Shield vs XDs

mag318 · Oct 5, 2012

My dealer just received a Springfield XDs that I ordered and upon examining it I was very impressed. Holding it side by side with my Shield the things are virtually the same size. The XDs feels good in hand as does my Shield and the trigger has a similar reset. I opted for the stainless slide so I won't be sending this one to Robar. Makes me wonder, will a 45 Shield be coming next? If Springfield can fit the 45acp into such a small envelope I'm sure S&W can to. I have an M&P45c which is a truly excellent pistol but would love to see the Shield in this calibre. Competition drives the market and is a good thing.

Hohopelli · Oct 5, 2012

I seriously doubt that we'll see a 45ACP Shield. The 9mm shield and 45ACP xds are quite different shooters. I opted for the XDS as most say the 40 shield is very snappy. Comparing the two, the shield 9mm is much more enjoyable to shoot and may well be used for "other than essential" shooting. My XDs will never be shot for "fun".. Just enough to ensure functionality and carry ammo proofing.. JMO.. Ron

627 city hunter · Oct 5, 2012

Those XD(M)'s are amazing. I haven't gotten my hands on the Shield yet.

Which do yo find more accurate?

RobzGuns · Oct 5, 2012

I also doubt we'd see a .45 Shield. It's much easier to 'design down' from a .45 to smaller calibers than it is to design up from 9/40 to a 45. Of course... If the XD-S becomes Really popular, S&W could surprise us and come out with a .45 Shield. With all the initial issues I've read about over on the XD-Talk forum, it may be a while before the XD-S really gains momentum.

In shooting the XD-S side by side with my old PF-9 , G26 and Shield, I'd consider the XD-S's recoil to be similar in feel to the recoil of a PF-9/LC9 (rather rough, but not bad at all for a subcompact 45) and the recoil of the Shield to be closer to that of the G-26.

While I enjoy shooting my Shield all range session long, as Hohopelli wrote, I'd never consider an XD-S as a 'Shoot for Fun' kinda pistol... More of a 'Shoot enough to keep up proficiency and put it away' kinda pistol, like my PF-9 was.

Hohopelli · Oct 5, 2012

Exactly.. I think the accuracy is about the same for me.. Oddly.. I've installed a XS bigdot on the shield and I'm still adjusting to that. The XDs is every bit as accurate, just a lot more punishing.. IMO.. Ron

ken158 · Oct 5, 2012

I got the Shield first and then a XDS - my LGS just got in a XDS with the stainless slide and I am very tempted to add it to the collection. My XDS shoots great and maybe a little more accurate than the 9mm Shield. I find it snappy but controllable.

mag318 · Oct 5, 2012

The only thing I have to compare the XDs to 45acp wise is my M&P45c which is a joy to shoot. I bought a Kahr compact 45 when they first came out and it was snappy to say the least. That Kahr was eventually traded to a friend who liked it more than I did. Watching several YouTube videos "Hickok 45" has a couple good ones with the XDs and you have to love his personal range.
Again the amazing aspect of the XDs is the size, I was expecting it to be a lot larger that the Shield but it's nearly identical in size. Taking it apart it exhibits great build quality and the stainless slide is beautifully machined. So far not having fired it I like it and think it will make for a great CCW.

Hohopelli · Oct 5, 2012

mag318 said:
The only thing I have to compare the XDs to 45acp wise is my M&P45c which is a joy to shoot. I bought a Kahr compact 45 when they first came out and it was snappy to say the least. That Kahr was eventually traded to a friend who liked it more than I did. Watching several YouTube videos "Hickok 45" has a couple good ones with the XDs and you have to love his personal range.
Again the amazing aspect of the XDs is the size, I was expecting it to be a lot larger that the Shield but it's nearly identical in size. Taking it apart it exhibits great build quality and the stainless slide is beautifully machined. So far not having fired it I like it and think it will make for a great CCW.

I agree.. The build quality of my XDs is exceptional. I have a "bunch-O-45's" and I can tell ya, the XDs will rock you back.. A hundred rounds and my elbow and shoulder know that something has happened.. Cheers.. Ron

Smitty357 · Oct 5, 2012

I highly doubt u'll see the Shield in a .45. Simply because the most people who buy a shield, use it for CC. And the majority of buyers lean more towards the 9mm for that purpose. Those of us who have a .40 Shield are the few that just want to leave a bigger hole, lol.

Also, you will find the Bass Pro and Cabellas seem to keep the XDS in stock and on display. Our local Cabellas is currently on their 2nd shipment and they have stated its not anywhere near the seller of the 9mm Shield........And i would assume, thats because its a .45ACP. IMO, the 9mm of the Shield is also more user friendly with the women who CC.

mag318 · Oct 5, 2012

Smitty,
I'll bet that has something to do with the price also. I paid $341 for my Shield 9 and the XDs was $548 from the same dealer. S&W was smart pricing the Shields low and a $200 difference has to be a factor. The XDs isn't cheap.

