Pros & cons Glock 34 vs. Springfield XD for USPSA Comp?

[srstraley]

Hey Guys. I'm an avid shooter but am just getting into uspsa competition. I plan on shooting 9mm in production class and have narrowed my choices to the Springfield Armory 5" XD and the Glock 34. Which one do you prefer?
Which one's better for shot recovery, recoil management, ergonomics, trigger reset/pull, etc? I plan on putting Dawson adjustable fiber optic sights on either one so factory sights are not an issue.
Any advice would be appreciated!!

Steve

 

[HSMITH]

I would take the Glock, it feels better in my hand. I really don't think you could go wrong with either one.

 

[Gary G23]

I prefer the XD because of the grip angle.

 

[sturmruger]

I have shot both

I have shot the Glock 34 and a XD9 extensively. I ended up going with a XD9 because it seems to feel better in my hand. I also like the tuned trigger on the XD better then the tuned trigger on the Glock 34. While I think my XD is the right choice for me it is hard to say which is better for you. If you end up getting a Glock don't even think about competing without sending it to Charlie Vanek for his excellent trigger work. If you get a XD then Canyon Creek is your best bet for XD trigger work.

I went with a Dawson .10 front fiber optic sight as well. You will not be disappointed with this sight in even cloudy skies it is so bright it jumps out at you. Here is a link to my gun when it was all done. As soon as I started shooting this gun I bumped from a middle of the road D to a high C. I am training right now so that I can make the bump to B before next summer. Both guns are great I am sure you will be happy with either gun for me the XD was the way to go.

One pic just to tease you a litte.

 

[Jhorn]

ipsc

I think you better check the rules for production, I do not think the Dawsons you want are allowed in production.

 

[oct_97]

I do not see a problem with Dawson sights in USPSA Production. However, the first shot has to be double action, an XD is not. I know the age old argument about Glock not being double action either. Tell it to the FBI, they declared it as such so USPSA allows them in Production.

 

[eerw]

Both are good guns...will mostly depend on which grip angle you like best..

the Dawson sights are OK of USPSA production..they just need to be notch and post type sights..IPSC production is a little more restricted.

I had a G34 with a Vanek trigger and it was nice..I have heard Rich at Canyon Creek can set up an XD really nice too..Barsto and Springfield will also trick out an XD..

USPSA and IPSC both use an approved list for production guns.in the US..the G34 and the XD are allowed..

 

[Correia]

One thing to think about, and one of the reasons I ended up selling my XD, is because of the capacity. It doesn't matter in USPSA (10 shot limit classes) or in IDPA, but I also want to run my pistol comp guns in 3gun, where I don't have a capacity limit. The Glock does have the capacity edge.

Both are really good guns, and I've had the crud kicked out of me by shooters using either.

 

[bofe954]

I think as far as grip angle you will just have to check them out and decide for yourself. The XD is a little more similar to the grip angle of 1911' s and such if you think you may be switching around in classes.

The XD is cheaper. You might want to look into cost of mags etc but I bet they are similar.

I use a G17 for production, if I was doing it over I think I'd get the XD. I could get a long slide XD for the cost of my G17 and still have a few bucks around for accessories. I think the major holster makers all have XD stuff now.

 

[artherd]

It's totally a personal call, I like the G34's grip angle and lower bore axis better.

 

[richardschennberg]

1. Go with the Glock 34 if you might want to shoot IDPA Stock Service Pistol Division.
2. If you want to shoot international IPSC Production Division (5" barrel limit, 5 lb. trigger), or GSSF Amateur Civilian or Amateur Guardian, you will need a Glock 17.
You could buy the Glock 34 now and plan to buy a Glock 17 before entering an international IPSC match or GSSF. In any case definitely get a holster that will fit the Glock 34. It will also fit all other 9mm, .357 and .40 Glocks.
Richard
Schennberg.com

 

[Chris Rhines]

Both are good guns, but I would advise taking the Glock. The high bore axis and long trigger reset on the XD Comp will cost you time in the splits.

