Should I buy Shield or XDS

[scattershot]

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

I have handled a Shield and didn't think it was all that comfortable. My buddy, who is your size, has the XDs and carries it all the time. I have shot his pistol, and found the recoil to be of no concern. I did find that the tank tread pattern of the grip got abrasive after a while, but that's pretty easy to fix. FWIW, the extra axtended mag has a grip adapter that makes it feel like a full sized pistol.
If I were buying one today, I'd take the XDs in 45 and never look back.

 

[kendak]

don't know why you would evan look at a Shield with all the problems that are posted on this thread ...that's why there needs to be a Shield only thread !

 

[Doublea17]

Have not shot a Shield, still on waiting list so I picked up the XDs 45 I like it a lot have not had any issues but only put 150 rounds thru it so far. I like my 9&40c but after getting the XDs 45 I don't care how long I have to wait for a shield with the 9/40c and XDs they will keep me busy.

 

[petes67bird]

Thanks guys. I actually put a deposit down on the XDS 9mm. Thinking the 9 is probably better all around. I went for the Bitone. I figure if my wife had to use it, more bullets equal more opportunities to hit the enemy.

Sent from my LT28at using Tapatalk 2

 

[checkmyswag]

45 ACP isn't magic. XDS does have nice sights.

Go 9mm Shield. Capacity, rapid follow up shots plus shot placement.

 

[danysw]

IMHO you will never go wrong with today's JHP 9mm. More rounds, less recoil with rapid target reacquisition, perfect penetration and in “regular times” cheap prices are some of its benefits.

 

[TDC]

Buy them both! Shoot them both! Carry them both! They are excellent guns and worthy of anyone's consideration....

 

[Big_E]

Buy them both! Shoot them both! Carry them both! They are excellent guns and worthy of anyone's consideration....

Couldn't agree more!

 

[pso177]

I've been looking at the Shield 9. But if the 40 barrel can be swapped out I'd go with that. The 40s seems to be in less demand and are slightly cheaper and easier to come by at the moment. Has anyone actually swapped barrels to the 9mm ? Any issues with function? Be nice to have both cals, my issue is ammo. I don't have any 40SW amoo and once I left the S.O. I can't get my hands on much anymore so sold all my glocks and 40 ammo with them.

 

[sid1]

I own all three both shields and the XDs and each has some of my likes and dislikes, But none of the three would keep me from not owning any of them. You have you ask yourself what features you would like? Manual safety vs grip safety? Bigger caliber vs smaller caliber? I myself shoot the shields a little better IMO. But Whatever you decide on I'm sure you will be happy with.

 

[Henry O]

I am in Texas and finding a Shield 9mm is all but impossible. Finding just about any popular gun is pretty much the same thing. Not so sure Illinois is going to allow concealed carry after the recent Supreme Court decision.

 

[yrsued]

I did a Review on both for the japanese Magazine Gun

I'm still debating that one!!

Out of the Box, the XDs has a better Trigger, but APEX does miracles on the M&P line.

It all comes down to taste!! I like them both!!

I shot the new XDs in 9mm at Media Day at SHOT Show, it's nice!!

 

[jim28080]

I also own both guns. I carry the XDs and my wife has the Shield 9. They have both been flawless. You need a good grip to make the XDs run properly, weak hands or a loose grip will cause problems. I can't make the Shield malfunction with any sort of grip. My wife loves it.

 

[clbjr]

I have the Shield 40 cal. and it is a smooth shooting gun, although I haven't shot it a lot. The recoil is minimal. I thought I wanted the 9mm, but couldn't get my hands on one, then I found and 40 cal. I didn't want one for plinking but for self defense, so for me, it was a no brainer. Bur get either one ASAP.

 

[computerdynamics]

I'm a big S&W fan but after shooting the XD9 I was really impressed. Great shooter, accurate, comfortable, and affordable. If I had a beef it would be Croatia on the side!

 

[gertieguy]

Both are Great

Pete,
I have the S&W Shield in 9mm- great gun- slim, very accurate and not much recoil. Short barrel so we get some flames, but can run a box of ammo without any pain. Have XD9 also a wonderful shooter- Dawson sights, but not CCW. I had a chance to shoot the XDs 45 and had to say it was a great gun too. Recoil was not a problem and it hit where you pointed. Capacity goes to the S&W, but what ever fits you hand and you can work with in a draw will be the winner. No Silver medal in gun fight...

 

[Terry]

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

Hi Pete,

I have both the Shield in 9 and the XDs. I truly love both of them. You had mentioned a XDs in 40, at this time they only make it in a 45.

I have run about 400 - 500 rounds through my XDs and have never had a malfunction. Double taps are extremely easy as the recoil on it is nothing like you would expect. The 5 round mag with one in the tube is some what limiting but I have two spare 7 round mags that I carry as spares with out the grip adapters on them. It is about like carrying 7 round 1911 mags. Info the 1911 mags will not work in the XDs.

I also like my 9mm Shield. It is also a great handling compact in which I have not had any malfunctions in about 200 rounds. You only pick up several more rounds using the 9 but I do like the power of a 45.

I guess if I had to pick between the two of them it would probably be the XDs primarily due to my liking of 45acp.

.

 

[alatour]

Go with the Shield at least it is made in the US. I have both 9 & 40 no problems.

 

[hoverking]

only thing on this for me is your not going to buy a xd on a 500.00 budget that is why im going to stay with the shield
if i looked for other noone has mentioned the sig938

 

[half-lug]

If you feel that the shield and xd both have faults, why not choose another gun?

I wanted a subcompact 9mm. I shot the G26, and hated the grip.
At the time, i lived in NJ, and the XD compact was a 16 rounder, and I could not own it.....in fact Buds would not even ship it.

I bought the M&Pc in 9mm. Great little gun, conceals nice in a simple Don Hume JIT, and has been super reliable.
The ONLY issue I have had with this pistol was that the white paint fell out of the front sight. I bought some day-glo orange modellers paint, and filled the dot. problem solved for 2 bucks. Eventually, I plan on the XS big dot, but right now even with the non nite sights it hits where I point it everytime.