Xds mod2 45 or Glock 23 gen 5…NOT a caliber argument

W

WoodchuckAssassin

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
867
Location
Lynchburg, VA
Looking for CC. Little experience with the 40cal (I have an old walther ppq, but that’s it ans far ans 40 goes) and lots of experience with the 45 in larger frames.
Here’s my issue…

1) How does the recoil of the 23 (I’ve read that the gen 5 slides are heavier and help with recoil) compare to the smaller framed 45 (I’ve heard they are “soft” for such a large round) compare? Is one more significant than the other?

2) I like grip safeties (it’s a mental thing), but the Glock grip angle is much more natural for me. What has driven your decision in the past if you’ve had a similar decision to make?

3) how do they carry? It will be iwb.

4) I don’t dislike either cartridge, and would prefer to avoid a discussion on ballistics. Simply how do the feel in the hand, carry on the hip (4’oclock), and feel at the range.

I have made peace with the fact that there’s no bad choice, just looking for first hand experience. I always appreciate THR help!
 
Buckeye63 said:
I hadn’t shot a Gen 5 23
My 23 Gen 3 .. with 180gr isn’t bad .. I really hadn’t noticed any uncomfortable or uncontrollable recoil . Even with my 27
View attachment 1253015View attachment 1253016
Click to expand...
Does your 27 conceal better than the 23 with the pinky extension? The grip length looks almost the same when side by side, but what’s the real-life feel for you?
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
Does your 27 conceal better than the 23 with the pinky extension? The grip length looks almost the same when side by side, but what’s the real-life feel for you?
Click to expand...
Yes .. still quite a bit of difference… but the 23 is the exact same size as a 19 .. a compact .. a compact size is my favorite size of pistol
 
Buckeye63 said:
Yes .. still quite a bit of difference… but the 23 is the exact same size as a 19 .. a compact .. a compact size is my favorite size of pistol
Click to expand...
But does the added length of the pinky extension print the same as the 23? If it prints the same, I don’t see any reason not to go with the 23. Just trying to ride the line between comfortable shooting and concealability…like everyone else on the planet 🤤.
 
My XD mod 2 3.3" in 45acp is my favorite plastic gun. My daily carry is usually my DB9 in my front pocket. I carry my XD mod 2 when I go to the big city or go hiking where I might run into a cat (cougar) and want more fire power than my little 9mm.

Personally I really like the grip safety. Just like a good 1911 grip safety I never know it is there. I love that the XD mod 2 has a visual as well as tactile chamber loaded as well as a visual + tactile cocked indicator. The trigger is much better than any Glock trigger I have shot. But the best part is the grip. Springfield put that stupid "Grip Zone" label on the grip... but it REALLY is worth bragging about. It is the most comfortable plastic grip I have shot. The excellent grip leads to better control and less perceived recoil for me.

The grip is a touch wider than my Glock 27 but the XD mod 2 carries IWB about the same as my Glock 27.

index.php


One of the things I love about the XD mod 2 is the extended 13 round magazine and the perfectly fitting grip extension on this magazine. The XD mod 2 with the extended magazine shoots like a full sized gun instead of a subcompact. I have an after market grip extension for extended mags for my Glock 27 but it moves around on the mag and is not seamless with the grip like the Springfield one.

index.php


For me there is no comparison. The Springfield XD mod 2 3.3" in 45acp is a much better pistol than a Glock IMHO. It is rated for 45acp +P, that is what I carry in it and it shoots quite comfortably with the +P ammo.

P.S. The XD mod 2 with .45 +P is very similar in recoil to the .40 SW in my Glock 27. Normal pressure (non +P) in the XD is softer than my Glock 27.
 
Last edited:
I don’t have an issue with the Glock grip angle or width. I mainly shoot 9mm Glocks these days but I have a G22.3 and really enjoy enjoy the cartridge after shooting 9s and 45s for years. A buddy has a Gen5 23 and the extra slide weight makes it run very smoothly compared to the 3s and 4s (23s). The recoil impulse seems smoother, if that makes sense.

I think the size of the 23 is right. As much as I like a 45, your choices here have me drawing the line at the 23 size category. I say Glock 23.
 
