Got a friend for my 9mm Shield.....

[papersniper]

I have a lot of guns, both rifles and pistols. I suppose I am somewhat of a collector.

Anyway, in the past I carried either a Sig 228 (Desantis OWB holster) when my clothing allowed, or a Kel-Tec P11 ( in a Don Hume JIT holster)if clothing required something smaller. I even occasionally carry a tiny Kel-Tec 32 acp in a pocket holster.

I added an M&P 9mm Shield recently to replace the Sig that's gotten too big and heavy for me. But when I did the research on the Shield, and I did A LOT, I noticed there are a bunch of really nice carry guns available.....and decided to get another after a week or two of owning the wonderful Shield.

I gotta tell you, I did EVEN MORE research this time....and it was a frustrating time! I wanted something about the size of the Shield, or maybe just a little smaller, but not a "pocket gun". I looked at offerings from Sig, Beretta, Kahr, Glock, Bersa, and Springfield among others. My first requirement was dependability and reliability....and wow, that was tough to find! Seems like EVERY ONE of the pistols had some problem or the other......I got to the point where I finally decided to ignore most of what I read. I do not have to opportunity to shoot the ones that looked good to me, but I could at least handle them in a LGS, which helped.

Anyway, I ended up with a Springfield XD-S 3.3 9mm. I know it's nearly identical in size to the Shield, but then IMO these are the perfect size. Why did I get another EDC pistol? Because I can! I have to admit I am a gun nut!

My main point here, finally stated, is that it's nice to have lots of info via the internet, but ya gotta take it with some common sense....EVERY pistol I considered has many detractors, including the Shield. So form your own conclusions based on what you can shoot, or at least handle.

Time will tell which of the Shield or XD-S I like better......but I suspect I will prefer one or the other based on how I feel that day. One thing that I do insist on is having my pistols be similar enough that training isn't complicated by SA or DA/DA issues.....which is another reason I've stopped carrying the Sig. I used it for IDPA, but I don't think I'll use it for EDC anymore.

 

[Mountain Walker]

A fellow gun collector, I have both the Shield and XDs and I find that the XDs is definitely better quality. Also like the fact that the XDs has a more reasonable recoil spring with easier to manage slide. The XD grip safety is all the safety needed and is definitely better than the hard to manipulate Shield thumb safety. One that you have apparently overlooked is the Ruger LC9 which is only 17 oz. The LC9 comes with hammer version with a very manageable double action trigger or the striker mechanism for a lighter, shorter stroke trigger. I have the hammer version and find it is a very good shooter!

 

[papersniper]

A fellow gun collector, I have both the Shield and XDs and I find that the XDs is definitely better quality. Also like the fact that the XDs has a more reasonable recoil spring with easier to manage slide. The XD grip safety is all the safety needed and is definitely better than the hard to manipulate Shield thumb safety. One that you have apparently overlooked is the Ruger LC9 which is only 17 oz. The LC9 comes with hammer version with a very manageable double action trigger or the striker mechanism for a lighter, shorter stroke trigger. I have the hammer version and find it is a very good shooter!

Oh I didn't overlook the Ruger; I considered the LC9s, the newer striker model. It appears to be a nice pistol also, but I just didn't like its looks; not much of a reason to not buy it, but what the heck! I can be vain sometimes....I also like brown leather over black - what can I say! I also liked the Kahr CW9 because I did like its looks.

My Shield is the model without the thumb safety. I do not want a thumb safety on a striker fired (or DAO) EDC pistol.

Glad to hear your positive comment on the Springfield.....I was afraid I'd be attacked here for my blasphemy!

 

[tulman22]

Good choice. My EDC is an XD-S 3.3 45, and love it. Actually bought it before recall and was worried what it would be afterwards, but it is still amazing. No problem whatsoever. And very manageable recoil for a small 45. Most people don't believe me until they shoot it.

 

[lethe]

Why did I get another EDC pistol? Because I can!

Perfect answer!

 

[papersniper]

Perfect answer!

Yeah, makes sense to me!

 

[Mountain Walker]

Another factor about the XD pistol line is that they don't have the backlash(movement after sear release) that the shield does. The combination of the Shield's heavy trigger(7-8#) and the long backlash creats noticeable movement of the muzzle during firing. Mr Burwell, an accomplished gunsmith talks about this and also how easy he can fix the Shield trigger. I know we are not talking about a target weapon, but the XDs really comes with a better trigger for a carry weapon. New owners of the XDs almost univerally report the excellent accuracy of the weapon and I have also found that true from my limited experience.

 

[highaltitude]

Good choice on the XDs 9.

As one retired police officer told me the other day "You can never own enough guns"

 

[DocSunShine]

A fellow gun collector, I have both the Shield and XDs and I find that the XDs is definitely better quality. Also like the fact that the XDs has a more reasonable recoil spring with easier to manage slide. The XD grip safety is all the safety needed and is definitely better than the hard to manipulate Shield thumb safety. One that you have apparently overlooked is the Ruger LC9 which is only 17 oz. The LC9 comes with hammer version with a very manageable double action trigger or the striker mechanism for a lighter, shorter stroke trigger. I have the hammer version and find it is a very good shooter!

Better quality? XDs is a ****! Consider yourself lucky you haven't had any issues. Everyone I know who went XDS has had an issue, I know more people with Shields and not one has had an issue. I call that a clue!

 

[papersniper]

Better quality? XDs is a ****! Consider yourself lucky you haven't had any issues. Everyone I know who went XDS has had an issue, I know more people with Shields and not one has had an issue. I call that a clue!

