XDs 9mm $599 Shield 9mm $449 Which is More Value?

[GregoryJ]

I have recently acquired a Shield9. I have fondled a XDs9, and it did not feel good in my hand. For one thing, the bore axis on the XD seems higher. Mostly, I just don't like the feel of the grip.

I had the same reaction to the XDs9, the grip is very uncomfortable to me.

Curious....does anyone care that the Shield is made in the USA and the XDs are made in Croatia?

Even if the grip was not an issue, that "Made in Croatia" is a show stopper.

Love my Shield 9, my heirs will decide what happens to it.

 

[Soldiernurse]

Curious....does anyone care that the Shield is made in the USA and the XDs are made in Croatia?

2nd unless you are a cop how in the heck are you all finding these ultra cheap prices on Shields and XDS? I paid $445 for my Shield late last year. I travel a lot for my job and stop into gun stores all over and never see the prices some of you all say you bought for...so curious on that too...thanks!

1) So you believe only handguns made in the USA are of good quality. Without a doubt the Walther line is top notch. The PPQ & P99AS are made in Germany. Are you saying you only buy products made in the USA?

2) I paid (NIB) $449 for my Shield 40. I paid (NIB) $599 for my XDs45. I purchased both in the past 2 weeks.

... just came back from the Range. With a pachmayer (rubber sleeve) grip on my XDs45 the little gun, shorter grip than the Shield, was very pleasant to shoot. In fact, in comparison to the two times I've been to the range with my Shield, w/o a doubt the XDs45 wins; better shot placement & not snappy. I hate to blame on the nature of the .40S&W caliber since shooting my XDsc40, P99AS, PPQ40 is not a problem, i.e. not snappy. I do shoot my Shield 40 almost as well as the XDs45, and I like the grip. My solution, besides continued range time w/my Shield40, is to buy a 9mm conversion barrel, then 9mm mags.

Anybody have a link for the Shield 9mm conversion barrel? TIA!

 

[2tango2]

+1

I have not seen a Shield in Utah for less than retail.

Russ

You can buy a Shield 9mm all day and night here in NH at Shooters Outpost for 399.99

There is a reason the Shield is still fairly hard to find on the shelf. Yet the XDS is pretty readily available.

And just the opposite of the Shield's availability round here...XDS is in very high demand and doesn't last long at all on the shelves


I own both flavors of the Shield and both flavors of the XDS. I gave an honest review over on XD Talk after firing the XDS 9. Great gun, great feel, operates very smoothly and digested everything I fed it. I can't think of a negative. The Talon wrap on grip takes the bite that some folks don't' like out of the equation.

I paid 539 each for both of the XDS's.

It comes down to which one feels better in you hand and which maker you prefer. They mirror each other in what niche they were designed to fill. If you already own a Shield there is no reason to get the XDS 9 unless your sole reason is just because you want one (which was mine) Likewise can be said for an XDS 9 owner who is thinking about buying a Shield. They both fill the same need. Comes down to whether you like S&W or Springfield. I like them both. I have the funds and income to buy what I want. I wanted the XDS 9 because I really love it in 45.

As far as the price difference? The XDS does seem like it is a bit more solid construction. Little tighter and smoother. When you rack the slide if feels almost buttery smooth. I also like the trigger just a tad better than the Shield's. No knock on the Shield, just an opinion that is mine and mine alone for the purpose of this thread.

On the flip side I find the Shield feels a smidgen better in my hand. It's a tossup really


I'm not trying to convince anyone or dissuade anyone from either weapon. They are both excellent choices and you can't go wrong with whatever one you choose. Sort of like Ford vs Chevy. Both will accomplish the same end result and when looking at similar models it all comes down to personal preference

I would not feel uncomfortable carrying either

 

[Water-Man]

Fortunately for me, I have many, many LGS in my area. I've ordered a few guns online but have stopped that practice. The S/H & FFL certainly escalates the overall price.

As does paying tax at your LGS.

 

[2tango2]

As does paying tax at your LGS.

Not if you live in NH

 

[2tango2]

Some visuals:

 

[Soldiernurse]

As does paying tax at your LGS.

LOL, tax can be less than S/H + FFL. Plus, always prefer in store purchase vs online purchase.

... not interested in wasting my time bickering back n forth

 

[bybotie]

I have a XDS in .45 I carry daily. I love the gun. I sold a XDM in .40 to buy a M&P in .40. I hated the way the XDM felt in my hand. The M&P feels perfect but the factory trigger is complete junk.