XD vs. M&P vs. Glock in .45 ACP only, best one?

bricz75 · December 31, 2014, 04:57 AM

The XD was originally made for the 9mm. Ditto for the Glock. The M&P was originally made for the .40. Which is the best for .45 cal only?

30wcf · December 31, 2014, 05:30 AM

Not meaning to sound like a broken record, but whichever feels best in your hands or you shoot the best (if you are able to). Or just what you are the most comfortable with.

In the past, I've gone through several 45's, including a XDm45, M&P45, and a Glock 30. The XDm was the most accurate, the M&P felt the best, but the Glock 30 is the one I kept. Not sure why. I just like and am more comfortable with Glocks.

SSGN_Doc · December 31, 2014, 08:58 AM

With regard to the Glock. The 17 was designed for 9mm and the first gen 22 was basically just an up-calibered 9mm. They then reinforced it. The Glock 21 was based off of the 20 which was a larger frame and slide all together and made for the high pressure 10mm round. The 21 is is kind of overbuilt for .45 and makes it a softy to shoot. The M&P and XDM 45s are also up-sized. The M&P is the most comfortable fit for me.

My favorite .45s though are single stacks, (1911s and Sig 220).

As was already said, handle them and pick the one that fits you.

Uncle Malice · December 31, 2014, 09:07 AM

This is a hard one. I've owned the big and small versions of all three.

- XD 45
- XD 45 Tactical
- XD 45 Compact
- XDM 45 Compact
- XDM 45 Fullsize
- M&P 45 FS
- M&P 45 midsize
- M&P 45 Compact
- Gen3 Glock 30
- Gen3 Glock 21
- Gen3 Glock 21SF
- Gen4 Glock 21

Now... given that I have experience with all of them, maybe I'm in a position to make a judgement? Maybe not. Maybe just for my own tastes, but here it goes anyways.

The Absolute top 2 winners in this circle for me are The Gen4 Glock 21 and M&P 45 midsize.

They both fit my hand very well. They both shoot very well. I still own the Gen4 G21 FDE and the M&P 45 mid. I love them both. I think that you intended use may come into play here. The G21 is larger and heavier but carries more rounds. The M&P 45 midsize is almost identical in size to the M&P 9/40 fullsize. I like that better than the 'fullsize' M&P 45 which has the extended slide. The M&P carries 10+1 and is a little thinner than the G21. I love my HK45 as well, but it's also 10+1 and is quite a bit larger than the M&P 45 mid.

I've always shot the G21 well, so no surprise there. I was suprised at how dead on accurate I shot the M&P 45 mid from the very first round I put through the gun. It does have a stiffer recoil than the ultimately soft-shooting G21 does, but that doesn't seem to have any affect on my accuracy or speed. It's excellent. To be fair, I do have an Apex Tactical DCAEK kit + polymer AEK trigger in the M&P.

So which do I prefer? I don't know that I'm able to make a call between the 2. The G21 sits on night stand duty most of the time. It has a Pearce +2 base plate on the mags so it's 15+1 capacity. The M&P 45 is easy to carry. Once they release the Gen4 G30S, I definitely plan on getting that though.

Now, why didn't I like the XD/XDM 45? The fullsize XDM 45 shoots pretty nice. The XDM 45 Compact felt to me like it had an awful lot of felt recoil for a gun as heavy as it was. For it's size, it's pretty weighty. I'm just not really a fan of the XD/XDM style trigger. It's smooth, but there's no 'wall' - it just breaks. That works for some people, but not for me. Yes, I can shoot it decently, but I just don't like the feel of it.

For what it's worth, Larry Vickers considers the M&P 45 to be the second best polymer framed 45 on the market(second only to the HK 45). Not saying I agree with him necessarily... but many people put some value on his opinions.

car · December 31, 2014, 09:15 AM

I like the M&P .45 full size.

lee n. field · December 31, 2014, 09:23 AM

Quote:

The XD was originally made for the 9mm. Ditto for the Glock. The M&P was originally made for the .40. Which is the best for .45 cal only?

The XD45 was "originally made" for .45 ACP.

Don P · December 31, 2014, 09:32 AM

1911 has them all beat, this verse that

9mmSkeeter · December 31, 2014, 09:44 AM

Given the choice between all three, in any caliber (except 40, I'd take a smith), I'd go with the XD every time. Love those ergonomics and the sight pixture. Smooth shooter and all around decent gun. A glock runs and runs but a springfield does it in style.

jr24 · December 31, 2014, 10:04 AM

I've owned/shot all 3 full size.

I still own the Gen 4 Glock 21. Perfect full size, double stack, .45 ACP for me.

