Shield beat out by XDs

Shielded

Shielded

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
538
Reaction score
98
The current edition of American Rifleman has the Springfield XDs as the winner of the handgun of the year. So much for the Shield, which many here thought might win. Some of the mag drop & other here & there issue's didn't help I'm sure, but the XDs hasn't been without it's probs either. Oh well :(
 
Register to hide this ad
It is opinions. To them the XDs was better, but I have seen other reviews where the Shield was top dawg. It all depends on what specifics they are looking for and testing for, and who the testers are. You can slant everything, depending on how you set up the trial. Did they compare it to the Shield 9, or the 40? They might have thrown in extra points for the 45acp, but the 40 can produce the same or higher energy than the 45.

Bob
 
Last edited:
Between the Shield and XDs either would have been a great choice. I don't think there is any doubt that yes, the XDs did get "Brownie points" due to the engineering involved in creating such a small micro compact .45 from the ground up like SA did. Sure, the Kahr PM 45 has been around a few years now but until you hold an XDs in your hand and feel how slim and small it is it's really hard to understand how evolved the XDs actually is. Where it really stands out though is how astonishingly manageable the recoil is. There is nothing currently in it's class that is comparable and I think that is why it won the award. As far as the Shield is concerned it competes head to head against a lot of really tough competition, especially the 9mm. Bottom line here I believe most understand the subjectivity of these awards and the Shield could have won just as easily as the XDs did. Both are fine firearms and will make their mark and have their niche for a long, long, time. I have an XDs, and yes, in my opinion it is worthy of the handgun of the year designation but that doesn't lessen in any way what the Shield brings to the table.
 
Shielded said:
The current edition of American Rifleman has the Springfield XDs as the winner of the handgun of the year. So much for the Shield, which many here thought might win. Some of the mag drop & other here & there issue's didn't help I'm sure, but the XDs hasn't been without it's probs either. Oh well :(
Click to expand...

I would seriously doubt that the "here and there issues" of either pistol had much to do with the decision. I would lay my money on the fact that there are many recently introduced single stack small 9mm pistols, and only one new single stack small .45 ACP.

I always wonder how much advertising dollars play into this type of "award" also.
 
The award has to go to a "new" gun, but, to me, the XD bore axis is too high, and the Shield is too big for its small magazine capacity. There are better alternatives to both already on the market.

Still, the "Car of the Year" award has to go to a "new" car every year, whether or not the winner is a good as other cars already on the market. It is the same with the "Gun of the Year."
 
The Shield has a thumb safety, which is not needed but a comfort factor for some. Many people feel that the Shield has a better trigger than the XDs, more Glock-like. Their size is almost identical (the XDs is 0.1" thinner). The biggest advantage of the XDs is that it's .45 ACP, not 9 mm.

I switched to the XDs from a Kahr PM45 because it is more ergonomic (I kept the arched back) and the slide is MUCH easier to operate. I find it more forgiving of ammunition (I use hand loads for practice).

The XDs trigger is okay, but for some reason I get a blister on my trigger finger. I think it's from the safe-trigger extension. The Kahr trigger is perfect for an SD pistol - 4.5# and smooth as silk. The durned recoil spring is so stiff, it is very hard to charge the chamber or clear it. For some benighted reason, Kahr only puts serrations halfway up the slide. The XDs is as easy to rack and clear as a full-sized 1911.

I like the XDs' loaded chamber indicator, and that it omits the unneeded cocked striker indicator. If it's loaded, it's cocked (or a squib), but not vice versa. The Kahr extractor protrudes about 1/2 mm when loaded instead of flush, which is easy to judge by feel. Neither the Kahr nor the XDs has restrike capability. Both have optional 7 round magazines, which are good for backup but too long for carry. If five rounds is good enough for a snubbie .38 revolver, five rounds of .45 ACP should be adequate in a pocket pistol.
 
Last edited:
JudgeColt said:
The award has to go to a "new" gun, but, to me, the XD bore axis is too high, and the Shield is too big for its small magazine capacity. There are better alternatives to both already on the market. ."
Click to expand...

I shot an XDs this past weekend and while accurate for a small gun, I was not WOWWED with this gun.

I have large hands and kept gripping to find the best hold.

JC, I value your opinion and would like to know the better alterntives for the Shield. While I think my Shield has potential....out of the box....my trigger is heavy and breaks hard with and OT SLAP that causes movement on follow through.

I am going to have to spend another $90 in hopes to get a better trigger. While I am happy with my Shield as far as carry and shootability.....I don't have the best trigger compared to a bone stock used 9c. I got about 120 rounds through mine.

Sorry...don't mean to change the direction of this post.

Tia
 
Car of the year, truck of the year, gun of the year, vacuum of the year.....

They pick a different manufacturer all the time. They might double up two years once in a while, but they are interested in advertising dollars, not being truthful.

Ever look at the McDonald's employee of the month pictures? Funny how it's a different person every month. You'd think of you were the best one month, you'd probably be the best a couple times, but nope, new person every month. :p
 
I shot the XDs and it was tough to get a good grip but I have larger than normal hands (did not try the extended mag, too ugly lol). Shot fine but was not at a good fit. I am not a fan of the higher bore axis but I can live with that but a grip issue I cannot. To each their own.. Friend loves his XD pistols I love my S&W's
 
Last edited:
I'm not saying "Springfield Armory" doesn't make a quality gun, but I don't like guns that have "Springfield Armory USA" written on one side and "Made in Croatia" on the other. :(

I'll stick with my Shield and pass on the Hrvatski Samokres XDs.
 
