[cidirkona]

After trying out some Springfield XDs and Glocks, I think I'm going to be trading in ye old reliable (and heavy) Springfield 1911. I will soon be getting a CCW and a Kel-Tec P-3AT, but I would also like something to have a little more stopping power than a .380 (.40 or .45) - but still a small profile for concealed carry.

Glock 30s and 27s seem good to me (wouldn't mind a 33 either), but the XDs felt alright and have more safties and features. HS2000talk had some hints of a subcompact xd40 and maybe even an xd45.

Does anyone have any info on when these larger caliber and/or smaller profile XDs will come out? Is it worth standing around and waiting (while being tired down by the weight of the 1911 - hey, Im a small guy) for these new XDs to come out? I wish I could shoot them side by side.. but it's not even out yet!

-Colin

[keederdag]

My .02 = Glock. Shot both, Sprinfields Ok, Glocks Great.:D

[Quack]

the XD-40 sub should be out at the start of the year. for a sub sized gun, the XD feels better in my hands over the G27 that i had. the XD has 1 more safety than the Glock, both have the trigger safety and the firing pin safety, but the XD is also FULLY COCKED so i see the need for the extra (Grip) safety. the Glock is partially cocked and is only fully cocked when the trigger is pulled.

[Longbow]

The Block 30..errh.... I mean Glock 30 :D is too blocky for my taste, I prefer the G36 better, or how ' bout Kahr's line-up?

[cidirkona]

The G27 is smaller than the g30, and although there is ABSOLUTELY no place for your pinky, with the pearce +pinky mag cap thing, it feels great, stays small and actually gives the Vovlo-esque glock some curve to it.

I have a feeling it will be a while before Springfield comes out with a subcompact .45 none the less and xd-45...

I'm not sure what my next purchase will be - thank God that we live in a country where we have alot of good, legal options though.

-Colin

[MJRW]

Both Glock and the XD are fine pistols. However, some opinions on other things in your post:

1. Don't discount the 9mm. It is a fine round. I have no faith in "stopping" or "knockdown" power. I believe every round from .38 to .45 and everywhere in between is as valid of a self-defense round as any other. What really matters is how you fire it, what you are comfortable shooting. So, please, put away the M&S one shot stop table and pick up all of these firearms in 9mm, .40, .357 sig, and .45, give them a go at the range. Make your decision on that.

2. Smaller guns aren't always more concealable. I can't say that enough. In fact, mods, can we consider a sticky "if you are thinking of buying a CCW piece" and put in some basics of concealment? There are so many factors in concealment and box size of the firearm isn't a super big deal. I find width, holster selection, belt selection, holster placement, and attitude far more important than how long the barrel or grip is. My recommendation is to find something you are comfortable firing first. Then figure out how to carry it.

By the way, the answer to all your questions is Glock 19 ;) .

[cidirkona]

Really? My next question was going to be "What is the crappiest Glock?" hahaha Just kidding. :)

9mm is ok, and I've shot plenty, but I am going to be carrying a keltec p-3at at all times legal though as well. Although I have to admit I do usually discount the 9mm fairly quickly...

If the .40 is the same price as the 9mm... why not go with .40?

-Colin

[MJRW]

Lots of reasons you may choose 9mm over .40.

1. You may shoot better with a 9mm. I certainly do.
2. 9mm has a LONG history of being effective.
3. 9mm is much less expensive to shoot.
4. Pre-ban high cap magazines are more plentiful.

[10-Ring]

Either the XD or Glock will serve you well as long as you've put the practice into it.
As for 9 mm or 40, I like the 9 in the smaller guns simply because I can shoot it better & faster the the 40.

[Gary G23]

Get the XD-40. It is not hard to conceal at all. I've owned lots of Glocks but now I carry an XD.

[45+]

I have owned G23, G27, and G30, but I personally carry a Glock 21 as my ccw. I am 6'3 and 245, so I have lots of room to conceal a large gun. I like having the extra sight radius and the big caliber. My G21 is not even a "bad" choice in the country when I go camping, etc. It really works well for me.

I agree with MJRW about giving the prospects a go at the range and then pick one. I would not feel undergunned with the right 38 +P on up, but it needs to be one I can shoot well, not just one I can shoot.

The best to you as you make your choice.

[George Hill]

An XD .45? Shut'yo'mouth!
That would be NICE.

[LeonCarr]

Glock

[N3rday]

Get yourself a Hi-Power, lose that sissy Combat Tupperware!

Lol JK, love polymer guns, Gaston had a good idea. From what i've heard, Springfield Armory is on the uprise, and the XD looks like a great gun.

Not as many options and no .45s or 10mms yet, but just LOOK at that 3" subcompact! Tiny ars pistol

[ChickenHawk]

Glock Glock Glock! :p

ChickenHawk

[Ford]

XD XD XD! :neener:

[zahc]

XD XD XD

[gbelleh]

I haven't had much luck with Glock. If it were my decision, I'd go with the XD.