- Chris

 

[srstraley]

Thanks for the advice guys! There's a gunshop near me where I can rent both and try them out. Hopefully after that I'll have a better Idea which one feels right for me. Any more thoughts on the subject is appreciated.

Steve

 

[artherd]

1. Go with the Glock 34 if you might want to shoot IDPA Stock Service Pistol Division.
2. If you want to shoot international IPSC Production Division (5" barrel limit, 5 lb. trigger), or GSSF Amateur Civilian or Amateur Guardian, you will need a Glock 17.
You could buy the Glock 34 now and plan to buy a Glock 17 before entering an international IPSC match or GSSF. In any case definitely get a holster that will fit the Glock 34. It will also fit all other 9mm, .357 and .40 Glocks.
Richard

One nice thing, (sorta, cost savings isn't huge. Also not sure if it's legal in IPSC Production) the Glock 34 and 17 share the same basic frame. Slide release (extended), mag release(extended), and the trigger(3.5lb vs 5lb) are slightly different in the G34, but a 17 slide & bbl goes right on.

 

[Island Beretta]

g34..more versatile, more options, better shooter.. I would compare the XD9 tactical more to the G17.

 

[harmon]

the glock will last longer, be more accurate and more reliable.

look into getting a G35 and reloading. 3.5 grians CLAYS and 180 FMJ make a super soft shooting minor 40 load and with the 10 round mag restriction on production, you give up nothing on mag capacity.

bump that 180 grain bullet out the barrel at 950 fps and use some full capacity mags, you have you a limited gun...or with standard mags shoot Limited 10.

i get 20+1 rounds in my glock 40 with dawson 140mm mag extensions.
4.2 grains titegroup, 180 FMJ, federal 200 primers, mixed range brass makes major at 172 power factor from the Glock model 22s KKM barrel.
3.5 grains Titegroup, same bullet, same primer, same brass makes a sweet production load...if it seems dirty, try CLAYS for minor loads.
all loads are loaded to 1.135 OAL.

a 9mm XD and your stuck in production untill you buy another gun

+1 on the dawson sights, just dont get the three dot sights, YUCK!

 

[faustulus]

you'll probably be happy either way you go. as pretty much everyone has said it is personal preference.
Unless you are dead set on it I would avoid the .40 unless you really plan on jumping to limited or lim 10 soon. Or you like the recoil characteristics of the .40. 9mm will be cheaper to shoot and in production there is only minor powerfactor. There is nothing keeping you from shooting a 9mm in lim or lim10 (Heck I do it now)
I would go with the fiberoptic sight.
Also if you go with the XD springfield has some nice options at the custom shop. I fell in love with one of their custom shop XDs they had at the single stack classic this year.

 

[artherd]

Hrm with +p+ ammo my G34 gets 'em moving pretty good with the long barrel. Might make major PF.

The nice thing with the Glock is a .40cal is just a bbl and recoilspring swap away!

 

[faustulus]

Hrm with +p+ ammo my G34 gets 'em moving pretty good with the long barrel. Might make major PF.

unless it is open you need a .40 cal to make major.

 

[atek3]

the glock will last longer, be more accurate and more reliable.

I disagree. I shoot a worked over XD40 like the one shown. I've only put 5k through it so I can't attest to the longevity (though chuck taylor can), but I can attest to it's accuracy and reliability. In the ~4k I've shot in competition I've had two malfs, one was a limp-wrist caused by shooting weak handed and not holding the gun well, and the other was caused by a friend's poorly sized handload.

To me it comes down to trigger versus bore axis. The trigger done by Rich Dettelhouser on an XD is light, crisp, and has a short reset, very close to a true single action IMHO. OTOH, the bore axis is slightly higher on an XD. Choose which is more important to you.

atek3