Springfield Armory: XD-45 VS 1911?

Which would you pick?

  • XD-45 Tactical

    Votes: 82 51.9%

  • 1911 Mil-Spec

    Votes: 76 48.1%
  • Total voters
    158
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Z

Zeede

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Well, I shot an XD-45 tonight, the Service size I believe (4" barrel) and I was surprised at how well it shot for me. Now I have a tough decision to make, and thought I'd ask all y'all here.

XD-45 Tactical VS 1911 Mil-Spec

The price is roughly the same. Both guns fire the same ammo (.45 ACP) through the same length barrel (5"). Neither will be used for concealed carry, so that is not a factor. Accuracy out of the box, triggers, reliability and ease of maintenance/breakdown are important. Aftermarket parts are not as important to me.

Cameron
 
Like Youngster, I'd rather have a good hi-cap polymer gun over a budget 1911. Unless you really like 1911s, then maybe a Taurus PT1911 would be the ticket.
 
Lower price doesn't mean lesser quality every time. The SA Mil Spec has a good rep.
 
Different guns both are very good. Sold my XD45 because I couldn't conceal it and bought and XD40sc for that. I have a nice 1911 on the nightstand.

I realize this is no help at all because all that matters is ... What do you want from it?

If I had to choose just one.... For out and out burning up ammo at the range or for home defense I'd go for the XD45. For less worry about scuffs and nicks I'd go with the XD45.

For something slimmer that may fit your hand better 1911.
For shooting a 45 like a 45 was meant to be shot .... 1911 :evil:


sorry I had to
 
If you prefer 1911s you might want to go with the mil-spec. I miss the one I traded more than I miss my colt 1991A1.

However, I prefer the 1911, and would go with the XD, since I already own several 1911s.
 
I have the very same delima. Either a 1911 or a SA XD Tactical.

Since they are both just for fun I figured I will get both eventually but I finally decided to get the XD first. They are both very cool guns and for something that is just gonna be a range gun for me it really dose not matter. I just decided that since I have already owned a 1911, sold it, I should get an XD this time.

Some people love 1911s. For them 1911s are the end all be all perfect pistol and every 1911 problem is the result of people not building/shooting/loading/cleaning them as they were meant to be built/shot/loaded/cleaned. Nothing wrong with that, I have heard tales of very reliable 1911s that were. For those folk I say get a 1911.

For everyone else I say get a XD first. They are great guns and you don't have to join a new religion.
 
I have a XD 45 Tactical and a SA 1911 Loaded. Here's how I would rate the criteria you listed.

Reliability - XD, but it depends on what you're going to be shooting. If you're going to be feeding it a varied diet of ammo, the XD eats everything I've fed it. If you're just going to be shooting ball, it's closer to a wash.

Accuracy - 1911 but the XD isn't bad.

Trigger - 1911. One caveat, my out of the box trigger from Springfield was too heavy and I had to send it back under warranty. It came back with a terrific trigger and they refunded my shipping. Took two weeks. It's in a different league than the XD's trigger.

Breakdown/Maintenance - XD is easier to breakdown but I don't note any big advantage between the two. 1911 requires an allen wrench, XD requires a trigger pull if either of those are an issue to you.

I prefer to shoot the 1911 but I sleep next to the XD.
 
Reliability - A properly tuned 1911 will not fail, regardless of some peoples hopes and dreams.

Accuracy - Do I even need to comment here?

Trigger - (Refer to "Accuracy")

Breakdown/Maintenance - XD is easier, but only by a very small amount. You still have to put it back together correctly for it to work.

I would go with the 1911. Although, I would reccomend a Mil-Spec if you decide upon the 1911. It has the flared and lowered ejection port which helps with getting rid of the brass a bit more easily.

You don't really have to join a new religion when purchasing a 1911 but until you own one you cannot understand where these "Fanatics" are coming from.

The full size 1911 is easier to conceal than the XD. Just my personal opinion of course.
 
I have shot a couple of the "XD" series, and I felt that it did not 'fit' my hands properly. I shot them reasonably well, but not as well as my Springfield 1911-A1 "GI-45". Even with those tiny sights on the GI-45, I shot it better.
 
On the loaded model yes, because of the two piece FLGR. However the mil-spec has the correct guide rod and no tools are needed.
Click to expand...

Yep and the FLGR and plug aren't difficult or expensive to replace. I did so with both my Kimber and my Dan Wesson. I don't see any advantage to the FLGR and I prefer to have my 1911s "GI disassembly" (I even replaced the hex grip screws on both pistols with slotted screws). May seem goofy to others but works for me.
 
Hmmmmmm

I have an XD45 Service and several 1911s -- carry & target/range guns. :D
I usually carry a 1911 (IWB). Despite the weight & size, the disappear nicely (ed. note: My new Sig 225 9mm feels really good on my belt, lighter and spooky accurate.) But, for the "bumps in the night" situations, I grab the XD -- simply more firepower.:eek:
 
The price is roughly the same. Both guns fire the same ammo (.45 ACP) through the same length barrel (5").
Click to expand...
Not to nit pick, however the statement above is not correct. The XD you list has a four inch barrel, not the five inch of the 1911. I own an XD45 4" and two 1911s. The XD lives in my bedside table drawer as I prefer the larger magazine capacity. The 1911s go to the range with me for IPSC and other fun stuff.;)
 
Accuracy out of the box, triggers, reliability and ease of maintenance/breakdown are important. Aftermarket parts are not as important to me.
Click to expand...

Given that, it's a wash. Pick one, whichever one feels better in your hand. Buy it.

If you are going to tinker, 1911.
 
I voted 1911, but I am partial to them. I had an XD .45 and it was an excellent gun. I traded it because I prefer my 1911's for a .45 platform.
 
If you must get the XD first then, you absolutely MUST save and get a nice 1911. I can damn near guarantee that you will carry it more often.

I bought a Colt 1911, carried that, bought a sp101 carried that, then got an XD, then bought another 1911 (high end) and now that is my primary carry and has been since Xmas.

Also to add another bit, the 1911 conceals much better than the XD, not just the gun mind you that isn't so bad but the extra mag is HUGE. Double stack mags are thick as sin.
 
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