Glock 17 or XD .45

I have an XD .45 compact - LOVE IT!!

I'd pick the Glock 17, without a doubt. Glock (and the model 17, in general) has a loooong history of reliability, especially in the 9mm caliber... for which was its original caliber of Glock pistols. It also is known for awesome durability when put face to face with "the elements."


Glock 17 stock round capacity: 17 rounds in the magazine, 1 in the chamber = 18 rounds.

You can use 33 round magazines in your Glock 17, as well; along with a +2 round extension, on top of that. All that together, you'd have 36 rounds of 9mm on one gun.

Get maritime spring cups and you'll be safe when shooting it underwater. There's a video of a guy with a 33-round magazine shooting his 9mm Glock (19, I believe) under water with no problems whatsoever.

The aftermarket parts are enormous for Glock; especially if a part breaks, it's much easier to find the replacement part for your Glock, than with your XD, from what I'm hearing from other XD owners.

I don't see a need for a grip safety, personally. That's just me. It's one more thing that could screw up in a highly emotional, stressful life-and-death situation. A fact it will screw up? No. I just don't like the possibility of it being there to heighten that chance. That's just me though, and I'm sure plenty of XD'ers will come on saying they've never had problems with it. I've read of some that did. Again, it's just my preference.

Glock is very simple, and simple > complex, when it's a tool used to save your life one day. Glock is made up of few parts internally, and very easy and quick to take down and clean, as well.

Many in competition STILL use Glock overwhelmingly... and (imo) that says a lot. Admittedly, they use the Glock 34 Competition, because it has a longer barrel (5.32") and sight radius. Check that out, and also, if you can find one (they're somewhat rare), then look into the Glock 17L; it has an even longer sight radius, and a 6" barrel. But, from what I heard, it's not allowed in some competition shooting, since it's too long. Guess it'd give you a bigger advantage over others, if you had it.

i as well would pick the glock
my buddy has a 4inch xd 45
it has had a few hiccups ( i think he limp wrists it)

I'd personally go XD45compact.

But for yourself, I would go with which ever pistol felt better in your hands and which caliber you preferred (9vs45), and if possible which one you shot better.

Glock: easy to take down and clean...don't forget reliable and accurate!

That take down lever on the XDs are difficult to flip up; less strain, less pain.

+1 to everything that Northalius said above.

I prefer the Glock 17 over any other gun, too. It was my first centerfire handgun and had I the opportunity to do so, I wouldn't change anything.

As for the OP, select what suits you best and don't worry about what anyone "thinks" you should get.

I love my XD. To be honest when I first got it I wasn't sure if I liked it. I'd been shooting Sigs so long that it was so different. After I got used to it, I really like it. It's more accurate than I gave it credit for. I shot it in USPSA and did better than I usually do.

The grip feels much better in you hand than any Glock made. It is more accurate than any Glock I've ever shot.

I always notice that Glock fans talk about how many rounds you can carry, 10, 15, 33, 100 whatever. If your gun is accurate you won't likely need 33 rounds to get the job done. after shooting some Glocks I can understand why their owners need these33 round magazines. I'm also amused when I read how reliable Glocks are as if others aren't. Well, I've never had my XD fail on me. XD have been through torture tests too. They are as strong and reliable as the Glocks are if not more maybe.

The one area Glock does have it beat is that Glock has been around longer. That is true. Does it matter? Only time will tell. Back when Glock was a new company to firearms manufacture, did it make the G19 a piece of crap? No, it didn't. The XD has been around long enough to know that it's a great weapon.

In the end, what will matter most is how YOU shoot them. Try them out head to head and see.

I was a Glock fan and still really like the Glock 17, but after owning a Xd-45 service, I like the XD better.

No comparison....glock. Northalius was spot on. But, if your hand prefers the XD....then it's a different decision altogether.

If you can get both!

Kind of an apples to oranges comparison there.

XD45, avoid the block.

The grip ergonomics alone make it the better choice.

All the glock fanboys can talk all they wan't about 18 rounds. Thats 18 rounds of 9mm(oh wow!), I'd much rather have 14 rounds of .45 ACP.

Hold both, shoot both if you can, and then decide.
I went with a G17 because the Springfield was too gauky for my hands. Do some research about both if you can as well--I did and glock won for my personal needs.

go with the .45!

XD .45 compact...have one...love it...

Glock 17 all the way.

either one would be a good gun but which one fits your needs and hands best? is ammo cost a consideration?

There are 4 types of handguns that everybody needs (or at least needs to try), in my opinion:

1) A good quality .22LR.

2) A good double-action revolver, in either .38/.357, .44, .45 or .41 caliber.

3) A nice 1911. Duh.

4) A Glock 17.

