Advice on Sig 1911 vs XD

[rgwalt]

Hi all, I could use some advice. I currently own a Springfield XD .45, 4" barrel. It has performed solidly for me, though I need to spend more time at the range with the gun. It is too heavy/bulky for me to want to carry it on a regular basis, so it sits in my nightstand drawer as my go-to home defense gun. I will also take the gun with me when I go camping or on long road trips. However, I really have no need for the tactical aspect of the gun (low weight, no manual safety, etc).

I am thinking of picking up a 1911 to replace this XD, and I really like the pistols that Sig has to offer. I have a P238 which is my every day pocket carry. I've rented a Sig 1911, shot it and thought it performed solidly for me. It felt a bit "big" in my hands, but so does the XD and it didn't stop me from being able to handle the gun well. Felt recoil was reduced vs my XD due to the weight. I would shop around before I purchased to see if a slimmer fit frame would work better for me.

Here are the reasons I'm thinking of upgrading:
1) The XD doesn't bring anything to the table that the 1911 does not for my particular application. For a gun that will sit in the drawer/safe and be used for home defense, and take the occasional car trip, I don't think the reduced weight or "tactical-ness" of the XD is a particular advantage. My only concern is reliability as I know the XD was built to slog through some nasty conditions.

2) I think the 1911 will, in general, hold its value better over the long run. This is mostly conjecture... I haven't done a thorough study. However, I know there are a lot of the glock-like polymer pistols out there. There are a lot of 1911's out there too, but I think a nicer, more expensive firearm will hold its value better than the XD. Not to say that the XD isn't a nice gun, its just there are lots of them out there.

Ideally I would just purchase the 1911 and keep the XD. Perhaps that is the best way to go in the long run... simply save my money. However, if I sold the XD I think I could get about a third to 40% of the way to a Sig.

On the flip side, picking up the 1911 doesn't get me "twice" the gun as compared to the XD, especially for my purposes. However, it would "scratch the itch" and get me a good, fun, useful, and practical gun to add to my collection.

 

[ugaarguy]

On the flip side, picking up the 1911 doesn't get me "twice" the gun as compared to the XD, especially for my purposes. However, it would "scratch the itch" and get me a good, fun, useful, and practical gun to add to my collection.

How about not buying the SIG 1911 and getting an STI Spartan for $635 from Dawson Precision? That would scratch the 1911 itch on a model that's still fun, useful, and practical; and it would let you keep your XD (and not lose money selling the XD used). The XD is a better night stand gun to me because of the ability to mount a Streamlight or Surefire light to the rail for low light use. I also love carrying my Colt LW Commander (Wiley Clapp 21st Century model) because it's so dang slim.

 

[sinbad339]

I have a Sig Fastback Carry 1911
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=8443291&postcount=354

I like the feel of the "bobbed" frame, and that may make it feel smaller for you. I got some Wilson 7-round low profile basepad magazines, and carry it now more often than my CZ-75 Compact. I also think its a very nice looking handgun.

 

[rgwalt]

Good suggestion! I will check them out. If I upgraded to the sig, I would get a model with a rail. I have a streamlight on the XD that I would move to the Sig.

 

[1911 guy]

If you set the two handguns down side by side, you'll find the XD and 1911 have remarkably similar overall size, to include width, grip frame length and overall length. If you're looking to chage up the physical size of your carry gun, switching from an XD to a 1911 is like going from pumpkin pie to sweet potato pie. Yeah, they're different, but remarkably similar and both equally good.

As far as retaining value, maybe. To someone like me who really (really, really) likes the 1911, I'd be willing to pay close to new price for a gently used and good quality 1911. But just like the XD, they're making them new every day.

 

[rgwalt]

Thanks for the input 1911 guy. Academy sports here in houston carries the sig 1911 rail tac PAC, the biggest additional feature being a laser. Their price is $900, but finding them in stock is tough.

