The general consensus is the XD trumps glock. I haven't shot an XD but know a couple people who love theirs, one a 9mm and one a 45 with 13 round mag, which is pretty cool.

Well, the idea is that as long as you don't tap the safety that's built into the trigger itself, it shouldn't matter. It simplifies the motion of preparing the gun for firing. I'm not really of the opinion that external safety switches are that important.

As far as the XDM goes, I don't know too much about them. My range just got a few in, but they're not for rental yet. But the XD series in general are very good guns.

It has a much better grip. That's always welcome. However, it's not quite as well-made as the Glocks (the finish on the XD's slide apparently doesn't last as long as the Tenifer coating on Glocks, though that shouldn't matter to any civilian).

I also find it a tiny bit odd that nobody really gave a shit about the XD back when it was produced by the Croatians (as the HS2000), but as soon as Springfield renamed it the XD, it suddenly became THE handgun everyone wanted. I sometimes wonder if this is because Americans needed to feel like the Europeans hadn't outdone them in the ability to produce good handguns (because let's face it...nobody was able to admit honestly that they liked Ruger's or S&W's polymer pistols).

I think that has a lot to do with Springfields advertising. The HS2000 was relatively unknown and not a really popular brand. When it became the XD, it also came with the Springfield name and we were bombarded with advertising for it. I don't think that people think it's better as the XD, just people are more aware of it.

The XD in general is a great pistol. I have a XD40 subcompact that I carry on a daily basis. It's been 100% reliable and has a more 1911 style grip angle compared to the strange Glock grip angle. I love my Glock though too so yeah...

Well I found a range nearby my hometown that rents guns out so I'll have to get out there and shoot a few to help make up my mind.

Another question though I talked to our local firearms dealer and I had them price a Springfield 1911 Loaded I think the model was px9151 and they told me they could get it new for $650. Everywhere I looked online it was at least $800 sometimes a little more and I was wondering why there was such a big difference in the price they gave me.

gunsamerica.com has a slightly used one for $550. budsgunshop.com has it new for $760. For that particular model I would say that $600-$700 is a pretty good deal.

i've heard the mil spec is a better gun

Yeah I thought that sounded like a pretty good deal. I've never handled either but I thought from reading the specs the Loaded is a step up from Mil-Spec but maybe thats not right.

Also the more I keep reading about and looking at the XDM's the more I like them. Any preferences over 9mm and .40?

9 is cheaper 40 is a better defensive round, you palnning on SD or target shooting as main purpose.?

It will probably get most of the use at the range but I will keep it at my house if the situation for SD would ever arise (although hopefully that would never be needed).