Springfield XD Grip Safety

[SCBradley]

it is not "pre-cocked" as a Glock, or M&P is.. the grip safety is there as a function of it being a single action..

That's true, but...

The XDs I've fired have had a similar trigger weight to my Glocks, and a longer pull.

It's not a 1911 with a 4lb trigger and an eighth of an inch of travel.

There's no more reason for the XD to have a grip safety than a Glock, Kahr, or M&P.

It's a marketing gimmick that appeals to people uncomfortable with striker fired pistols and pistols lacking a thumb safety.

 

[-v-]

Doesn't make the pistol safe. If you are manipulating the pistol in a realistic manner, you will automatically depress and the grip safety by the very nature of holding the pistol. This completely negates an potential benefit of the grip safety. It IS a marketing gimmick, and nothing more. That said, I do own an XD, and it is by far my favorite daily carry gun. In fact, I carry it close to 90% of the time. The grip angle of the gun was a big selling point for me, not some fan-dangled safety.

Also, the XD is a true SA firearm, unlike the striker-fired Glock. The firing pin is fully cocked in the XD and the trigger simply releases the sear. Anyone who states otherwise, has never handled or examined the XD. Considering I have one sitting all of 8 inches away from me, I think I would know!

The 6lb trigger pull and the long travel on the XD is just a side-effect of the poor implementation of the lock-work. Any of the competent XD pistol-smiths can reduce trigger travel to 1/8" total and weight down to an ounce, if so desired. Not 1911 level, but not shabby either.

 

[Balrog]

It's a marketing gimmick that appeals to people uncomfortable with striker fired pistols and pistols lacking a thumb safety.

It is not a marketing gimmick, its a design feature that appeals to people uncomfortable with striker fired pistols lacking a thumb safety.

 

[runningfast]

A question from an ignoramus.

Why does the actual trigger compositon of the gun matter, here, regarding the utility of a grip safety? Glocks and XDs have comparable trigger pulls... and so regardless of how they are composed internally, wouldn't they both benefit from a similar auxiliary safety mechanism?

 

[SCBradley]

Glocks and XDs have comparable trigger pulls...

Yes, they do.

wouldn't they both benefit from a similar auxiliary safety mechanism?

No. The only benefits a grip safety offers are: extra parts, something else to break/malfunction, easing the minds of people afraid to holster a gun for fear of shooting themselves.

I don't go around willy nilly unholstering and reholstering my carry piece all day, so Glocks don't put me at ill ease. If it's loaded, it's holstered. Whether it's on my person or in the safe, it's holstered.

I also don't believe a grip safety is likely to prevent even a fraction of negligent discharges. Most ND's seem to happen when a person has a firm grip on, and their finger on the trigger of, a firearm they didn't believe to be loaded. Further, I'd be willing to bet that most ND's that aren't caused by the preceding explanation, actually are.

 

[runningfast]

Thanks for your input, Bradley, but I believe I failed to make myself clear.

My question was a response to the comments that grip safeties are helpful for XDs but are 'not necessary' for Glocks. I'm not staking a claim on the actual efficacy of grip safeties... but if they're useless for one they're useless for either- and conversely, if someone disagrees with you and thinks they're useful for one... they should be useful for both, yeah?

I can understand holding the position that

a.) grip safeties are simply another mechanical introduction that could foul up my weapon and will virtually never accomplish anything... on Glocks or XDs

or

b.) grip safeties are reassuring, and in the event of non intentional trigger pull while holstering or drawing, they may prevent a ND... on Glocks or XDs

What I don't understand is the position a few other posters have suggested: that what's good for one isn't good for the either.

That's what I'd like explained.

 

[kludge]

I voted no, but not for the reasons you would think...

The reason I voted no is because the operator, not a feature on the gun, is what makes a gun safe.

The OP mentions "similar guns like a Glock."

The Glock is not single action like the XD - two very different guns that share the fact that they are both polymer framed, regardless of trigger pull weight. If an XD is dropped trigger pull weight matters little, if it lands the right way the sear will disengage. Not so on a Glock.

