Gosh, I hate to ask the question (Glock vs XD)

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Aaryq

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Between the fanboys and the haters, I really feel like crap asking this question.

I want to break my mold and possibly buy a small(ish) poly gun for OC. It must be .45 ACP. Glocks have a reputation for reliability (but the fanboys make me hate them) but XD's feel like they've been molded for my hand with a natural point of aim for me...but alas, I've shot the service, compact, and subcompacts of both in only 9mm. I really hate to ask it because of the glock fan boys (or girls)...but what makes the glock different than the XD. I like the XD. Should I be too concerned? Should I learn to shoot the Glock? Is the XD good enough?
 
There is an XD.45 compact. 4" barrel and chopped handle. Quite comfortable to shoot and still has all the features of the XD. I have no trouble concealing one at all.
 
While the Glock and the XD may look similar, the action is different. The XD is single action, while the Glocks are (sort of?) double action. This makes the triggers different, and personally, I prefer the XD.

In terms of concealability in the .45 realm, the best offering from the XD world is the .45 compact. 4" barrel (same as the service) but the grip is shortened. It will still hold 10+1 rounds, but it's still a bit thick. I carry and conceal a service model .45, so don't let the thickness turn you off.

Glock's smallest .45 ACP is the G36. The barrel is only a 1/4" shorter, so you don't get much gain there. The grip is thinner, as it's a single stack magazine. This limits your capacity to 6+1.

Personally, I would go for the XD. The compact .45 is definitely concealable with the right holster and clothes. I feel that the slightly larger gun is worth the extra ammuntion. Also, I like the fact that the compact comes with a 10 round magazine for carry, and a 13 rounder with a grip extension that turns the gun into a service size for range duty. Glocks are great guns, but so are XDs. I am like you, where the fit and feel of the XD just feels natural to me.

I liked the XD 45 service so much that I went out and bought a 9 subcompact for summer carry also. The only thing I regret about buying the XDs is that my service isn't a compact. Both have held up well to daily carry in leather and kydex holsters.
 
I would get the XD for the grip safety, both are good guns, but without a pull of a revolver double action, I want more of a safety then the "Glock" safety", which the XD has in the grip safety.
 
just search in that little search box the words glock, versus, xd, and you'll get plenty of long, drawn out threads. bring some of them back if you like.
 
Glock's smallest .45 ACP is the G36. The barrel is only a 1/4" shorter, so you don't get much gain there. The grip is thinner, as it's a single stack magazine. This limits your capacity to 6+1.


The Glock 30 and I think 36 both have shorter grips than the XD, which to me is a big thing for comfortable concealed carry. If you already know you like XD pistols quite a bit you might be best just trying out a .45 compact XD and buying one if you like it. I would personally go for the Glock, just because the only Glock I've shot is a subcompact .40 and I love it, the 30 is a little bigger but not by too much. Again you would lose about .25 inch of barrel length in the Glock small .45s, unless you also like .45 GAP and then there is the 39, sort of a hybrid between the 27 and the 30.

For some reason a two fingered grip works well for me, may not for you.
 
Both Glock and XD are perfectly adequate firearms. Any difference is a matter of personal taste. I prefer the Glock because I don't like either the grip safety or the top heavy appearance of the XD. That having been said, I don't DISlike the XD and wouldn't ditch it if somebody gave me one. It seems like a good gun. It just doesn't offer me anything the Glock doesn't.

I know several people (some of whom who are also Glock owners) who own various flavors of XD and all like them.

If you're not comfortable with the safety features of the Glock, the XD is probably your gun.
 
Glock = plastic trigger
XD = steel trigger

Glock = plastic plug in front sight dovetailed plastic sight rear
XD = dovetailed steel sight(s) front and rear

Glock = mickey mouse (imo) takedown button
XD = simple, stout rotating takedown latch

Glock = fair service, better if you're a LEO
XD = fabulous customer service for everyone.

Glock = trigger safety
XD = trigger safety, grip safety and now a 1911 style safety also.
 
MPMarty spelled out why I bought an XD

I did have an extractor spring break within 200 rds, the gun was back to me in two weeks and has run perfect since (~700rds).

That said you already said you like how the XD feels. If you shoot them well, then it seems like that is all that matters.
 
Both are great guns (Glock 21 or 21sf, XD 45).

Shoot both and pick the one that is most comfortable in your hands.

For me, that is the XD 45C.

God hates fanboys!
 
but what makes the glock different than the XD. I like the XD. Should I be too concerned? Should I learn to shoot the Glock? Is the XD good enough?

Different grip angle, internal vs. external extractor, metal magazines body vs. plastic, ambidextrous mag release (latest from Glock also have this), many internal differences, fully cocked striker vs. partially cocked striker, metal trigger vs. plastic, grip safety vs. no. Land and groove rifling vs. polygonal.