Last edited:
My LGS has the gen 5 23, and it feels fantastic in my hand. Can’t find the xds45 to save my life for a hand and/or trigger feel comparison. The trigger on the gen 5s are a serious upgrade. Perfect wall-to-break balance.

Again, thank you for all the notes. God help me… I still have no idea which one Roger’s my Hammerstein more 🤷🏻‍♂️😆.
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
My LGS has the gen 5 23, and it feels fantastic in my hand. Can’t find the xds45 to save my life for a hand and/or trigger feel comparison. The trigger on the gen 5s are a serious upgrade. Perfect wall-to-break balance.

Again, thank you for all the notes. God help me… I still have no idea which one Roger’s my Hammerstein more 🤷🏻‍♂️😆.
Click to expand...
My .40 is a trade in Gen 3 Glock 22, but when I compare that to my Gen 5 Glock 45 or 19X, I agree that the Gen 5 trigger is much better than the older ones.

Good luck finding what you are looking for @WoodchuckAssassin. I hope you are able to try out some different ones to help you out.

Stay safe.
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
But does the added length of the pinky extension print the same as the 23? If it prints the same, I don’t see any reason not to go with the 23. Just trying to ride the line between comfortable shooting and concealability…like everyone else on the planet 🤤.
Click to expand...
The 23’s grip is still longer than than the 27 with the +1 extension… the heel of the grip is what determines much of the printing.. the +1 extension is there mostly to help with gripping the 27 …
personally.. I think the 26 /27 grips are a bit short for my liking… I wish the 26 was 12 rd , which would make the 27 11rd .. still concealable.. but much more shootable
 
I have a gen3 23 , I don’t like the thicker slide of the gen5 for CC .

I am not comparing apples to apples here , but one day me and some coworkers meet at the range . I brought my 23 and my 9mm 1911 . One of my coworkers brought his 3 Glocks , a 17-1 , 19-2 and a brand new 21sf . We shoot each other’s pistols and when he shot my 23 he said “ this is radical and he said that my 1911 felt like a .22 . I was surprised at the small group that I shot with his 21sf .
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
Looking for CC. Little experience with the 40cal (I have an old walther ppq, but that’s it ans far ans 40 goes) and lots of experience with the 45 in larger frames.
Here’s my issue…

1) How does the recoil of the 23 (I’ve read that the gen 5 slides are heavier and help with recoil) compare to the smaller framed 45 (I’ve heard they are “soft” for such a large round) compare? Is one more significant than the other?

2) I like grip safeties (it’s a mental thing), but the Glock grip angle is much more natural for me. What has driven your decision in the past if you’ve had a similar decision to make?

3) how do they carry? It will be iwb.

4) I don’t dislike either cartridge, and would prefer to avoid a discussion on ballistics. Simply how do the feel in the hand, carry on the hip (4’oclock), and feel at the range.

I have made peace with the fact that there’s no bad choice, just looking for first hand experience. I always appreciate THR help!
Click to expand...
Don't have quite the combination. I have an XDS45 "gen 1" (the first release). I have a 4th gen Glock 27 (now converted to 9mm but I have shot .40 through it).

My perception, my 2 Cu oz. is, "pick one". I'd probably go with the Glock for parts and aftermarket support reasons. They both "carry well". The XDS I find harder to shoot well. I suspect it's the skinny grip that's the problem. The XDS' trigger is quite nice.

Pick one.
 
Thank you for all the info and testimonials! I ended up going with the xds 45. Odds are I’ll buy the 23 once the weather turns cool again (and I can save up some money). Here are my reasons…

1) thinner profile with shorter overall height makes slightly easier to conceal
2) the testimonials on the trigger were very persuading.
3) that extra grip safety just gives me the warm and fuzzies. It’s dumb, but I’d be dumb to lie to myself and think it’s not a factor.
4) the .45 is…well…just sexy! There’s something about a bore you could lose pocket-change down that really moves the mark for me.

Also purchased a Vedder hybrid own holster and a bunch of Federal 230 hst rounds. Spring is in the air!

Again, thanks for helping!
 
The Glock craptastic plastic sights are a 90 dollar nearly mandatory upgrade whereas Springfield and most other manufacturers ship with reasonable quality metal sights. I particularly like the ones on the XDm's. I can't speak to the XDs but the 3.8" Springfield XDm elite 45 acp is a particularly soft shooting and accurate piece, but might be a bit big for your purpose.
 
