Glock VS. XD need input

[firearmgeek]

Hello, first want to commend everyone for all the knowledge that is shared in this forum. Great site!

I’m contemplating selling my Glock g23, and replace it with the 5in XD tactical .40 cal.
It would be nice to get info from anyone that transitioned from Glocks to XD.
Accuracy comparison, reliability, durability, aftermarket upgrades etc. I know the XD is still somewhat in its infancy, are there any recorded cases of KB so far?

Finally, what is the going market price for the 5in XD tactical .40?

Thanks in advance.

[vafish]

Well I wouldn't say I have transistioned from Glocks to an XD, but, after 5 years of shooting Glocks in competition and carrying them for self defense I picked up an XD40 a couple of weeks ago in a trade.

I finally got the XD to the range this past Sunday. Nice gun. I'm not ready to sell my Glocks just yet, but the XD has a lot going for it.

For a comparison:

Accuracy - it's a wash. Both are accurate enough for their intended needs.

Reliablity - Again I'd say it's a wash, I've only got a couple hundred rounds through the XD, no failures. Thousand of rounds through the Glocks and no failures with me shooting. Only a couple of failures with my young son and then only when he shoots one type of ammo. I'd say it was the combination of weak grip and poor ammo.

Durability - Overall I'd give this one to the Glock, I think the XD will last a lifetime, but the finish on the Glock is much better. I already have some small scratches on it from handling.

Aftermarket accessories - not even close the Glock wins this one by a land slide.

One thing not on your list is ergonomics or feel. I think the XD wins that one by a landslide. It feels great in my hand and points more naturally ( even after years of Glock conditioning)

[Theplugs]

Originally Posted by firearmgeek

Hello, first want to commend everyone for all the knowledge that is shared in this forum. Great site!

I’m contemplating selling my Glock g23, and replace it with the 5in XD tactical .40 cal.
It would be nice to get info from anyone that transitioned from Glocks to XD.
Accuracy comparison, reliability, durability, aftermarket upgrades etc. I know the XD is still somewhat in its infancy, are there any recorded cases of KB so far?

Finally, what is the going market price for the 5in XD tactical .40?

Thanks in advance.

I did just that. I sold my G23C for an XD40SVC. So far I like it better than I did my G23. The ergonomiccs of the XD fit my hand better and I tend to shoot tighter groups with the XD. I have not put a lot of rounds through mine yet but, so far what I have read here assures me that it will perform as well as my glock did.

My .02

[jedi573]

Originally Posted by firearmgeek

Hello, first want to commend everyone for all the knowledge that is shared in this forum. Great site!

I’m contemplating selling my Glock g23, and replace it with the 5in XD tactical .40 cal.
It would be nice to get info from anyone that transitioned from Glocks to XD.
Accuracy comparison, reliability, durability, aftermarket upgrades etc. I know the XD is still somewhat in its infancy, are there any recorded cases of KB so far?

Finally, what is the going market price for the 5in XD tactical .40?

Thanks in advance.

My take:

Accuracy: Both good for the price range and their intended purpose. My 4" 9x19 puts them all (by all I mean a duty load of three sixteen-round mags and a "plus one") in one ragged hole with fairly rapid fire between five and fifteen yards. Glocks are generally known for above-average out of the box accuracy with quality jacketed ammunition.

Reliability: XDs are still young in this area. A few have had some locking block problems - hairline cracks and that after a certain number of rounds. Excuding the lemons with the locking block problem, your average XD seems to be about on par with reliability as a Glock, which is saying something. No malfunctions on mine yet.

Durability: Finish on the "black" XDs has been an issue for some. This appears to have been corrected on the new .45 ACPs; however, it's not something that can be done retroactively. Good news is that the old black finish can be stripped and replaced with something else if you want.

Aftermarket upgrades: The XD has dovetails for both the front and rear sights, and it's the same size as those on SIG-Sauer guns, meaning there are a lot of options for sight changes. Further modifications are still down the line for the most part, but not much is needed, really. Trigger jobs are fairly straightforward, and most recommend Canyon Creek. Springfield's Custom Shop also handles modifications to XDs and is a top-notch outfit.

As far as just features go, the XD has the Glock beat: steel sights instead of plastic, dovetail front instead of staked, grip safety, metal trigger instead of plastic, ambidextrous magazine release, simpler takedown, steel magazines instead of plastic-bodied (drop easier).

The XD also has a 105-degree grip angle, compared to the Glock's 108-. A more natural pointer for some; it's the same as the 1911.

