Glock 22-23 vs. Springfield XDM
As previously posted in my review of the XDM I promised a comparison of the Glock vs. XDM.
I have owned Springfield Armory’s XDM 40 S&W for a few months and pleased to announce that I am still happy with my purchase. I view myself as a regular gun owner that enjoys pinking and pistol competition as much as the next person and not a Todd Jarret. When I went to purchase my XDM I was doing research on 1911’s and considering an XD40. Needless to say… buying the XDM was a bit impulsive.
So why did I buy an XD vs. Glock?
Fashion! What? Shooters like fashion? “Heck Ya!” Have you ever considered that at an IDPA competition or IPSC match the guys talking about their rigs and wearing their favorite manufacturer’s shirt was all about fashion. If that “ain’t” fashion awareness then I might have to start reading more tabloid magazines in the grocery store check out.
I bought my XDM because fewer people have them and it makes me more original and remaining tasteful. Had I gone with a Nickle Plated 1911 it would have been too bold of a statement for a newbie. Although I have been in possession of firearms since I was a wee little one, noob none-the-less in the eyes of my shooting buddies.
Lets compare the the Glock 23 to the XDM.
Nobody can deny that Glock is perhaps the most popular pistol manufacture of polymer pistols. In fact it is probably the most dominate pistol in law enforcement protecting streets today. I have received numerous e-mails asking me to compare the Glock to the XDM. None more pointed than my new friend Officer Relacion at Hanalei, HI Patrol Services of the Kauai, HI Police Department asked: “I live on the Island of Kauai in the state of Hawaii. I was just wondering if the 20% off is still eligible. Also whats your pros and cons for the XDM vs The GLock22 .40.” I don’t know about the 20% off. But here are some Pros vs. Cons for the Glocks.
Lets start out by looking at the specs on the Glock 22 & 23
Glock 22 Specifications - From the Arms Site
| Caliber | .40 S&W |
| Action | Safe Action (constant double action mode) |
| Overall length (slide) | 7.32 in. (186 mm) |
| Height, including magazine | 5.43 in. (138 mm) |
| Width | 1.18 in. (30 mm) |
| Barrel length | 4.49 in. (114 mm) |
| Sight radius | 6.49 in. (165 mm) |
| Rifling | Hexagonal profile with right-hand twist of one turn in 9.84 in. (250 mm) |
| Weight, without magazine | 22.92 oz. (650 g) |
| Weight, empty magazine | 2.76 oz. (78 g) |
| Weight, full magazine | ~11.46 oz. (~325 g) |
| Magazine capacity | 15 rounds |
| Standard trigger pull | ~5.5 lbs. (~2.5 kg) |
| Trigger pull length | 0.5 in. (12.5 mm) |
| Number of safeties | 3 |
GLOCK 23 Specifications - Also from the Arms Site
| Caliber | .40 S&W |
| Action | Safe Action (constant double action mode) |
| Overall length (slide) | 6.85 in. (174 mm) |
| Height, including magazine | 5.00 in. (127 mm) |
| Width | 1.18 in. (30 mm) |
| Barrel length | 4.02 in. (102 mm) |
| Sight radius | 5.98 in. (152 mm) |
| Rifling | Hexagonal profile with right-hand twist of one turn in 9.84 in. (250 mm) |
| Weight, without magazine | 21.16 oz. (600 g) |
| Weight, empty magazine | 2.46 oz. (70 g) |
| Weight, full magazine | ~9.87 oz. (~280 g) |
| Magazine capacity | 13 rounds |
| Standard trigger pull | ~5.5 lbs. (~2.5 kg) |
| Trigger pull length | 0.5 in. (12.5 mm) |
| Number of safeties | 3 |
XDM Specs
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Caliber:
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.40S&W
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Barrel:
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4.5″ Steel, Melonite, Fully Supported Ramp
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Trigger Pull:
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5.5 – 7.7lbs.
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Slide:
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Forged Steel, Melonite ® Finish
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Weight w/ empty mag:
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32 oz.
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So did you look at the specs? Besides the barrel length and weight there isn’t much difference. The XDM does come with a Match Grade barrel which is far and above Glocks Hex barrels which have been nothing but headaches for money conscious reloaders. If you take out using lead cast bullets I can find little difference in the function of the weapons. The barrels of the three compared weapons are different lengths. The weight between the weapons is a major separator.
But what about performance. I like the sights out of the box on the XDM over the Glocks. As far a function and accuracy I can’t tell a difference. They both function well and the only accuracy difference I can tell is perhaps at 100 yds with the XDM is a little better. Shooting at 100 yds is not self defense.
