Should I buy Shield or XDS

[aroundchicago]

I would like to buy a Shield in 9mm but can't find one anywhere. Oh well.

 

[whnut]

Bunch of great points made on here, but it seems to me a gun in hand is worth two dozen on back order. Considering a $500 budget, if you can find an XDs for that price get it. (they are considerably more than that where I shop, but they do have several in stock. That said I've NEVER been disappointed in any handgun purchased that had the S&W logo on it. Be sure you can get ammo for it before you plop down your hard earned currency, otherwise it is just an expensive paperweight.

 

[Planted]

I have the XDS and would not even consider anything else. If I'm staking my life on a gun/cartridge combo, I want something big in caliber but easy to conceal. The XDS fits the bill. I don't have large hands. I do however have complete control of the XDS and would highly recommend it for a carry gun. You don't need more ammo/smaller caliber, you need to place the shot(s). I'm very comfortable with a five round mag plus one in the chamber. I see no need for the 40 cal. when you have a cartridge with as good a reputation as the 45 acp. I also have a Kahr PM9 & S&W 642 which are now gathering dust in the safe.

 

[mtnbikerx]

I just picked up the XDS in .45. First SF as I'm a big Smith fan, all Performance Center stuff, a few Kimbers and a Wilson Combat. I can't say enough good about the piece. Incredibly accurate at 30 ft, love the red light pipe front sight and the recoil is negligible. I'm a little over 6' and wear XL gloves (for hand size) and the grip works fine for me. I shoot a Kimber Ultra Raptor frequently and the XDs recoil is about the same.

 

[blackpowder30]

Hi Pete and welcome. You have gotten lots of good answers. I don't want to make it more difficult for you to decide what to buy. But I wouldn't have either one of the two. Especially a double action only. A revolver is safer and more dependable. Good luck. Richard

 

[PaveHawg]

XDS v Shield

I am a firearms instructor and sales person at a local range. One of my peers has the Shield and loves it. I have the XDS and feel the same. The 5 round mag is not an issue for me as I carry an extra when concealed and train with it for tactical mag changes. Both the 40 and 45 are good rounds, I just prefer the 45 ACP as a defensive round. I have big hands but the hold is comfortable and shooting it is fun and comfortable. Each to his/her own though and the firearm must fit the shooter and be comfortable.

 

[Dino1]

Compared my Shield 40 side by side with an XDS 45 yesterday at the LGS, guy behind the counter had one on his hip. The XDS is a nice gun no doubt, size wise they are almost identical, except the 45 was much more wide across the slide. The XD did feel good in my hand, but not as good as the Shield. Would I give up my Shield for an XD, no I don't think so. Their is not enough extra stopping power behind the 45 to give up the 40 round count. The 40 definately has enough power behind it to get the job done. After all I am not trying to shoot Rhino's.

 

[Nick the Enforcer]

Also live in ILLINOIS...Shield vs. XDS...

I was an FFL in the 90's and have been a NRA Instructor since '94 as well as USAF SP Veteran. So my comments are not from a novice. I just bought 2 9mm Shields, I had one on b/o with my local guy since mid-last-yr. He finally said he probably won't see any until 2014!? [***]
Too bad b/c thru normal local outlets I would have paid less than $400. I found mine on GunBroker.com and paid quite a bit more...BUT both the old-man [dad] and me wanted that one for CCP use. It is a rock-solid gun, I would not listen to too much fodder unless you personally know the account is true. Back in the USAF ['88-91] We "heard" about all those
M9's [92f's] with slides blowing up etc. I could not find one accurate and truth-based account from any of the other SP's or CATM guys. So I pretty much chalked it up to scuttlebut.

Sidebar: One of the best kept secrets is the Generation 1 Sigmas [black slides] in 9mm or 40. They can be had super cheap and are under the radar of most of the folks hoarding up guns. I'm not a huge Glock-style gun fan but S&W got that one right. The Gen 1 is desirable b/c after the legal fallout subsequent generations [silver slides] the internals changed and JMO were cheapened up. I've had a 40 since it came out
'94-ish and put loads of rds. thru w/o one issue. Just picked a NIB 9mm for $425 a month ago...they are out there but u gotta be patient. Even at $525 would still have been a great deal. What service-sz 9/40 are u gonna find right now for less than $800 IF u can even find one for sale....Maybe a llama, jennings or bryco but not a real gun. God Bless!

 

[deadeyedick]

I have had a my license for about 10 years. I like S&W firearms, however, I started by carrying a Kimber .45 elite. It is as small as you can get a 1911 and weights 25 oz. I wanted to carry the smallest pistol and the lighted one I could find. The smallest and lightest 9mm that exist is the Kel Tec and weights only 12.7 oz. I believe it is the only tiny 9mm that is rated for 9mm+ ammo. I don't recommend the +ammo as the recoil hurts. There is a KTOG club that has easy instructions to make the gun slicker to operate and reduces the trigger weight. If that is not enough, aftermarket triggers and trigger springs are available on line. I carry mine in a good pocket holster. It has never failed to fire and feed the shells.

 

[Bearcat]

Three words:
Buy a Glock!

