SA XD 45 vs. 1911 for HD

As I live in the People's Republic of New Jermeny CC is not an option, so leave any thoughts of dual purpose at the door...there is no such thing here. And given the restriction to 15 round magazines here in NJ there really is no need to compromise on caliber for the sake of higher capacity.

I just want to here people's opinions on the compromises of one vs. the other. (accessory rail, felt recoil, ease of operation under stress, reliability, etc...) One of the major factors here is going to be cost. My absolute max is $700, but would ideally like to stay as close to $600 as possible in the event that I decide on the 1911. So don't go suggesting anything for $750, because it's completely out of the question. I'm not a fan of the sights on the SA GI 1911, so we can rule that (or anything with similar sights) out.

For anyone who would like to suggest the search function...well, I don't really need to say it. Do I?

 

my xd service model has been 100% reliable since day one, even after
11k rds.

i would say go with the xd, for one you will get capacity more than with a standard single stack 1911, as well even though there are many railed 1911's it is harder to find one than a non railed, and even though i like the 1911, if i had to go into harms way and had my choice i would take my xd, with xs night sights.

 

For home defense only, I'd go with the XD45.
You didn't explain much about your situation, but I'll assume that there might be a woman in the house as well as yourself.
If that's the case, there's something to be said about a simple (but very safe) pistol that all the little woman has to know about is to "point and pull the trigger".
In a dire state of emergency, a person not "into" guns such as a typical live-in wife or girlfriend is best served by having something available that doesn't require any thinking at all.

I have several pistols around the house that all have my wife in mind in that her only instructions I have to give her for any of them is to just point and pull the trigger if necessary. That includes an XD9SC, two Smith 642's, a Ruger LCP and a Rohrbaugh. The one thing all those pistols have in common is that none of them have safeties, and they are all kept chambered so all you have to do is squeeze off a round without "worrying her pretty little head".

Additionally, there is absolutely no benefit to the 1911 being thinner since it's not going to be carried anyway, and the 15 round mag in the XD is better anyway due to one of the things we are concerned with a lot in our homes, and that is a "home invasion" which often includes multiple participants as opposed to a typical on-the-street mugging where mostly just one person is involved.
Whichever way you go, think also about having it fitted with night sights which are nice to have in a home defense situation even more than on the street.

That's all I got.

 

Much less expensive and much more suited to the purpose of HD is the 12-gage shotgun and will be much kinder to your wallet, especially if you go the pump action/hi-cap tube route.

 

XD .45, hands down.

The 1911 is a fine high-end toy and competition gun.

At the end of the day, though, the XD holds twice the ammo, draws quicker, has far simpler controls, and puts rounds on target without fail.

The XD for home defense, for the same reason that delivery services don't drive Porsches.

 

Go and fondle them to see which feels better in your hand. I have an XD 40 and a few 1911's. Regardless of caliber I would take a 1911 first. I just did a trigger job in the XD so i will find out Suday how much better it shoots, The stock trigger pulls in an XD are horrible.

Either way they are both reliable designs. If a 1911 is your choice, for the money you can get a RIA Tactical

 

I have really liked the trigger pull on an XD .45. Not sure if it has had work done on it, but a fist-sized group at 25 yards with irons is sufficient for defensive work.

The fact that a 1911 feels neat is why the connoisseur in me likes it. But as a practical defensive gun, I think the XD is a far superior tool than the old war horse, much as I love the thing.

 

I agree with tbtrout. Handle examples of both, a lot. Rent or borrow some to shoot, if at all possible and pick the one that works best for you.

I was a horrible shot with my XD9, as it never felt right in my hands. And like tb, I personally found the trigger to be pretty lousy in stock form. Of course, my 1911 had a really crummy trigger out of the box too, but since it felt right I spent the extra $$$ to have an action job performed to take the grit and creep out.

In the end, I shoot 1911s a heck of a lot better than XDs, so between the two I'd go 1911. I got the Springfield Mil-Spec, which is like the GI but has better 3-dot sites, a bevelled magazine well and a lowered and flared ejection port (probably only important for reloaders). Mine cost about $525 new last year. But as far as handguns, I greatly prefer my S&W 686 .357 Mag as a nightstand gun, as I shoot it better still than the 1911. BTW, the only purpose of the 686 is to get myself to my 12 gauge pump, if at all possible.

 

Bingo.

If you only want 7 rounds, you can get a great revolver. Like the XD, it has simple controls and just plain works -- but like the 1911, it's got classic beauty, too.

 

Yeah, yeah...details.

I recently purchased a Mossberg 930 (nice simple home security model) for any "ideal" tactical situations that may occur in our home. Which would be a confrontation down stairs, or after the entire family has been secured in one room and we're bunkered down. The wife is small (she CLAIMS to be 5' 3") and has had 4 shoulder surgeries (HS & College pitcher) so the reduced recoil of a semi-auto combined with the easier use under stress won out over the tried and true pump.

Only problem is there is a much less than ideal situation in my home that I feel must be tackled by a hand gun though. Any confrontation while moving through the upstairs hallway while securing the family. There is simply no way to easily maneuver a shotgun in the narrow spaces and tight corners. Unless of course you had a pistol grip w/no stock and a 12" barrel.