M&P is great, except for the trigger, which I hate (even with APEX). XD, don't care for the triggers, high-bore axis (or whatever) make the XD the most "flippy" guns, and I prefer other platforms.

Of course, personal opinion, YMMV.

DPI7800 · December 31, 2014, 10:22 AM

I have 3 G21's and a G30 can't wait to sell all of them!

Bongo Boy · January 1, 2015, 01:09 AM

Yeah, not sure where you've gotten info regarding which guns were 'originally made for' this caliber or that. The M&P 45s are, AFAIK and by comparison with the MP40 I own, designed for the 45ACP.

I own 2 Glocks and 2 M&Ps, and in 45ACP it's the MP45c (compact). It's not all that compact, but Perfect as a polymer 45, IMO.

Hammerhead · January 1, 2015, 01:49 AM

The small frame Glocks (9mm &.40) are completely different designs from the large frame (10mm &.45acp) Glocks and can't be compared.

The Glock 20 was originally on the drawing board as a .45acp. Glock caught wind of S&W's work on a new .40 caliber cartridge designed for law enforcement, dug through their trash (literally) and found 1 spent 10mm prototype case and changed the G-20 into a 10mm based on that 1 case to keep up with S&W. After the 10mm G-20 came out, then they went back and made the 21 into a .45acp.

The G-21 and G-30 are terrific .45's IMHO. Very robust & soft shooting with solid accuracy. My only concern with newer Glocks is since 2008 they've switch so many critical parts to MIM. The newer MIM firing pins have had issues with chipping at the point, causing failures to fire. At least one police department ditched their newer G-21s because of the firing pin issue. Non-MIM replacements are available.

Never shot an XD or M&P .45, but XD .40s are very nice FWIW.

tahunua001 · January 1, 2015, 01:54 AM

springfield wins for trigger and ammo capacity.
M&P wins out for ergonomics.
glock for how accurately I can shoot them.

personally I prefer the XDM45. better grip texture and ergonomics, very slightly improved trigger and slightly longer sight radius.

I personally notice no great improvement between the M&P pro and standard M&P but I haven't had very extensive trigger time with the pros, maybe there is, but nothing I've been able to discern.

there is glock pro/glockM

there you go, glad to murky the waters for you.

Hammerhead · January 1, 2015, 02:03 AM

IF you really want the ultimate poly .45, try the HK45, or my favorite the HK45C.

tahunua001 · January 1, 2015, 02:06 AM

except the HK45 costs nearly double what the models in his list do. sure budget comes into play at some point.

Hammerhead · January 1, 2015, 02:08 AM

Yeah, they're not cheap, but they sure are nice shooters and the most reliable .45s IME.

Uncle Malice · January 1, 2015, 02:15 AM

Quote:

springfield wins for trigger and ammo capacity

How so? While I disagree about the trigger, that can be subjective... The XDM45 is 13 round capacity. So is the Glock 21... Except my Glock 21 is 15+1 capacity... So the Glock wins that one too.

SVO · January 1, 2015, 02:24 AM

Best one is not one of your choices - the Sig P221.

Uncle Malice · January 1, 2015, 02:38 AM

What in the world is a Sig P221????

chris in va · January 1, 2015, 05:09 AM

I think he meant the Sig 227. Double stack version of the 220.

But anyway, I had a G21 SF and couldn't deal with the (for me) bad ergonomics. I really should have gone with the M&P.

jmr40 · January 1, 2015, 09:21 AM

I've owned them all. Still have the Glock, the others found a new home.

Noreaster · January 1, 2015, 12:59 PM

Glock 21 Gen 4 for me. I really like the M&P but don't have any shooting time with one, they have a nice grip and balance. I have shot a couple of H&K variants and I wasn't impressed. The P220 is very nice but heavy and pricey with low round count, I haven't tried the P227. Which brings me back to the G21 gen 4 love it and I've had no problems what so ever. I did hear of an agency having problems withe G21 but...

The MA Transit Police bought M&P 45s and supposedly had problems and traded them in for P220s. The NH SP had Sig P220s and supposedly had problems and traded them in for M&P 45s! I am weary of LEO accounts of trouble with handguns.

bricz75 · January 1, 2015, 05:17 PM

@UncleMalice: Thank you for your generous response.

tahunua001 · January 1, 2015, 11:50 PM

Quote:

How so? While I disagree about the trigger, that can be subjective... The XDM45 is 13 round capacity. So is the Glock 21... Except my Glock 21 is 15+1 capacity... So the Glock wins that one too.

I meant flush fitting capacity. the XD and XDM also has aftermarket mag extensions which its capacity to 15+1 as well.

Uncle Malice · January 2, 2015, 07:41 AM

Quote:

I meant flush fitting capacity.

I realize that. So since both are 13 round capacity, how does the XD win the category?