If you cross the XD's features and grip with the Glock's proven track record for reliability, you have a winner. At this point, the XD has been steadily improving in the reliability and durability categories. It's definitely a contender, but at this point I wouldn't say, "It's better than the Glock in every way, hands down."

Still, if it points better for you - and it does for many - I'd go with it. Springfield's lifetime warranty is fantastic, and my XD-9 has been nothing but a great shooter.

Andy

[Wren-Ro 'V']

Glock, no lifetime proprietary parts policy.

['Card]

I can't speak for anyone else, but I like my XD much better than either of my Glocks, and I used to be a pretty big Glock fan.

I like the grip safety, I like the 'loaded chamber' and 'cocked' indicators, and I like the ergonomics of it a lot. My groups are significantly tighter with my XD than they are with either of my two Glocks, in spite of the fact that I've owned the Glocks for much longer than I have my XD.

As for durability, I've yet to have a problem of any sort with either of my Glocks or my XD, so that one is kind of a wash.

Finally, I don't get into serious IDPA competition or any of that stuff, but once a month I do go to a pretty informal and non-serious Action Pistol competition. I've found that on the same drills, my times with the XD are better than they were with my Glocks. I'm not certain why, but I think the XD just 'points' better and quicker because of the grip angle. My accuracy tends to be slightly better as well.

[firearmgeek]

Thanks for the wealth of info,

If I wasn't married I would keep the g23 and get the XD. Dont think I dont wear the belt in my household, she just tells me which belt to wear.

Anyway, they are both good guns and you guys just proven that to me. So here is what I am came up with to make a decision. Please let me know if I there is something else to add.

Pros and Cons
Glock G23
-Pros-
Aftermarket upgrade: I can vouche for this I installed a trigger job, replaced sights, barrel mod to 9mm & .357 all these without the need for a gunsmith and I am not even that good in wrenching. pretty much PNP
Durability: the polymer takes a beating pretty well.
Reliability: I agree with you on this Jedi, glocks have around longer and my g23 pretty much eats anything I feed it.
-Cons-
Warranty:no lifetime
Safety:trigger, firing pin(which is hilarious)
Ergonomics: I agree, its not a natural handle.

XD
-Pros-
Safety: trigger, hand grip
Accuracy: based on your guys review a little better than glock(of course it all depends shooters ability)
Ergonomics:Hands down, based on user census.
Warranty: cant beat lifetime
-Cons-
Aftermarket Upgrade: Some available upgrades but need installation from a gunsmith, Im sure as more demand for this gun more simpler upgrades will come.

Its funny the more I write down all these I am still undecided.....

You guys have mentioned that the take down on the XD is faster, does the glock pale in comparison?
Last thing regarding aftermarket upgrades comparison, out of the box the XD is still a cheaper route since everything you need is already available.
I had to change the cheap plastic sight, trigger job, and guide rod on the g23 which are added cost. If I get the XD is the trigger job a must have or is it only recommended for anyone competing? It seems the XD might be a cheaper setup.
Please let me know if you guys have anything else to add to my confusion.

Later.....

['Card]

I don't think I'd consider the Glock hard to field strip, but the XD is easier.
My XD hasn't needed any aftermarket tweaks at all so far. I know a lot of guys who post here get trigger jobs, but I also know a lot of people who swear the XD doesn't need one at all. Mine hasn't, and I can't see getting one, but that's a personal preference, I guess.

As for your 'pros and cons' list, I would add two things for the XD.
- Under pros, don't forget the 'loaded chamber' and 'cocked' visual and tactile indicator buttons. I know they seem like useless gimmicks at first, but you'll be surprised how much you'll come to like them once you get used to them.
- Under cons, Springfield refuses to sell individual parts for the XD's. If anything breaks, you pretty much have to send it back to SA for repair - although you do get a lifetime warranty to make that part a little less painful.

[O.C. 4 U]

I don't think either one is easier/harder to field strip, each one can be stripped down by a drunken monkey in seconds. As to the question of weather to keep the glock or get the xd, it really comes down to personal preferance. Both are damn fine weapons that will serve you well, however, if you have all the spare barrels for the glock, you have to think about the extra cost of buying spares for the xd if you want the extra caliber options. I know you hear it all the time, but I would say get both. I have never sold/traded a firearm where I didn't end up regreting it, no matter how much I liked the new one. Save up a little at a time, even if it's only 50 bucks a pay and before you know it, you'll have BOTH!