I am considering another .45acp handgun and have two options I am debating. I was hoping to gather your collective wisdom to help make a decision.

The two in question are:
Glock G21SF
SA XD 45 Tactical


I am NOT going to be carrying either handgun. These would be used for either home defense or range fun.

My main concerns are: accuracy and reliability, smoothness/lightness/crispness of trigger and fit in hand.

Which would you choose, and why?


BTW- I am in California so I have limited options.

I already have a P220 Stainless Elite Carry, with a full-size legion top end for it. I also have a Ruger P97 that I weirdly shoot just as well. And I have a couple different configurations of 1911s- from pure competition to carry configurations.

There really aren't many new .45acp semi-auto's I can buy due to my state's roster of handguns approved for sale, so please limit yourself to comments regarding the strengths/weaknesses of the Glock G21 vs the XD 45 Tactical.

Thanks for your help!

Glock 21 without a doubt.

It's the simpler Glock design and just works and works.

The XD isn't a bad gun, but has had more reliability issues than the Glock.

I carried a Glock 21 as a duty gun for a few years and my buddy carried a XD45. I had zero issues and he had seemed to constantly be dealing with magazine-related problems.

Don't be surprised if you shoot the Glock no better than your Ruger though. Those old P97's and the P90's are great guns for as clunky as they feel.

quote:

Glock 21 without a doubt

Yup. Anything XD is a non-starter for me. Can never get use to the stupid grip.

G21. It has the same vast array of holsters and other accessories that the smaller Glocks do. You can make it to be just about anything you want it to be.

Glock 21 without a doubt. While Glocks always shoot a little high for me, that's an index thing that I could correct. I've never figured out who the XD grip is designed for, but I don't think it's for humans. I've never been able to shoot those things well. Plus the aftermarket support for Glock is just better.

The G21, no question. Mags, parts, warranty, and the fact that it isn’t an XD.

G21 by a long shot.

The G21SF was on the list of models that Glock would be discontinuing (but perhaps still some
available for the CA market); I'd say check on availability with your dealer. Another vote for the 21.

I'd go with the Glock just because of the availability of mags and parts(For now) I actually have both of them and dont really care for ether grip, what i did just buy as a truck gun is a LEO trade in S&W MP in .45, it was a ridiculously low price with 10 mags, and after 300 rounds it shoots like a champ

Overall, Glock but the XD fits me better and doesn't feel like a brick in my hands. I just can't shoot the XD very well and the Glock, I need a beaver tail so I don't get slide bite.

XD Tactical.

Is the USP .45 an option? I know it's old enough.

Glock. No contest.

G21sf without a second thought, big plus is mags are plentiful and hold 13, buy a Kriss mag extension now you have 30 if you can get them all in. Would be my go to in a SHTF scenario with my 220 as a backup.

I would prefer the Gen 5 G21 if it is on your approved list.

I’d probably take the G21, but I’d appreciate the longer barrel and superior chamber support on the XD45 Tactical. It’s also available with a manual safety if that’s your thing.

The G21 has nothing for me complain about, other than maybe being a little boring. Similarly, I can’t throw any shade on the original XD pistols for reliability nor performance either, but I just never liked the grip safety or the grip angle. The grip safety ingeniously serves as a passive sear block for drop safety, so I wouldn’t tape it down like some people do. However, it also blocks the slide from being retracted, so some manipulations of the pistol may be awkward.

I’ve always shot well with stock Glock triggers. The XDs are fully-cocked though (like a Walther PPQ/PDP or HK VP9) and are admittedly more crisp.

I’ve owned both. Get the G21.
I didn’t mind the XD, and I actually liked the grip angle better on the XD.
I believe the Glock is the better design. And has more aftermarket support (not as much as the “small” Glocks, but still).
My opinion. YMMV.

Edited to add : actually, my favorite 45 GLOCK in the G41.

Glock 21 but a Glock 41 is even better.

G21
A friend is very deep into XDs and I like his high end 9mms, but the .45 is not their equal.

I have never owned or fired an XD 45 Tactical. I have owned a number of G21 models and every one of them has been utterly reliable. With that said, I have owned an XDM 45 4.5" for several years and must say that I can shoot it better than any of the G21 pistols.