1911 vs XD

[lfacfp]

Which is better and why 1911 or sprignfield XD?

 

[SpaldingPM]

That's like asking which is better... a camaro or a mustang.
On the other hand, there are 100's of different 1911's and a few different XD's. Its all personal preference.
Might want to be a little more descriptive of what kind of "better." Concealability, capacity, usage...

Your OP is very vague.

 

[SpaldingPM]

Personally, I strongly dislike XD's and I love 1911's... but a good 1911, but again... key work here is "personally."
An XD will outrun a cheap, garbage 1911, all day, every day.

IMO, a 1911 is art with firepower, an XD is a self defense weapon, but at the same time a quality 1911 will get the defensive factor across as well.

You can go into a LGS and pick up any XD and it will be great. Shopping for a 1911 that suits your desire and quality standards takes much more time.

Here at INGO you will get many different opinions on a vague term of which is "better." Describe your usage, and desires and you will find much more suited assistance.

 

[Tandem160]

1911

 

[lfacfp]

I am specifically wanting to know about easy of carry, reliability, price comparison, resale value, any real problems with either gun. Thanks.

 

[lfacfp]

Also are the compact models of either gun too small for .45 or difficult to handle? Thinking about concealment.

 

[lfacfp]

It would seem to me the XD compact version would be too light for a .45.

 

[strokin7.3]

It would seem to me the XD compact version would be too light for a .45.

XDs .45 that I owned for a while did just fine...

 

[partyboy6686]

1911. Easy to carry with a good belt and holster. Ill take the proven reliability of the 1911 over any other gun I have owned. A good 1911 is gonna cost you more then a XD.

 

[churchmouse]

The questions posted are still hard to pin down. Especially for a true believer in JMB.
Cost....XD but I would still buy a 1911. Just me.
capacity....should not be an issue if you train sufficiently with your EDC. Depending on what/where/when I am going I carry (2) spare 10 rd. Mags for my 1911. (1) 8 rd. in the gun.
Re-sale......Again, hard to say but a decent 1911 holds it's value. XD....
Reliability...decent 1911 will have no more or less issues than any other gun.
Carry....It will be hard to deep conceal a full frame 1911 unless you are a fair sized person.

 

[jagee]

The questions posted are still hard to pin down. Especially for a true believer in JMB.
Cost....XD but I would still buy a 1911. Just me.
capacity....should not be an issue if you train sufficiently with your EDC. Depending on what/where/when I am going I carry (2) spare 10 rd. Mags for my 1911. (1) 8 rd. in the gun.
Re-sale......Again, hard to say but a decent 1911 holds it's value. XD....
Reliability...decent 1911 will have no more or less issues than any other gun.
Carry....It will be hard to deep conceal a full frame 1911 unless you are a fair sized person.

CM knows his 1911's.

It is a matter of preference, really. You can go anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand bucks for a 1911. Xd's are pretty set. Do you want plastic or metal? The 1911, especially full size, will be a little heavier, but shouldn't be a problem with a good belt and holster. Personally, I like 1911's, but don't carry one. XD's just don't feel right in my hand. Shoot both, see what you like.

 

[partyboy6686]

The questions posted are still hard to pin down. Especially for a true believer in JMB.
Cost....XD but I would still buy a 1911. Just me.
capacity....should not be an issue if you train sufficiently with your EDC. Depending on what/where/when I am going I carry (2) spare 10 rd. Mags for my 1911. (1) 8 rd. in the gun.
Re-sale......Again, hard to say but a decent 1911 holds it's value. XD....
Reliability...decent 1911 will have no more or less issues than any other gun.
Carry....It will be hard to deep conceal a full frame 1911 unless you are a fair sized person.

Churchmouse you know im a small guy and I deep conceal a fullsize 1911. It just cost money to be able to deep conceal. My belt, custom holster, and custom dual mag pouch cost me roughly $250.

 

[SpaldingPM]

I am specifically wanting to know about easy of carry, reliability, price comparison, resale value, any real problems with either gun. Thanks.

