Should I buy Shield or XDS

[petes67bird]

Hi Everyone,
I have a question as I live in Illinois and CCW may pass soon finally. I havent had the oppurtunity to hold or fire either weapon. I have read negatives about both weapons, even the shield "blowing" up in someones hands on this forum vs the light strikes and recoil spring getting chewed up on XDS guns. So each gun has its faults. If you had only one choice and a 500 budget, which way would you go and why? I know its biased on this forum, but give me some logical reasons and I really hope some people have handled and shot both. I want to get on the list for either the XDS in 9 or 45, or the Shield in 9mm. Thanks

 

[Vision Remodeling]

For me it came down to round count the 5 round mag in the XDs just wasn't cuttin it for me. The new extended 7 round mag made the handle to big to conceal. That and the grip I can only get two fingers on, the lip on the mag at the bottom protuded out and made it uncomfortable. I have not shot it but have handled it 5 different times. I will probably rent it sometime soon, just to see.

The Shield, I can get two and a half fingers on the flush mag and a full grip on the 8 rounder. The half finger dosen't sound like much , but it made a world of dirrerence in my hand. I could go on about what I like about the Shield, but I had the same dilemma when I bought mine and comfort in the hand and round count is what did it for me. BTW I own XDM in 9, 45 and carry the Shield so my bias is spread around a little.

 

[petes67bird]

Thanks for the reply, and you have a great looking shield lol. I am a big guy, 6'6 240lbs, and wish I could get my paws on either gun to hold them first, I really hate buying site unseen things. I have heard from other big guys the XDS is just fine in their hands etc. The only reason I was leaning towards the 45 is because I currently do not own one, only have 9's and it would be a little nice to diversify a bit. Thanks for your input, greatly appreciated. Pete

 

[Smitty357]

Also keep in mind that at the moment the Shield .40 is capable of swapping the barrel to 9mm barrel and use it for cheaper range plinking. The XDS on the other hand, u dont get that option.

 

[petes67bird]

Hi Smitty thanks for the tip. I have also heard the 40 is alot harsher of a kick than the 45? Not sure if true or not. If I bought the 40, I wouldnt be changing barrels ever though. I dont shoot more than once or twice a month now at least, isnt too much of a concern.

 

[Smitty357]

Hi Smitty thanks for the tip. I have also heard the 40 is alot harsher of a kick than the 45? Not sure if true or not. If I bought the 40, I wouldnt be changing barrels ever though. I dont shoot more than once or twice a month now at least, isnt too much of a concern.

Actually i wouldnt say thats a true statement. You can ask anyone who owns a Shield .40 here, and all will say the recoil is nothing what one would think it would be.

As for the XDS, my little brother would argue over that one. He had an XDS until he spent an hour at the range with my Shield .40. 3 days later I found him a Shield .40 and he sold the XDS for $100 more than he bought it for. He hasnt missed that XDS one bit.

 

[USAF385]

Go with the Shield. I wasn't a fan if how the XDS felt in my hand. The Shield is great with either mag in it. The .40 is very manageable and in fact enjoyable to shoot.

 

[Vision Remodeling]

I can second the recoil factor that Smitty is talking about. I haven't shot the Shield 40 but I shoot the 9 beter than I shoot my full size 9. The recoil of The Shield is not what you would expect out of a little gun.
It is also nice not to have to buy or find multiple calibers of ammo, if you only have a few guns.

 

[RobzGuns]

If you had only one choice and a 500 budget, which way would you go and why?

I did have the budget, as well as the opportunity to choose either. I was also able to shoot both before deciding, rather than simply going by what was being written on various forums. As a happy owner of several XD/XDM, I went into the selection process figuring I'd go with the XD-S and actually chose the Shield. You should absolutely shoot both yourself prior to deciding.

If you've had the opportunity to shoot the LC9, DB9, PF-9, Nano, or other Subcompact Single-Stack 9mms out there, you've experienced the snappiness of their recoil. For me, these fall into the "Carry a lot, but shoot just enough to stay proficient" category. The XD-S' recoil feels like those listed above, which isn't bad at all for a Subcompact .45. I was actually expecting the recoil of a Subcompact .45 to be harsher. The Shield's recoil was much nicer, more along the lines of a larger Glock 27, or 19.

Both are good shooters and very accurate at Self Defense distances, but to me, the XD-S would have been just another snappy "Carry a lot, but shoot little" pistol. The Shield is very comfortable to carry AND shoot all day (for fun) if I want to.

Yup... Just my opinion and everyone has one. Don't purchase until you've shot both and decide for yourself.

 

[petes67bird]

Thanks guys. I have never even considered the Shield in 40....Now its 4 guns lol. The XDS in 45 or 9 and the shield in 40 or9. I am going Monday to put a deposit down and order me one of these. The gun shop said he will take a deposit on the XDS9 as well, I would be the first one on the list and can select black or bitone. Not sure what to do. He said the SHield 9 has 20 on the list and the Shield 40 has 8 on the list. Who knew picking a gun out would be so difficult. When I was younger, I would walk into a store, pay a couple hundred and walk out. Now with the internet, its nonstop research and everything has flaws. Back then, you bought it and didnt worry about anything. If you had a problem, the LGS took care of you right away.

