Shield beat out by XDs

[Armanius]

That XDS slide is still a pretty tight/heavy. What's with the slide in these little guns? I was going to let my wife carry the Shield if and when she gets a CHL. But she struggles mightily with the Shield slide, and I have to do it for her at the range.

 

[N4KVE]

Gunstores pay $445 for the XDS. GARY

 

[Armanius]

Gunstores pay $445 for the XDS. GARY

So the profit margin isn't all that much. I've seen prices from $499 to $599 for XDS.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

That XDS slide is still a pretty tight/heavy. What's with the slide in these little guns? I was going to let my wife carry the Shield if and when she gets a CHL. But she struggles mightily with the Shield slide, and I have to do it for her at the range.

It's the nature of most small semi-autos due to the recoil spring assembly construction so the gun can cycle properly while firing.

 

[Armanius]

Thanks! That's a bummer for smaller women with weaker hands. Looks like I may get her a PK380 then. That's about as easy of a slide that I've come across.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Thanks! That's a bummer for smaller women with weaker hands. Looks like I may get her a PK380 then. That's about as easy of a slide that I've come across.

I suggested the PK380 to my aunt and she loves it. For her, a full size 9mm, SP101 with .38spl loads or a small .380 is to much recoil for her, but the PK380 is just right. I swear that gun was created for someone who can't rack slides, is recoil sensitive or those with arthritis.

 

[Armanius]

I suggested the PK380 to my aunt and she loves it. For her, a full size 9mm, SP101 with .38spl loads or a small .380 is to much recoil for her, but the PK380 is just right. I swear that gun was created for someone who can't rack slides, is recoil sensitive or those with arthritis.

Thanks for the tidbit.

I was about to order a PK380, but decided first to call around to check out ammo situation first. There's no .380 ammo anywhere around here!! Not even overpriced .380 ammo. Only .380 I can find is at my local gun club/range, but limited to one box if I buy a .380 pistol from them, or one box of I rent a .380 from them! Aargh!

Sorry for the tangent/hijacking this thread.

 

[srlove]

Having owned quite a few carry guns the size of the Shield and XDS or smaller, I think it's more about knowing that it's hard to make a 45acp small and controllable at the same time. Do it with a 45acp first and the 40 and 9 versions are a walk in the park. S&W would need to make the grip thicker on the Shield at a minimum to accommodate the 45acp round, SA only needs to make the same gun in different calibers.

As a side note, I like S&W and SA both just fine, so don't take what I'm saying as brand loyalty.

***
While I agree SA did fantatic job in xds .45 design I don't see where S&W shield would need larger grip to go from .40 to .45. BTW - I bought the .40 shield initially because the grip felt more natural in my hand. First time out with her was hitting tight groups (1inch to 2 inch) even with rapid fire followup shots. Couldn't do it with my friends XDs .45. Maybe changing XDs grips would do it for me. I also own/love my XDM. Then again I also love my Sig's.

 

[srlove]

I just want those who consider the XDs to be riddled with problems to consider one thing. I would venture to guess that 90% of the FTRTB issues are in fact caused by shooter error. As in inconsistent grip/technique. I have watched on this forum how many of the same people caution new Shield owners about not doing those very things too so as not to create the same issues. Folks, these are micro compact pistols we are talking about. Not everyone should own either of these models because inconsistent or poor technique will not net good results. I can induce an FTF, or FTRB in my XDs by using improper technique. As I stated earlier, these awards are subjective and either gun could have won but the XDs was chosen by this particular publication. Those who are true ambassadors of shooting sports do get beyond some of the emotions involved and understand this. Others make themselves feel better by bashing other brands instead of showing some class and at least making some informed observations about the positives and negatives of various platforms. Rant off.

The Shield and XDs are not for everyone, but in the hands of proficient shooters will provide great CCW service for a long time.

Perfectly stated

 

[srlove]

That XDS slide is still a pretty tight/heavy. What's with the slide in these little guns? I was going to let my wife carry the Shield if and when she gets a CHL. But she struggles mightily with the Shield slide, and I have to do it for her at the range.

All the new smaller framed guns are using stronger springs to accommodate shorter slides thus allowing proper racking/feeding. BTW - I had some trouble with my shield .40 initially too...practice...practice...practice

 

[Nevadadvx]

I would never trust a magazine review. Its just reading entertainment. Who knows what they are paid to say or what politics went on behind closed doors. The whole magazine is a walking advertisement.

Exactly, just like car magazines, they cater to their biggest advertisers. I mean, the Chevy Vega was Car of the Year........c'mon!

 

[obiwankabaldi]

while XD's are great guns I am all for my Shield. Never liked the grip safety. Too much chance of poor grip and no bang. JMHO.

 

[snowman.45]

I've owned both; I still have the Shield.

 

[Smitty357]

I've owned both; I still have the Shield.

Same here, sold the XDS .45 and the 9mm. I actually sold my ole ladies Shield 9mm also.

But now me and her both have the Shield .40 with the 9mm conversion. Best of both worlds.

 

[Rick_A]

I like the Shield better, but Ive never been one to be influenced by ads and articles.

I have no use for either one, personally.

 

[Ransom]

I like the Shield better, but Ive never been one to be influenced by ads and articles.

I have no use for either one, personally.

So you like the Shield better but have no use for it.

 

[CatSnipah]

Like you should do with any purchase...use mag reviews as a single piece of information. Not the ONLY piece of info.

 

[Arndog123]

I was going to get an XDS 45 but changed my mind and got a 45C instead. The XDS felt great in my hand and liked how easy it is to conceal. However, I couldn't get over the "Made in Croatia" part.

 

[DanTana]

I'm curious, can the XDS .45 be equiped with .40 and 9mm conversion barrels? That would be a great reason to get one. You could have three guns in one, and all on the same platform. I'd consider one if that were true.

 

[Smitty357]

I'm curious, can the XDS .45 be equiped with .40 and 9mm conversion barrels? That would be a great reason to get one. You could have three guns in one, and all on the same platform. I'd consider one if that were true.

They dont make an XDS in .40 (so no).

Also the .45 is a different animal versus the 9mm. Way too many differences between the 2 calibers. Nothing even close compared to the .40 and 9mm.

 

[Nevadadvx]

So you like the Shield better but have no use for it.

I took it that he meant he had no use for ads and articles, not the Shield and XDS..............but I could be wrong.

 

[stmry]

I would never trust a magazine review. Its just reading entertainment. Who knows what they are paid to say or what politics went on behind closed doors. The whole magazine is a walking advertisement.

A point to be considered.......... particularly nowadays.

 

[Hunter991]

the only knock against the XDS is the recall and how it was handled. I have an XDS45 and a shield 9. Both are great. If you asked me to choose i probably couldn't. The sole reason i bought the XDS was it was a 45 in such a small package. The recoil isn't that bad either. But its a quality gun.. The shield is perfect for what it is too. If you didn't care about the caliber you could flip a coin in my opinion. But the ground breaking deal here for the xds was 45 acp. Many people wanted that gun for a long time. Yes the grip is short but solved with a pierce grip extension for $10 that doesn't hurt the concealability of the gun.