Shield vs XDs

[BBS1]

I paid $341 for my Shield and $548 for my XDs, but then spent another $300 on the Shield. Sent if off to Robar for their NP3 finish and had them install XS Big Dot sights so that ate up any cost savings. My XDs already had a stainless slide that looks like stainless and something I wish Smith would offer. After all stainless is stainless so why Melonite it. S&W pioneered stainless steel handguns in the 60s and just about all their Gen 3 semiautos had that stainless look that I prefer. So I would be happy if S&W at least offered a stainless looking slide as an option.
As to rumors of the XDs grip safety not depressing if not gripped properly I call horsefeathers. The grip safety depresses easily and naturally once the pistol is held. You be hardpressed to hold the XDs and not depress the grip safety.
So now my Shield is set up closer to the appearance my XDs I have $641 in it. Hmmm kind of makes the Springfield now look like a bargain. I forgot to add the Talon grips for another $15, which by the way are worth the money.
In closing I now have 2 great carry pieces and the comparison between the two is valid. They are both cutting edge technology and worthy additions to my meager collection. And I still think S&W will follow suite with a Shield 45 next year. If they think the demand is there they will build one.

Its only a better buy in your eyes because you voluntarily decided to spend 300 dollars on certain items. Both guns are combat effective in stock trim. It's still clear that the shield is a better bargain vs the xds in stock form

 

[mag318]

Its only a better buy in your eyes because you voluntarily decided to spend 300 dollars on certain items. Both guns are combat effective in stock trim. It's still clear that the shield is a better bargain vs the xds in stock form

True I did voluntarily spend $300 to upgrade my Shield, and I have NP3'd all my M&Ps. The XDs though more expensive did not in my eyes need upgrading so to me the Springfield was the true bargain. Out of the box most people will be happy with their Shields, many here though will upgrade their pistols with better sights, trigger and finish enhancements.
Those on a tight budget will be well served with a stock Shield and I applaud S&W for skipping a few bells and whistles that the rest of the M&P line has but kicks the price up. Price wise the Shield is a bargain and in that light the XDs should be compared to the more optioned out but larger M&Ps. My initial reason for comparison was solely based on size as both pistols are nearly identical.
I still anxiously await and hope S&W comes out with a Shield 45, option it out like a larger M&P with those changeable backstraps and ambi controls and then do another comparison. Here's hoping.

 

[offduty]

Well all the rigor ma row on here... I am huge S&W fan and usually all I buy. I been waiting for a Shield for months and then looked at the XDS. Realy liked the XDS so I bought it. Love it so far. When the Shield comes in I will buy that one also...problem solved!!

 

[mag318]

offduty,
We think alike, buy both.

 

[DocSunShine]

Shield in both calibers, XDs in .45, between them you have 3 winners. Buy one (or 2 or all 3 if you like) for carry and call it a day!

The only argument to be had here is, where the hell is Glock in all of this? Gaston needs to transfer decision making to someone younger and more open minded.

 

[pyro]

I don't have one and I haven't seen one, But I definitely will take a good look when one shows up. I am skeptical about comparing it to the Shield because it is 2.5 ounces heavier. That is starting to approach the weight of some higher capacity guns. Marginal for the pocket but doable. A five round magazine is also a significant trade off. I think you have to be a 45cal guy to want one, but then again my collector mentality kicks in and I may buy one anyway.

 

[BBS1]

Shield in both calibers, XDs in .45, between them you have 3 winners. Buy one (or 2 or all 3 if you like) for carry and call it a day!

The only argument to be had here is, where the hell is Glock in all of this? Gaston needs to transfer decision making to someone younger and more open minded.

Pretty sure their company priority is leo/mil. I doubt we will see a slim single stack 9 coming from glock anytime soon.

 

[RussC]

I own a 45 full size XD and the Shield so I am not bashing the Springfield.

I still think the 5+1 XDs vs the 7+1 Shield 9mm is a game changer for a ccw.

When speed is the difference in a gun fight it seems to me the more rounds down range the greater the chance of walking away and 2 extra rounds for the Shield 9mm in the same size package as the XDs and what appears to be a more reliable ccw in the Shield from countless observations via internet makes the extra $150 - $200 for the XDs a difficult sale in my consumer best value mindset.

We can all argue quality all day long between the Shield and XDS and we will accomplish nothing.

The fact is you give up 2 rounds to pack a 45 caliber XDs over the Shield 9mm and for me even if both firearms where equal in reliability (which is a big "IF") the XDs is in the round capacity arena with revolvers which leads me to question why anyone would pack a semi auto for personal protection over a more reliable revolver if round count is equal?

Russ

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I bought a used 2 tone XDS a few weeks ago and did some reviews and comparisons to my Shield in 9mm. The two are basically the same size. The XDS does not have nearly as much recoil as most would think. IMO, there is no need for an extension and it popped back on target every shot.

It's also very ergonomic. I actually put the smaller back strap on even though I wear XL gloves. IMO, it's more about the grip angle change than the front to back length of the grip. The trigger is also very Glock like, but better. I actually liked it quite a bit. Don't get me wrong, with the Apex sear and my DIY polish job on the striker, the Shields trigger is fantastic and the recoil is mild to say the least.

I've had zero problems with it shooting HST 230gr., PDX-1 230gr. and several brands of ball ammo. IMO, it's a winner for SA. You loose two shots over a 9mm Shield but that won't matter once SA introduces the 9mm and 40S&W versions of the XDS....and they will since the back of the supplied holster says so.


I said before that the Shield was a permanent EDC, but that's before I shot them both twice side by side and realized how nice a small/slim 45acp could be. I picked up the XDS for $400 which is only $50 more than I bought my used 9mm Shield for so the price difference wasn't an issue.