Smitty357 said:
I highly doubt u'll see the Shield in a .45. Simply because the most people who buy a shield, use it for CC. And the majority of buyers lean more towards the 9mm for that purpose. Those of us who have a .40 Shield are the few that just want to leave a bigger hole, lol.

Also, you will find the Bass Pro and Cabellas seem to keep the XDS in stock and on display. Our local Cabellas is currently on their 2nd shipment and they have stated its not anywhere near the seller of the 9mm Shield........And i would assume, thats because its a .45ACP. IMO, the 9mm of the Shield is also more user friendly with the women who CC.

Hohopelli · Oct 5, 2012

The Shield isn't cheap anymore either! $399-$449 when there's actually one to buy.. Ron

Maddmax · Oct 6, 2012

Only reason I'd buy a 45 ACP Shield would be to add to my collection. It would be a hand biting beast shooting 45 ACP in that small of a platform.
Almost like shooting 444 in a Contender....

usncorpsman1 · Oct 6, 2012

I purchased a XDS last month to replace my G26. I wanted something thinner as I am a slim guy. My buddy had one and I liked what I saw so I purchased my own. Well I sold it Friday and purchased a M&P Shield 9mm. What made me get rid of the XDS was when I took it to the range for some defensive shooting drills. 10 rounds at 10 yards with the G26 as fast as I could acquire the target. All shots center mass. I then tried the same with my Smith 442 J-frame. 4 center mass and 1 high on the left shoulder. Lastly I tried the XDS. NO shots on target. I drew from the holster with all 3 guns. The XDS is a great shooter when taking your time. FOR ME, this is not the gun to use in a defensive situation as I know from practicing with it that I may not hit my target. The gun is a handful when shot fast as one may encounter in a defensive situation. I've been shooting for over 25 years. 22 years of that in the military, so my technique is sound. If you are going to carry this gun or any gun as a defensive weapon, please make sure that you can hit with it.

TRUST8383 · Oct 7, 2012

I bought the shield first. It has been flawless and super accurate. I just picked up the XDS and it is plagued with problems right out of the box. Failure to return to battery, failure to feed, light primer strikes...mag locking back with rounds in it. Fuuuuuuuu.

I have a lot of other springfield guns and they have all been exceptional. I am really disappointed with my XDS. I'll give it another range trip before I send it back to SA. Hopefully, they make it right.

I'm sticking with my shield.

Enzo · Oct 7, 2012

I just don't like the grip safety on the XDS. It's not a 1911 that have longer grip safeties and for me there have been times that the gun hasn't fired because I wasn't holding high enough in a defensive format drill. If this is a ccw gun then I'm not going to take that chance.

munchie3409 · Oct 7, 2012

Could you do me a favor and take some pictures of the XD and shield side by side, so I can see.

munchie3409 · Oct 7, 2012

Just did a side by side of the two pistols...I may need to get the XDs due to the fact that I prefer 45ACP.

mag318 · Oct 7, 2012

You're not alone in your preference for the 45acp chambering. Springfield did a very good job making a pistol in that proven caliber for the ever growing concealed carry market. I like the features this pistol has. The grip safety depresses naturally as you grip the pistol. That and with the combination of the firing pin block makes for a very safe design. The only way for this pistol to discharge is by purposely pulling the trigger. The checkering on the grip is very aggressive which I like in this small of a carry pistol. A 45 is going to have heavier recoil than a 9mm, so I don't want it slipping and sliding in my hand. Obviously this is not going to be the type of pistol you shoot all day at the range. So I'm looking forward to see how comfortably I can go through say 100 rounds at a time.
My M&P45c is a very comfortable pistol to shoot during a long range session and with the size difference of the XDs I know it's going to be less so. I'll report back soon after a range session. I'd still love to see a Shield 45.

RobzGuns · Oct 7, 2012

munchie3409 said:
Just did a side by side of the two pistols...I may need to get the XDs due to the fact that I prefer 45ACP.

... and that's about what it boils down to for many buyers... Whether you want a subcompact .45, or are happy with the subcompact 9/40 platform. That and being willing to learn the XD-S's idiosyncrasies.

Both have about the same round capacity and external safeties. Some prefer the grip safety, while others prefer a thumb safety. I prefer a grip safety, but I can live with simply leaving the Shield's thumb safety in the 'fire' position.

Not to ruffle any feathers, but... While there has been some tweaking done due to mechanical issues, Most of the problems associated with the XD-S that have been returned for service have been categorized as 'Not Reproducible By The Technicians'. This seems to be their way of saying 'User Error'. The XD-S appears to be one of those platforms that a person needs to learn from scratch, regardless of how long they've been shooting, or what other pistols they've had no issues with. If needing to learn a pistol from scratch and not carrying it until it's been mastered is a turn-off, or a deal breaker, oh well... Another 'Plus' for the Shield.

There are a few great threads at the XD-Talk forum in the XD-S Section.

TRUST8383 · Oct 7, 2012

I shot my friends XDS with absolutely no problems. So I decide to buy one and its malfunction city.

Pics as requested

Shield vs XDs

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