December 31, 2014, 04:57 AM	#1
bricz75 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2012 Posts: 297	XD vs. M&P vs. Glock in .45 ACP only, best one? The XD was originally made for the 9mm. Ditto for the Glock. The M&P was originally made for the .40. Which is the best for .45 cal only?

December 31, 2014, 09:07 AM	#4
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	This is a hard one. I've owned the big and small versions of all three. - XD 45 - XD 45 Tactical - XD 45 Compact - XDM 45 Compact - XDM 45 Fullsize - M&P 45 FS - M&P 45 midsize - M&P 45 Compact - Gen3 Glock 30 - Gen3 Glock 21 - Gen3 Glock 21SF - Gen4 Glock 21 Now... given that I have experience with all of them, maybe I'm in a position to make a judgement? Maybe not. Maybe just for my own tastes, but here it goes anyways. The Absolute top 2 winners in this circle for me are The Gen4 Glock 21 and M&P 45 midsize. They both fit my hand very well. They both shoot very well. I still own the Gen4 G21 FDE and the M&P 45 mid. I love them both. I think that you intended use may come into play here. The G21 is larger and heavier but carries more rounds. The M&P 45 midsize is almost identical in size to the M&P 9/40 fullsize. I like that better than the 'fullsize' M&P 45 which has the extended slide. The M&P carries 10+1 and is a little thinner than the G21. I love my HK45 as well, but it's also 10+1 and is quite a bit larger than the M&P 45 mid. I've always shot the G21 well, so no surprise there. I was suprised at how dead on accurate I shot the M&P 45 mid from the very first round I put through the gun. It does have a stiffer recoil than the ultimately soft-shooting G21 does, but that doesn't seem to have any affect on my accuracy or speed. It's excellent. To be fair, I do have an Apex Tactical DCAEK kit + polymer AEK trigger in the M&P. So which do I prefer? I don't know that I'm able to make a call between the 2. The G21 sits on night stand duty most of the time. It has a Pearce +2 base plate on the mags so it's 15+1 capacity. The M&P 45 is easy to carry. Once they release the Gen4 G30S, I definitely plan on getting that though. Now, why didn't I like the XD/XDM 45? The fullsize XDM 45 shoots pretty nice. The XDM 45 Compact felt to me like it had an awful lot of felt recoil for a gun as heavy as it was. For it's size, it's pretty weighty. I'm just not really a fan of the XD/XDM style trigger. It's smooth, but there's no 'wall' - it just breaks. That works for some people, but not for me. Yes, I can shoot it decently, but I just don't like the feel of it. For what it's worth, Larry Vickers considers the M&P 45 to be the second best polymer framed 45 on the market(second only to the HK 45). Not saying I agree with him necessarily... but many people put some value on his opinions. __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

December 31, 2014, 09:32 AM	#7
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,213	1911 has them all beat, this verse that __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

December 31, 2014, 09:44 AM	#8
9mmSkeeter Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2014 Location: South Dakota Posts: 205	Given the choice between all three, in any caliber (except 40, I'd take a smith), I'd go with the XD every time. Love those ergonomics and the sight pixture. Smooth shooter and all around decent gun. A glock runs and runs but a springfield does it in style. __________________ I kind of like weaponry.

January 1, 2015, 01:49 AM	#12
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	The small frame Glocks (9mm &.40) are completely different designs from the large frame (10mm &.45acp) Glocks and can't be compared. The Glock 20 was originally on the drawing board as a .45acp. Glock caught wind of S&W's work on a new .40 caliber cartridge designed for law enforcement, dug through their trash (literally) and found 1 spent 10mm prototype case and changed the G-20 into a 10mm based on that 1 case to keep up with S&W. After the 10mm G-20 came out, then they went back and made the 21 into a .45acp. The G-21 and G-30 are terrific .45's IMHO. Very robust & soft shooting with solid accuracy. My only concern with newer Glocks is since 2008 they've switch so many critical parts to MIM. The newer MIM firing pins have had issues with chipping at the point, causing failures to fire. At least one police department ditched their newer G-21s because of the firing pin issue. Non-MIM replacements are available. Never shot an XD or M&P .45, but XD .40s are very nice FWIW. Last edited by Hammerhead; January 1, 2015 at 02:06 AM.

December 31, 2014, 05:30 AM	#2
30wcf Member Join Date: December 30, 2014 Posts: 23	Not meaning to sound like a broken record, but whichever feels best in your hands or you shoot the best (if you are able to). Or just what you are the most comfortable with. In the past, I've gone through several 45's, including a XDm45, M&P45, and a Glock 30. The XDm was the most accurate, the M&P felt the best, but the Glock 30 is the one I kept. Not sure why. I just like and am more comfortable with Glocks.

