I have both the XDS45 and the Shield 9. To me the XDS doesn't recoil that much and this is the first 45 I have shot. In fact the shield 40 (to me) kicks more than the XDS45. The grip safety is a non issue. If you hold a gun properly it will not engage. I find it almost impossible to not fire because of the grip safety when I grab the gun. If it bothers you, please check your grip. The XDS is a fine firearm so is the shield. I carry both in a rotation. the XDS is more expensive but you get a nice plastic case, 2 mags, holster, mag carries, lock and cleaning brush. Its a classy set up. I just got cardboard box with my shield. both have had their growing pains but both of mine have been great so far. I would NOT shy away from an XDS or shield IMO. Is the XDS worth a $100 more? well, that's up to you. I love having a 45 in a small carry gun. in fact I am finding easier to conceal than the shield.
Shield vs XDs
- Thread starter mag318
- Start date
SmurfHunter
Member
You really should be comparing the xds 9mm and shield comparing the 45 to the shield really makes no sense at all.
As of late the 9mm has actually be outselling the 45
As of late the 9mm has actually be outselling the 45
oldguyshoot
Member
Exactly what happened to me. Bought the XDS 45 recently and it had light strikes and failed to return to battery off and on.
Oh - and once loaded it is a very very (very!) heavy gun for its size. Couldn't sell mine fast enough, and I wouldn't buy another one amd trust my life to it if they were selling them for $1.
My Shield so far had been flawless. And it's accurate, thin, and while still on the heavy side for pocket carry, rides effortlessly at the waist or is of unnoticed weight in a shoulder bag.
Smitty357
Member
Dont feel bad, my little brother did the same with his XDS. He shot my Shield .40 the first time and his XDS went up for sale. I found him a Shield .40 a week later and gave him a 9mm conversion barrel to go with. He's never been happier.
I went out and bought an XDS9 when they came out. Shot it a few, gave it to my ole lady to try out. She didnt like it, and neither did i that much. So i sold the XDS9 and found her a Shield in .40. I gave her the last 9mm conversion barrel I had for it. She's never been happier either.
So in the end we all 3 have a Shield .40 converted to 9mm. And now you couldnt give either of us an XDS after owning them both.
Nakanokalronin
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2010
- Messages
- 1,071
- Reaction score
- 369
Anyone would buy them for $1
I think the very slightly heavier weight helps with recoil, but I don't even notice it while carrying. When I had the 9mm Shield, it carried the same as the XDS45
I also thought that with the XDS9 being 4oz heavier than the Shield, that the recoil would feel nicer, but when I shot the XDS9 side-by-side with my PF-9, Shield, G26 and my friend's LC9, the XDS9 (to me) felt more like the snappy PF-9 and LC9, where the Shield felt more like the smooth shooting G26. I tried the XDS9 again on my next outing just by itself and had to put it down after 25 rounds. My hand was starting to feel it. My Shield... I can shoot all day without my arthritic wrist feeling it.
I know... It's all subjective, but being a fan of the XD Line (and the Shield being the only M&P I actually liked), when the XDS9 came out, I was all ready to pounce on one, but after shooting them side-by-side, I decided to save my money and stick with the Shield.
Nakanokalronin
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2010
- Messages
- 1,071
- Reaction score
- 369
It is very subjective. I had a PF-9 and G26, but as far as slim carry guns go, the PF9 was as snappy as they get, but nowhere near my XDS45.
I actually feel the XDS45 has less recoil with a 2 finger grip than a full metal Officer or Defender size 1911 in 45acp. I'm surprised to hear that the heavier, yet similar sized 9mm XDS is as bad as the PF9. I really need to find one to rent and test it out myself.
I have an XDS45 an XDS9 and now a new Shield9. I have to say that without being able to shoot them back to back, my hand tells me the Shield recoils more than the XDS in the same caliber. YYMV
if Springfield ever returns my pistols I will do a side by side and update you.
if Springfield ever returns my pistols I will do a side by side and update you.
I to have a shield 40. I'm also interested in xds .45 but my concern is the round capacity. I know I can get the extended mag for the xds but how much longer is that compared to the shields extended mag? As conceal ability is a huge requirement. Pictures will be helpful with a side by side comparison with extended mags in play.
marathonrunner
Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2014
- Messages
- 899
- Reaction score
- 224
shield
I don't own the XD but do own a Shield. I can tell you the shield with the stock trigger is awful. I tested the weight of my trigger and it was 8.0lbs! Way too heavy! It was good up to 21 feet but after that nothing but flyers. I did the Apex Duty Carry upgrade which made a difference and my trigger pull was 5.5 lbs. I then added the apex aluminum trigger and then my trigger was 5.12 lbs. But I used the stock OEM trigger return spring as Apex told me that would give me a lighter pull. As it stands now, my Shield can shoot just as good as my Glock 34 up to 50 feet.
