Just picked up an XDs 3.3 9mm a few days ago, after getting rid of my Shield last month. I'm finding the XDs more accurate than the Shield or G26 for both slow and rapid fire. Not sure if it's the trigger combined with the aggressive grip and grip angle. But the thing is an absolute tack driver. I find it has less recoil or muzzle flip than the Shield. Don't understand the posts of this thing being hard on recoil. It's a soft shooter, IMO. Is it worth the extra $100 ? No one has yet mentioned the polished feed ramp on the barrel and higher quality magazines which should result in better reliablity. Combine that with the fiber optic front sight, better trigger, aggressive grip, overall fit and finish of the gun.