 

[RussC]

I own a full size XD 45 and I can't imagine loading up a pocket size weapon XDs with 45 auto.

9 mm is in my opinion the optimum caliber for a pocket size weapon.

Load her up with Gold Dot 124 jhp +p short barrel and you have got some major fire power approaching 40 caliber with one more round.

Russ

 

[2tango2]

I own both an XD-S and a Shield 40 (with a 9mm barrel as well)

I'll go against the grain here and say that I find the 40 being snappier and a little harsher than the XD-S. The 45 pushes more than snaps like the 40. Shooting with the 9 barrel is very pleasant though. Recoil is subjective to each person as mentioned above

I have both guns right here in front of me in fact. They are both very nice pieces. I will say that I think that the XD-S is the more polished of the 2 but the price reflects that as well. The XD-S cost me 540 vs 410 for the Shield. The trigger is crisper with a better break on the XD-S and the sights are better to me as well. I also find that I shoot more accurately with the .45

I do like the grip and angle of the Shield. It points very naturally for me


I only have 250 rounds through the Shield (100 .40 and 150 9mm)


I think both guns are fantastic for what they are. I love shooting both of them. If I could only have one I'd probably opt for the XD-S. not that I'm knocking the Shield....far from it! I just like the little hand cannon .45 While I like the idea of 2 guns for the price of a extra barrel, I more than likely will not fire much more 40. I just don't enjoy it enough to want to shoot it. I may opt for getting a Shield 9 soon and passing he 40 on

There is a XD-S 9mm version due soon and I will be giving it a strong look for sure

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[petes67bird]

2tango2- Do you think a female would have a hard time with the XDS? I am thinking of just going with the XDS in 9mm and getting on the list to be the first one on Monday. My wife likes to shoot my guns, and I would like her to be able to handle everything as well. I have heard exactly what you said about the 40 vs 45 in terms of shield and xds with the shield being a little more harsh. I think in all honesty it still is either the xds in 45 or 9 and the shield in 9, just have to figure out which one I think will be a better carry. If you had the choice in XDS alone, would you go 45 or 9?

 

[Dean1818]

I looked at both and bought the Sheild.

I find the recoil between the 40 Shield and XDS is VERY close


I also am happy that my choice put a USA worker to work

 

[petes67bird]

Springfield is based in Illinois as well, so US workers work there as well. The shield is not "made in the USA," just assembled. Much of the shield is made in conjunction with Walther still, in germany.....This is coming from a US car only guy, but have come to the realization that even Chevy has mexican roots at times.

 

[2tango2]

That's a tough question/choice Pete. I definitely like the way the Shield shoots in 9. We don't know how the XD-S in 9 is but if it is anything like the 45 in trigger and aim then it will be a winner

I will say though that the XD-S can be a little finicky if your form and technique are off. I think most of the issues you mentioned can be traced back to user error How do I know this? My first two times out I had probably 8 or 9 FTFs each range visit My form sucked and I paid the price Last range trip I "manned" up and took a more aggressive stance and a stronger Isosceles positioning. I was rewarded with a flawless range visit A good Frog Lube treatment cold have helped as well

Once again tough to make that call ...they both have their strong points. I do like the 45 round though so I'll probably still carry the 45 even if I get an XD-S in 9mm

Some things to note. A new Shield will be very tight to begin with. Almost to the point you'll think you put it back together wrong lol. After a couple of range visits it loosens up nicely.

The XDS you need to manhandle as in no limp wristing and you will be rewarded with a dead accurate little shooter

Maybe take a trip over to xdtalk.com and as some questions there. Folks are great, just like they are here

All in all the Shield 9 will have less recoil and be more pleasant to shoot IMHO but the XDS sure shoots nice for such a little 45




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[Vision Remodeling]

It's really bad you can't get your hands on either of these, If there is any way I would suggest it. I am intrigued about the XDs in 9, but what killed it for me was that little mag base sticking out you can see it clearly in 2tango's pics. I decided if I got one I would just grind it off, but it is hollow and that would make it worst. Anyway that part rests right on my pinky finger, for you may be totaly different you may hold it without the pinky at all and it would not mater. Hard to say until you can hold it.

 

[2tango2]

It's really bad you can't get your hands on either of these, If there is any way I would suggest it. I am intrigued about the XDs in 9, but what killed it for me was that little mag base sticking out you can see it clearly in 2tango's pics. I decided if I got one I would just grind it off, but it is hollow and that would make it worst. Anyway that part rests right on my pinky finger, for you may be totaly different you may hold it without the pinky at all and it would not mater. Hard to say until you can hold it.

I have smaller hands and I curl my pinky under the mag on the 5 rounder. There is also the Pearce extension I have on one of the mags that solves that too

To be honest I don't even notice the lip now


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[supplier]

Selling my shield in favor of XDs.

 

[Alnamvet68]

I looked at both and bought the Walther PPS instead. Absolutely nothing wrong with the S&W and SA, but I chose the original slim polymer micro-compact single stack which has spawned a few me too's lately. Like Colt, if it isn't a Walther, it's just a copy.