I really like the Shield & XDS but I can't make up my mind. It will be my conceal carry pistol. All suggestions & thoughts are appreciated. I'm new to conceal carry & I want the safest of the 2 pistols. I know a lot of people doesn't like safety options buy I do like to have a safety.
Thanks

have you had the chance to shoot them yet? That may be the best line for information; how each one felt in your hand, how well you did or did not do with it, and so on.

I have tried one but not the other so not fair for me to drop any suggestions on which may be better as i'm also newer to this area, but hands-on would be a good start if you have the ability to do that

I've tried both (9mm), and I went with the M&P. I do not like how the grip safety works on the XDs (it is more difficult when jammed to clear because the grip safety must be depressed to move the slide). I know this because during a high-round count, advanced defensive class, a lady (not a novice, but maybe not in the right class for her abilities either) experienced several jams (maybe due to ammo, or a brand new, literally "right out of the box" XDs). They both shoot (accuracy) and carry very well.

If I was die hard .45 fan then I'd go with the XDS, but I don't see the extra cash for a 9mm version. The XDS has the grip safety but the M&P can be had with or without a manual safety.

I think you just answered your own question. There is no right or wrong answer as everybody's needs and what inspires confidence in a carry pistol is different. Don't worry too much about your first gun. Once you get some experience behind you, chances are you probably will buy something different down the road anyway.

Bryan,
We can't tell you which one to buy. What I like, you may hate. You really need to shoot both of them. Look at availability of accessories (holsters, extra mags. etc). I would also look at the weight of each gun and the capacity. If you have a bad back or wear lighter weight clothes, a lighter weight gun might work better for you. Lots of people have no problems carrying full sized 1911's. Others prefer a single stack light weight gun. I have and carry both a double stack gun (M&P 9c) and a single stack Sig. p938.

People love both of the guns you listed. My daughter's boyfriend just bought a XDS in 9mm for his CC gun and loves it. He had my daughter shoot it and she really liked it and did well with it. I was going to get a XDS because I really liked how the trigger felt, this was pre recall. After the recall, I hated how the trigger felt. But that is just me.
When I was looking at a lighter weight option the Shield was recommended to me, I just can't get into the Shield, it does nothing for me. That is why I got the Sig. Lots of Shield lovers here though.

Again, you have to shoot both. Look at concealability of both. Look at reviews, I like to watch youtube videos and read the comments below. Google, gun X and problems. See which gun feels better in your hand. We can only offer you our opinions as to what works best for us, but each person is different. For every 5 people who say get the Shield on the M&P forum, there will be 5 (on the Springfield forum) who will say get the XDS.

I have the shield and my brother has the xds, both are fine pistols and I would be happy with either. Shield comes with a 7 and 8 round mag, the xds only 7 rounders if that makes a difference. Xds comes with a fiber optic front sight (a plus for my aging eyes), the white dot on my shield's front sight fell off after a couple hundred rounds (replaced with truglo's anyway, which are fantastic). The xds comes with a bunch of junk I don't need, like the plastic case and holster while the shield comes with a much lower price tag.
After my brother got his xds I worried that I might like it better, but I don't. I do like it as well, but it's not worth $100+ more....and I'd trade all that plastic stuff that comes with the xds for some sweet night sights anyday.

If it will help you decide, I just got an email from Palmetto with a NRA Show Deal. Shield 9mm 339.99.
Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD 9mm 180021

Dave

Both pistols are as safe as YOU make them. The one for you should be the one that feels best, and if possible to shoot ahead of time, shoots best for you.

I have the Shield w/TS and its a great concealable shooter. I've never shot an XDS, but I didn't like the grip safety and the way it felt in general.

Whichever you choose, train, shoot a lot, have fun and be safe.

PSA also has a pretty good deal on the XDS 9 if you're leaning that way.

Springfield Armory XDS 3.3" 9mm Black Essentials XDS9339BE - Firearms

Buy them both you can never have enough guns.

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

If I were you I would get the shield. I shot both and decided to get the shield without the safety. If your xds your looking at is a 45, id still go with the 9mm. I would rather have a higher capacity round count. If you run out of bullets with your 45, Ill still be shooting with that extra capacity 9mm. Most bullets perform the same now days. 9mm, 45, 40, they all hurt real bad and would put me down if I was shot.

Anyways, the shield is less expensive and shoots great. I think it conceals better than the xds. Xds is too bulky.

The best safety you can have is the one between your ears.

Like most people have already said try both out if possible. I was on the fence with these guns. My personal experience was I thought the aggressive grip on the xds felt uncomfortable in my hand and I thought it could be prone to snagging clothing. I also felt like the Shield had a nicer trigger.

I got that email also. But when I put in the cart the shipping was $17.00 plus after adding my ffl fee it would be better for me to buy it local. So the shipping killed it for me. Their deals are good when they offer the free shipping.

I had a xds 9 mm and then bought a shield and traded the xds.
The xds is a nice gun. However it does not feel as balanced in the hand as the shield does. The xds is top heavy.

I prefer the shields safety to the xds.

The shield feels better in my hand.

The shield is less expensive.

Both are great guns. Really you cannot go wrong. Depends on how it feels in your hands and what you think about the different safeties

I have an XDs in .45 and a 9mm Shield (that my wife seems to have stolen for her own). Both are great, safe and reliable carry guns and would suit your needs very well.

I've never shot the XDs 9mm, but interestingly, one of the guys at my LGS made a comment to me a few months back about his observation. He said that folks trade in their XDs 9mms, but not their .45s. I've been watching and he's right! I see quite a few used 9mm Springfields for sale, but very seldom a used XDs .45 or a 9mm Shield. I have no idea what that means, but I thought it was somehow relative to your question.

