Barrel axis measurement?

[Waldo1]

Awright, please help me wrap my brain around this; I've heard/read from several different sources that the 'high' barrel axis on an XD contributes to increased perceived recoil or muzzle flip as opposed to a Glock (which was apparently also given to mankind by The Lady Of The Lake, right after Excalibur...) Can anybody(s) provide measurements (or an existing source for those measurements) of the centerline of a Glock 21 barrel to the ?? as opposed to the centerline of an XD 45 barrel to this same relative point on an XD? Please bear in mind that I'm not calling anyone's baby ugly or making disparaging remarks about the size of their pee-pee, I'm just looking for qualitative measurements to see if there is a significant difference. I know how sensitive some Glockers can be when the primacy of THEIR design (unless your first name is Gaston, you didn't invent it).

Thanks,

Waldo1

[Old School]

It is true that the XD slide sits higher on the hand than the Glock. Does that matter when it comes to recoil? Maybe. This is why you train with the gun you shoot.

OS

[Mercmar]

If you'll measure yours, I'll measure mine.

[rgeliske]

Unfortunately that is not the only factor in perceived recoil in fact it is probably the least important. Another thing you have to consider is the grip angle, which is more vertical in the Glock, causing the gun in a natural grip to point higher meaning you will tend to cock your wrist forward into the shot which is somewhat resistant to recoil. Against that is the Steel slide of the XD which being heavier would tend to absorb recoil. I don't think either one had perceived recoil in mind when they were designed. They were looking for a solid reliable gun to incorporate the HK Polymer frame ideas. Both guns work and honestly I don't know that I have ever heard that the recoil was an issue when making a purchase. It is most often, the police and military all use Glocks so they must be good, or the XD just feels better in my hand.

[Waldo1]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

"Both guns work and honestly I don't know that I have ever heard that the recoil was an issue when making a purchase." What I have read numerous times is that the XD slide is "really tall" or "high" and the "higher bore axis increases muzzle flip" and increases time for follow-up shots. Do a search in the 'net and you'll find it. I have also read repeatedly that the XD 45 has very mild recoil, so this is where the cognitive dissonance comes in. Nobody local (Riegs, Oak Ridge) has an XD45 available as a rental so that I can perform the 'sniff test' myself.
I have carried 1911s for years and really like the way that the XD feels. I do not feel that the grip dimensions are overly large, although I am looking for an XD45 compact as that grip length would make CCW more effective here in Florida. I look at that model like a 1911 CCO. I have owned Glock (Gen1) and did not care for the grip angle (carried 1911s in the service). I have looked at Glock 21s and it feels like I'm gripping a 2x4. The XD feels right, but I tend to do a lot of research before I buy something- especially a carry gun.
I am aware that there are other considerations and parameters effecting perceived recoil impulse and the resultant muzzle flip, but I was trying to get factual data on bore axes centerline to top of the trigger guard perhaps? That info is obviously unavailable. I'll just turn down a .45 ACP bore-aliagnment jig on the lathe, stop by a gun shop and take measurements on both models. Given the lack of published information, I do not expect there to be significant differences in centerline bore dimensions.

Take care,

Waldo1

[EdMaxx]

Any time I hear people start to complain about semi-auto recoil, I tell them to come over and shoot my .357 magnum revolver. That should shut them up.

[Mercmar]

Originally Posted by Waldo1

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

"Both guns work and honestly I don't know that I have ever heard that the recoil was an issue when making a purchase." What I have read numerous times is that the XD slide is "really tall" or "high" and the "higher bore axis increases muzzle flip" and increases time for follow-up shots. Do a search in the 'net and you'll find it. I have also read repeatedly that the XD 45 has very mild recoil, so this is where the cognitive dissonance comes in. Nobody local (Riegs, Oak Ridge) has an XD45 available as a rental so that I can perform the 'sniff test' myself.
I have carried 1911s for years and really like the way that the XD feels. I do not feel that the grip dimensions are overly large, although I am looking for an XD45 compact as that grip length would make CCW more effective here in Florida. I look at that model like a 1911 CCO. I have owned Glock (Gen1) and did not care for the grip angle (carried 1911s in the service). I have looked at Glock 21s and it feels like I'm gripping a 2x4. The XD feels right, but I tend to do a lot of research before I buy something- especially a carry gun.
I am aware that there are other considerations and parameters effecting perceived recoil impulse and the resultant muzzle flip, but I was trying to get factual data on bore axes centerline to top of the trigger guard perhaps? That info is obviously unavailable. I'll just turn down a .45 ACP bore-aliagnment jig on the lathe, stop by a gun shop and take measurements on both models. Given the lack of published information, I do not expect there to be significant differences in centerline bore dimensions.

Take care,

Waldo1

Have you considered firing both models? That's not as "sexy" as just "turning down a bore-allignment jig," but it'd probably give you better feedback than theoreticals. I currently own two G21s and a G20 and have fired tens of thousands of rounds through the G21s. Have also fired a friend's XD.45 Tactical. I can't say that I noticed any difference in perceived recoil and/or muzzle flip, but if there were any advantage, it'd probably go to Glock. And yes, Glock's engineers were/are smart enough to design a handgun with muzzle flip and recoil mitigation as part of the mix.

[Waldo1]

Mercmar- "Have you considered firing both models? That's not as "sexy" as just "turning down a bore-allignment jig," but it'd probably give you better feedback than theoreticals."

Quote from the first paragraph of my previous post- "Nobody local (Riegs, Oak Ridge) has an XD45 available as a rental so that I can perform the 'sniff test' myself."

As I wrote the first time, nobody local that I could find has an XD45 for rent, so I am unable to do this. Please try to keep up. Lathe work has never been very "sexy" to me, but if you find it titillating then you might want to pursue it for that reason. The jig will only take me about 10 minutes and then I'll be able to get a quantitative answer, not some "theoreticals" or personal opinion. Thanks for all of your help.

Take care,

Waldo1

[Boricua]

Ah, do we know what they measure? I would like to know as well, not because it matters but because I'm I would like to know.

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by Waldo1

Mercmar- "Have you considered firing both models? That's not as "sexy" as just "turning down a bore-allignment jig," but it'd probably give you better feedback than theoreticals."

Quote from the first paragraph of my previous post- "Nobody local (Riegs, Oak Ridge) has an XD45 available as a rental so that I can perform the 'sniff test' myself."

As I wrote the first time, nobody local that I could find has an XD45 for rent, so I am unable to do this. Please try to keep up. Lathe work has never been very "sexy" to me, but if you find it titillating then you might want to pursue it for that reason. The jig will only take me about 10 minutes and then I'll be able to get a quantitative answer, not some "theoreticals" or personal opinion. Thanks for all of your help.

Take care,

Waldo1

I'm just about a hour north of you in The Villages and have 2 XD45s you are welcome to try out. I usually shoot at Eustus Gun Club which may be even closer. I do have a 1911 but no Glocks so I can't help there but personally nothing I have found shoots as well as a good 1911.