Glock 23 is one of the best service pistols I have ever owned or fired. Regardless of what the naysayers spew, the 40 S&W is a highly effective cartridge. I own most of the common 40's from the 90s and early oughts and avoided the Springfields. They just seem of not the same quality of the Glock or Sigs.
 
The gun arrived and it seems by most measures to be an ideal cc gun that lacks only in round count. My dad once said that if I need more than 6 rounds to get out of a situation, I made several bad decisions prior to being there. I’d still like more rounds regardless, but 5+1 will do the job if I do my part.

A T-shirt and average iwb holster makes the xds disappear. The thin grip is not nearly as comfortable as the Glock 23 gen5 to hold, but that’s not really the point. It indexes nicely, and suits its intended purpose to a T.

I have small to medium hands (if I’m being generous), and the pinky extension sandwiches my grip perfectly. Yes, there is a slight space on my palm that isn’t filled by the grip, but that doesn’t affect my POA. Again, it’s primary…albeit only…purpose is cc. Sacrifices will always need to be made.

I bought this to replace my sig365 because I prefer the 45 acp. Height is exactly the same with the mags I carry, and the xds may be ,5 inches longer. Not a personal consideration when cc. The xds feels bigger, but really isn’t. Cards on the table, I haven’t fired it yet, so I may eat all these words. For now, it was the right choice.

And yes…I will be buying a 23 soon. Very soon 😛, but for cc, I have no buyer’s remorse. The gun is tight and insanely smooth operating. Perfect defensive trigger. The gen5’s have an earlier breaking trigger, but the xds is smooth as butter after you hit the wall. For defensive situations, I highly doubt you’d notice a difference.
 
Range update.

Reliability: 150 rounds of federal 230 hst ran flawlessly through slow and rapid fire. I have extreme confidence in this gun.

Feel: The thin handle (and possibly the grip safety) made a hot-spot just below the webbing of my hand, but it’s a necessary trade off to have the gun disappear on my waist.
Like many others have said, the recoil was a non-issue. Felt the same as shooting my full size 1911, which is saying something given the minuscule size/weight of the Springfield. Pretty cool.

Accuracy: you do your part and the gun will group! I shot it very low, but that’s more than likely my fault. Since the thin grip doesn’t fill the palm, it does take some practice to get a comfortable grip. Using the pad of my trigger finger opposed to a “death grip” produced consistent 3 inch groups at 7 yards (again, this is good for me. I’m sure others could do much more with this gun). The relatively low recoil helps with accuracy as well.

Conclusion?
A reliable, smooth-as-butter, mild shooting 45 that does require some practice to get comfortable with.
Not to be understated, you have 6-7 rounds of 45 you can conceal in your birthday suit. A relatively perfect Big bore CC package.
 
WoodchuckAssassin said:
Accuracy ... it does take some practice to get a comfortable grip ... produced consistent 3 inch groups at 7 yards
Click to expand...
Another thing for CC pistol selection I suggest is testing for "natural point of aim".

"Natural point of aim" is how a pistol points when drawn and aimed at POA "naturally". "Natural point of aim" comes in handy when a pistol must be drawn fast and shot without having time to align sighs to target.

To check "natural point of aim" of a pistol, place a dot on target at 7 yards, while focusing on dot, close eyes then draw and point. Pistol that aligns sights close to dot has good "natural point of aim" and can facilitate fast unsighted and sighted point shooting - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...hose-with-vision-issues.891558/#post-11996959
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Buzznrose
  • Locked
Glock Gen 5 .40 S&W
Replies
21
Views
1K
Buckeye63
Buckeye63
J
  • Locked
Gen 5 Glock 40 S&W's announced
Replies
16
Views
1K
rtz
R
Trey Veston
  • Locked
G23 Glock Gen 5 slide on Gen 4 frame?
Replies
6
Views
2K
12Bravo20
12Bravo20
1KPerDay
  • Locked
Subjective .40 caliber felt recoil test: Glock vs Beretta PX4
Replies
11
Views
801
Gun-Reck
Gun-Reck
il.bill
  • Locked
.40 s&w glock 23 - gen 3
Replies
24
Views
3K
JR24
JR24
Back
Top