Glock 21 vs. Springfield XD45

Thanks for the review.

I have only examined the XD45 in my local gunstore, but I plan to sell my Glock 21 and buy one soon! There is nothing really wrong with the Glock, but the XD fits my hand so much better and I do like the grip safety and steel mags.

Hello All-

I'm told that Springfields new Melonite finish was first used on the
XD-.45 ACP's; but they plan too use it on all future XD's. Its longevity
is thought too be equal too Glocks Tennifer process? I think that
the jury is still out on this issue~!

Glock advantages IMO (in no particular order):

1. Longer track record
2. More support for fixing (armorers, gunsmiths usually know the Glock design a little better)
3. More parts and custom accessories available
4. Corrosion resistence
5. Long term durability?
Surefire is offline Report Bad Post


How about LAPD dropped Glock 21s off their approved pistol list after Glock came out 3 times to try to fix their pistols after numerous failure to fire and accidental discharges.

Thank you Surefire. Nice Review.

They're both good choices, but I'm in the XD camp for the reasons mentioned...

When I bought my first XD-45, I wish I could remember the gentleman's name but he was a very helpful and knowledgeable dealer because he was also a CCW trainer located I think in Waco somewhere. He was a hardcore member of the 1911 cult, but told me he liked the XD .45 platform for people who just didn't want a 1911. That's pretty high praise from one of those 1911 guys.

At any rate, he was a fan of the Glock 21 too as a 1911 alternative, and as a consequence he had both guns on display right next to each other. What amazes me so much is that if you just look at both of these guns, you think "Oh it's just a Glock and a Glock ripoff."

The instant you pick up one and then the other however, it's like night and day. I don't really care too much for Glock, I kind of like the Glock 19 and the Glock 30 to a lesser extent, but I've never had trouble resisting the temptation to buy either one. But the XD... man alive it's like somebody somewhere said "Okay, listen up, I am going to make a semiautomatic pistol just for you that is to your specifications so you can quit whining about how you don't like this or that or the other... There's your gun, now buy it!"

Seriously, the XD platform, although I found it a little weird at first as I'm still revolver centric in my thinking, was intuitive after just a little practice. I started on the XD40 and pretty soon I had a pair of XD40s. After about a year of trading, I traded my XD40s in and got .45s to replace them with, I acquired an XD9 service, and I wound up buying an XD9 SC from a friend. Other than a Ruger that has sentimental value, it's the only self loading platform I own because it's the best semiautomatic pistol I've found. I've tried other things and there are some nice semiautos out there, but I keep coming back to the XD.

Glock may get me yet in a moment of weakness, but I have 4 XD pistols and have owned 2 others. Two of these are XD45ACP service models. I'm quite happy with them and would buy another. I'm tempted by the XD45ACP tactical and if they ever try a SC version, I'll be all over that.

My only concern is that since they're made in such an unstable part of the world and are still a niche product, parts availability may be a problem one day, so I feel obligated to get them in pairs.

I have shot an XD 9mm and was not impressed at all. I know it isn't the 45, but the trigger was one of the worst I have shot! Different strokes for different folks, but man I hated the gun when I shot it...I much prefer the 21, but I still hold the USP as the most superior polymer 45.
-Mike

Speaking of the trigger, how is the XD45's reset? The Glock trigger reset is one of the better ones out there. I noticed shooting the XD 9mm some years ago that it was on the long side. A short reset is high on my list for desirable pistol traits.

Surefire said:

My XD will consistently put all 10 in the black.

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Only 10?

I have had no problems with Glock but hasn't there been some issues with them lately. I thought I read something about some parts that needed to be upgraded with the safer versions on the new generation Glocks?

How about LAPD dropped Glock 21s off their approved pistol list after Glock came out 3 times to try to fix their pistols after numerous failure to fire and accidental discharges.

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That may be true, but the XD45 has zero track record in police departments.

While the Glock 21 may have had some issues, we don't know if it is a couple guns out of hundreds or thousands, having problems; or every gun having problems(which i seriously doubt).

I thought I read something about some parts that needed to be upgraded with the safer versions on the new generation Glocks?

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That's a pretty OLD issue actually. There were 6 parts that received "upgrades" and that was quite some time ago.

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/upgrade-faq.html

Actually....I know of one Sheriffs Department, here in Texas, where the deputies have all exchanged their S&W 4706's for the new XD-45 Service. I think there are around 30 deputies and reservists.

Melonite is the same as Tenifer.

From http://www.durferrit.com/en/unternehmen/firmengeschichte.htm






To meet the growing needs with regard to wear and corrosion resistance, as well as the enhancement of the fatigue strength, great efforts were devoted to the development and launching of the TENIFER® process, which is also known worldwide under the trade names of TUFFTRIDE® and MELONITE®. This nitrocarburizing process has undergone continuous development with regard to its regenerability and ecology, and from year-to-year the number of applications is increasing on all 5 continents.

The LA G21 "problems" had to do with light strikes. Accidental discharges had nothing to do with the "problems." The LA, G21 non-problems have been pretty well covered in other threads.

Daniel T Quote:
Originally Posted by Surefire
My XD will consistently put all 10 in the black.


Only 10?


Maybe a 10 only state?

