Wow... no arguing yet. Admirable...
I've been in your shoes exactly and I've written this post nearly exactly at least 3 times before. Years ago, a buddy of mine and I were looking for our first pistols. We both wanted 9mm's and we both wanted hi-capacity mid-sized frames. We went to a bunch of gun stores and held and handled everything we could.
I ended up liking the Glock 19. He loved the SA xD 4" service model. We've been shooting very often together and trade guns at the range just as often. Here is what we both agree on, and what it comes down to.
The xD really does point better with it's grip angle and hi-profile sights. It has one more round in the magazine and we can both shoot it with minimally better accuracy.
The Glock is slimmer and noticeably easier to conceal. It handles recoil better than the xD and the factory magazines have better reliability when "very dirty".
In conclusion, if I'm going to the range to target shoot or am open carrying, the xD would be my choice. But for every single day, every single way concealed carry and defensive or rapid shooting, my choice would be and is the Glock 19. And mine was about $90 cheaper.
*plus the xD grip safety "bites" the web of my hand for some reason. Not very comfortable after several magazines. Also not a very common problem.
You're really comparing apples to apples here and I believe you're over-thinking this a bit. Personally, if I would have decided on the xD9 over the Glock, I don't think it would have served me any better or worse. I would have adapted to an equally fit weapon system; just a little different.
Best advice I can give you is to bring a US-made coin with you (preferably a common US quarter) while you go to a gun store and have the guy get you out an xD9 service model and a Glock G19.
Feel each grip, one after the other. Give it a death-grip for about 10 seconds and see which one is more comfortable. This one will more naturally suit you.
Pick one up, close your eyes and bring the gun up to ready-aim. Open your eyes and look at your sight picture. Repeat 2 or 3 times. Put the weapon down and repeat with the other. Whichever sight picture is closer to perfect when you open your eyes, will suit you more naturally.
If these two measurements contradict each other, or you still can't decide;
flip the coin. Seriously. Because you are now CERTAIN that you won't be disappointed either way.
Besides, you can always buy the other in a few months/years anyway. And you can have the patience the wait for a great deal to come along because you already have your workhorse on your belt.
Hope this helps,
~LT