No.

Absolutely.

You betcha.
 
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Get the one that fits your hand best. You've already said that was the XD45, I would recommend the compact version w/out the thumb safety.
 
I am not a Glock hater, and I do believe that they are fine weapons, but that said, I own two XDs. Both of them have been flawless through thousands of rounds.

If going for a poly .45, I would absolutely get the .45 Compact XD.
 
Both are excellent guns, and I would feel perfectly confident with either one.

With that being said, I do prefer the XD. I like that it has a grip safety, as I distrust trigger safeties and light trigger pulls without an ancillary safety mechanism. I do find the grip angle a little more familiar then the glock's, as well as the grip seeming a little thinner and easier to hold then a glock's.

Feel-wise I wouldn't say that it seems top-heavy. With the magazine out, yes, but what polymer handgun isn't top heavy without a magazine, I ask? And while the barrel is about 2-3mm higher then on an equivalent handgun, I don't find that it noticeably increases flip.

Also personal opinion, but I think GLOCK is getting a little long in the tooth. They are fine guns, but I want more options like interchangeable backstraps, perhaps a thumb safety, and front rails of a standard size. Just my personal $.02.
 
Threads like this remind me of people asking which golf clubs are best.

Every ones hands are different.
Someone who tested both and really loves the Glock and can't stand the XD may be telling the truth.
Someone who tested both and really loves the XD and can't stand the Glock may be telling the truth.

Personally I find the Glocks don't fit my hand as well as an XD or M&P. Don't take my word for it though. Maybe Glock fits your hand better.

At a minimum have the gunshop take both out of the cabinent and put them side by side. Hold both and compare the ergos. If possible shoot both at a range that rents them (or w/ a friend that owns one or both).
 
Glocks are good pistols,but I prefer the XD.It has a lot to do with how the XD (Compact 45)fits my hand and I can shoot it much better than a Glock.My shootin buddy has a Glock 30...he takes his and I took the XD,we exchanged guns often enough at the range to see how the guns compare.

He's still a Glock fan,me ,not so much and the XD seems to be the gun for me.
 
I like both and they both have strengths and weaknesses. For a 9mm subcompact carry gun I prefer the Glock 26. It feels like it has a lower barrel axis and the grip angle seems to conceal better for me making the gun feel a lot more compact even though the difference is actually about 1/4".
For .45acp I prefer the XD (The compact). The glock 45s just feel too thick for my liking, although I haven't tried any of the SF models yet.
If you like the 1911 and it points more naturally for you get the XD. Both are top notch in terms of reliability so it gets more into personal tastes as to which is "better" for you.
IMO the trigger pull on the XDs are nicer than the semi-spongy Glock.
 
I like the XDs better. Better feel in the hand and also has the grip safety. But I bought a Glock instead. Why?

If anything on the Glock breaks you buy the part and fix it. If anything on the XD breaks you have to send it back to the factory.

Springfield's selfish refusal to make available spare parts is a deal-breaker for me.
 
Glock finish is more durable,go ss slide if you go XD

The finishes are basically the same with different names; that's been debated hundreds of times. The finish on my black XD is not wearing at all. I think they had some problems with the finish on the first generation models but have since fixed that.

If I was getting a .45 I'd go XD especially if I was open carrying; The ergos fit me better and I think the magazines on the glock 30 and 36 are ugly as butt. If I was going any other caliber like 9mm or .40 I'd go with the glock because their subcompact offerings have a shorter more concealable grip. But you said you are going to OC so that shouldn't matter, get the one you shoot more accurately and feel comfortable with; they are both reliable as all get out.
 
Look at the S&W M&P 45. I had Glock 1st and had no problem with it. Tried the XD and felt it was OK, but did not like it enough to change my platform. If I had tried XD first I might feel different. Recently bought the Smith and I feel it may be an improvement over both the XD and Glock. I have not had it long enough to say for sure yet however.
 
i had an xd service model, then i bought a glock 19, i sold the glock and got another xd this time the sc version. i love em both. they are both reliable, accurate, fun to shoot guns, and i couldn't be happier.

is the xd good enough? you are darn right they are.

the glocks are fine weapons, but i shoot xd's better, and i like some of the features/specs of the xd frame and series over the glock. i wouldn't feel undergunned with a glock that is for sure, but as long as my money is buying polyguns, and i ain't being issued something inparticular then i am gonna go xd everytime.

i believe that the xd is an improvement to the glock but yes that is IMHO, and shared by some, but the glock lovers are gonna hate that little comment but i personally believe it to be true.

i have 2 xd's and i will have more in the future.
 
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