 

[silicosys4]

I have the nitron rail sig 1911. I like it very much, except for two things.
The rail makes it hard to find a holster for, even without a light or laser attached,
The barrel has a very tight chamber. It is one-hole accurate, but not as reliable between ammo brands as my colt 1911, and harder to reload for.
I picked up a tacpac not too long ago bout 5 months, from sportsmanssupply.com, via an auctionarms.com auction. Before I paid $900 I'd look online, I paid significantly less for mine. Most of what comes in the tacpac besides the gun, including the laser, is junk, imo....in particular, the laser is a cheap chinese rebrand.

 

[rgwalt]

Thanks, good to know about the tacpac. I'm heading to the gun show this weekend, and hoping that there will be quite a few 1911's to look at and hold.

 

[ugaarguy]

In addition to the SIG you're considering I'd add the S&W E-Series railed, Springfield Armory MC Operator / Full Size Lightweight Operator, and Kimber Warrior / Desert Warrior to your short list of railed 1911s to try to get a look at. I wish Colt would offer their railed 1911 without a firing pin safety.

 

[rugerdude]

I have a Sig 1911 Scorpion 4.2" I've done the best handgun shooting that I've ever done with this gun. Somehow with this 4.2" .45 I can easily outdo my groups shot with my Ruger MkII Target. The balance and size on this gun is fantastic. Everything is just right, and it's not top heavy like poly-framed guns.

Below is a 5 shot group fired from 25 yards off-hand. I can do about 4" with a target .22, but this was even better. I could not be more pleased by the shootability or accuracy of this pistol.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Personally, if it were me, I'd keep the XD and just save for the 1911. I had an FNP-45 for about 2.5 years before I got my 1911. The FNP is more gun in every way. But it just isn't a 1911. The FNP is my bedside gun. The 1911 sits loaded in the living room. I carry a Ruger SP101 and XDs depending on the day. I love the .45 acp cartridge. But all .45's are not the same gun as you have noted. For home defense, I like lots of ammo due to likely being half asleep and not shooting as well as normal. 1911 is a great gun though. If it were the other way around and you already had a 1911, I'd probably say be happy and content. I like having a looker (1911), and I like having a "throw it at the wall and who cares" poly gun, and a little bro to carry around.

I really love my 1911, but if carry is an issue to you, the XDs is much easier to carry than a 1911. They are super accurate and still have enough bbl to get adequate velocity for bullets to expand. With the extended mag, it holds 7 + 1. Same as a standard 1911 mag. I trust mine. 1911 is still a great choise though. The XDs feeds everything, and 1911 can be finiky about ammo. Just saying.

I did a review.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=685730

 

[Frankl03]

Plus one on keeping the XD and saving for a 1911. I would look at an STI Trojan. To me its a higher quality and more reliable than the Sigs. Read some reviews on STIs. STIs are nice guns.

Hope that helps!

 

[MagicD]

Have both(Sig 1911 5 inch) and XD.
XD more rounds DA feel to trigger,Sig very good SA trigger,night sites,comes up better for me.
Now shoot the Sig way more than the XD.
In a pinch..the Sig but have carried C&L for years.
No problems with either as far as reliability,though XD doesn't like SWC reloads.

 

[rgwalt]

Haven't had a chance to check in on this thread in awhile. Thanks again everyone for the input. I ended up buying a Sig Nitron Rail on Gunbroker. Got a decent price for it shipped. Better than I could have done at the gun show. Could have maybe done better locally if I would have waited for the craze to pass...

I did end up selling my XD, and I'm not feeling any regrets. I ended up selling it for $50 less than I paid for it when I bought it in 2009. With that kind of deal, I can pick up another, or a different model down the line. Maybe find a good deal on a lightly used gun when the craze dies down in a year or so.

I suppose the only bit of news in this thread that has me concerned is with ammo in the Sig. Any advice on smith work to improve reliability? I have some Wilson magazines on order, and I plan to shoot the heck out of the gun when I pick it up next week.