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There sure seems
to be a lot of chatter on many of the arm-chair-commando blogs about the
problems with the Gen 4 Glocks and the advantages of the Springfield XD's. I've
heard the triggers on the Gen 4 Glocks are heavier than Gen 3's and that the
XD's are selling 3-to-1 compared to Glocks. These are just a couple of many
things going around. Even a few of the so called expert tacticians, are getting
into the fray, as if any of this had an impact on the end results.
If you are a Glock fan, take heart, as things
aren't as bad as they are made out. If you are an XD fan, stop and take a
breath, for things aren't as good as they are made out to be!
So what difference does all this controversy
have to do with TacTrain? I'm getting quite a few inquires as to my opinion on
Glock verses the Springfield Armory XD pistols. Like everyone else, I have a
butt-hole and an opinion to go with it.
In
general, you may be influenced by, "talkers" and "doers", as you strive to make
your decisions concerning what is the best pistol to carry for defense. Read
the enthusiast blogs, and the web sites linked to the manufacturers, and you
will for sure find the "talkers". They are everywhere. Used to be they were
only published in the gun rags. Now, with blogs, chat boards, Youtube and
various other internet forums, seems like anyone claiming to know anything, can
get published with a simple press of a button.
But reader beware….the "doers" are harder to
find in print…..it's easy to understand…..the "doers" are out doing,
while the "talkers" are in talking! Doers, just aren't the type who are
normally drawn to spending spare time posting on blogs and chat boards. Doers
are more into doing for themselves and figuring out what is best. The talkers,
although a few may be honest doers, for the most part, jump to conclusions,
have very little or no direct experience, and seem to almost always listen to
the wrong assumptions.
Don't get me
wrong……I love talkers as much as doers…..we need both types. But
in a fox hole, please bless me with one doer, and save all the other talkers,
to haul me and my doer, ammo!
But still, what
is the bottom line between the Glock and the XD? Which one does George shoot?
Which one does he recommend? All reasonable questions from students who seek
other opinions to determine what is the best for them. We are all influenced to
a certain degree, on the opinion and experiences of others. Our classes lay
this down many times, as students have heard me say, "learn the easy
way…..learn from my mistakes…..don't make the mistake I did….you
might not be as lucky as I was to live through it"!!!
Glock hit the market many years ago, right
out of the gate, with a quality pistol…..simple and works. Springfield
Armory has been making guns for much longer than Glock, made a few mistakes,
but has always come to market with a quality firearm.
So what's the difference from a 40 S&W
caliber Glock and a similar 40 S&W caliber XD? My answer is
NOTHING….ZERO. The criminal or terrorist shot with either, will not be
influenced by the brand or model number.
Actually, any difference between the two makes,
is most apparent with the shooter. Look at any Glock fan shooting a Glock, and
compare him or her to any other Springfield Armory XD fan, shooting an XD. They
both have many similarities, and most will, for practical purposes be equal.
Yet, they are different. Now, look at what they drive. Chances are their cars
are different, their shirts are different, shoes, holsters, hats,
glasses…..probably all different, but from a practical standpoint, all
deliver the same results! Are we starting to get the picture? The more these
fans chatter about their choices, the more they must realize…..the bottom
line is….they are much more alike, than they are different.
About 50% of the time I carry a Glock. I never
carry an XD. The other 50% of the time I am probably carrying a Kimber. Why?
Like everyone else I have differences. For various reasons not even considering
features, I have Glocks and Kimbers. I don't own an XD, so that's why I never
carry one!
I've shot quite a few various
calibers and models of XD's. I actually got to test one of the very first XD's
produced. Was I impressed over the Glock……no. Did they
function……yes. Were they that much different…..no! Could I get
to like an XD over a Glock……yes….if I became a fan. But here is
an important difference between the "talkers" and the "doers". I'm not a fan of
Glocks, or a fan of Kimbers, or a fan of any handgun (George
thinking….well….maybe my Old Model Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Magnum
with a 4 5/8" barrel……which I affectionately call "Ole Ugly"), so
why would I become a fan of XD's. They are both quality and reliable
pistols…..they shoot the same bullets, they both have one handle, one
trigger, and the same type sights (which I rarely see anymore
anyway!)…..they are in fact, much more alike than different.
And, here is another key….in the right
hands, they are both formidable defensive handguns. They both do a fine job at
launching a projectile, and that is all they do. Neither of them make a very
good club, but both spit out those little lead pills and provide us with a long
distance impact tool. It's not the gun that takes down the bad guy…..it's
the bullet. The gun is a launching platform.
It makes no difference to me, at ring side, what
shows up in my hand, either a Glock or an XD…..when the 1st round starts.
I'm more concerned with it being loaded. I will use either, and be damn happy
to have it. I will then do my best so the bad guys never, in his short life
time, ever be able to determine what launched that 230 grain Golden Saber that
blew a 75 caliber hole through his heart.
It's training, paying attention to detail,
knowing tools inside and out, optimizing on the advantages and overcoming the
disadvantages, skill building, and the confidence to realize your weapon is the
gray matter between your ears, a gun is a tool…..lethal, maybe, but still
just a tool. Whether your Glock has a 3.5 pound trigger or 5 pound
trigger…..whether your XD has a straighter grip, or thinner grip, than a
Glock…..these are of little importance to the warrior…..as the
warrior can launch that little lead pill from either. Be it a reliable and
quality Glock, XD, Kimber, Sig, Ruger, S&W, or
Para-Ordnance……makes little difference to the warrior. Even a piece
of shit Jennings will do in a pinch, in the right hands (while heavily praying
it will go bang), the warrior can launch the deciding factor in a
fight-to-the-death contest.
When I hear a gun
commando go on about not be able to put up with a Glock 5 pound long trigger
pull, as compared to maybe a slick 3 pound 1911 short and crisp
trigger…..it is very annoying and a testimony, that commando needs some
training and skill building….maybe some more realistic experiences at
scenarios. It shows us a commando with too much time on their hands!!! Get off
the couch and onto the range!
Of course there
are guns easier to shoot for some, than others. But, between either the Glock
or XD, out of the box…..neither the warrior using it, or the criminal
having it used on…..will waste precious time on the very minor
differences.
So, if you haven't the
experience, how do you choose? It's easy….just go get one……they
both work…..which one to buy is the easy part…..learning to use it is
the challenge. Buy the gun, 2 magazines, a holster and mag holder and two
thousand rounds of ammo. Then hit the courses…..go
training….learn….
…..less talking and
more doing!....
After 2,000
rounds if you don't like your choice, go get the other one and spend two
thousands rounds training with it (not just shooting it, I mean real training
at a school, on a course). I bet you, at the end, it will make little
difference which you pick up when going into battle, provided both are
loaded!!!!
The gun is one of many tools
providing a means to the end. Choose wisely, but don't get hung up on all the
arm-chair-commando bull-shit talk….magazines, ammo, holsters, holders,
lights, gloves, guns, skills, marksmanship, nerves…..are all some of the
tools you will use to launch the impact tool……all a means to the
end…...to get that bullet from you to the bad guy.
…..less talking and
more doing!.....
(George thinking……God save me if
I ever have to enter battle with a Jennings!!!)
Actually I'm
glad there is this Glock/XD controversy…..it keeps the "talkers" busy and
lets the "doers" get something done! Like I said, we need both types, and every
once in a while, the talkers actually discuss something of importance.
…..now…..what should I
use…..leather, Kydex, or webbing! Oh Shit… another
controversy!!!! |