I would *not* carry a single action with the chamber loaded (like an XD) without the grip safety.

I *would* carry a Glock (double action) in the same condition.

I *would* carry a *modern* 1911 cocked-and-locked without a grip safety.

If you reholster with your thumb behind the slide the grip safety prevents a snag or errand finger from causing a ND. This reholstering method also helps to seat the gun well and prevents it from coming out of battery during the process.

I agree with this post. You have to look a Glock into the holster for this very reason.

 

[runningfast]

Kludge, per my understanding the XD line has a drop safety in case of undirected sear disengagement

 

[Guillermo]

I chose the XD over the Glock because of ergonomics. The grip safety was not part of the decision.

For me it doesn't add or detract from the gun in any significant way. I would guess that on the occasion if you were to catch a shirt when reholstering if might save you from an unintended discharge.

 

[jwalker497]

So it seems that if someone carries with a good holster (cover the trigger) the Grip safety really does little. The only issue where it might be safer is when holstering or reholstering? correct??

Also would the Glock or XD be equally safe if accidentally dropped with a chambered round?

 

[REAPER4206969]

if it lands the right way the sear will disengage.

The trigger safety prevents this. The grip safety is unnecessary.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Also would the Glock or XD be equally safe if accidentally dropped with a chambered round?

Yes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeZtdfrbBds

 

[unloved]

nope...partially cocked.

Nope, fully cocked. A trigger press performs the single action of releasing the striker to fire a round.

The post you've referenced is mistaken, as you are.




I'm considering pinning, or otherwise disabling the grip safeties on my XDs. Haven't made a decision yet.

 

[220slow]

Another vote for the grip safety. It can help when reholstering a weapon. Another post mentioned jacket pullstrings. Clothing can get in your way also. This can happen with a Glock or M&P too.With the hammer guns a shooter can put his thumb against the hammer and feel if something is wrong while holstering. You see fewer and fewer holster designs for a glock with a safety strap for that reason.

 

[REAPER4206969]

You see fewer and fewer holster designs for a glock with a safety strap for that reason.

Holster thumb breaks are worthless too...

 

[SCBradley]

Holster thumb breaks are worthless too...

+1...

 

[Lucky Strike]

Like some others have mentioned I like it for the added safety factor when holstering

 

[jwalker497]

Does the fact that the XD is Fully cocked whereas the Glock is partially cocked mean one is more safe than the other, perhaps if it was dropped??

 

[REAPER4206969]

No...

 

[jwalker497]

I'm really surprised to see the poll results so far, majority seem to feel it is a safer design but in reality the discussion tends to indicate that there's only a slight advantage to the grip safety when it comes holstering and/or carrying Holsterless.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Springfield Armory has a good marketing department.

 

[leadcounsel]

It's the one feature I wish Glock employed.

 

[REAPER4206969]

It's the one feature I wish Glock employed.

Glock doesn't make novelty guns.

 

[David E]

Glock doesn't make novelty guns.

Really? Ever hear of the Glock 37, 38 and 39, all chambered in the uber popular, easy to find caliber, the .45 GAP ??

 

[cz85cmbt]

Everyone calm down, no one seems to care that a 1911 has a grip safety and as said above it has a light single action pull however it also has a manual thumb safety. I think the grip safety really never gets in your way, so why not. I really don't like striker fired guns because I think a manual safety is much more safe. One situation is reholstering a gun where a manual safety is much safer to have. Most people don't look a their holster as they put their gun back in it and shirts can bunch up in and around the holster, make it inside the trigger guard and snag the trigger. A manual safety would not fire but any number of striker fired pistols will.
Glock's and other companies made striker fired pistols partially because many people could not handle a manual safety in a heated or stressful moment but could not shoot as well with a double action trigger pull. In the end nothing can take the place of training and caution. No matter how you prefer your pistol to be setup you must be habitual with your safety practices otherwise you will get hurt one day. I won't go on about specific situations but please let me know if you think I'm wrong.