Posted: 5/6/2013 9:50:02 PM EDT
Hey all I'm going to be getting either a springfield XD or a 1911. I'm not looking to spend over $1300 and was wondering what y'all thought about each handgun. I'm going to be using it as a sidearm for hog hunting (preferable 45.ACP) and the gun is going to be used heavily on weekends in many hunting situations. I've heard that the XD is pretty rugged and the 1911 is more of a "showy" gun. I'm new to handguns (I only have a .38 special) but because of a close encounter I need to upgrade. The .38 can't get the job done and if it wasn't for my knife things could have turned out bad. Any help on the situation would be great. Also what size barrel would you recommend. Like I said I'm new to the handgun scene and do most of my hunting with a model 700 so I need a powerful handgun that I can react with quickly. Any tips from as far as what gun to decide on (open to others than the XD and 1911) and any accessories would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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1911s are the simplest of pistols to understand for some and yet most have reliability issues with them. I've probably written enough posts on 1911s, 1911 controlled feed principles, cartridge geometry, extractor tuning and magazine choice to fill a 15 chapter, 300 page book. That would make just one guy of many who've tried to pass along 1911 basics and some just have issues despite all.
I've carried both XD45c and many 1911s. XD always put a hole exactly where I wanted it and an excellent choice in .45acp. I've got one plastic pistol left, for GSSF comps. Everything else is 1911 but 1911s aren't for everybody. dc. |
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I have both. I bought the 1911 first because everyone should have one, and I grew up on them. I carry it often, but since I got the XD, when concealment isn't an issue such as in the woods it goes on the belt for the extra capacity and improved corrosion resistance as my 1911 is parkerized.
There's nothing "showy" about a 1911. Allot of people spend allot of money on them and to them yes they often are a status symbol that maybe goes to the range and never gets carried, used in the elements or left uncleaned. Many are match guns, too tight and too tuned to a single load to reliably function full of grit and fouling, or on a diet of different ammunition. This is not a bad thing, its simply the result of specializtion. The gun has not endured in the civi and mil community by being unreliable. There are duty/carry grade examples that will feed anything, run dry, fouled, and full of sand, but probably not for thousands of rounds in that state. The XD is also a good gun, shoots well, fairly reliable (mine chokes on light SWC target loads), and substantial capacity without being obnoxiously large. Its about as utility as it gets, nothing flashy, no history, just works. Of course pretty much everybody makes every holster design they have for the 1911, not true for the XD. XD mags can at times be hard to come by, but I've only ever seen OEM, so they're all good, 1911 mags can be had anywhere that sells firearm related items, but they're not all good. For barrel length, 5" concealment isn't an issue, may as well get all the sight radius and velocity you can. |
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I know it isn't on your list, but for your purpose, I think a Glock 20 (10mm) would be a better choice. Hogs basically have an armored chest and .45 isn't an ideal round to drop a charging hog because of this.
I recommend the Glock because: 1) 10mm is a proven hunting round 2) capacity, in CA you would have 10 rounders standard but can get 15 round "rebuild" kits to "fix" your broken standard capacity pre-ban era magazines 3) simplicity, if you are in the brush and all of the sudden a hog is charging you want to be FAST. There are 10mm 1911s out there if you are set on the platform. I love shooting 1911s but I carry a Glock. The XD is a solid pistol as well. Try to find a range that has these pistols for rent and see what you shoot well and think has acceptable performance for your intended purpose. |
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Quoted:
Honestly wouldn't choose either for a hog gun; .45ACP isn't all that great a hunting round, especially for pigs because pigs die hard and they die slow. Revolver in a suitable hunting caliber or a 10mm pistol. Pigs out here in the South West are but piglets compared to what grows in Florida. 45 has proven to be fine. |
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The first criteria should be: which one fits your hand better and points most naturally for you.
If the fit you hand and point for you equally as well, I would recommend the one with the trigger you prefer. If things are still equal, flip a friggin' coin and quit dithering. |