I asked on the review forum about the Springfield XD and got great responses about the gun.

I have another question for this forum since I don't need a "review".

Would you rather have an XD in 40 S&W or a compact 1911 in 45. I am considering these two guns and if I went with the 1911 it would be the basic model as I would do any work (beveling treatment, slide work, trigger work, Novac sights etc...) on it myself instead of paying the company to do it for me.

This would be a carry gun.

I'm just a sucker for the 1911! So you probably should'nt listen to me, I'm biased!

I had a delema like that a few days ago, but it was between a Glock 26 and a Dan Wesson PM7-S. I ended up getting both. the 26 is my carry gun and the Dan Wesson is going to be a competition gun. If you are like me you would probably have more fun tinkering with the 1911 than using the XD straight out of the box.

Hi bigbulls,

That's a tough one. Personally I think both of those pistols are great for that purpose. I also happen to have a Para-Ordnance P-12 chambered for .45 ACP. It is also a carry gun.....though not my only carry gun.

Would you feel comfortable carrying a 1911 in Condition 1, "cocked and locked"? If so...it is a personal protection pistol with few peers. If you are not sure how you feel about carrying in Condition 1....then the XD becomes a better first choice automatically! I'd have no qualms recommending a 1911 to an experienced shooter of the 1911, (I don't know your experience). But for someone that doesn't have much experience with a 1911.....I'd personally recommend the Springfield XD.

Whichever of the two you carry.....I believe that as long as you did your part....they'd certainly do theirs. They are both great pistols!

Dave

If it were me I'd go with the 1911 and then trick it out.

Mike

Wouldn't the 1911 have a thinner profile since it doesn't have a double stack magazine? If so, that would be a big plus.

Don't the sprinfield compacts already come nicely bevelled? I've been doing a price comparison between the wwII milspec and the Springer loaded model- I ended up ordering the loaded model since the upgrades between the two would actually costs hundreds more than the price difference.

Never liked ugly square guns, in my highly biased opinion, get the 1911.

The job I have requires me to carry a pistol full time.
I carry a Springfield Armory XD 40-S&W Tactical.
A model 1911 45-acp is another good choice. I just prefer the XD 40-S&W Tactical.

I have fired many different types of ammo of .45 ACP's and .40 S&W into all types of backstops/targets. Whether it was pumpkins, wood, metals, old rolls of carpeting, sand, etc. The .45's never impressed me with their lack of mushrooming on the softer items. The .40 S&W's mushroomed much better for me. Must be the difference in velocity.

Just my .02

Given the choice between these two guns, I would go with the 1911, but either way I think you will be more than pleased.