Shield 9mm or XDs 9mm

[tthomp3]

I know I will likely catch some grief posting this question on a S&W forum, but I'd like to know honest opinions here.

I've been running a Kimber 1911 as my EDC for the past 7 years with no issues. Prior to that, I foolishly tried to carry a full size XDm 9 for about 8 months before I got tired of the ridiculous weight and sold it to buy my beloved 1911. Aside from the size/weight issue, I liked the XDm. For no other reason beside wanting a smaller, cheaper caliber pistol to shoot again, I'm looking to pick up a 9mm. At first I considered a .22lr for fun, but decided I would rather spend roughly the same amount of money on a gun I could shoot relatively inexpensively, and still have the option of carrying it confidently as a backup EDC weapon.

As far as grip safety on the XDs, and optional thumb safety on the Shield goes, try to leave those features (or flaws as some may call them) out of the equation. I've been a 1911 guy for several years now, and trained with both of those features. I feel confident that neither would really play a role in the operation of either weapon.

All of that being said, I'm curious if anybody owns, or has at least has fired both the XDs and the Shield. Do you own one, but wish you had the other? Is the roughly $150 difference in price worth it for a fancy case, and some other goodies? I know the most obvious response will likely be "save the money on the gun and buy the equivalent amount of ammo", but is there really a big difference in quality? Also, I'd like to know about customer service experiences from both S&W and SA, as I have never dealt with either.

Thank you all in advance!

-Tom

 

[Traveling Fisher]

Shot both and chose the Shield. XDs pinched the end of my finger between the trigger guard and trigger because of my high grtip and down angle of my finger. Service from Smith has been good on a SD9 that I have. No problem with the Shield. Easy shooting small gun with very good accuracy. My EDC.

 

[maillesdad]

I have the shield and I've shot my wife's and my brother's XDS. Both are good, quality firearms. If anything stands out between the two, I do like the sights on the XDS much more.

 

[hoc9sw]

First off, I am snakebit, and can break anything by standing across the room from it.

I have a Shield 9. It took 4 trips back and a lot of work with the CS folks to get it right. They are great to work with, the smiths, not so much.

No experience with the XD, but I do have an EMP 9 that had more than it's share of problems (front sight came off after 9 rounds fired, overtravel screw fell out, ejector issues). But the CS folks there worked with me, and we got it right.

So as to CS, both companies treated me well.

Can't compare the firearms.

 

[walkinghorse]

Only shot the XDs. Been very happy with mine, 3.3 with LG 469 laser. Has fed everything I have given it, through both 7rd. and 9rd. magazines. Tried aluminum and brass cases, mixed in magazines, hardball and hollowpoint ammunition, so far not a problem with any. Trigger is fine, safeties provide what I want as I am left handed. Accuracy had been good to 25 yds. with sights, and laser to 15 yds. Close to 1000 rounds.
Remains stock except for laser. Have several Holsters, generic leather IWB with single clip, FOXX IWB with 2 clips, and Remora, Fits also in Mika pocket holster for CA, police bulldog 2" .38. Both aim and shoot, nothing to mess with, but as safe as necessary.
Good luck with your choice!

 

[MyDads38]

I've only had the chance to shoot 2 samples of the XD series pistols, a buddy had an XDs compact that was pretty nice-it was an older model that held 12/13 rounds. Never failed him. The other was a rental I tried, it was okay too-no issues.

I personally own 2 Shields (9 & 40) and really like them. I was carrying a FS Ruger SR1911 and then my SD9VE. Carrying the Shield 9 as EDC. Keep in mind that there is a big difference in size/dimensions between the 1911 and a sub compact pistol. Once I adjusted my grip, I was fine with the Shield. Both my Shields are very accurate out to 10 yards, which is as far as I personally shoot with smaller handguns.

I would try to shoot both and see if you have a preference. I like the XD series from SA, but I can't get past the "Made in Croatia" on the side of the frame; all my handguns say "Made in USA" and that means something to me, along with the CS that goes along with it. Good luck in your choice, either will probably serve you well

 

[scattershot]

I have the XDs in 9mm. I like the pistol, and like you I debated the two for a while. I like the fiber optic front sight on the XDs, but it has a rather mushy trigger. Never shot a Shield, but my brother has both, and gives the nod to the XDs in the accuracy department. If you buy the XDs Essentials package, it leaves out a lot of the stuff that comes with the full meal deal, which I never use anyway.

I guess, in the final analysis, it's what you like and shoot best. Good luck with your purchase, whichever way you go.

 

[CSB]

Both are solid

I own a Shield 9, but I've also fired the XDs and the G43.

In my experience (and research) people tend to prefer the XDs if they have larger hands (the pistol grip is bigger).

I would really recommend that you first fire these weapons before making a purchase ... it's a very personal thing. Although they're clearly competitors in this ongoing single-stack war, the price point is substantially higher for the XDs and the G43, making comparisons even more subjective.