In my opinion these three weapons are similar and are clearly built for different reasons. It is hard to compare them. Each weapon is a great weapon for that job. For weekend plinking the XDM is the winner and my choice for what I do. If this comparison was between an XD40 and Glock I would go with the Glock even though I own the XD40. Why? Because there have been so many Glocks sold that every gunsmith shop can fix them without sending out for work. Parts are abundant, and the price is a little lower at my store. But if cost wasn’t a factor and all three were never before seen guns without a brand name associated with it I would choose the XDM over and over again. Besides being a great weapon is just looks cool too.
What is your opinion of Glock vs. XDM or XD?
The XDM is the way to go and a 40 is the best caliber. I have both a Glock 27 40 cal and S&W 40 cal the XDM 40 is by far a better pistol. Better quality, reliability, accuracy and it has a lifetime warranty.
About the new 3.8 XDM it only comes in a 9.
I have a Glock model 22 (.40 cal) and love it. It has hands-down been the most reliable pistol I have ever owned or used. That said, however, I have never seen or used the XDM before reading your articles so I won’t pass judgement (obviously) on it.
@Jesse
I can’t compare the 2, having never used the XDM, but I’m not sure why the slam on the Glock reliability. My Glock 22 has been flawless. Have you had problems with your 27?
I’m a patrol officer and have carried the glock 22 for many years now. the Glock is a very reliable weapon, has many positive aspects for law enforcement, and it is an easy firearm for beginners/any body type.
Although, I have found the accuracy of the XD/XDM to be better. I account this to the trigger pull difference between the two pistols. Both pistols have the same travel distance of the trigger but the Glock has a constant pull which takes away from the accuracy. The only trigger pressure on the XD/XDM is just before the pistol fires.
The tang safety is another feature that has the XD/XDM standing better that the Glock. The tang safety give me more confidence that the weapon will not fire when holstering. I worry that I might someday snag the trigger of the Glock on a coat button or string when holstering.
Just my opinion.
GLOCK 23 IS THE WINNER BABY!! I have rented Xd’s including the XDM and I just did not like them. The slide is a bit bigger and top heavy. They are also a bit heavier than the Glock and yes, less accurate and reliable (at least for me and I shot several hundreds of rounds through them). The rented (at a very nice gun club – who takes care of their guns very well) XDM I used jammed up on me twice using Winchester FMJ 180 grain and I have used several brands of ammo in my Glock and NEVER had it jam on me.
brett: buy the right holster and you will never have a problem. I like Blackhawk holsters.
I have shot alot of pistols, from SW 500, DE 50AE to FN57, Walther PPK, and Volquarsen MkIII’s.
The Pistol you buy should not be based on the review of others. You should handle the pistol at the range first and compare each one of your choices yourself.
I perfer Larger framed pistols, HK MK23 and DE 44mag, over standard duty polymer frames like glock and XD, I can not hold a 1911 of any type, i just dont like their skinny squared grip. BUT a Walther p22 and Volquarsen MKIII grips are appealing even though they are like broom sticks.
It’s what you are comfortable with and can handle naturally with practice.
As far as Caliber. Heavier Bullets + Longer Barrel + Stability = Greater Accuracy
Guncrafters Industries makes the 50GI and is 300gr for the Glock 20/21 as a conversion kit, It’s a heavy, good velocity round and makes for one hell of a slug even for body armored people. the energy transferred is near getting hit with a bean bag our of a 12ga with no armor.
“Because there have been so many Glocks sold that every gunsmith shop can fix them without sending out for work. Parts are abundant”
Your Springfield products never need repair =] especially the 1911 the XD series as a whole is much more superior to the glocks of today. They almost ALWAYS needs repair after the first 1,500 rounds.
I’ve been a member of the 7th SF out of Fort Bragg, NC and 10th SF out of Fort Carson, CO for a total of 11 years now. I carry an XD as my side arm. I’ve fired many different handguns in my career. I’ve never had any problem with my XD. It’s withstood a lot since i’ve had it; sand, water, cold, warm, etc… I find handguns to be like motorcycles. Everyone’s taste is different. I like the feel of a Ducati to a Ninja. It is your duty to try before you buy. What puts XD over the top for me is durability, balance, feel, accuracy, and realibility.
my father has a g22, i have a g23 and the xdm. my father and i have had our glocks for quite some time now, we have both groan to love them, altho we have had numerous problems with them, they are cheap to fix. i got my xdm no more than a month after its release, and i am amazed with its acuracy, it is by far the most impressive polymer framed handgun ive ever shot! the safety is very reliable, the trigger is the smoothest ive ever squeased, and the grip is the best ive ever held. i dnt want to knock the glock, they have earned the respect they have among the gun community, but in my opinion the XDM is by far the better gun. since i got mine, my father has been looking to trade in his glock as well, he shoots comp, and uses my xdm every time. he dosent want to sell the glock, but he wants to switch it to his back up when he gets the xdm.