Springfield XDS 9mm or Shield 9mm ~I Can't Decide~

[BryanD]

I really like the Shield & XDS but I can't make up my mind. It will be my conceal carry pistol. All suggestions & thoughts are appreciated. I'm new to conceal carry & I want the safest of the 2 pistols. I know a lot of people doesn't like safety options buy I do like to have a safety.
Thanks

 

[Ranger17]

have you had the chance to shoot them yet? That may be the best line for information; how each one felt in your hand, how well you did or did not do with it, and so on.

I have tried one but not the other so not fair for me to drop any suggestions on which may be better as i'm also newer to this area, but hands-on would be a good start if you have the ability to do that

 

[Motorsporting]

I've tried both (9mm), and I went with the M&P. I do not like how the grip safety works on the XDs (it is more difficult when jammed to clear because the grip safety must be depressed to move the slide). I know this because during a high-round count, advanced defensive class, a lady (not a novice, but maybe not in the right class for her abilities either) experienced several jams (maybe due to ammo, or a brand new, literally "right out of the box" XDs). They both shoot (accuracy) and carry very well.

 

[handgunner356]

If I was die hard .45 fan then I'd go with the XDS, but I don't see the extra cash for a 9mm version. The XDS has the grip safety but the M&P can be had with or without a manual safety.

 

[Labradford]

I think you just answered your own question. There is no right or wrong answer as everybody's needs and what inspires confidence in a carry pistol is different. Don't worry too much about your first gun. Once you get some experience behind you, chances are you probably will buy something different down the road anyway.

 

[AGoyette]

Bryan,
We can't tell you which one to buy. What I like, you may hate. You really need to shoot both of them. Look at availability of accessories (holsters, extra mags. etc). I would also look at the weight of each gun and the capacity. If you have a bad back or wear lighter weight clothes, a lighter weight gun might work better for you. Lots of people have no problems carrying full sized 1911's. Others prefer a single stack light weight gun. I have and carry both a double stack gun (M&P 9c) and a single stack Sig. p938.

People love both of the guns you listed. My daughter's boyfriend just bought a XDS in 9mm for his CC gun and loves it. He had my daughter shoot it and she really liked it and did well with it. I was going to get a XDS because I really liked how the trigger felt, this was pre recall. After the recall, I hated how the trigger felt. But that is just me.
When I was looking at a lighter weight option the Shield was recommended to me, I just can't get into the Shield, it does nothing for me. That is why I got the Sig. Lots of Shield lovers here though.

Again, you have to shoot both. Look at concealability of both. Look at reviews, I like to watch youtube videos and read the comments below. Google, gun X and problems. See which gun feels better in your hand. We can only offer you our opinions as to what works best for us, but each person is different. For every 5 people who say get the Shield on the M&P forum, there will be 5 (on the Springfield forum) who will say get the XDS.

 

[bolson]

I have the shield and my brother has the xds, both are fine pistols and I would be happy with either. Shield comes with a 7 and 8 round mag, the xds only 7 rounders if that makes a difference. Xds comes with a fiber optic front sight (a plus for my aging eyes), the white dot on my shield's front sight fell off after a couple hundred rounds (replaced with truglo's anyway, which are fantastic). The xds comes with a bunch of junk I don't need, like the plastic case and holster while the shield comes with a much lower price tag.
After my brother got his xds I worried that I might like it better, but I don't. I do like it as well, but it's not worth $100+ more....and I'd trade all that plastic stuff that comes with the xds for some sweet night sights anyday.

 

[D Rock]

If it will help you decide, I just got an email from Palmetto with a NRA Show Deal. Shield 9mm 339.99.
Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD 9mm 180021

Dave

 

[mustangman]

I really like the Shield & XDS but I can't make up my mind. It will be my conceal carry pistol. All suggestions & thoughts are appreciated. I'm new to conceal carry & I want the safest of the 2 pistols. I know a lot of people doesn't like safety options buy I do like to have a safety.
Thanks

Both pistols are as safe as YOU make them. The one for you should be the one that feels best, and if possible to shoot ahead of time, shoots best for you.

