Glock 26 vs. XD9-SC: Head to head shootout

[PlayboyPenguin]

This thread is a requested repost from quite awhile back of a thread I posted on another forum.


I almost titled this thread "The Hardest Range Report I Ever Had To Write" since it did not end up exactly the way I wished.

I picked up my Glock 26 yesterday and decided to take it and my SA XD-9SC to the range today and see how they compared side by side.

I wanted to compare them on appearance, design, build quality, fit & finish, trigger quality, comfort, accuracy, and pointability (not a real word but I made it up to mean how easy the gun could be fired accurately from the hip ).

Appearance: I am not a big fan of black guns or polymer guns but in this category I give the edge to the XD. I like the bolder looks and the sharper edges and more dramatic lines. It just looks tougher. Although, the G26 is not a bad looking gun either as far as Glocks go. I would say it is definitely the best looking gun Glock makes.
XD: 8/10..........G26: 7/10

Design: This is a bit tougher to decide. I prefer the XD with it's bolder look and more substantial controls but the G26 is very well designed and has stood the test of time. I am going to give a slight edge to the XD though, mainly because of the more substantial controls, metal trigger, and the added grip safety.
XD: 9/10..........G26: 8.5/10

Fit & Finish: Both guns are extremely well put together. I think they are both about equal quality wise when it comes to construction. I call this a tie.
XD: 8/10..........G26: 8/10

Trigger: This is where it surprised me. I really like the XD trigger and find it very smooth and consistent. I find that it breaks very nicely and requires just the right amount of pressure. However, as much as I like it I found myself liking the G26 trigger just a little better. I thought it was one of the best triggers I have ever found on this type of gun and it was definitely better than any other Glock I have shot. It was was smooth, consistent, predictable, and just all around pleasant.
XD: 8/10..........G26: 9/10

Comfort: This is another category where the G26 surprised me. Full sized Glocks do not fit my hand at all. I just do not care for them. The G26 was actually very comfortable. I also like the way my XD fits my hand and find it very comfortable too but even though I think it fits my hand a little better I am giving the advantage to the G26. Partially because it has a pinky rest on the mag. If the XD had this it might be a different story but it does not so I call it like it is.
XD: 8/10..........G26: 8.5/10

Accuracy: (See targets below) I was not shooting my best today. I injured my thumb right off the bat and I seemed to be pulling slightly high and left. I am sure it was me since it seemed to be the same with both guns and a third gun I also shot today.

I did not do any real long rage shooting since I was mainly comparing these two as short range SD weapons.

Both guns did pretty well at 30ft with slow well aimed fire. The G26 actually did a little better today than the XD but I know the XD is capable of better than I did with it today. I would like to see what the G26 is capable of when I am shooting better.





At 20ft, with fast paced rapid fire, they both did pretty well but once again the G26 did a little better. The G26 seemed to drift less on me. It might have something to do with the slightly better fit in my hand thanks to the pinky rest.





At 20ft, shooting rapidly from the hip, both guns did well. They both found the target from first to last shot and pointed easily. However, the g26 really shined. The rounds all found their way closer to the center of the target and the lighter weight and slightly smaller size made it easier to handle.





XD: 8/10..........G26: 8.5/10

Pointability: I am separating this from accuracy. Both guns would do great in a vise test but this is to show how well the seemed to be an extension of my hand and how easily they were to shoot without really aiming. both guns did very well but once again the G26 was slightly better. It was effortless to handle and point.
XD: 8/10..........G26: 9/10

Flaws: I call this a "flaws" section but it really should just be called "things I would like to see changed." I will not assign scores here since it has nothing to do with performance or impression.

With the XD I really do not find any issues. I like the design, the fit, the finish and the materials. I do wish they would add a pinky rest on the short mag and maybe shrink up the trigger guard area a bit.

On the G26 I would love to see a grip safety and metal trigger but these are just my preferences.

Final Impessions: In the end these are both fine weapons. It would be hard to decide which is better. If you like an added safety and a metal trigger the XD is for you. If you want slightly smaller and lighter but just as good quality wise then the G26 is probably for you. I personally ended up shooting a little bit better with the G26 but on another day the slight advantage might swing to the other side.

I will have to say I walked away still loving my XD as much as ever and with a new found appreciation for the G26. I might not like full size Glocks but the "Baby Glock" is definitely okay by me. If you have never shot one I urge you to give it a try. It is night and day from the full size ones.

I am now very confident the G26 will serve me very well as my travel gun.

Overall Arbitrary Score ...XD: 8.14/10..........G26: 8.35/10

Read More

 

[Silver Fox]

PBP- I haven't met you, but after reading most of your posts of your vast knowledge/experience on firearms and with your open minded approach in all subject matters, I give your article a 9.1/10

It would have been a 10/10 if you would have included some of your NW famous firearm pictures.

SF-

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

PBP- I haven't met you, but after reading most of your posts of your vast knowledge/experience on firearms and with your open minded approach in all subject matters, I give your article a 9.1/10

It would have been a 10/10 if you would have included some of your NW famous firearm pictures.

SF-

No gun porn this time, but I did add the pics of the targets.

 

[JUSTIficatioN]

helps with the purchase decision, although it's still a toss up at this point. thanks playboy

Justin

 

[MarkAd]

Your an bias heathen. If you had done a truely fai evel the XD would of been 9.9 out of 10.
I is a PROUD XD LOVER

Great review. MAybe you should teach the mag gun writers how to do it.

