Duel of the titians: the Glock 17 vs. springfield Armory's XD-9.

There's certainly no doubt that when the Glock 17 first appeared back in the late 1980s, it was something special, even revolutionary. Radically different in design from anything that had come before it posed a serious challenge to the top 9mm competitors to the top 9mm competitors of the time, the Browning P35 SIG P226 and Beretta M92F. Not only did it use a polycarbonate as a frame material, it was also the first pistol to utilize a totally different operational system, one that eventually overshadowed, all others. Now, a bit more than a decade later, the Glock 17 is without question the status quo in 9mm fighting handguns, enjoying unprecedented popularity in civilian and law enforcement circles.

When the Glock was new, there was little data available to support the manufacturer's claim that the Glock G17 was a super-tough, super-reliable, highly accurate and, due to its Tennifer finish nearly rust-proof gun. These are tall pronouncements and frankly, I, for one didn't believe them. So, I set out to find out the truth for myself.

Now nearly 14 years later I'm still trying to break it. I've fired more than 167,000 rounds of ammo through it and it still shoots into less than two inches at 25 meters. I've repeatedly immersed it in the ocean for protracted periods but other than the slide-release lever, nothing rusted. I've buried it in sand, dirt, dust and even cow manure, then fired if repeatedly without stoppage.

During this time, I've also noticed that more and more of my students have adopted the Glock, too. Back in the "old days," the Colt M1911 was the dominant pistol in my handgun courses. Now the Glock dominates, with a minimum of 75 percent of my students using it, with 15 percent utilizing the M1911 and the remaining 10 percent opting for the SIG, Beretta and Browning. In short, the Glock 17 is indeed all it was initially touted to be--tough, reliable and accurate.

I've carried it, all over the world in extreme heat and cold, in the rain, and it worked and worked, and worked. Equipped with firing-pin bushings with grooves in them to allow the water in the firing-pin channel to displace rearward, it even functions underwater.

I discovered that it's also exceptionally "user friendly," something lacking in most other 9mm service pistols. "User friendly" means that it has excellent human engineering, that it's particularly easy to operate, especially under stress. The Glock 17 is simple, to the point and efficient, providing its operator with all he needs to bring it into action and hit his target quickly. It also shoots surprisingly clean; maintenance is both easy and quick, something else not universally encountered with its counterparts.

Everyone knows that over the last 14 years I've become one of Glock's biggest proponents, and why not? All of the aforementioned data shows it to be a hell of a handgun, in my view at least, the best of its type in the world. Well, I still believe that, but it now has a challenger--Springfield Armory's XD-9.

First appearing back in 1995 as the HS-95, then in an improved model called the HS-2000, the XD-9 reached its full potential a year ago courtesy of its new importer, Springfield Armory. Manufactured in Croatia, it represents the highest point of service pistol design seen since the Glock 17's appearance back in the mid-1980s.

A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Referred to by some as the "Croaker Gun" (much like the Glock was called a "C-Lock" by a number of, shall we say, "uninformed" shooters when it first appeared), the XD-9 is, in fact, made in Croatia to specifications set forth by Springfield Armory. Moreover, it features a number of conceptual improvements over the Glock 17, such as:

* A loaded chamber and cocking indicator that can be used in low- as well as normal-light conditions.

* Fixed high-visibility sights made of steel rather than plastic.

* A white, three-dot horizontal dot pattern as opposed to a white-outline rear and white-dot front for its sights. Such sights allow faster, more finite alignment in low-light conditions.

* A front sight dovetailed, rather than swaged and pinned in place making adjustments in windage or sight replacement far less difficult. In fact, the dovetails are the same as those used by Sigarms, so a plethora of sights is available.

* A truly ambidextrous magazine retention system, with easily reached buttons on both sides.

* A faster, simpler fieldstripping system.

* Grasping grooves on both front and rear surfaces of the slide to accommodate virtually all forms of chamber-checking procedures.

* Metal rather than plastic magazines, which are also drop-free.

* A grip safety, in addition to a trigger safety.

* A smoother, lighter trigger pull in the four-pound range.

As well, it duplicates the Glock 17 in that it has:

* A large, beveled (60-degree) magazine well for fast, positive reloading even in low-light conditions.

* An arched backstrap to allow better "pointability."

* Eight-lpi checkering on both front- and backstrap to improve grip index during high-speed weapon presentations and when the hands are wet.

* A captive recoil-spring assembly to prevent unexpected spring decompression and potential loss during fieldstripping.

* A trigger system similar to the Glock, with the same trigger safety.

* Minimal sharp edges as it comes from the box.

* A tough wear- and corrosion-resistant finish on all metal parts.

* It shoots underwater, too.

TIME WILL TELL

I've run just a bit less than 5,000 rounds through my XD-9 and haven't experienced a single stoppage. Moreover, I've used it in both hot and cold conditions, in blowing dust and in the rain without a problem. In addition, I've subjected it to perhaps 10,000 presentations from the holster, several hundred speed loads and more than 1,000 or so tactical reloads, but I've seen no appreciable finish wear thus far. From a shooting stand-point, I also gave it what I consider to be the acid test: I shot the CTASAA Handgun Combat Master Qualification Course with the XD-9.

