Springfield XD vs. Glock

[RoarinRow]

Hi All,

I'm a newbie looking for some advice. For home protection and first time handgun owner I am trying to decide on the Springfield XD 40 SW and the Glock (not sure what the model number is, but should be 40 SW as well).

They both seem to have similar if not the same safety features, easy to clean, and are accurate from what I'm told. They have the same look and feel although I never shot any of them before.

Any thing else I need to consider or not for these two models? Must be 40 caliber and easy to use.

Thanks!

 

[orangeninja]

There are a ton of threads on this question...I recommend a search. For my .02 I recommend Glock. Glock is a little more refined and has a higher quality control. I have personally owned 5 Glocks and 4 XD's and though XD is a good gun, its quality control is not where Glock is as of yet. Also for ease of use and ease of maintenance, Glock finishes are the stuff legend is made of and nothing is easier to use than a Glock, pull the trigger, it goes bang, everytime.

Lastly, Glock .40's have less perceived recoil than XD, this could be grip angle, bore axis or funny little gremlins, I don't know, but in side to side comparison Glock seems to be less abusive.

Lastly Lastly, where I am you literally trip over Glock armorers at the range and police departments...I've never seen so much support for a product in my life.

 

[Stinkyshoe]

Get the Glock. Although the grip and grip angle on the xd feels better right away, I think the Glock has numerous advantages over the Xd. Just my conclusion. I don't think you'd go wrong either way though. Shoot one first, then decide...

 

[RoarinRow]

Great, thanks. This is the type of feedback that's hard to find on the net. Appreciate it.

 

[Marshall]

Both are great guns, I don't think you can beat this 4" stainless service model XD-40. Personally, I like the grip feel and grip safety.

 

[Kruzr]

I've shot both of them in various models of 9 and 40. I like the ergonomics of the XD better than the Glocks. FWIW, our range has both for rent. It's not uncommon for people to rent and shoot both to compare. I'd say it runs about 80% that people prefer the feel and trigger of the XD's. Our Glocks have the dreaded NY triggers but people say they like the feel of the XD better.
What this proves is each to his own. Only you can decide which is the better gun for you. Try both and then make up your mind.

 

[RoarinRow]

I did like the feel of the Springfield better, but you're right I should go and try them out.

 

[Gannet]

One thing to possibly consider is that Springfield has instituted a policy of no parts sales to anyone, period. That means that all service has to be done by sending it back to the factory.

Reports are that the factory service is good, with no squawking at all about the lifetime warranty, but it also means you are without your gun for weeks.

 

[RoarinRow]

Wow, that's good to know. How about for the Glocks?

 

[pax]

You can get Glock parts from a lot of different places (like www.glockmeister.com). Both Glock and Springfield have good service departments, though.

They both seem to have similar if not the same safety features, easy to clean, and are accurate from what I'm told. They have the same look and feel although I never shot any of them before.

Safety features: the XD features a grip safety, and the Glock does not. I personally do not like the grip safety, but you might prefer it. Mostly it's a matter of taste. The one difficulty I have seen with a grip safety, and the reason I don't like it, is that for some people it can be hard to hold the grip safety down while retracting the slide. If you have to shift your hand around in order to pull the slide back, it could be a problem for you. If not, it won't be. All depends on hand size.

Both are easy to disassemble & reassemble, both are easy to clean. Glock might have a very slight edge there, but if so, it's very minor.

Looks are very similar, though to my eye the XD is slightly more attractive.

Feel is slightly different in a couple of ways.

The triggers are very alike because they both have the trigger safety nubbly thing, but the trigger on the XD is going to be a little crisper when pulled and it is thus slightly better.

The grip sizes are very similar, but the grip angles are noticeably different. Most people seem to prefer the grip angle of the XD, but plenty prefer the Glock. You'll have to figure out which one works with your hands. My hands are the same size as my husband's, but he prefers the XD and I prefer the Glock -- probably because my wrists are more flexible than his. Handling them in the store would be good, and it would be better still if you could shoot both. Couple of folks I know prefer the feel of one but actually shoot the other one better.

That's about it. Oh, if I remember right, the XD is a little heavier. Not enough to matter, just something else to look at. Heavier generally means a little less felt recoil when you're shooting, but it also means less pleasant to carry around.

Can I ask why as a new shooter, you've chosen to go with the .40 instead of a 9mm?

pax

 

[orangeninja]

I've always thought the XD trigger had more play in it.

 

[RoarinRow]

Hi Pax,

From what I remember at the store, the XD felt more comfortable in my hand and yes I did like the look of the XD even though both are similar.

The Glock was good too, better than the Beretta I held, maybe because the Beretta was all steel.

Both stores I visited recommended the .40 as far as having more impact. The police officers and military people they have helped also use the .40 for more stopping power.

For home protection that seems to interest me more. I forgot to try the grip safety, so I will do that the next time I am there.

The minor differences in disassembly don't matter too much to me, but safety does. However, on the same token I want to be able to release all safety latches quickly and efficiently to release the trigger when I need too.

Alduro - you mean it has more play from side to side? Not sure I would like that, but maybe it was that gun in particular?

 

[pax]

As far as stopping power, with equally-good (hollowpoint) ammunition there really is not much difference between the two calibers. The .40 is only slightly more powerful, and it is used by more police depts, but it is also more expensive so you might not practice as much as you would with the less expensive 9mm. I've always thought the learning curve for new shooters was less steep with a 9mm than a .40, because of the recoil difference, and so you're less likely to develop a flinch if you start with a 9mm. That is just my opinion and you'll find lots of people who would argue with most of what I just said!