December 31, 2014, 08:58 AM	#3
SSGN_Doc Member Join Date: November 29, 2014 Posts: 61	With regard to the Glock. The 17 was designed for 9mm and the first gen 22 was basically just an up-calibered 9mm. They then reinforced it. The Glock 21 was based off of the 20 which was a larger frame and slide all together and made for the high pressure 10mm round. The 21 is is kind of overbuilt for .45 and makes it a softy to shoot. The M&P and XDM 45s are also up-sized. The M&P is the most comfortable fit for me. My favorite .45s though are single stacks, (1911s and Sig 220). As was already said, handle them and pick the one that fits you.

December 31, 2014, 09:15 AM	#5
car Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 60	I like the M&P .45 full size.

December 31, 2014, 10:04 AM	#9
jr24 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2011 Posts: 870	I've owned/shot all 3 full size. I still own the Gen 4 Glock 21. Perfect full size, double stack, .45 ACP for me. M&P is great, except for the trigger, which I hate (even with APEX). XD, don't care for the triggers, high-bore axis (or whatever) make the XD the most "flippy" guns, and I prefer other platforms. Of course, personal opinion, YMMV.

December 31, 2014, 10:22 AM	#10
DPI7800 Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2014 Posts: 210	I have 3 G21's and a G30 can't wait to sell all of them!

January 1, 2015, 01:09 AM	#11
Bongo Boy Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: Colo Spgs CO Posts: 517	Yeah, not sure where you've gotten info regarding which guns were 'originally made for' this caliber or that. The M&P 45s are, AFAIK and by comparison with the MP40 I own, designed for the 45ACP. I own 2 Glocks and 2 M&Ps, and in 45ACP it's the MP45c (compact). It's not all that compact, but Perfect as a polymer 45, IMO.

January 1, 2015, 01:54 AM	#13
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	springfield wins for trigger and ammo capacity. M&P wins out for ergonomics. glock for how accurately I can shoot them. personally I prefer the XDM45. better grip texture and ergonomics, very slightly improved trigger and slightly longer sight radius. I personally notice no great improvement between the M&P pro and standard M&P but I haven't had very extensive trigger time with the pros, maybe there is, but nothing I've been able to discern. there is glock pro/glockM there you go, glad to murky the waters for you. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 1, 2015, 02:03 AM	#14
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	IF you really want the ultimate poly .45, try the HK45, or my favorite the HK45C.

January 1, 2015, 02:06 AM	#15
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	except the HK45 costs nearly double what the models in his list do. sure budget comes into play at some point. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

January 1, 2015, 02:08 AM	#16
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	Yeah, they're not cheap, but they sure are nice shooters and the most reliable .45s IME.

January 1, 2015, 02:24 AM	#18
SVO Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 728	Best one is not one of your choices - the Sig P221.

January 1, 2015, 02:38 AM	#19
Uncle Malice Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2009 Location: Phoenix Posts: 4,580	What in the world is a Sig P221???? __________________ Handguns: 2x Glock 19.4 \| Glock 26.4 \| HK USP 9 \| HK P2000 \| HK VP9 SK \| HK P30 \| CZ Shadow 2 \| CZ P-10 C \| CZ P-07 \| CZP-01 \| S&W 360PD Rifles: DDM4 \| SGL 21 \| SAM7K \| Draco \| PSA PDW SBR \| ASA Side-Charger SBR \| CZ Scorpion K SBR \| Aero M4E1 9" 300blk SBR \| Angstadt Jack9 SBR \| Savage Mark II FV-SR Shotguns: Mossberg 590A1 20" SP \| Mossberg Shockwave

January 1, 2015, 05:09 AM	#20
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	I think he meant the Sig 227. Double stack version of the 220. But anyway, I had a G21 SF and couldn't deal with the (for me) bad ergonomics. I really should have gone with the M&P.

January 1, 2015, 09:21 AM	#21
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,974	I've owned them all. Still have the Glock, the others found a new home.

January 1, 2015, 12:59 PM	#22
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	Glock 21 Gen 4 for me. I really like the M&P but don't have any shooting time with one, they have a nice grip and balance. I have shot a couple of H&K variants and I wasn't impressed. The P220 is very nice but heavy and pricey with low round count, I haven't tried the P227. Which brings me back to the G21 gen 4 love it and I've had no problems what so ever. I did hear of an agency having problems withe G21 but... The MA Transit Police bought M&P 45s and supposedly had problems and traded them in for P220s. The NH SP had Sig P220s and supposedly had problems and traded them in for M&P 45s! I am weary of LEO accounts of trouble with handguns.

January 1, 2015, 05:17 PM	#23
bricz75 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2012 Posts: 297	@UncleMalice: Thank you for your generous response.