First handgun purchase, XD-9 or G19

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Azul

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Hello,

In less than a week (on my birthday), I may be buying my first handgun.
Yesterday, I went to an indoor range and rented a number of 9mm handguns that I was interested in including a Ruger SR-9 compact, S&W M&P (full size and compact), Beretta PX4, Glock 19, Springfield XD, and an FN FNX. I disliked the M&P, was indifferent to the FNX, would have liked the PX4 if the decocker wasn't also a safety, liked the SR-9 compact, and really liked both the G19 and the XD (did my best shooting with these two.)

So, on my birthday I may be plopping down some money for either a G19 or an XD. This may be my only handgun for quite some time so I would like it to be able to function well for both range use and ccw.

I foresee no difficulty concealing with the G19, but the XD is a little larger. Do any of you conceal the XD? How well does it conceal?

The G19 had a habit of throwing brass straight back at me when I shot it. Is this typical Glock behavior? I didn't mind it too much, but I think my feelings would differ if I ever had to shoot it without wearing safety glasses.

Also, I have heard a lot about Glocks having limpwristing issues. I tried pretty hard to limpwrist the G19, and I couldn't do it. Is this particular glock being deceptive, or can I lay my fears of crazy/ridiculous limpwristing issues to rest?

And finally, which gun do you believe would function consistently better with cheap ammunition, I imagine they would both function very well, but which do you think would be the most consistent?

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't worry about limp wristing, especially if you couldn't get it to do it at the range. I think both will feed cheap ammo well and not be a problem. The XD is a little bigger. If I were to CCW one or the other I would probably go G19. I'm not sure one is really better/worse than the other, just slightly different. I would pick the one you like the best and be happy. Neither is a bad pistol.
 
Azul, if I had to pick only one general purpose pistol, G19 is hard to beat as conceal carry, HD/SD, target shooting, plinking and 9mm ammo is as cheap as you can go.

The G19 had a habit of throwing brass straight back at me when I shot it. Is this typical Glock behavior? I didn't mind it too much, but I think my feelings would differ if I ever had to shoot it without wearing safety glasses.
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Yes. And it depends on the ammo that you shoot. BTW, were you shooting range reloads? Most factory pressure loads should extract the case over your shoulder behind you and to the right. If the spent cases are hitting you in the face, your grip should be firmer and your elbows locked or your ammo is not full factory pressure.

Also, I have heard a lot about Glocks having limpwristing issues. I tried pretty hard to limpwrist the G19, and I couldn't do it. Is this particular glock being deceptive, or can I lay my fears of crazy/ridiculous limpwristing issues to rest?
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Full factory pressure loads won't give you this problem. Some people have the limp wrist issue with cheaper target ammo or lower power reloads. As long as you use proper grip (one or two hands), even shooting light target loads is not an issue.

And finally, which gun do you believe would function consistently better with cheap ammunition, I imagine they would both function very well, but which do you think would be the most consistent?
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Cheap ammo does not necessarily mean bad ammo. Cheapest Wolf/TulAmmo comes in steel cases and CCI Blazer comes in aluminum cases (disposable cases), but they are full factory pressure loads and they perform better than more expensive reloadable brass cased Winchester white box or Remington UMC (probably the worst). New Glocks have stiff recoil springs and only near factory/full factory pressure loads will operate the slides reliably.

As a suggestion, you could consider getting the Glock 23 in 40S&W. This way you can get a $100 Lone Wolf 40-9 conversion barrel and shoot 9mm out of G23 as well. Shoot the cheaper 9mm at the range for practice and switch out the barrel for harder hitting 40S&W for carry/HD.
 
I had the XD-9, now have a Glock 17. I prefer the Glock.

There is WAY more aftermarket for Glock. You can buy all kinds of factory and aftermarket parts, holsters, sights etc... from any number of manufacturers. There are almost no parts available for the XD, and there are NO factory parts available for purchase. If you need to replace anything on the gun, it must go back to Springfield.

My Glock has less muzzle flip than the XD did. I shoot my Glock more accurately than I did with my XD.
 
I went XD and didn't hesitate after I checked out both pistols closely.