In any case, it doesn't matter so much what someone else thinks; what matters is what you think after researching it. If you want to go with the .40, there's definitely nothing wrong with it.

pax

 

[Pietro Beretta]

The thing about the XD grip saftey, You dont notice it when your fireing the gun, ever. Just grip the handgun like normal, and that "deactivates" the saftey.


The only thing the Glock has on the XD in my eyes: Finnish

I also hear that when completely disassembling the glock, when you go to re-assemble supposedly its near impossible to put a piece in backwards. Its been reported that the same is not near as true for the XD. However this is complete disassembly, not just a normal Field Strip. I think the XD field strips quicker than the Glock.

 

[RoarinRow]

I will have to rent these two models and shoot them at the range. Recoil is a consideration, but comfort and ease of use is higher on my priority list.

 

[albanian]

This has been done to death but there are few points that always come up.

1. They are very different feeling so you MUST at least hold each one before you buy. Side by side is better. Shooting both is best.

2. The finish on the black coated XD is not as good as the Glock.

3. The SS XD is never talked about for some reason but it is the only one that should be purchased.

4. The XD is less money than the Glock even in SS.


Those are 100% truths. For opinions, read on.

 

[RoarinRow]

Thanks for your feedback. As soon as I get more accustomed to the site, I'm sure I'll find these old topics more easily.

 

[GotGlock]

I handled both when i was "shopping" for a firearm, the guys at the shop showed me 2 pistols, the XD and the glock. I liked the glock grip more, it felt more natural and pointed better for me. Another thing i overheard the last time at the range, the XD that was sent to them for a rental broke after a month, and springfield was sending them a replacement, the glocks they have are all 2nd gen's that have more rounds through them then anyone can count. They said it was probably a lemon, but that still made me happy about my decision.

 

[Rockstar]

Roarin: The military doesn't use the .40. There's no "knock down" reason to choose the .40 over 9mm. Shoot some 9mm; price 9mm ammo; check out mag capacity of Glocks and XDs in 9mm.

I prefer Glocks, but a lot of people like XDs. I haven't run any scientific polls, nor am I aware of any, about the percentage of handgunners who prefer the grip of one over the other, so I can't comment on whether "most" prefer the XD grip. I'd opine, however, that "most" have felt Glock grips, as there are a coupla million more Glocks out there than there are XDs.

 

[RoarinRow]

I guess I know what I'm doing at lunch - going back to the store and handling both with a more careful eye and hand. As far as .9 and .40 it doesn't matter too much to me, but the store person mentioned stopping power and that sounded appealing to me.

I'll have to test both and see.

 

[Major Beer]

being a 9mm and 40 shooter, the 9mm ammo is cheaper. both guns are real close in design, so i becomes a chevy / ford thang - regardless, give us a post on what you bought and share you first range experience. both are quality made.

me i bought an XD because of feel, that was just me. i love it.

regardless of your purchase, plan on scoring some good ammo to run throught it, and also get some good self defense ammo for home D. i am not sure on what your experience is with handguns, but maybe look into some additional trainingas well.

shoot safe, and have fun

 

[The Reverend]

Other XD "improvements" over original Glock design:

1. Improved sights---the XD uses ALL METAL sights exactly like sights used on SIGARMS pistols... ie not plastic. Hence they are more durable and easily available if replacement is desired.

2. Metal Mags---Glock factory mags are plastic which in some situations will not drop free during a reload. XD mags are highly polished chrome or SS and drop free in every situation (unless you are dealing with a FTF or FTE and then no mag will drop).

3. Field Strip---The take down lever (again borrowed from SIG) improves the speed and simplicity of field stripping.

4. Grip Angle---while this has been mentioned, it bears mentioning again. For most shooters who would love to love GLOCK, the grip angle and handling qualities are the most common complaints. IM Metal heard these folks and took the one of teh most common grip angles out there (19 degrees) and incorporated it into their weapon. Yes, it is similar to the 1911 but it is also similar to the CZ-75/85, Beretta, SIG, and others.

5. Grip Safety---Again this has already been discussed, but again another common complaint is that the GLOCK's singular safety )safe action trigger) is not enough for some. The grip style safety is proven technology and is still a passive system. Unlike many guns with passive safeties, it does not hamper a good trigger pull as many have already attested, the XD trigger is a vast improvement OOTB over the GLOCK.

For years I have wanted to love the GLOCK. I love the durability and simplicity of the design, but there are simply too many minor issues that keep me from taking the plunge. The HS2000/XD design corrected many of those issues and has proven to be a highly accurate pistol that rivals my SW1911.

Both are great and should be considered by all who desire a serious defensive firearm.

Donning my flame suit!!!

God Bless!

 

[Texshooter]

I own both, I love both for different reasons (ain't America GREAT?) but nobody has mentioned------









THE STINKING FINGER GROOVES :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[Growler]

I'm sure glock is a very fine gun, but I prefer my XD 9. What turned me off from getting a glock was the grip angle. Only thing one can do is try both out.

 

[RoarinRow]

Well, I didn't make it back to the shop since I was on call for Jury duty, but I will definitely make plans for this weekend.

You all are awesome! Thanks for your feedback!