Does that help?

Actually, if the XD fits your hand better, buy it. If .45 ammo price bothers you, get the Glock (or reload).

I'm a Glock fan, but not a Glock fan-boy. Almost nobody really makes anything that is truly "junk;" if you get an XD, S&W M&P, Steyr, Glock, Ruger, H&K, SIG, Beretta, ad. nauseum, you'll probably be very happy.

Good luck and good shooting!

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the glock 33 round magazines already have the +2 floorplates to reach the 33round capacity, with a regular floorplate they'd actually be 31 round magazines.

XD45 take down is incredibly simple, takes less than 10 seconds (much less if you're quick). I'm happy with mine, just have to remember to clean it occasionally after shooting reloads (another consideration for you, the polygonal rifling might argue with your lead reloads).

glock

I have 2 xds with almost 15k rounds through them combined with no failure and no detail strip/clean yet using lots of different ammo.

The biggest gripes i hear against the XD is the grip safety. I used to really debate this because im a big XD fan(the original designs anyway). I let my friend hold mine and he just couldn't depress the grip safety consistently. I have never had a problem with it and i rarely even notice it exists... either my friend is fine motor retarded or hand shape determines the like/dislike of the xd. Try it out and if your hand has no trouble with the grip safety then ignore that argument. To add to this, the retention strap on my xd got caught in the trigger guard when reholstering one time... i didnt shoot my leg because i dont depress the grip safety when holstering...would have been bad if it was a glock.

next, the trigger safety is not the greatest to me but you can and do learn to get along with it. no real problems here... you have to get used to any gun you buy.

The xd has a metal magazine so there isn't the problem of the mag bulging and causing problems.

Interestingly, the xd has an ugly feature that works well. The guide rod extends beyond the slide and muzzle. This allows the gun to function when the muzzle must be pressed against the target(glocks wont go boom if in the same situation). This is rare in SD situations but i can see how a person beating your head in may be at that particular range and the feature would be nice.

last, the xds chamber is more supported than the glocks. If you have a case failure your better off with the xd.

thisisdenny Is Correct...

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the glock 33 round magazines already have the +2 floorplates to reach the 33round capacity, with a regular floorplate they'd actually be 31 round magazines.

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You're right! We own two of these magazines, and they work flawlessly in our G17 and G19.

Keep in mind, the G17's wild cousin is the G18--a full-auto select 9 mm!

With regard to your gun choice, I'd start (even though I didn't) with the 9 mm.

My G17 has about 11,000 rounds on it, without one hiccup. I've not replaced a broken part, nor effected a repair of any kind. In fact, all three of our Glocks, G17, G19 & G21 have proved to be exemplary guns, over thousands of rounds fired from each. None have had any broken components replaced, or repairs made.

I started with a Glock, so I've learned to shoot them well... The G21 was actually my first purchase, back in October, 2005. I love that gun, and I put over 10,000 rounds through it! That Christmas I added a G19 for Judy, and I have to tell you, that's a sweetheart of a 9 mm! As ammo prices soared, I added a G17 as a dedicated range gun for me, and it paid for itself in a year, on ammo the savings alone. Think about that last part...

IMO, the 9 mm is every bit as much fun to shoot as the .45 ACP. Loaded with modern self-defense ammo, it's plenty effective against the two legged beast.

The advice to try and rent both guns was sound! I rented or borrowed all of the above-mentioned guns, putting at least 200-rounds through each, before deciding. I also rented a G22, G31C, and several revolvers. I enjoyed them all. One night, I was handed a MAC-10 full auto, chambered in .45 ACP, and told to "Have at it!" Now that's fun!

I was given the opportunity to fire two of the XDs, on two occasions--a .40 S&W and .45 ACP. I have to say, they're nice guns! The grip and palm swells do feel good. But they sit tall in the hand, the way a Beretta does, where the Glock's bore axis rides real low in the hand--and I just like that better!

You know, the way this usually works out, I can easily see you owning both! A 9 mm range gun and .45 ACP bedside gun makes perfect sense to me! What's more, if one's ever out for mods or service, you'll still want a gun in the house, yes?

--Ray

Reply to MarcusWendt

I always notice that Glock fans talk about how many rounds you can carry, 10, 15, 33, 100 whatever. If your gun is accurate you won't likely need 33 rounds to get the job done. after shooting some Glocks I can understand why their owners need these33 round magazines. I'm also amused when I read how reliable Glocks are as if others aren't. Well, I've never had my XD fail on me. XD have been through torture tests too. They are as strong and reliable as the Glocks are if not more maybe.

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Here it starts, the Glock bashing. If you want to read more of this lame crap, find the closed and locked--With A Warning--thread: Glock Hater.

--Ray