I don't own the XD but do own a Shield. I can tell you the shield with the stock trigger is awful. I tested the weight of my trigger and it was 8.0lbs! Way too heavy! It was good up to 21 feet but after that nothing but flyers. I did the Apex Duty Carry upgrade which made a difference and my trigger pull was 5.5 lbs. I then added the apex aluminum trigger and then my trigger was 5.12 lbs. But I used the stock OEM trigger return spring as Apex told me that would give me a lighter pull. As it stands now, my Shield can shoot just as good as my Glock 34 up to 50 feet.
Protected One
Member
This is the heart of the matter. I suspect that your shooting results would be the same (or similar) for anyone else.
ca survivor
Member
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2013
- Messages
- 330
- Reaction score
- 84
what I'm waiting on is the XDs in .40
marathonrunner
Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2014
- Messages
- 899
- Reaction score
- 224
I have a Shield and did not like it because past 21 feet it was not very accurate. Since installing the apex duty carry and apex aluminum trigger. It then became awesome and I could now hit out to 50ft
Mountain Walker
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2010
- Messages
- 172
- Reaction score
- 49
You may want to know that the stainless slide is more prone to rusting than the stock black slide. Melonite or salt bath nitrating is superior in rust proofing to stainless steel and even hard chrome. Stainless, is a good finish but not at all rust proof and requires regular care.
QPQ, Corrosion Resistance, Nitrocaburizing Process
beamon
Member
Your link refers to Cr and Ni plated steel. Stainless steel when alloyed with proper amounts of Cr and/or Ni yields an extremely corrosion resistant metal.
Yes, there are grades of stainless steel that contain less or no Ni, and less Cr, thus are only slightly better than mild steel in normal corrosion testing. I don't know what grades of stainless are used in slides and barrels, but I'm willing to leave that to the metallurgists and engineers that craft the firearms. Suffice to say that blanket statements can not be made w/o knowing the whole of it.
Last edited:
Mountain Walker
Member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2010
- Messages
- 172
- Reaction score
- 49
OP is talking about XDs not XDM. XDs pistols are quite accurate and pretty easy to shoot well.
theyoungone
Member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2012
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 2
I'm very happy with my Shield40. I just don't see what the hype is about the XDs. Everything is almost the same with dimension and weight. Also the Shield is almost $200 cheaper and its made in America, not Croatia.
Well... For that, you need to take the 'WayBack Machine' back to Fall of 2011, when info about the XD-S first leaked. S&W still had not mentioned anything about the Shield and the only Single-Stack 45 on the market was the little known G36. While many XD Fans would have preferred the XD-S9 come out first, the XD-S45 was a true contender as a .45 Single-Stack Striker Fire CC pistol, with little to no competition in the 'Larger than 9mm' arena.
Be that as it may... Now that the LC-9s is out, I'm sure there are a few members over on the Ruger Forums saying "I don't see the hype about either the XD-S, or Shield".
Last edited:
For over a year now I have been carrying a 30S IWB with a 9rd magazine and it's overall height with that magazine is 4.5", but it is wider.
My XD-S 45 with the 5rd magazine is very similar in size to the Shield 9. I like .45 so when I want to carry thinner that is when I go with the XD-S.
If I wanted a thin 9mm instead of .45 I'd look seriously at the Shield 9 because it is 4 ounces lighter than the XD-S 9.
The XD-S 45 with the 7rd magazine inserted is about an inch longer in overall height and is nearing 5.5", compared to the 4.4" OAH with the 5rd.
For comparison, if I hold the XD-S 45 7rd magazine next a flush 1911 7rd magazine they are the same size, just the mag catch holes location are different.
For me with the 7rd magazine inserted it makes it taller than I want to carry IWB, (or in a Smart carry), so I holster mine with a 5rd magazine and carry the 7rd magazine as a spare in a nylon knife case. If I had a bit more girth or carried it concealed OWB the 7rd magazine might work fine as the 7rd 1911s are carried by many with no complaints.
I do wish Springfield made a 6rd magazine for it which would put the OAH closer to 5" and would be more doable for my IWB carry.
highaltitude
Member
Just picked up an XDs 3.3 9mm a few days ago, after getting rid of my Shield last month. I'm finding the XDs more accurate than the Shield or G26 for both slow and rapid fire. Not sure if it's the trigger combined with the aggressive grip and grip angle. But the thing is an absolute tack driver. I find it has less recoil or muzzle flip than the Shield. Don't understand the posts of this thing being hard on recoil. It's a soft shooter, IMO. Is it worth the extra $100 ? No one has yet mentioned the polished feed ramp on the barrel and higher quality magazines which should result in better reliablity. Combine that with the fiber optic front sight, better trigger, aggressive grip, overall fit and finish of the gun.
