45ACP - XD vs. Glock 21, Your Thoughts

[The Annoyed Man]

Put Smith & Wesson M&P45 on your short list as well. Better grip/ergonomic design than either XD or Glock, IMHO.

I agree about the M&P45. Simply wonderful ergonomics. I can't speak to the XD, but I also own a XDm-45 Compact 3.8 which I like very much. I'm not prepared to swear that the M&P's ergonomics are hugely better between the two, but it has a slight edge although I like the XDm's very much. The M&P ergonomics are the most "1911-like" between the two, and that is high praise. The M&P trigger is better than the XDm's, but the XDm's is not terrible. It just has a slightly longer pull and reset than the M&P.

But, I gotta say the nay-no on the Glock 21. Even the SF version/Gen 4. I like the Glock 9mms, .40s, and 10mms OK, although they don't feel as good in the hand to me as an M&P or XDm. But the double stack .45 ACP Glocks are just too wide in the slide for me. It just isn't necessary to make a gun that humungous. It may be fine for a duty-carry piece where concealment isn't so much of an issue, but I have no use for a pistol with a slide so big that you could land a Cessna on the top of it. I'm left handed. A gun that big on my left hip, and I won't be able to close my car door. I already cast enough shade without adding a 4x6 on my hip.

I could go on..... I'll be here all week. Don't forget to tip your server.

Seriously though, I had a chance recently to compare another forum member's G30 to my XDm. The G30 trigger was pretty good, and there is no doubt that the platform is reliable and rugged, but here we had two pistols aimed essentially the same market segment, having similar capacity, barrel length, performance, reliability etc., but the Glock had that aircraft carrier deck on top of the slide again. Held side by side, the XDm was in my opinion clearly superior as a concealment pistol. That said, this gentlemen used his G30 as his EDC and was very satisfied with it. But given a choice between the Glock and the XDm, I'd take the XDm. But that's just me.

[CC Italian]

Try a gen 4. I seriously couldn't believe how much better it felt in the hand! I put it up to my 20 SF and it looked like the grip might be a hair smaller but I called Glock and they said no. It might just be the textured grip helped that much but it felt miles apart from the SF! This guy has one. I am jealous!

http://gunreviewguy.blogspot.com/2012/0 ... ivers.html

[carlson1]

A gun that big on my left hip, and I won't be able to close my car door. I already cast enough shade without adding a 4x6 on my hip. .

I resemble that except I am right handed and my passenger door does have a problem.

[CC Italian]

Yeah, when my father first picked it up he laughed and said I didn't need any bullets to hurt anybody. Just to hit them over the head with the slide.

Edit: I think the slide alone weighs almost as much as his Glock 22. I think it is 19 ounces.

[Medic218]

I'm looking to pick up a .45 to use as a range toy and as a primary hunting sidearm.

What are you going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto?

Guess I shouldn't have worded it that way but I just need it primarily as a hunting sidearm.

[Jumping Frog]

I'm looking to pick up a .45 to use as a range toy and as a primary hunting sidearm.

What are you going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto?

Guess I shouldn't have worded it that way but I just need it primarily as a hunting sidearm.

I am not worried about how you worded it, I am genuinely curious about what you are going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

I'm looking to pick up a .45 to use as a range toy and as a primary hunting sidearm.

What are you going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto?

Guess I shouldn't have worded it that way but I just need it primarily as a hunting sidearm.

I am not worried about how you worded it, I am genuinely curious about what you are going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto.

He said "hunting sidearm" not "hunting handgun", I believe he plans on carrying it in addition to his hunting weapon. I would assume for wounded game and snakes and such.

[Medic218]

I'm looking to pick up a .45 to use as a range toy and as a primary hunting sidearm.

What are you going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto?

Guess I shouldn't have worded it that way but I just need it primarily as a hunting sidearm.

I am not worried about how you worded it, I am genuinely curious about what you are going to hunt with a .45 ACP semiauto.

He said "hunting sidearm" not "hunting handgun", I believe he plans on carrying it in addition to his hunting weapon. I would assume for wounded game and snakes and such.

Bingo!
Plus, anything that might feel threatened and fell the need to attack....God forbid.

[C-dub]

Seriously though, I had a chance recently to compare another forum member's G30 to my XDm. The G30 trigger was pretty good, and there is no doubt that the platform is reliable and rugged, but here we had two pistols aimed essentially the same market segment, having similar capacity, barrel length, performance, reliability etc., but the Glock had that aircraft carrier deck on top of the slide again.

That explains a lot. I was an airdale and worked on the flight deck and loved it. No wonder I like the double stack Glock .45's.

[Medic218]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll probably end up with an XD if I can ever find a 5" model. I think I'd be happy enough with the 4" compact, but I just want the 5" model.
For now though I'm pretty content since I just traded for a Kimber Stainless II.

[RPBrown]

I have had both and loved both. I had to sell my G21 because the artheritis in my fingers had gotten bad enough that I could not break it down to clean it.

[v-rog]

Went to the range today and held a Glock 21 Gen 4 in my hand. WOW! Glock says it is the same grip diminsions as the 20/21 SF but to me it felt like a whole different gun. Supposedly the Gen 4 20 is out but in limited quantities. As soon as I can get a line on a Gen 4 20 I am going to get one! The 21 almost felt like a 17. It was nice. At least for a Glock.

l purchase.

[Sangiovese]

To me, the biggest difference between the XD and Glock is the grip angle. The XD points naturally for me, but you might have the exact opposite experience.

When I was trying to decide between the two, I held each one at low ready, picked a spot on the wall, closed my eyes and pointed. When I opened my eyes, the XD sights were lined up almost perfectly. The glock was tilted high. I could have trained myself to get the glock to point where I wanted it, but it made more sense to me to get the one that pointed naturally.

I have 3 XD45s (4" compact, 5" compact, and XDs) and love them all. But I would never tell anyone who prefers Glocks that my XDs are better. They both make great, reliable guns and either one will serve you well.

[MechAg94]

I would say ,to pick which feels best to you. I have an XD 45 4" model and a G22 in 40cal. I shoot both well and both are rock solid reliable. I shoot the XD 4" and 5" models about the same. The extra length didn't help me much except to make it seem a lot bigger.

I used to have an S&W M&P 45. I think the Nice grips feel great in the gun store, but are no better when actually shooting. The reduced capacity was an issue for me and it wasn't slim enough to make up for it. I've had one in 40 and 45 and no longer have either. It might fit you better, but not me.

[SpringerFan]

To me, the biggest difference between the XD and Glock is the grip angle. The XD points naturally for me, but you might have the exact opposite experience.

When I was trying to decide between the two, I held each one at low ready, picked a spot on the wall, closed my eyes and pointed. When I opened my eyes, the XD sights were lined up almost perfectly. The glock was tilted high. I could have trained myself to get the glock to point where I wanted it, but it made more sense to me to get the one that pointed naturally.

I have 3 XD45s (4" compact, 5" compact, and XDs) and love them all. But I would never tell anyone who prefers Glocks that my XDs are better. They both make great, reliable guns and either one will serve you well.

This^^^^. I had a glock 36 but just couldn't get used to the grip angle. XDs just point perfectly for me.