[shooter.45]

Glock :D

[dan_s]

Shoot a box through each first, then decide. I did, and am a very happy XD-9 owner..

[ARperson]

A gun is only as safe as its user. So all those external safety features don't mean crap if the user is an idiot. (Not to imply that anybody is an idiot, to be sure.)

Personally, I like the Glock safety design. Point and shoot has always been a big plus with me. :D

[cosmonick]

I really like them both, but lean towards the Glock for simplicity. I know the grip safety on the XD isn't that complex, but it is one more thing that could malfunction (however unlikely). For me personally, I've never liked grip safeties. Not because they're a bad idea, but sometimes I have to adjust my grip to ensure that it is fully engaged. In that brief moment that I'd ever have to use a pistol defensively, I want my CCW to be as simple as possible. Glock is definitely that.

[Oracle]

I'd get the Glock because it's more corrosion-resistant. If you do get the XD, get the one with a more corrosion-resistant finish, the standard model I have heard has some rust issues.

[natedog]

I really like XD's...the grip is just right for me.

[tac17]

Glock

[cidirkona]

Wow, lots of good opinions. Keep in mind thought that I do plan on carrying a Kel-Tec P-3AT .380 at all times legal, so I'll have something decent and 9mm-ish sized for not-as-dangerous situations.

I have shot quite a few different models of Glocks, the 30 being the most favorite, although the 27 felt good in my hand over the counter at the shop... haven't shot it though. Put a box through a XD-40, liked it and all the extra goodies...

If I went with XD, I'd want to wait for the subcompact 40 - maybe even the 45 if it comes out decently soon (40subc is scheduled for first quarter 2004). If I get the Kel-Tec, it'd either be g27, g30 or xd-40. If I don't get the p-3at, I might go with the subcompact xd-9. The idea of larger caliber suits me as I've heard too many LA Riot stories of them being able to put 20 or so 9mms in a suspect before he goes down. I don't feel like trying to fit a 31 round clip as CCW....

Either way, I've still got the Springfield 1911-A1 Compact which shoots great but 1) it's as heavy as Ricki Lake at an ice cream convention and 2) my 110lb fiance doesn't have the strength to pull the slide back quickly. Maybe I should just get us a weight set and save the hassle and money ;)

Also, I'm going for my CCW this weekend in AZ -- anyone got any suggestions??

-Colin

[cidirkona]

Hmm... after reading alot of posts, it seems to be 50/50. There are alot more glock owners due to history of production, but I think like/dislikes are still 6 in one hand and half dozen in the other for both...

The only thing that still bothers me is the finish on the XD... unless the xd-9 sub C has a really nice feel to it... I might have to go with the 27 with a pearce +pinky...


-Colin

[JSR]

The Bi-Tone stainless XD doesn't have the corrosion/wear problems. Combine the service model with a FIST # 8 and you'll barely know its there!
XD!

[MK11]

I don't care for the larger XDs but the subcompact is sweeeeeeeeet! That would be my choice.

Converserly, I can't stand the Glock 26/27 (it's like pointing a Rubik's cube) but like the mid-size and full-size Glock's very much.

[cidirkona]

Does anyone have any side by side pictures of the baby glocks and an XD subcompact...? If I went with one of those still, I'd want to wait until the xd40 SC came out... I'd feel jipped if I got a 9mm and the 40 came out a month or two later.

That two tone thing looks like poo to me - but if it makes the finish last longer I'd consider it. Does the SubC 9mm come in two tone?

-Colin

Update: I checked the keltec sight and a few holster sites. The sites don't say that it fits the p3at... but at only .02" difference in width (and only in the grip at that) I would assume it would fit. Slide widths are the same I beleive. Are those fobus paddles adjustable retention?

[Correia]

cid, I just feel like I need to address some of your concerns.

The Springfield you have isn't neccesarily too heavy. A good belt and a good holster will go a long way towards making that extra 8 ozs feel like not that big of a deal. As for slide racking, a little bit of practice and good technique will really help. For inside the waist band carry the 1911 is thinner than either the Glock or the XD.

Also don't believe the gun magazine hype about how much more effective .40 and .45 are over 9mm. ( personally I carry a big honking .45 but that is besides the point). All handguns are under powered. If you look at the numbers of the 3 cartridges using high quality ammunition the differences aren't nearly as great as the skill of the person doing the shooting.

When I instruct new people I often recommend the 9mm because A. Recoil is mild. B. If you don't reload, practice ammo is far cheaper.

And finally the Glock and the XD are both good guns. I've been whooped in competition by shooters using either. They shoot differently so honestly I think you should get your hands on both, and shoot the heck out of them to see which one fits you better personally.

[cidirkona]

Hm, all valid points, thank you.

