should I buy a 1911 model 45 or a springfield xd model 45 acp?

Question

I want to buy a good 45. I have been told the springfild Xd is an good choice. However the 1911 model is legendary. I want in both for shooting on the range and personal defense

Answer 1

Difficult to give recommendation since I don't know your experience w/ pistols and hand size.

As said by the above reply, you must choose one that fits your hand. You should be able to grip the pistol comfortably and securely with one hand. I shouldn't feel like it is too big in your hand (or too small). The trigger finger should be able to rest on the trigger w/out over extending (and should be on the soft part of the finger-fleshy part, not on the very tip).

Best thing to do is find a range that rents and see how they shoot and fit your hand (or if you know anyone that has a XD 45, ask to shoot it.) Next best is just to hold one at a gun store for fit.

I don't know if you intend to carry your weapon or keep it at home. But if you carry, the 1911 is carried two ways (mainly). Uncocked and '****** and locked'.... I don't recall if there is a half ****** postion any more. If you feel uncomfortable carrying ****** and lock, YOU will have to remember to pull the hammer on the gun before firing if you do carry it.

You mentioned 1911's, so I'll mention another one (in case you didn't know...) Another 1911 "hybrid" is made by Para Ordnance- same frame, slide as the 1911 but different trigger. They have the LDA series. Instead of a single action trigger, it has a "Light Double Action". The trigger is consistent (similar to a Glock and HD). Unlike a true double action, where the first pull is hard and then the rest is 'single action', the pull is consistand. They make high capacity models and a single stack (uses regular 7 round 1911 mags) in the LDA series. I have a few and love them. I like my 1911's (conventional trigger), but didn't want to worry about ****** and locked or cocking before shooting.

I have no experience w/ the XD's. All I know is, it has a grip safety like a 1911 and trigger safety like a Glock. Since they look like Glock, I would hazard a guess that they would feel/handle similarly. Thought about getting a XD, but I already have Glocks..... what's the point. Might, if the price is right.

Well, I hope some of this made sense and will help. Oh, if going to a gun store, don't get pushed into buying anything. At times, dealer will push certain guns (maybe they had it in stock or want to sell a high dollar one....)

Good luck on your choice.

Answer 2

Springfield Xd 1911

Answer 3

I've owned both and currently still shoot the 1911. I was not that impressed with the XD. I felt good in my hand but the performance (accuracy) was not all that great. I would go to a range and shoot both and see what you perfer. My 1911 is a Springfield also. It's all going to depend on you. You really can't go wrong with a 1911 though.

Answer 4

Both are excellent weapons for both range shooting and self defense.

It comes down to personal preference.

For me, the Grip angle of the XD is a little different than the 1911, and I prefer the 1911.

There are several people at my club that compete with the XD and do quite well.

I have several 1911's, and all are accurate performers. I prefer the trigger pull on the 1911 to the XD, and general mechanics of the 1911. But that is my personal preference, you miles may vary.

i have found shorter 1911's (shorter than 4" barrells) are a little finicky to get running right... but are real performers when they are running. I carry mine every day.

If you can go to a range and rent one of each, I would highly recommend doing so. If not, if some friends have one, ask them to let you shoot it at the range... buy them some ammo, and lunch after wards.

Answer 5

Check out Para-Ordnance 1911's. You can get from a 3" bobed double action carry model to a double stack 5" barrell. Great guns, 1911 45's are the sh*t. Also check out the kimbers, some have tactical rails. They are pricey but well worth it.

Answer 6

NO. If you like a weapon that constantly jams. Not dependable. Then buy the 1911 Model 45.
Get a COLT.

Answer 7

I think most of those you listed are of good quality and would give good service. There is one I'm not familiar with though the CZ. Some others that give good service are Ruger, Colt, Walther (old ones), High Standard, Kimber and that's about as many as I can think of right now. I have owned a Ruger Super Black Hawk for about 20 yrs now and know it to be of good quality. I have in the past owned Colts. Both 357 mag Trooper MKIII wheel guns and 1911autos. Both were exceptional weapons. I did Own a Dan Wesson 357 mag once and it was ok. I sold it for the black hawk 44 mag.

Answer 8

I don't know if this fact is important to you, but the 1911-style .45's can be detail stripped with nothing but a screwdriver for the grip screws and a few punches and a hammer (or a few nails and a rock; I have done it that way before when I had no other choice) for the various pins. The other models you mentioned all require special tools to detail strip.

Answer 9

they are both fairly good guns. there was a article this past week about the xd and its problems.i have the 1911 -a1,loaded model.ir shoots great.i just shot a group of 60 shots that a softball can cover. only 3 shots out of 60 did not hit the bullseye.it is a extremely smooth shooting action.i changed the grips and got mmc nite sites.it will turn out to be just a personal choice.i use the 45 dues to its smoothness and accuracy.good luck in your choice.
------retired texas deputy sheriff------

Answer 10

I have been a .45acp fanatic for years and years. I carried one on duty whenever department policy allowed it, and off duty for many years as well. I have many different types of .45acp pistols and consider myself more knowledgeable on them then the average guy. I carried a 1911 style or one of it's variants for years. I currently carry a para ord "nitehawg" because it is the smallest high capacity .45acp pistol out there, and it is very accurate. My wife currently carries the XD compact in .45 acp. I recomend to anyone that hasn't had training, and a lot of experience with a 1911 style .45, that they go with the XD rather than the "****** and locked" carry of a 1911. I especially like the XD because of the grip safety, in addition to the trigger safety. I tested the XD extensively before allowing my wife ( who is experienced in 1911 pistols) to carry it for CCW. It is accurate, very dependable, well made, comes from a reputable company and is very very safe to carry. The 1911 style pistol is much more easily modified for different types of shooting, from target to combat to self defense, but in the hands of an in- experienced person, more dangerous to use. In the hands of an experienced and trained shooter, I think it is perfectly safe, even more so than a revolver (how many safeties are on a revolver?( one, keeping finger off trigger) On a 1911 you have the grip safety, the frame mounted thumb safety and of course the finger off the trigger safety. Having said that, without experience and training with it, the 1911 is the more dangerous pistol of the two. In addition, for a novice shooter, the XD is consdered a double action and has no exposed hammer vs the single action of the 1911. Also, the XD has a loaded chamber indicator, as well as a "******" indicator, which let's you know that the firearm is ready to go bang. Check out the XD compact, it comes with two mags, one that fits flush to use for concealed carry, and an extended one with a grip extension that holds more rounds, and gives the pistol a larger grip for people with big hands.