Well to answer all of those questions, again, it depends on which specific 1911 you'd like to compare the specific XD. First off, as you probably already know, they aren't even in the same class of handgun. XD is a poly as a 1911 is all steel.
I'd put the most of XD line in the same class as Glock and the S&W M&P line, although the XD does have the grip safety like the 1911, I still classify it to be in the same class as mentioned before.

Reliability, minus the recall on the XDm line, I've known to be great in XD's. I don't know anyone that has one that is any less than satisfied.

Price comparison.... well for the price that you pay for an XD model, you'll be getting a pretty budget 1911. Nothing worth your time IMO (rock islands, citadel's, tisas which i've heard is a decent 1911 actually but its a turkish 1911..., etc..). I'll probably get a lot of crap because of saying all that, but its my honest opinion as having owned many Armscor (rock islands, and citadels). Some can get away with a Philippian made 1911 (Armscor) being reliable, and some are trash. Mine were hit or miss also

With a cheap 1911, you'll sacrifice a good finish, fitment (and in a 1911 that is KEY), and most importantly, reliability. XD's are one type of gun made by one manufacturer, 1911's are made by tons of people, and unfortunately, when its a cheap company, you're gambling. There's no gamble with an XD.

resale... well with our gun market the way it is currently, you won't get what you paid new for either, but then again you won't be killing yourself. In a panic... they're both good, but I'm the one who holds on to my stuff when theres a panic.

Some 1911 brands I'd recommend for a nice, reliable, entry level, would be a Para Expert (one of my fav entry 1911's), a ruger sr1911, and Auto Ordinance. If you're lucky enough to find a Springfield Range Officer for $700 or below, Jump on it. I handled one for the first time this week and I fell in love. AMAZING fit... and in a 1911, fitment is detrimental.

 

[VERT]

All steel single stack vs double stack, striker fired polymer. $600 for an XD vs $750+ for a decent 1911. Apples and Oranges.

I would choose the 1911 because it is thinner and easier to carry. Also I have seen multiple instances where people have failed to properly disengage the grip safety on the XD.

 

[Whip_McCord]

You didn't state a purpose. I have 7 1911s and an XD 45. Three of my 1911s are custom guns for bullseye. Three are for other shooting sports and one is a compact for carry. My XD is used for carry in my woods or while I'm mowing or working in the yard. Both are great pistols, but the XD is not as accurate as my 1911s. The XD does have about twice the capacity of the 1911, so it is good for defense or hiking. I don't know why people think some things are mutually exclusive. It's not like you can only have one or the other. Some guns have specific purposes or at least things they perform best at. That's why we need not limit ourselves to just one gun.

 

[SpaldingPM]

You didn't state a purpose. I have 7 1911s and an XD 45. Three of my 1911s are custom guns for bullseye. Three are for other shooting sports and one is a compact for carry. My XD is used for carry in my woods or while I'm mowing or working in the yard. Both are great pistols, but the XD is not as accurate as my 1911s. The XD does have about twice the capacity of the 1911, so it is good for defense or hiking. I don't know why people think some things are mutually exclusive. It's not like you can only have one or the other. Some guns have specific purposes or at least things they perform best at. That's why we need not limit ourselves to just one gun.

The more the merrier.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

I have both. Both shoot well. I'm better with the 1911. I've had a lot of time carrying a 1911 in the Army, so I'm very comfortable with it. Kicker is I have good sized hands, but not very long fingers. The slimmer single stack grip of the 1911 fits my hand much better. It feels way more natural in my hands. The XD is a good gun, the grip is just too fat for my hand. It may go to my son soon.

 

[aaron580]

Vague question gets vague answer: 1911

 

[Street Glide 2013]

All depends on your use.

Self Defense: XD, all the time, every time
Punching Paper: 1911, as long as it is a top tier version
Customization: 1911, no doubt
If you want a Colt, Kimber, Loaded Springfield, etc…..be prepared to drop some serious money vs an XD.

Full Disclosure – I am not a fan of 1911s, which definitely puts me in the minority amongst firearm aficionados

 

[Cameramonkey]

Neither. Glock. end of debate.