 

I have both and the XD45 spends more time as a HD gun expecially since it has a rail and I can mount a light on it. My 4" 1911 spends most of the time on my hip for concealed carry.

 

ArmedBear I have to disagree with your opinion that the 1911 is not a good defensive gun. If there is one design that has proven itself, over the almost a century now, it is that design. They are not for everyone and I respect your opinion it is not for you, but as someone who has trained with used and carried one, they are more than capable of getting you out of a bad situation with the utmost reliability.

 

I have to go with XD also...
I LOVE 1911 s...and Kimber is a work of absolute BEAUTY ... but if my life is on the line

SA XD 45 ALL THE WAY

by "feel" you can 'SEE' if it is loaded(one in the chamber) and you can "FEEL" if it is cocked

in pitch black there is NO wondering with XD

Its the difference between a MACK and a PETERBUILT

Peterbuilt is pretty BUT a Mack is gonna get the job done !

just my .02

 

1911 hands down. IMO much more comfortable, and better feeling weapon all around. I used to have a GLock and HK and even a CZ SP-01, I sold them all after my first outing with a 1911. Yea it has less capacity but if you cant diffuse the problem with 8+1 you have bigger problems. STI Spartan fits in your price range, one of the best, if not THE best entry level 1911. I also disagree with ArmedBear, the 1911 has proved itself for a long, long time. Its just shotty companies make some shotty pistols and the platform get a bad name.

 

there is NOTHING worse than hearing "Click" when you REALLY NEED A BANG!

 

I'll be contrarian.

I owned an XD. I wound up not liking it because I could not change the reach between the backstrap and the trigger.

Capacity is not everything, having the pistol feel like a natural extension of your will is. The biggest advantage to the 1911A1 is its fantastically developed aftermarket. The pistol can be changed to feel custom welded to your hand, something a Hogue grip sleeve simply can't accomplish. 8+1 is enough.

Railed 1911A1s are just an order away at the gun shop.

 

I didn't say it wasn't.

I said that the XD is superior in that role. Like I said, the controls are simpler, the capacity is almost double, and the gun just plain works.

If it doesn't fit you, well, it doesn't fit you. That would disqualify it, obviously. That's its weakness: you can't put on all sorts of different grips, or change the backstrap.

The CZ is a DA/SA gun, the one thing more complicated to deal with under stress than a cocked-and-locked 1911. A Glock points differently, and I don't like 'em, either. I'd prefer a 1911, since it points and shoots far better for me. The XD's ergonomics are quite different from a Glock, and it points and shoots like a champ, for me -- and I like the 1911. I haven't spent much time with H-Ks.

Note also that the OP asked about HD, not CCW and not match shooting. If you don't have to worry about the size of the gun, capacity may not be everything, but it's sure something. And sure, you can get rails on a 1911 -- for yet more money.

Man, how does every post where someone asks a specific question turn into an "I love to take my $1500 1911 to the range and everyone should get one just like it for bear hunting, home defense, etc. and the Army should get them again, too!" thread?

 

That whats great about a forum, you get 95% percent opinion, and 5% truth. The funny thing is we all look at these places for guidance when it comes to purchasing guns, or just general questions!! By the way, Whats the best lube there is for a auto handgun?

 

But j1979: your post doesn't seem untrue. It's just that the one gun you didn't compare the 1911 is the gun the OP actually asked about.

 

What CDH said. Reading some of the posts, it seems a point has to be made that agrees CDH.

I have a couple of 1911s and the National Match has had thousands of rounds ran through it. IPSC for eight years and other competitions like plate matches. It feels like an extension of my hand. I am 67 and have competed in various disciplines for over 40 years.

BUT, in addition to a jungle rigged AR, an old S&W M59 is beside me at night. I consider myself pretty decent with the National Match but I would not want to hold the cocked (not locked) SA 45 on one or more bad guys. The DA first shot, in my opinion, in the house will not require MOA.

A gun owner MUST be very familiar with a cocked single action in a stressful situation. Talk about the proverbial " A heartbeat from......".

 

You are right there ArmedBear, I left out the comparison. Sometimes my brain moves faster than my fingers can type.

 

delete

 

I'm a 1911 guy, I carry one daily, and have absolute faith in the platform... BUT in the <$700 range, I'd go with the XD. Your choices in 1911s are limited to offerings by Taurus, RIA, and SA, but the Springfield models in that price range have military type sights. While some rave about the Taurus and RIA 1911s, I don't have much faith in them. If a gunsmith won't use it as a base for a build, there's usualy a reason.
You could consider a used 1911, one can usualy be had within your budget.
The XD offers everthing you need and want, within your budget.

 

The reason I specifically mentioned the XD45 and the 1911 is that they're the two that I've held (read: fondled) that felt like an extension of my hand. The glock, Taurus 24/7, berretas I held just didn't fit quite right. Unfortunately no one around here seems to rent firearms, that's why I came to you jokers.

I'm not sure if I held the XD 45 or the XD 45 4" service model though. What's the difference?

 

for the fella the "Had" an XD...
the New XDm's are superior to the older XDs
in that the back strap is changeable to make the grip smaller or larger with 3 sizes to choose from and
they come in 40 cal and 9 mm... no 45 yet

me like XDm...