 

[easysteve]

Yeah, Thx for posting this up.

 

[supergenius]

Crap for some reason I want to hate the glock by default... Not sure why.....but interesting results.

 

[Gunner3456]

Great writeup. Thanks.

I believe that different people will experience those guns differently due to hand size, arm length and other factors. We're all unique, especially when it comes to grip length, diameter and angle to the barrel.

I have really big hands and can't shoot either of those worth a darn. I need a G23 or equivalent. If I spread my fingers and thumb out as far as I can, my span is 9 1/2 inches. My palm is 4 1/4 inches wide. From the crease at my palm/wrist, it's 7 1/2 inches to my middle finger tip. My fingers and palm are thicker than normal.

I just can't hold either one of those well, so ymmv. I believe that each person needs to test a gun for himself.

I'm not knocking your write up - it's really great and appreciated. I'm just a klutz.

 

[Ravenous]

Crap for some reason I want to hate the glock by default... Not sure why.....but interesting results.

Me too.... and I really have no good reason. Although on other forums I hear a lot of glock bias and I think that kind of pushed me towards the xd(m).

 

[Riot]

You don't think the chamber indicator is an added design to the XD? The chamber indicator and cocking indicator is what I think takes the XD over the Glock. The Glock (in my opinion and experience) has a much better finish than the XD. My XD-45 shows holster wear and finish wear off the barrel from less than 1000 rounds through- while my Glocks (which have about 10,000 rounds through) still look like new.

The XD(M) Melonite finish is suppossed to be 100% better...but only time will tell.

 

[sports-shooter]

Very nice write-up.

Does your G26 have the default trigger connector or does it have the 3.5-lb one? That might explain the trigger advantage vs the XD.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Very nice write-up.

Does your G26 have the default trigger connector or does it have the 3.5-lb one? That might explain the trigger advantage vs the XD.

Standard trigger. I would not own a gun of this type with a trigger that light.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

You don't think the chamber indicator is an added design to the XD? The chamber indicator and cocking indicator is what I think takes the XD over the Glock. The Glock (in my opinion and experience) has a much better finish than the XD. My XD-45 shows holster wear and finish wear off the barrel from less than 1000 rounds through- while my Glocks (which have about 10,000 rounds through) still look like new.

The XD(M) Melonite finish is suppossed to be 100% better...but only time will tell.

The chamber indicator and cocking indicator score absolutely no points with me since I would never trust either. I would always double check.

The melonite is no better than the glock finish. In fact they are identical processes. They just have different trade names. The only difference is how each company adds the black coloring to the finish. With the melonite it is done along with the finish. Glock adds it as a later step.

 

[bumster1911]

PbP,

Awesome review!

Very thorough and to the point comparisons. This proves that it doesn't matter what brand or gun design. As long as it fits the shooter's hands and shooting style. It's all personal preference.

Accuracy depends on the site remains on the target, as the hammer or striker hit the primer.

 

[HahnsXD]

You can get a Pearce pinky extension for the XD, it's like $7... Never shot mine without it, something about having my pinky hanging off the gun doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Wenis]

I would love to see this with a fourth gen glock and an XDm. Good write up though

 

[Yankeefan]

....Great review. MAybe you should teach the mag gun writers how to do it.

I agree!

Great review PbP!!

 

[rsmccsman]

I don't think it is fair to compare a Glock with pinky rest to an XD without. Shoot both in the same configuration if you want a true head to head comparison. I have had many Glocks and XDs. Currently my XD9 SC has the pinky extension which is much better than same magazine without it. Also another difference is that the XD9SC has a flush fitting 10 round or 13 round magazine vs the G26 having a 10 round. That gives the XD9SC a 3 round advantage. The Glock is a great gun and the finish is the best. Springfield made a few improvements with Grip Safety and some visual tactile indicators about if the gun is cocked and loaded.

 

[Riot]

The chamber indicator and cocking indicator score absolutely no points with me since I would never trust either. I would always double check.

The melonite is no better than the glock finish. In fact they are identical processes. They just have different trade names. The only difference is how each company adds the black coloring to the finish. With the melonite it is done along with the finish. Glock adds it as a later step.

Ever try to do a chamber check in the dark? That chamber indicator is a god-send if I've ever seen one. I think all modern pistols should have one. Also, I think the dissassembly on the XD(M) is better than either pistol now that you don't have to pull the trigger to ge the slide off.

Also I never said the melonite finish was worse or better than the Glock....I just know it is better than whatever finish is on the normal XDs.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

Ever try to do a chamber check in the dark? That chamber indicator is a god-send if I've ever seen one. I think all modern pistols should have one. Also, I think the dissassembly on the XD(M) is better than either pistol now that you don't have to pull the trigger to ge the slide off.

Also I never said the melonite finish was worse or better than the Glock....I just know it is better than whatever finish is on the normal XDs.

If it is too dark for me to tell if my gun is loaded it is too dark for me to be shooting anything. I am NEVER going to believe my gun is loaded because of a little flag and, more importantly, never trusted it is unloaded because of one either.

Regular XD pistols have the melonite finish.

As for disassembly, how is fulling the trigger a negative thing for anyone that has performed a proper safety check before disassembling their firearm?