I have the Shield w/TS and its a great concealable shooter. I've never shot an XDS, but I didn't like the grip safety and the way it felt in general.

Whichever you choose, train, shoot a lot, have fun and be safe.

PSA also has a pretty good deal on the XDS 9 if you're leaning that way.

Springfield Armory XDS 3.3" 9mm Black Essentials XDS9339BE - Firearms

 

[Magload]

Buy them both you can never have enough guns.

 

[Dandecoteau]

If I were you I would get the shield. I shot both and decided to get the shield without the safety. If your xds your looking at is a 45, id still go with the 9mm. I would rather have a higher capacity round count. If you run out of bullets with your 45, Ill still be shooting with that extra capacity 9mm. Most bullets perform the same now days. 9mm, 45, 40, they all hurt real bad and would put me down if I was shot.

Anyways, the shield is less expensive and shoots great. I think it conceals better than the xds. Xds is too bulky.

The best safety you can have is the one between your ears.

 

[warriorsoul]

Like most people have already said try both out if possible. I was on the fence with these guns. My personal experience was I thought the aggressive grip on the xds felt uncomfortable in my hand and I thought it could be prone to snagging clothing. I also felt like the Shield had a nicer trigger.

 

[Jim1392]

If it will help you decide, I just got an email from Palmetto with a NRA Show Deal. Shield 9mm 339.99.
Smith & Wesson M&P SHIELD 9mm 180021

Dave

I got that email also. But when I put in the cart the shipping was $17.00 plus after adding my ffl fee it would be better for me to buy it local. So the shipping killed it for me. Their deals are good when they offer the free shipping.

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

I had a xds 9 mm and then bought a shield and traded the xds.
The xds is a nice gun. However it does not feel as balanced in the hand as the shield does. The xds is top heavy.

I prefer the shields safety to the xds.

The shield feels better in my hand.

The shield is less expensive.

Both are great guns. Really you cannot go wrong. Depends on how it feels in your hands and what you think about the different safeties

 

[kozmic]

I have an XDs in .45 and a 9mm Shield (that my wife seems to have stolen for her own). Both are great, safe and reliable carry guns and would suit your needs very well.

I've never shot the XDs 9mm, but interestingly, one of the guys at my LGS made a comment to me a few months back about his observation. He said that folks trade in their XDs 9mms, but not their .45s. I've been watching and he's right! I see quite a few used 9mm Springfields for sale, but very seldom a used XDs .45 or a 9mm Shield. I have no idea what that means, but I thought it was somehow relative to your question.

Personally, I can take or leave an external safety thumb safety of the Shield. My wife likes it and routinely uses it (and practices flicking it off as part of her practice draws and range training). I, on the other hand, like the 1911-like grip safety on the Springfield. It doesn't require any additional thought process or motion.

I'd say....snag the 9mm Shield now, then save for the soft shooting, hard hitting .45 XDs.

Good luck!

 

[Electraclyde]

I had both. I sold both.

 

[ZionZR2]

While I have not shot the XDS I have held one and just did not like the feel of it in my hands. I liked the way the shield felt in my hand and then tried it via a renting at the range and liked it alot and just recently got my own. Plus the Shield is a lot less money. I went with the NTS version as it is more like my glock in operation.

 

[gunny4053]

Just go buy the Shield, and if you don't like it, you can blame it on me. There problem solved. I've shot both and would hands down pick the Shield.

 

[PeterPocket]

XDS - no contest.

The only other gun to ever cut me was a Shield. Never felt right. I did a side-by-side-by-side comparo of the Shield, XDS, and XD(M) compact. I actually like the XD(M) 3" barrel compact better than the XDS.

Sorry for the heresy, folks, but the gun won.

 

[RobzGuns]

I have more XD products than anything else and was all set to grab an XD-S, but then I rented one.
I've shot both, side-by-side and had I liked the XD-S better, I wouldn't have become a member here. The Shield just feels nicer (for me) to shoot.
Rather than asking US what we like, you need to find a way to shoot them both (not just fondle) before buying and see which one feels better to shoot.