Here's some comparison pictures

 

[hotairbill]

Top Trainer replys

Top trainers don't particularly care for the XD line due to issues that plague them more often than the M&P line. Looks and feel isn't everything. Reliability and longevity is.

I consider myself to be a "Top Trainer" whatever that means. Please speak for yourself as only your opinion is real. CNN and FOX make blanket statements with nothing to back them up... as a shooter, why must you be part of that. As Sergent Friday used to say... "the facts ma'am, just the facts."

 

[hotairbill]

Your logic is irrefutable! I did it and have no regrets. You deserve both. ENJOY.

 

[KJM]

Top trainers don't particularly care for the XD line due to issues that plague them more often than the M&P line. Looks and feel isn't everything. Reliability and longevity is.

Since you know that these "top trainers" don't like them...

you wanna name them, or is that top secret?

Is one of these "top trainers" James Yeager?

More internet rhetoric.

 

[DAT85]

500 rds through my XDs with no problems of any kinds.

Ammo used to date.......

150 Winchester Ranger 230gr
75 185 +P Remington Golden Sabre
100 rds 230gr American Eagle
50 rds of Federal 230gr Hydro Shok
50 rds of Cor-Bon Power Ball
75 rds of 185 Hornady FTX

Out of all the ammo fired,the FTX is the most accurate and pleasant to shoot.
Worst accuracy came from the Cor-Bon,

As far as the Shield,the gun shop I work in has only received 4 since their introduction

A bird in the hand,is worth 2 in the bush.
I"ll stick with the XDs until I get a chance to shoot a Shield.

DAT85

 

[JPaul85]

The initial reason I went with Shield over the XDs was that Id be payiing 150 more for holsters I'd never use. Ever.

This is similar to why I ended up leaving with a XDs9 when I intended to buy a shield, I already own the XDs45 and several holsters (other than the factory one).

 

[Rgoodwin]

Well after trying a couple of XDs9's I picked one with a nice trigger about a month ago and couldn't be happier. I discovered not all triggers in the same new handguns are alike. My M&P's had to have Apex parts for me to shoot them well. I bought an XDm9 3.8 first and have 900 plus rounds thru it with zero failures. This is is what led me to the XDs9. I now have 1,625 failure free rounds thru this one and I've shot it sideways, upside down, one hand dominant hand, one hand off hand and limp wristed. My wife shoots it as well. Never a problem, easy to conceal and 100% dependable and very accurate out to 45 feet for me. Triggers in both just keep getting smoother. I have not tried a Shield with the newer triggers but I will. I really wanted to stay with the M&P line exclusively but couldn't after shooting the XDm. If S&W has truly changed their triggers on the line up please let me know as a .40 shield is my likely next purchase if this is the case. Thanks

 

[Walkbyfaith]

I had both the Shield 40 and the xds 9mm, and I opted for the shield. I did not get to shoot the xds, I figured it would be easier to sell for what I purchased it for if I didnt shoot it, but the shield just felt a lot more comfortable in my hand. Changing the backstrap on the xds was a pain for sure, and was a little more comfortable with the smaller backstrap, but the gun just felt too square for me. The shield trigger is really nice, has a crisp break and reset, but I prefer the trigger on the xds. Its more predictable than the shield is, and has a shorter reset. I also prefer the sights on the xds, very tight, not a lot of play, and very visible with the fiber optic sight. Lastly I did like the fact that the xds had a rail on it for attaching a light if I wanted to.
But the comfort was the most important to me, the gun needs to be comfortable. So on my list for my shield is upgrading the sights and trigger, then I have what I want. I can live without a rail, I have a FS for that anyways.
Rgoodwin- the trigger is nice on the shield, and I am sure with more rounds through it, it will get better. Nice break, and reset. Wont regret it if you got one, I really like mine. Plus ergonomics feel great!

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I had both the Shield 40 and the xds 9mm, and I opted for the shield. I did not get to shoot the xds, I figured it would be easier to sell for what I purchased it for if I didnt shoot it, but the shield just felt a lot more comfortable in my hand. Changing the backstrap on the xds was a pain for sure, and was a little more comfortable with the smaller backstrap, but the gun just felt too square for me. The shield trigger is really nice, has a crisp break and reset, but I prefer the trigger on the xds. Its more predictable than the shield is, and has a shorter reset. I also prefer the sights on the xds, very tight, not a lot of play, and very visible with the fiber optic sight. Lastly I did like the fact that the xds had a rail on it for attaching a light if I wanted to.
But the comfort was the most important to me, the gun needs to be comfortable. So on my list for my shield is upgrading the sights and trigger, then I have what I want. I can live without a rail, I have a FS for that anyways.
Rgoodwin- the trigger is nice on the shield, and I am sure with more rounds through it, it will get better. Nice break, and reset. Wont regret it if you got one, I really like mine. Plus ergonomics feel great!

You bought the XDS and never shot it? I would of tried it out before making a final decision. The 45acp XDS I have is comfortable while shooting and it has to recoil more than the 9mm version.

 

[Walkbyfaith]

Bought both, got the shield first, felt so comfortable in my hand it was a no brainer. I didnt want to shoot the xds, especially after feeling that it just wasnt as comfortable as the shield was in my hand. My buddy bought it from me, so I will be able to shoot it pretty soon.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Bought both, got the shield first, felt so comfortable in my hand it was a no brainer. I didnt want to shoot the xds, especially after feeling that it just wasnt as comfortable as the shield was in my hand. My buddy bought it from me, so I will be able to shoot it pretty soon.

Did you buy it online or did you buy it at a local shop? Did you ever touch one before buying?

 

[Walkbyfaith]

Bought it through a friend, and no I did not touch one before buying. It was a spur of the moment decision, one of those I must buy right now decisions.