I bought the service model (4") in .40 S&W with std capacity mags (hi-caps) and Trijicon night-sights. I preferred the sights better, the feel and balance, the grip, the supported chamber, the stainless magazines and probably most of all, the trigger pull. I also like having the grip safety. Oh yea, even the looks I preferred. And Springfield's customer support has a great reputation, but the XD has performed so well I have never needed to use them.

Years later I am still very happy with the choice.

But Glock has a loyal following, almost cult like, so they must be very good pistols. You may prefer them more?

Good luck in your decision making.
 
Yes. And it depends on the ammo that you shoot. BTW, were you shooting range reloads? Most factory pressure loads should extract the case over your shoulder behind you and to the right. If the spent cases are hitting you in the face, your grip should be firmer and your elbows locked or your ammo is not full factory pressure.
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No, factory Sellier and Bellot 115gr FMJ. They weren't actually hitting me in the face, they just seemed dangerously close to doing so.

I did shoot the XD a little better than the G19, and it felt a little more 'right' in my hand, so I will probably go that route. If I have trouble concealing the XD, I can always use that as an excuse to get another handgun a little sooner than I had planned.
 
Might I suggest that you check out the XD9 compact as well? It comes with one flush fitting mag for concealed carry, and one extended mag (with grip extension) that effectively makes the gun into a full size for home defense.

I personally shoot XD's better than Glocks. So, I know which way I'd go. But if you shot the G19 fine, really, you can't go wrong with either.
 
I'd take the Glock out of the 2, been around longer and seems like you can't really go wrong with them

"Also, I have heard a lot about Glocks having limpwristing issues. I tried pretty hard to limpwrist the G19, and I couldn't do it. Is this particular glock being deceptive, or can I lay my fears of crazy/ridiculous limpwristing issues to rest?"

I doubt it will cause any problems, but if it did, you could probably just get a set of wolff light recoil springs for about $10-20.
 
Both are butt-ugly but I'd go with the XD. I bought a G23 on impulse and traded it later. It was reliable and accurate but couldn't come to grip with the grips. Must have been an excellent handgun though...I got a good trade-in price. .
 
Both are great guns. Get whichever feels best in your hand.

If you do go with a Glock, make sure you handle the midsized G19/23/32 and the full sized G17/22/31. Most people don't notice, but there is less room on the medium framed guns for your middle finger. If you doubt this, count the number of lines of stippling; there is another row on the full sized guns. I can't stand the midsized Glocks, but the sub-compact and full sized Glocks feel fine.
 
G17 or a G19, way more accessories, cheaper magazines. super easy to change the sights or work on in general. I shoot a G34 in IPSC production class, it is an unbelievable shooter. I vote Glock, XD is a fine pistol but all the grooves and graphics turn me off, but that is just a personal preference. The G19 is a classic, many believe it to be the perfect pistol for all around use. I would want tritium night sights if you are using it for home defense or CCW. Let us know what you decide.
 
get what you like and feels best, i personaly dont care for glocks. I have the xd40 and love it. my wife has an g36 and love it, she doesnt the grips on the xd. so get what feels best to you.
 
I have a G19 and absolutely love it. I have over 1,000 rounds through it without one failure of any kind. You're righ it's a fun shooter and easy enough to carry. That's why I bought it. The versatility.

That being said: I want an xd9 subcompact really bad. The glock will be my house/truck gun and the springfield will be my carry piece. They're both ugly -but I like it. lol I'll probably sell of a couple of my cheaper guns to put some money down on a xd9sc.
 
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It was the erganomics that sealed the deal for me. I did not get along with the Luger / Ruger slant of the grip in relation to the slide. The XD was more to my taste.
 
Love my xd conceals just fine. I want another honestly full size as opposed to the sub compact I carry
 
Glock

Simpler design that's easier to work on, if you like to detail strip your pistols.

Every possible part and accessory you can imagine is available, something you can't say about the XD.

Lower bore-axis which means less muzzle-rise for faster follow-up shots, although the higher bore-axis of the XD does give it a more rolling recoil which makes for a softer shooter with less perceived recoil.


You're not going to be horribly disappointed with either one but IMO the Glock is a better overall package.


The principle advantage of the XD as I see it is that it gives Glock-haters an alternative when they finally decide to get a polymer frame pistol. ;)
 
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