Personally, I can take or leave an external safety thumb safety of the Shield. My wife likes it and routinely uses it (and practices flicking it off as part of her practice draws and range training). I, on the other hand, like the 1911-like grip safety on the Springfield. It doesn't require any additional thought process or motion.

I'd say....snag the 9mm Shield now, then save for the soft shooting, hard hitting .45 XDs.

Good luck!

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paws for friendship

I had both. I sold both.

While I have not shot the XDS I have held one and just did not like the feel of it in my hands. I liked the way the shield felt in my hand and then tried it via a renting at the range and liked it alot and just recently got my own. Plus the Shield is a lot less money. I went with the NTS version as it is more like my glock in operation.

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Ex22:2 Lk22:36
Semper Paratus

Just go buy the Shield, and if you don't like it, you can blame it on me. There problem solved. I've shot both and would hands down pick the Shield.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

XDS - no contest.

The only other gun to ever cut me was a Shield. Never felt right. I did a side-by-side-by-side comparo of the Shield, XDS, and XD(M) compact. I actually like the XD(M) 3" barrel compact better than the XDS.

Sorry for the heresy, folks, but the gun won.

I have more XD products than anything else and was all set to grab an XD-S, but then I rented one.
I've shot both, side-by-side and had I liked the XD-S better, I wouldn't have become a member here. The Shield just feels nicer (for me) to shoot.
Rather than asking US what we like, you need to find a way to shoot them both (not just fondle) before buying and see which one feels better to shoot.

I'll echo what's already been said... If you can, shoot both and then decide.

If you can't, then buy a Shield

This is a Smith site! I too can echo most of above statements. When I purchas my shield it was on sale along with the XDS. I was not able to shoot both, but after handling both it wasn't even a tough decision. The shield was a little lighter and a lot better fit. The price difference was only $25 (shield cheaper) so I would gladly have spent the extra couple bucks if I felt worth it for XDS.

A wise man above speaks. First gun I chose was just by holding it, thought it was cute, fit well in my hand. Wife liked it too. She couldn't pull the slide back... didn't even try.

It went to the range twice. Second time I dumped 40 rounds through it side by side with a 9C (which I put 100 rounds through) and traded the little toy in.

Neither gun mentioned are the ones you are looking at but the logic remains solid... well worth the investment to rent both, put 50 rounds through each of them and let your palm decide.

Please.

Jim

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M&P 9C, 22C, 15-22 Next!

Youtube personality Hickok 45 did a comparison between the two, it's worth a look. I like my Shield.

How do the two compare in the area of ease to take-down / reassembly, and hand strength required to operate?

(I vaguely recall at least one person complaining that they had a hard time getting their Shield back together, apparently due to a very strong spring.)

I had an XDs before the recall and loved it... amazing shooter and a joke of recoil for a .45 in that size.

I now own a Shield and honestly if I could pick i'd get the XDs... the Shield's trigger is reminiscent of a gumball machine toy.

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Glock 19 Gen 5
Shield 1.0 9mm

I am a member of several weapon BST groups, the Springfield XD, XDS, and Ruger LC9 are the most often listed guns for sale or trade. They feel great in the store, but must lack something. I've owned an XD, and I hated that gun. Couldn't get rid of it fast enough. The XDS is just too small for my hands, although the new generation is a little better feeling, I held them both just last night at my LGS, ended up with a full size M&P 40. The shield was just to small to be comfortable, and the XDS was never really an option due to all the people I've seen wanting to get rid of them.

Thanks everyone I appreciate it. I went with the shield

Congrats on the new purchased. I hope it's a great gun for you.
Have fun and be safe.

Did you shoot them both? What did you end up not liking about the XD-S?
I posted why I chose the Shield (after shooting both), but would like to hear why YOU chose the Shield.

Good choice you won't regret it

I had an xds long time ago, but still own my shields. Personally I didn't like the grip safety of the xds. Beings the way it's designed, the slide can not be operated without gripping the safety. most grip safeties such as those on 1911s, only lock the trigger. They slide is still operable even without having to actually grip the weapon. In this case while using ur xds as a means of defense. If ever there's a time when u may be wounded (one hand or arm not functioning). The operation of the slide on the xds with only 1 hand or arm would be pretty darn hard. In this case, for u the fight may be over.

Many of us train for situations like this. Because it's something that is very probably in self defense situations. Training like this makes u aware of things u may have never thought of before......my 2 cents.

You don't think you could 'Boot Rack' an XD-S (properly gripping the pistol) using your 'Off' hand? It might not be the optimum alternative method for 1 handed racking, but it (and Belt Racking) does work (when push comes to shove).

I know I could Boot Rack my XDsc and XDMc (as well as my Glocks and Shield) and believe I probably could do it with the XD-S if someone were nice enough to let me try it.

Rob, I'm sure anything is possible as long as u train for it. I'm not saying u couldn't do it, but it just adds that extra part of the weapon that needs to be engaged in order to make the weapon work.

With the right training u could probably make it work pretty good. But not everyone trains weekly like some of us with our personal weapons lol.

I have both the post-recall XDs 9 and the Shield. Though the XDs is I think a better made gun, and a bit sexier, I shoot better with the Shield. The photo above is my first time out with it, going head to head with the XDs that I had for a year.

The Shield is also 4oz lighter and the smooth grip is easier against the skin and the XDs aggressive grip when IWB. I do think of the two the Shield will be my primary CC.
Not giving up the XDs though. I do like shooting it, and invested a lot of money in holsters for it.