I am getting the XD .45 when I get home on mid tour leave, so I posted the link below. Fair price on the trigger job reccomended...gets the reset to about 1/8th of an inch!! I will post a thread when I get the pistol, then another after the trigger job, time will tell for me.

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Well then when they intro the XD 10 I'll be one of the first to que up.

Well then when they intro the XD 10 I'll be one of the first to que up.

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Yep, so for now I have a Glock 29 to keep my XD-45 company. I'm very pleased (and fortunate) to own each of them!

I can't make up my mind which one to leave home with and bring to work, so I bring both and one remains locked in the truck while one comes inside.

The XD .45 is a definite favorite of mine. It feels much better in my hands than my Glock. Both have been good to me but the XD by far is my favorite.

I'm told that Springfields new Melonite finish was first used on the
XD-.45 ACP's; but they plan too use it on all future XD's. Its longevity
is thought too be equal too Glocks Tennifer process? I think that
the jury is still out on this issue~!

Click to expand...

Hi, Dan!

I believe that Melanite and Tenifer are the same process, with Tenifer being Glocks proprietary moniker for the finish.

If you have a Sub-Compact, you don't have the melonite finish. That
finish is only available on our new XD .45 ACP models and we don't have
a Sub-Compact .45 ACP. It would have the black Armory Kote if it where
refinished here (unless you want it parkerized...but the Armory Kote is
a better finish). Armory Kote is the same finish that we use on our
1911 TRP. Melonite is the same thing as Tennifer (two companies, two
different names). We can not melonite an existing slide. That is done
overseas and during the heat treating process.

John Moe
Regional Dealer Representative
Springfield Armory
420 West Main St.
Geneseo, IL 61254
800-680-6866

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OOOPS~ I just saw the post from charlesb_la

I am getting the XD .45 when I get home on mid tour leave, so I posted the link below. Fair price on the trigger job reccomended...gets the reset to about 1/8th of an inch!! I will post a thread when I get the pistol, then another after the trigger job, time will tell for me.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=202952


SGT D
Mosul, Iraq

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Mine is at CC as we speak...Should have back the first part of next week.

The guy who got me into IDPA is a big Glock fan. I ran into him last night and he said this mutual friend of ours bought a .45acp XD and he likes it. He wants to borrow it for a match before he decides to buy one himself!

I am sorry my friend but i have to totally disagree with most of the things the xd ban wagon is saying.The xd is not even comparable to the g21.And what does lapd know about guns they use to use the stuff they confiscated off the criminals until they found the kimbers.They are the most gun hating crew out there.
First the magazines on a glock are steal lined and platic covered it is like your house with extra insulation and protection.Try dropping the xd mags fully loaded on the concrete it aint going to happen.The plastic also covers those sharp edges the xd has on the bottom of their mags.So if you need to grab quick you will not cut yourself.The glock is the only mag i know you can leave fully loaded and not worry about the spring wearing out.Unlike springfeild who is known for there weak springs thats why anyone who buys a springfeild 1911 they buy wilson mags.
The price=I have been researching this for awhile and the cheapest xd i found was 560.The cheapest glock i found was around 450.So glock won those two rounds.
Now ergonomics=The glock is known for the simplisity and feild stripping.Saying the xd is easier to take down is like saying we are getting our butts kicked by iraq.It is just not true.
all in all the glock does have the thicker grip but the xd ban wagon saying glock misses the paper is just wrong.Maybe who ever is shooting the glock should try aiming.I have yet to not score a hundred with my glock duty pistol and i dont think i ever will not.That is why 80% of leos out there are either issued glock or buy there own.And all that rubish about the discharge are 100% human error.And you shouldnt need a little bead in the back of the slide to tell you one is chambered.
Sorry glock wins by first round knock out and there will be no rematch.So get rid of all those sissy guns and get yourself a glock.When your life depends on it i wouldnt use nothing but the best.

I am sorry my friend but i have to totally disagree with most of the things the xd ban wagon is saying.The xd is not even comparable to the g21.And what does lapd know about guns they use to use the stuff they confiscated off the criminals until they found the kimbers.They are the most gun hating crew out there.
First the magazines on a glock are steal lined and platic covered it is like your house with extra insulation and protection.Try dropping the xd mags fully loaded on the concrete it aint going to happen.The plastic also covers those sharp edges the xd has on the bottom of their mags.So if you need to grab quick you will not cut yourself.The glock is the only mag i know you can leave fully loaded and not worry about the spring wearing out.Unlike springfeild who is known for there weak springs thats why anyone who buys a springfeild 1911 they buy wilson mags.
The price=I have been researching this for awhile and the cheapest xd i found was 560.The cheapest glock i found was around 450.So glock won those two rounds.
Now ergonomics=The glock is known for the simplisity and feild stripping.Saying the xd is easier to take down is like saying we are getting our butts kicked by iraq.It is just not true.
all in all the glock does have the thicker grip but the xd ban wagon saying glock misses the paper is just wrong.Maybe who ever is shooting the glock should try aiming.I have yet to not score a hundred with my glock duty pistol and i dont think i ever will not.That is why 80% of leos out there are either issued glock or buy there own.And all that rubish about the discharge are 100% human error.And you shouldnt need a little bead in the back of the slide to tell you one is chambered.
Sorry glock wins by first round knock out and there will be no rematch.So get rid of all those sissy guns and get yourself a glock.When your life depends on it i wouldnt use nothing but the best.

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