did clarify things for me.

And you're right, RNB65, there's no substitute for personal experience. Off to the range I go!




Now if there's anybody who lives close to me, has a XD45, and can loan me the pistol at a range, I'll quit being an armchair philosopher. (I live in Ventura County/Los Angeles County)

 

[gogetumnow]

I do not own any XD's..yet. The XD's I've handled and fired I've loved. I really want one, but, until Springfield changes their insane policy of not selling most XD parts to the public I will not buy one. I refuse to send a pistol overnight at the cost of $40 each way for some guy to spend 5 minutes replacing something like a $20 worn extractor that I could've done myself. Besides, IMO, you should have spare parts for common parts on any pistol you stake your life on.

Mark my words though, if this policy changes, I'll be in line for 2 XD's please.
One each service model in 9 and 40.

Springfield, are you listening?

 

[American By Blood]

Do all XDs in .45ACP have the new coating or were some shipped with the older coating?

If the latter, what serial numbers should I be looking for to make sure I get the new coating?