Seems like everyone who wrote a comment on ANY of the guns I researched, including my beloved 9mm Shield, has had problems. That's why I tend to discount comments on the internet, both positive and negative. Yes, I still do tons of research on line before purchasing, but ..............

Here's hoping I am happy with the XD-S 9mm that ought to arrive next week some time. I haven't have a bad experience with any handgun other than the first S&W Sigmas our PO tried for about 6 months. After that fiasco we went with H&K USP 40s - now THAT is a nice handgun! But I'm not gonna carry it concealed!

 

[spearcrow]

Hope you enjoy the xds. I have been eyeing the 45 since I learned it was coming out. I just haven't managed to pull the trigger yet...no pun intended. I had shot one at the LGS before the recall, then went back and tried out it again and was not a fan of how heavy the trigger was compared to pre-recall. I might end up with one down the line, they have a lot of eye appeal, for me at least. I know several guys who have them and all have really liked them, and had no problems minus the recall. My brother in law brought his shield out to the house a few weeks back, my first chance to shoot one, and it was brand new. It was okay, I think I prefer the ergos on the springfield. The little white dot on the front sight fell out while we were shooting it... aside from that it shot pretty good.

 

[papersniper]

Hope you enjoy the xds. .....

One thing I liked about the XDS 9mm I handled and have ordered is the front sight. Seems like it's awfully easy to pick up with my old eyes. I have mixed feelings on the aggressive grip and grip safety, but we'll see how that goes. I also think the trigger on the XDs isn't as good as the Shield, but others say just the opposite. That aggressive grip can be modified pretty easily if I decide to do that.

I must admit, I really liked the "feel of the M&P 9mm Shield from the moment I picked it up. Others have commented on the heavy trigger pull, but mine is fine.....of course, I'm comparing it to a Kel-Tec P11 and Kel-Tec 32 acp! They are not anywhere near the nice SA trigger my Sig 228 has, but then that pistol has gotten too big for me in the last few years....might be getting old?

 

[hokiefyd]

Another one who rocks the P-32 every now and again! I love mine...I've had nothing but great service from it. Have you considered the PF-9? It's got the same long-but-smooth 6# trigger that's in the P-32, but it's a Shield-like single stack 9mm.

 

[papersniper]

Another one who rocks the P-32 every now and again! I love mine...I've had nothing but great service from it. Have you considered the PF-9? It's got the same long-but-smooth 6# trigger that's in the P-32, but it's a Shield-like single stack 9mm.

No, the PF-9 was a bit light for me. I already have a Kel-Tec P-11 that's about at the minimum weight for me shooting a 9mm. Even that little 32 is a bit snappy!

 

[Mountain Walker]

Seems like everyone who wrote a comment on ANY of the guns I researched, including my beloved 9mm Shield, has had problems. That's why I tend to discount comments on the internet, both positive and negative. Yes, I still do tons of research on line before purchasing, but ..............

This is a good policy because anecdotal evidence("I know a guy....") is pretty invalid.

 

[ca survivor]

Seems like everyone who wrote a comment on ANY of the guns I researched, including my beloved 9mm Shield, has had problems. That's why I tend to discount comments on the internet, both positive and negative. Yes, I still do tons of research on line before purchasing, but ..............

Here's hoping I am happy with the XD-S 9mm that ought to arrive next week some time. I haven't have a bad experience with any handgun other than the first S&W Sigmas our PO tried for about 6 months. After that fiasco we went with H&K USP 40s - now THAT is a nice handgun! But I'm not gonna carry it concealed!

and were do you do your research ? do you go to a library ? LOL or use the SAME internet.

 

[papersniper]

and were do you do your research ? do you go to a library ? LOL or use the SAME internet.

I do my research mainly in gun stores and manufacture web sites. I try to take anecdotal comments on firearm forms (like this one! )for what they are for what they are; ONE person's experience.

Heck, this is nothing new....every checked TripAdvisor or the like for a good restaurant? Seems like 10% think it's the best place in the world, 10% think it ought to be closed down as unsuitable. Sometimes you have to read between the lines, and sometimes you just have to give it a try if the product appears to meet your wants and desires.

Actually, the library might be a good place to do research also, but it's not as convenient.

 

[adwjc]

I do my research mainly in gun stores and manufacture web sites. I try to take anecdotal comments on firearm forms (like this one! )for what they are for what they are; ONE person's experience.

Heck, this is nothing new....every checked TripAdvisor or the like for a good restaurant? Seems like 10% think it's the best place in the world, 10% think it ought to be closed down as unsuitable. Sometimes you have to read between the lines, and sometimes you just have to give it a try if the product appears to meet your wants and desires.

Actually, the library might be a good place to do research also, but it's not as convenient.

papersniper,

you might have difficulty researching firearms in any public library these days, we use our local public library quite a bit, and one complaint we have is the obvious anti gun bias in their book and magazine selection.

I find the same in several others in the region, must be some kind of institutional infection.

Also, don't forget the Patriot Act provides for your research choices to be scrutinized.

 

[papersniper]

papersniper,

you might have difficulty researching firearms in any public library these days, we use our local public library quite a bit, and one complaint we have is the obvious anti gun bias in their book and magazine selection.

I find the same in several others in the region, must be some kind of institutional infection.

Also, don't forget the Patriot Act provides for your research choices to be scrutinized.

The library comment I made was a joke.......

I am probably already on so many "lists" due to the Patriot Act that getting on another sure won't make much difference anyway. (That also is a joke......getting on another list might make a difference! )