 

[Randall757]

Have you given the Glock 26 any thought? I own a shield and have shot the XDs I really like the shield's feel in my hand. I shoot the glock better. I've seen that same thing said on more than one forum. The XDs has a thing or 2 going for it. Bottom line i shoot the glock better.I have small to medium size hands. The XDs will be out in 9mm something to think about.
R

 

[WalterN]

I like Shield

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

I like my Shield. I would not worry about shooting one if you use the proper ammo. See if you can find a Shield owner and shoot it and see how you like it. My son has one also and he likes his. S&W will stand behind their guns parts.

 

[Kbond73]

I own the XDS. Personally, I love it. The recoil is snappy, more so with my protection rounds, but not uncontrollable and the sights fall back on target really well. The accuracy when I first shot it was surprising.

I was weighing out the pros and cons between the XDS and Shield but the deciding factor was availability. I was failing to find a Shield and I happened upon a XDS (that wasn't even supposed to be in the case) and I bought it.

I'm just as big a S&W fan as I am a Springfield fan so I'm equally biased but the XDS is highly recommended.

 

[B/STOCK]

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

I will second that. I have a 9MM Shield and a .40. The 9 is much more comfortable to shoot and has much less snap than the .40 + one more round. I carry the .40 only in the winter when I encounter people with heavy clothing. Spring, summer and fall it's the 9 with GD 124 +p short barrel.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Howdy.

Let me first say that i have not had the opportunity to shoot the M&P. I have however had the pleasure of shooting the SA XDs.

I had handled one in the LGS and was concerned about the size of th grip VS the size of my mitts. (I have very big hands).

I was qualifying a guy for his CCW renewal, and he had told me that he had just purchased an XDs. I asked him to bring it to the range so I could test fire it. I was pleasantly surprised. The .45 in this small gun was very manageable. A gun like this is not meant for long range shooting, but it was very accurate out to 25 yards. I was impressed.

I am currently trying to find one, as they are scarce around these parts.

And, just to stir the pot a bit, remember: A 9mm MIGHT expand....A .45 will not shrink!

Good luck with whatever you choose.



WG840

 

[KEN L]

When it comes to punching holes in human targets, bigger is ALWAYS better. You figure it out!

 

[MDB1056]

I haven't read all 70+ replies here but am hoping someone else also suggested that you take a look at some DIFFERENT guns than either the shield or XDS. It's interesting that today all the rage is single stack thin models like they are something new. They are not at all. Look at the 3rd Gen Smiths made years ago and you'll find (in my opinion) guns that will outperform both the Shield and XDS models, and also outlast them. Look at the Smith 3913, 3914, 4513, 4566, 908, 908S, and more. These are beautiful, light, all metal, extremely well made, single stack weapons that were arguably the best semi auto's Smith ever produced. I own three and have NEVER had a single failure to feed, fire, or eject, anything no matter what I've fed them. These are some of the best carry weapons ever made, feel wonderful in your hand, and are incredibly accurate. Personally I'd take a 3913 over a Shield or an XDS any day. So all the buzz today is simply about returning to designs that have been in production for 15 years - thin, well made single stacks. Seriously, go check out some 3rd generation smiths before you buy anything. They'll outperform either of your other choices.

 

[Dino1]

You need to wait out the Shield, if you come on a S&W forum looking for advise on which one to buy. You have already made your mind up.
XD is a nice pistol, but the Smith will not treat you bad, look at the track record. Hold each one in your hand and fire it, then make your decision. I bet then you end up with a Smith. Then carry one around for a day, then tell me the Smith is not more comfortable to carry. I did both before I bought.

 

[TDC]

A few other unmentioned additional issues for comparison between the two guns are price, weight, and included extras for the price...

The listed factory listed weight of the Shield 9mm is 19 ounces. The XDs is listed at 21.5 and that's what mine weighs (my Shield actually weighs in at 19.4 unloaded). Fully loaded the XDs .45 widens the unloaded weight issue over the Shield by about 3/4 of an additional ounce, especially if loaded with 230gr ammo (your results may vary).

The XDs has an ambidextrous magazine release. The Shield magazine release button is right hand only.

I've found roughly a hundred dollar difference in retail selling price between the two guns with the Shield having the retail price advantage. The XDs comes with a plastic carrying case, a plastic tension adjustable holster and a plastic double magazine carrier which for some may diminish the Shield price advantage. The Shield comes in a typical S&W blue box. Both come with two clips and a locking cable..

I like the feel of the Shield over the XDs. The XDs grip for larger hands is improved if it has the optional and additional cost 6 round clip (about $40). The heavy gnarled surface of the XDs grip is more apparent, not necessary IMO, and doesn't have the comfortable feel of the Shield.

I am highly prejudice in favor of S&W's excellent warranty service. I have no experience with Springfield's but I'm sure it is an excellent one also or I wouldn't own their products.

Be advised that both of these lightweight autos require special shooting techniques concentrating on grip. Otherwise a "limp wrist" re-cycling event could occur causing an FTFunction and you'd lose the fight....

So as I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread -- try them both, shoot them both, then consider your own needs. I'll bet like many of us who have responded here you'll want to walk away with both of them in hand.....

JMHO

 

[SPU]

It is more expensive to shoot....but man is it fun

You can always reload your brass