This was the eighth time I've successfully passed the test, having also done so with a Colt M1911 .45 ACP, Colt LW Commander .45, Browning P-35 9mm, Smith & Wesson M10 .38 Special, Smith & Wesson M39 9mm, Glock 22 .40 S&W and a Glock 17 9mm. However, with the XD-9 I did what no other HCM candidate or I had ever done before: I shot a perfect score. With the Glock 17 I did well, no question about it, shooting a 392.

Sure, sure, I admit it was a nice, moderately warm day with no wind and perfect light conditions and that I felt great on that particular morning. But the fact remains that in order to shoot a perfect score on the CTASAA HCM test, everything must be right with not only the shooter but his handgun as well. The superb "pointability" of the XD-9 made a great deal of difference on a number of the test's most difficult parts, such as the Ambidextrous Stage, Multiple Targets, High-Speed Head Shots and Hostage Situations.

These stages are where all candidates lose a significant number of points (usually enough for disqualification), and that the XD-9 allowed the extra margin of speed to make the times without loss of points proves its superior "human engineering."

I also noted that during Stage I--Standard Exercises--my shot pattern on the Taylor Combat silhouette target mandated for the test was extraordinarily small, considering that the times involved are exceptionally fast. They were perhaps 35 percent smaller than I've ever seen before, which also showcases the XD-9's superior "user friendliness."

I don't deny it, my initial impression of the XD-9 is extremely favorable. It handles and shoots exceptionally well; "shoots clean," making it simple and easy to maintain; appears to function quite reliably; and has thus far demonstrated excellent resistance to wear and corrosion.

Were I to use a feature-by-feature comparison to the Glock 17, I'd undoubtedly come to the conclusion that the XD-9 is a better pistol, particularly since it also turned in a superior score to the Glock 17 on the HCM test. Both of these categories of evaluation are legitimate yardsticks; of that there is no question.

Still, though sorely tempted, I can't in good conscience declare the XD-9 to be the winner. I can't do so because, from my perspective, it's simply too new, whereas the Glock 17 has been around for a decade and a half and withstood the test of time. As you all undoubtedly are aware, I more or less led the pack in torture testing the Glock 17, and it came through with its colors flying high. I haven't yet had the time or opportunity to duplicate the conditions needed to obtain a definitive conclusion with the XD-9.

What I have done is leave it in my freezer for a week then fire it without difficulty. On two recent occasions I left it in the rain for a couple of hours, and it didn't rust (I'd have left it longer, but the rain stopped). I also buried it in the dirt and in the dust a few times, and when I exhumed it, it still worked.

All of these tests indicate the XD-9 is at the very least a much better-than-average service pistol. That can be said without danger of refutation. However, because it hasn't been subjected to the long-term torture testing experienced by my Glock 17, I cannot declare the XD-9 to be superior. Such would be hot only unfair but highly unprofessional.

This much I can say definitively about the XD-9: It does handle better than a Glock 17 in the hands of most shooters.

Of the half-dozen shooters who have assisted me in testing it so far, all agree that one can transition to it from another handgun in considerably less time than to a Glock.

Its trigger is smoother and lighter from the box than the standard Glock 17.

Due to its superior "human engineering," it is easier to shoot well under stress, allowing better practical accuracy and easier handling under field conditions.

It appears to be more than sufficiently rugged and reliable for typical self-defense functions though perhaps not as rugged and reliable as the Glock 17. On this point, only time--and long-term torture testing--can tell.

CONCLUSION

So, which gun is best? Which one is King of the Hill? Because of its proven extreme ruggedness, I have to say the Glock 17. On the other hand, I must also say that I'm now carrying the XD-9 on a daily basis in order to subject it to the conditions needed to determine if it can rival or best the Glock 17. When the opportunity arises, I will submerge it in seawater and dunk it in mud and cow manure. I will also continue to shoot it under field conditions, in both hot and cold weather, in the mud, dust, sand and ice. Of that you can be certain. But for now the Glock 17 remains at the high-water mark of service pistol development, as far as I'm concerned.

Will that change? Quite possibly, because the XD-9 is also one hell of a pistol. As I mentioned, in a number of ways it's superior to the Glock 17, 50 if it equals the Glock's toughness over the long haul, it will have proven its superiority. Based on the results already obtained, many shooters have no doubt already made their decision.

As for me, I can only say that we'll see; it'll just take a little time, that's all.

RELATED ARTICLE: SPECIFICATIONS: Glock 17

Maker: Glock Inc.

Dept. HG, 6000 Highlands Parkway Smyrna, GA 30082

(770) 433-1202

www.glock.com

Action Type: Short-recoil semiauto

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Capacity: 10

Barrel Length: 4 1/2 inches

Overall Length: 7 3/4 inches

Weight: 24 3/4 ounces

Sights: Fixed white-dot front, white-outline rear

Grips: Polymer

Finish: Tennifer

Price: $641

SPECIFICATIONS: SA XD-9

Maker:

Springfield Armory Dept. HG

West Main Street

Geneseo, IL 61254

(309) 944-5631

www.springfieldarmory.com

Action Type: Short-recoil semiauto

Caliber: 9mm Luger

Capacity: 10

Barrel Length: 4 inches

Weight: 29 ounces

Sights: Fixed three-dot

Grips: Integral with frame

Finish: Black Parkerizing

Price: S490

Article Details

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Author:	Taylor, Chuck
Publication:	Handguns
Geographic Code:	1USA
Date:	Apr 1, 2003
Words:	2022
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