Some say that the triggers on the XDs and G43 are superior to the Shield. I didn't draw that conclusion, especially considering the intended purpose for these guns. And for the extra price of an XDs or G43, you'd hope the triggers were better! These guns are personal defense weapons, not range toys.

My biggest takeaway from firing all three: the Shield 9 is the smoothest shooter by far. It's damn fun to shoot! I could fire hundreds of rounds, and wish for more. I didn't have that impression of the G43. For me personally, the XDs grip texture was a bit harsh. At the range it began to irritate my skin. (But again, in a self defense scenario, maybe you can't have enough texture ... texture's not a terrible thing.)

Go onto YouTube and check out hickok45's channel. He has done several comparisons of the Shield 9 and XDs (and other single stacks like the G43), and they're great.

Good luck! You won't go wrong with any of these guns.

 

[Mark IV]

Nothing wrong with the XD's, (had one of their compact double-stack 9's a few years back), but i find the Shield to be significantly more ergonomic. The XD designers seem bent on adding all kinds of funky lines and squared edges that are more intended to make it look cool, than to be practical,comfortable and functional ( and,nice as they are, Walther and HK seems to do this as well).
These guns are meant to ride comfortably inside a pocket, or on/in a waist band, and the smooth,rounded lines of the Shield do this much better, IMO.

 

[Deadbug]

Yep--before I bought my 9mm Shield NTS, I went to a nearby range that had an XDs, Glock 43 and a Shield all available to rent and shoot side-by-side.

For me, the Shield felt better (agree with MarkIV about the funky lines/squared edges of the XDs), shot more accurately and much smoother than either the XDs and the G43 and never looked back.

No problems, other than a handful of ammo-related FTF early, it has been 100% reliable with over 4,600 rounds through it and is my EDC.

 

[RobzGuns]

I always try to shoot a sample of a firearm I'm considering, before actually buying. I shot the Shield and XD-S side-by-side. Both are great little pistols, but to me, the Shield's perceived recoil is smoother/milder than the XD-S (but then, perceived recoil is very subjective). I'm a long time XD fan, but I preferred the Shield. I got the Shield almost 4yrs ago and have not been disappointed.

Ask this same question over on XD-Talk and you'll probably get an overwhelming response of the XD-S being better, so the best thing to do is find a place to rent/borrow/try each and decide for yourself.

 

[jimmie1957]

I have two shields both 40 cal and both of them are very accurate and easy to shoot. I use the extended mag that I prefer and they are great for ccw

 

[EdJG]

It's truly a personal decision -it's best to try them all to determine which suites you best. For me, I didn't like the grip on the XDS or how it felt in my hand.

 

[amcline82]

I don't like the trigger on the shield. But what I don't like even more is that all the SA poly pistols are made in Croatia. And the price on the shield is hard to beat.

 

[Smitty357]

Love my shield but i'll admit the Shield needs a grip safety. They could do away with the manual flip safety. Grip safety would work for either left or right hand shooters as well.

 

[motorcyclejoe]

I have posted several comments concerning the XDS. I had a Shield and found the grip to be just too skinny making it difficult to shot accurately. If you search the forum for Talon grips you will find many many posts saying that Talon grips make a big improvement for the Shield. I guess many people find the Shield lacking without adding masterial to the grips. I guess that tells you the Shield grip is a problem for lots, if not most, shooters.

I sold my Shield and purchased an XDS 9mm. I found the XDS to be much more stable, more accurate, and just much easier to shoot. While I love S&W, especially my 9c, the XDS is just a much better single stack than the Shield. If you can, shoot them side by side. I think it will be easy for you to decide. Also, have to admit, the XDS makes the Shield look like an ugly ducking.

BTW take a look at the thread on the S&W compact 9 vs Shield 9 - Speed and Accuracy, if you want to see some real life experience on the Shield. Note the comments on the Shield grip.

Last point. Those with less hand strength than a gorilla can actually rack the slide on the XDS. It's a new feature.

 

[amcline82]

I am confused by the beginning of your post. You have posted question concerning the xds then you traded your shield for one?

 

[motorcyclejoe]

I am confused by the beginning of your post. You have posted question concerning the xds then you traded your shield for one?

Not posted questions. Posted previous comments about the XDS vs the Shield.

 

[ultratec00]

Having a shield 9mm and an XDS-45, both are quality firearms. I would say the shield is easier to work on and breaks down pretty much like any other M&P. Never attempted to break down the XDS because it is notably harder. S&W oem parts can be found online. I noticed my XDS had a damaged striker and wanted to buy a new one, but springfield won't sell them and ended up having to send it back for the one thing that is easy to remove and replace. Trigger on my shield was apexed and better than the XDS. The XDS is far more accurate. The shield accuracy is acceptable but not on par with XDS, assuming the 9mm version is comparable to the 45. I can live with either, but give the edge to the shield.

 

[BigDog48]

I couldn't tell you why, but I tried an XDM and just didn't like the feel -- maybe grip angle, maybe grip shape, I don't know. Then I tried the Shield and loved it & bought it. Near 1000 rounds, I still love it. But that's me. You may be different.