Glock or Springfield

[Charlie Martinez]

I want a CC 45 ACP compact pistol and narrowed the field down to Glock, Springfield or S&W single stack models that I can comfortably carry in my cargo shorts pockets when I trail hike or walk my dog. They all appear to be very similar in size and performance but I have never shot them and don't know much else.
I plan on buying used and price is a deciding factor all else being equal.
Suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[25-5]

I understand the size of the whole theory. I carry a 1911 when travelling.
When I walk the dog or run errands, I like my Baby Chief. Five is all you need. I am more confident with the revolver than the short action pistols.

 

[kidneyboy]

I carried the Springfield Xds and Xde for a while. They are easy to carry and soft shooters considering their size. Currently I carry a Kimber Ultra or a SA 1911 compact which are better shooters.

 

[InTheSwamp]

I would go for the Glock 30S.

 

[trackskippy]

I'll second the 30S.

 

[Buzznrose]

Personally, I’d either look for a S&W Shield .45 or a XD 3.3 .45

I think both are nice guns.

The G30 is a solid gun but bigger.

All that said, I would not carry any in my pocket…I’d have a belt holster of some sort.

 

[WisBorn]

The XDS and Shield are nice. I'm not sure what model Glock that you are looking at?

 

[Japle]

Since you're in Florida, I have an XDs .45 that's just sitting in the safe. I went to a Shield Plus 9mm for EDC and am not using the XDs anymore.

 

[StrykerByte.45]

I think the G30S is better except that the grip sucks. I got my frame cut and it is amazing now, but if you don't want to do that and the grip doesn't work for you then go with the XD. If you can find a LGS that has one so you can feel it in your hands first is a good idea. G30S are a bit rare, the frame is an SF frame, only in Gen3. So a Glock 30SF has the exact same frame and are very common, you can sample that frame and keep in mind the slide on a 30S is thinner and that is comparable to the slide of the XD. The durability of a Glock is greatly superior to Springfield, keep that in mind.
A LGS will likely have a Glock 36 and a 30SF and no 30S. If they do, maybe they can swap the slides on them so you can sample what the 30S is, 36 slide on a 30SF frame. In fact, you can purchase both and have a modular option. 36 when you really need something smaller, the 30S will likely be your favorite, but the 30SF will be the easiest to shoot with heavy ammo or even 45super as a woods gun. You can even get a 460rowland conversion for the 30SF slide, slap your 36 slide back on when exiting the woods. The 36 is an excellent backup. The Gen4(Ambi) frame can also be used to put your 36 slide on, but the 30S is only sold with the Gen3 frame, sadly.
I have a feeling the Gen 5 30 will be a thin slide version only and it will probably be compatible to swap slides with the G41 and G21. That would be cool.

 

[upptick]

I have a M&P Shield .45, a Kahr CW45, a Glock 30s, and a Springfield XDS40. The Glock 30s and the Glock 36 are nearly the same size, and probably not suitable for pocket carry, which of course should only be done with a pocket holster. The Shield and Kahr are comparable in size, with the XDS being a little fatter. My Shield has a manual thumb safety, which you might find reassuring for pocket carry. The XDS has a grip safety, which would also work well for pocket carry. The Kahr has a long "double action" trigger, which makes it "safer" for pocket carry. I shoot the XDS better than the Shield and Kahr, but not by much. Are you committed to carrying in the side pocket of cargo shorts? That would drive me nuts, as the gun would be banging around constantly....

 

[Peakbagger46]

Glock. Obviously proven (Springfield is basically a copy) and in my experience the Glock resists corrosion better as well.

 

[Whiskeyhotel2020]

For ccw I personally like the Glock 36 or the 30. There are more options it seems with Glock than the other two and as mentioned earlier you can get a bunch of conversion options for the Glock.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

The XDS and Shield are nice. I'm not sure what model Glock that you are looking at?

The two Glocks I saw at my LGS were a G30S and a G36 and both felt great. I prefer the one that has more capacity (36?) but the single stack model was noticeably thinner which was nice.

Are you committed to carrying in the side pocket of cargo shorts?

Not committed but it works for me when I'm active and the weather is hot (almost always it's hot here). During cooler weather I can carry a 1911 in a belt holster under a loose tee shirt with no issues but when it's hot I sweat and anything I carry in a belt holster marks under the damp tee shirt. I sometimes carry in a fanny pack but I don't like them much. I have never seen a pocket holster but it sounds like something I could use.

 

[InTheSwamp]

30S - 10 +1 rds
36 - 6+1 rds

 

[StrykerByte.45]

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, I narrowed it down to either the Kahr or the XDS for myself. Let us know how it goes.

 

[mcb]

Glock. Obviously proven (Springfield is basically a copy) and in my experience the Glock resists corrosion better as well.

Other than using a polymer frame there is almost nothing alike in those two pistols. The internal fire control is completely different. Both are excellent choices but once you get past the exterior looks thet are not all that similar.

Years ago I went with the XD at the time mostly for grip angle. I never cared for the grip angle of the Glocks and having borrowed a few of each found I shot the XD better. My first two XDs were very early XD-40's. They rusted if you looked at them funny. Despite that my XD-40 Tactical has nearly 40,000 rds through it and has been extremely reliable. The newer XD's use the same metal treatments Glock does on the metal parts and my XD-40SC has never show any propensity to rust even after neglected dunkings.

OP, I would go rent or borrow as many of the guns you are interested in as you can. They are all good choices but you may find your hands like the ergonomics of one significantly better than the others.

 

[Ks5shooter]

30sf for me love mine. I don't like guns with thumb safety for carry. But I am a Glock guy anyway.

 

[LeftyRed]

I have had all three and there isn’t enough difference in any to make me choose one over the other. I would add the G36 to the list.

 

[21H40]

I don't know about the XDS, but I really like the XDm family. They fit my hands much more comfortably than my Glock. I don't know about pocket carry, though. Having carried other heavy objects in cargo pockets, I'm not a fan of putting something like a pistol in one unless there are no other pockets. Front or rear strong side pocket is really more comfortable. YMMV

 

[drobs]

I had a Glock 30 SF it's was just as big as my Glock 19's. No way would I pocket carry it. Especially not in a cargo pocket.