I don't read gun magazines first of all. I read this forum and sparce internet reviews - taking them all with a grain of salt. I've got to keep the 1911 for a little while anyways (I'm a college studnet, things take time to save up for). CCWing a p-3at seems far simpler than a 1911 though... well priced too. I'm a little guy too, to the weight differences do add up. I'll have to try out a nice small-of-back holster though before I give up the .45 for a .38.

Once again though, my fiance cannot pull the slide on the 1911 - so something's got to be usable for both of us.

-Colin

[borodin]

I had at one time the XD9 4 inch barrel in all black. It was a tremendous shooter and was very very accurate. The only problem was that after only a few days I had a huge and deep scratch on the slide. I would add that I am very picky if not "anal" about taking care of my guns. After browsing the HS2000/XD web forum I found that many others had finish issues as well. That is, in my opinion, the ONLY thing that is wrong with the XD with the exception that it has only a few model selections compared to Glock. I now carry a G36 and it is much more durable in finish. Hard to say if one shoots better than the other cuz i went from 9mm to .45 and 9's are easy to shoot. Either way you will be ok, but it will be a while till SA comes out with anything new in the XD line.

[Alerion]

I'd suggest you might want to try a good IWB holster before you try a small-of-back. Having the gun inside the waistband helps in both supporting the weight and concealing the gun. I've never been able to tolerate a small-of-back holster since I like to sit down once in a while.

Before you spend the money try leaning back in a stiff backed chair with your gun in the middle of your back. The holster isn't going to make it any smaller! :D

Tom

[cidirkona]

Actually I have tried that. If the slide is straight up it's virtually impossible. If it is off to one side though - more straight out draw -- it's much more comfortable. I'll try putting my nylon holster IWB when I get home and seeing if I like the feel/look (or unnoticeability) (realizing that it is NOT a IWB).... Lots of things to think about...

Anyways, I've created a poll for you guys to post YOUR opinion on which one you think I shoudl choose, or you would in my place.

Thanks again for all the help,
-Colin

[cosmonick]

One thing that I'd be wary of with the XD sub-compact is that it's barrel is only 3". The G26 has a 3.46" barrel. Their overall lengths are almost the same, with the XD being a little shorter (0.03"). The reason that I mention it is that a half inch can make a decent difference in muzzle velocity, especially when comparing such short barrels.

[care-less]

If you are willing to trust your life to a Kel-Tec P3AT in 380, you sure as hell shouldn't worry about using a 9mm; nor about Glock or XD; both are far ahead of that baby! You should probably go visit www.ktog.org and do some reading up on that 380 model. Seems to be having some real problems. If you are going to carry a Kel-Tec product, get the P32, all the "issues" have pretty much been resolved with that one. Other than that, a Glock 19,23,or 32; or XD sub compact in 9mm as it is the only one available right now; any will serve you very well. Same goes for 26,27,or 33.

[longeyes]

"Once again though, my fiance cannot pull the slide on the 1911 - so something's got to be usable for both of us."

She's tried cocking the hammer first, then racking the slide?

[scottsw1]

I have an XD 40 and highly recommend it.

[roscoe]

You could also get a P11 or P40. Very CCW-able and will save you a chunk of money. My P11 is no range gun, but I have a hard time envisioning a situation where 11-13 rounds of 9mm wouldn't be sufficient where fewer rounds of .40 or .45 would. Keep in mind, 9mm is something like twice as powerful as .380.

[JMag]

To me, the XD subcompact's front-end looks the same size as the grip. In the dark, I might grip the wrong end....chunky, and butt-ugly the XD sub is, IMHO.

[HogRider]

The are both Tupperware, both are imported, both are good reliable guns, so in the end it comes down to what fits your hand better or is more pleasing to the eye.

[Preacherman]

As others have said, it boils down to which gun has a more natural "fit" in your hand, and which you shoot better. I've shot both, and like both: and I would agree that the XD has a slightly better trigger. However, one can get pre-ban magazines for the Glocks in all calibers, whereas the XD doesn't have them at all (yes, I know about the trick of using a .40 mag to load more than 10 9mm. rounds, but this is a work-around that isn't always reliable). Also, I agree that the Glock finish is more resistant to abuse than the XD's. So, for me, for purely practical reasons, I went for (or, rather, stayed with) the Glock.

[denfoote]

cidirkona,

Two words.
Glock 30!!!! :D

Resistance is futile.
You will be assimilated!! :evil:

Where you taken yer class at???

[C. H. Luke]

"The Block 30..errh.... I mean Glock 30 is too blocky for my taste, I prefer the G36 better,......"

Have had aal the Glock .45's except the .45 GAP { Gap is betwn. it and the real .45 ACP!} and have stuck with the 36 as a CCW for ca. 3 yrs. It can handle the hot Ranger T 230 gr. +P with ease........