USAF385 said:
I'm not saying "Springfield Armory" doesn't make a quality gun, but I don't like guns that have "Springfield Armory USA" written on one side and "Made in Croatia" on the other. :(

I'll stick with my Shield and pass on the Hrvatski Samokres XDs.
Click to expand...

That's pretty much what my M&P 22 says. Smith & Wesson, Springfield, MA U.S.A on the slide and frame, and Made in Germany on the frame.
 
I have the XDs and a Shield 9. Personally, I like the Springfield better and the more I shoot it, the more I like it.

My wife, on the other hand, does not like the XDs at all. Too much snap and recoil for her. Although she finds the recoil spring on the Shield to be a *****! It is way too hard to rack for a 9 that size. Then there's that mag drop thing.

I would rather carry a 9 and I would rather carry a larger cap mag (although in NY that point is somewhat moot). However I carry a few different in both caliber often.

Without getting into the whats and whys of my preference, both have merit and shortcomings and I would trust either with my life. Truthfully at the end of the day, I prefer to carry my M&P 9c or FN P9 for performance, feel, accuracy and capacity better than either the Shield or XDs.

YMMV.
 
Nevadadvx said:
That's pretty much what my M&P 22 says. Smith & Wesson, Springfield, MA U.S.A on the slide and frame, and Made in Germany on the frame.
Click to expand...

Made by Walther, yes? Still, like the Springfield a quality gun. I just PREFER to buy American Made. Prefer, but I DO own a Glock.
 
USAF385 said:
Made by Walther, yes? Still, like the Springfield a quality gun. I just PREFER to buy American Made. Prefer, but I DO own a Glock.
Click to expand...

When I look at "American Made", to me, that only applies to things made in red states and yes, that does get a preference from me as well. For anything made in a blue state, those companies products can compete against other foreign companies and they better have something other designs don't have to win me over!
 
Lost Lake said:
Car of the year, truck of the year, gun of the year, vacuum of the year.....

They pick a different manufacturer all the time. They might double up two years once in a while, but they are interested in advertising dollars, not being truthful.

Ever look at the McDonald's employee of the month pictures? Funny how it's a different person every month. You'd think of you were the best one month, you'd probably be the best a couple times, but nope, new person every month. :p
Click to expand...

One month employment at McD's is considered long term.
 
USMCGrunt said:
When I look at "American Made", to me, that only applies to things made in red states and yes, that does get a preference from me as well. For anything made in a blue state, those companies products can compete against other foreign companies and they better have something other designs don't have to win me over!
Click to expand...

Interesting view and I certainly understand the sentament. The problem is, almost all of them are made in blue states. I always find that a puzzling thought when it crosses my mind.:(
 
JudgeColt said:
The award has to go to a "new" gun, but, to me, the XD bore axis is too high, and the Shield is too big for its small magazine capacity. There are better alternatives to both already on the market.
Click to expand...

Like which Make/Model? Just wondering what you had in mind since I'm looking at a Shield- Thanks...
 
For what it's worth, and they are both great guns, I only kept my XDS out of the two.
 
USMCGrunt said:
When I look at "American Made", to me, that only applies to things made in red states and yes, that does get a preference from me as well. For anything made in a blue state, those companies products can compete against other foreign companies and they better have something other designs don't have to win me over!
Click to expand...

Hahaha guess you're at the WRONG forum, bud!
 
The XDs has a 5 rd magazine. I don't care if the XDs is Gun of the Year, 5 rounds is a snub nose revolver not a semi auto in my pocket.

Russ
 
Last edited:
Slavglock bought more full page ads... I've seen a few XDs-ess locally, never a shield...
 
RussC said:
The XDs has a 5 rd magazine. I don't care if the XDs is Gun of the Year, 5 rounds is a snub nose revolver not a semi auto in my pocket.

Russ
Click to expand...

And the revolver is guaranteed not to fail to feed or fail to eject. And it has 1, sometimes 2 more rounds, lol.
 
The beauty of capitalism and choice. Good competition makes competing products better. I'm glad the XDs is a great gun that a lot of people are buying. It will only serve to encourage S&W to come out with a .45 version of the Shield. Even if they don't, they no doubt will research it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Finally first range trip with my 4" Shield Plus P/C
Replies
3
Views
305
Beju
B
RM Vivas
Archival Observations:Hirohito Over Monterey Skies
Replies
7
Views
478
Jerry in SC
Jerry in SC
Tony Tiger
FYI, Not A Political Post! Whitehouse releases Billions to get ammo to civilians, namely Lake City Ammunition factory!
Replies
15
Views
1K
Rick H.
R
J
What has happened to QC at Smith and Wesson?
2 3
Replies
83
Views
4K
JimW
JimW
C
M&P Shield Plus - Known Issues
2
Replies
54
Views
19K
cromag27
cromag27

Latest posts

Back
Top