Glock 17 Vs. Springfield XD9
Reviewing the Springfield XD9, I think it’s a good design, it really is. However I do feel that the entire XD series is pretty much a ripoff of the Glock. I thought that when they originally came out, and the question I always ask when a gun is so similar to the original is: How does the XD beat the Glock? In a nutshell, I’m just going to tell you right off that it does not, but that doesn’t mean it is not a good pistol. The XD is a very good pistol and I’m going to prove that it is when I go down through these talking points, so if you’re an XD fan, try not to be brand myopic, but I’m going to keep it real and tell you that in some ways it is inferior to the Glock.
First, let’s start off with philosophy of use. How do I envision this gun to be used? This is a full size 9mm XD, it comes in other calibers, .40, .45, I always choose 9mm because I think it is size efficient, it gets the job done with the right loading and a fair amount of marksmanship. I like to use the 9mm to compare it against the Glock 17, another full size service type pistol. This is not a concealed carry option (unless you are masochistic and like to carry a bulky gun with you, in which case you will carry it for a month and then give up carrying altogether in my experience). You will be a lot better served to use a subcompact gun if you want to carry, like a Kahr PM9, PM40, Keltec PF9.
Weight is an area where the XD comes in a distant second. The Glock weighs 25.2 ounces, the 9mm XD9 weighs 28.2, a full 3 ounces heavier. I don’t mind the extra weight if it gives us something in return. What does the XD9 give us in return for the 3 ounces? Nothing. In fact it gives us less rounds and sighting radius, and more complexity in parts.
In terms of firepower, the XD is also second to the Glock with 16 round magazines, vs the Glock 17’s 17 rounds, the it is down 1 round. To put it into perspective, I think that 16 rounds is adequate, but given a choice, more rounds is better.
Durability and reliability, in my trigger time on the XD, I have always found it to be reliable. I am hearing, though, that after thousands of rounds the XD is facing reliability problems.
In my shooting, the XD is also slightly less accurate. That’s just my mileage, many shooters love the accuracy of the XD. I would say that for their intended purpose the Glock and XD are both accurate guns.
One thing that I do not like on the XD is the grip safety. In terms of simplicity, why do we need this? I do not like or see the need for grip safeties, it is just added nonsense. The safe action trigger is your safety, I don’t see the need for this.
You have the ability to add non proprietary accessories on the rail, which is cool. Good serrations on the slide, and there are no exterior controls that get in the way. All you have is a slide release, like on the Glock. The magazine release is right where I want it to be at the rear of the trigger guard. There is stippling on the back, which is very Glock-like, almost identical. Thumb indentations are on the side, also nearly identical to the Glock’s. For the most part, if you like the ergonomics on a Glock you will like the XD. The XD has a 1911 style grip angle which is different than the Glock.
One big hit on the XD design is the barrel sits higher above your hand than the Glock. The bore axis is higher, therefore followup shots, theoretically speaking, will be slower. It feels like the XD has more muzzle flip than the Glock. On the 9mm, it is not really a factor, but go to the .40 or .45 it will be more of a factor.
The XD slide rides on a steel rail in the front and a polymer rail in the back. On the Glock, the slide rides on steel in the front and back.
There are aftermarket sights for the XD, and lots of holster options, so that is a plus.
As far as the XD magazines go, I would rather have the black magazine rather than the shiny magazines in the XD, I would rather not have them glinting in the sun.
The XD is in the same ballpark as the Glock, and it is a very high value and reliable pistol, however I still remain with my criticism that it is a ripoff of the Glock design in most respects, and if you want a Glock, but a Glock.
This is a transcription for the most part of the video by Nutnfancy on youtube. Check him out for more reviews like this.
