shield 40 or xds

I guess it depends on when you want it. Shields are in super backorder mode right now. I've been waiting on one in 9mm for 5 months. I've seen them go on armslist for $600. If you can find one at a LGS, snap it up, if you don't like it, sell it for a profit (or not).

Personally, I like the shield.

Here's a pretty good comparison.

http://www.defensivecarry.com/forum...-45-vs-m-p-shield-9mm-comparision-photos.html

Sorry, don't have either so that's all the advice I can give.

I own a 9mm Shield and just shot the XDs 45. Both guns shot exceptionally well for me. I went 9mm for the Shield as I really never got into the 40 cal. mode. 9mm is much lower cost and ten times more available when things are in short supply. The .45 also seems to have a much lower felt recoil than the 40 cal. Shoot them both first, and if you can live with the lower round count of the XDs, your decision will be made.

I just bought an XDS. Carries real nice IWB. Haven't got to shoot it yet. I like .45 acp, so I went with the Springer. I imagine the Shield is a fine pistol as well. It sounds like the XDS is slightly smaller, and the gun fit in my hand nicely. Caliber is what it comes down to if comfort is the same for each for you. I also like the aggressive checkering on the XDS. I imagine it will be more easily controlable for me.

Whatever you'd be more comfortable carrying.

I prefer the M&P but like the XDS as well.

Haven't carried the XDS, it looks/feels "blockier" but may carry alright.

I own a 9mm shield and an XDS...IMO,they're both awesome guns and both carry great for me...They have both been flawless for me...Just depends on what flavor you like...I alternate carry both,but lately the XDS a little more since I like the bigger caliber..Again though,you can't go wrong with either...

I have the Shield in 9mm and a XDS. Like them both. The XDS is a bit hard on the hand after about 30-40 rounds. The grip seems to dig-in to me. I think they are both good guns. I perfer the ergonomics on the Shield and the XDS is the only .45 I own so I am probally going to get rid of the XDS.

+1 on the xds. Mine has been flawless and conceals amazingly well. I also love the fact that its a .45, it everything I could ask for as far as a carry pistol goes. It is true that after about 50 rds it begins to beat up your hand but its not meant to be a range gun it's meant to be a gun you use to protect yourself and those you love. I haven't shot a shield yet but it felt great in my hand and I have no reason to believe that it isn't a great firearm as well. The xds also feels good in the hand but it is a small gun shooting a large bullet so if you want a gun that conceals well and is good for a 100-150 round day at the range the shield is probably a good choice but if you want the extra punch of a .45 and not minding keeping you range trips a little shorter than the xds is probably the way to go. For a .45 it is extremely manageable but after about 50 rds I l

460Kodiak said:

I just bought an XDS. Carries real nice IWB. Haven't got to shoot it yet. I like .45 acp, so I went with the Springer. I imagine the Shield is a fine pistol as well. It sounds like the XDS is slightly smaller, and the gun fit in my hand nicely. Caliber is what it comes down to if comfort is the same for each for you. I also like the aggressive checkering on the XDS. I imagine it will be more easily controlable for me.

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I hope your imagination turns out better than my reality did.

Round count is great if you plan on getting into a battle where multiple rounds are needed. My take..is if you are proficient with your side arm..and actually practice with it...shot placement will be second nature. I own a XDs and have held and played around with a Shield.
1st..the caliber. It's a 45 acp. Nuff said!

2nd The grip on the XDs is very aggressive, which I would want in a self defense situation. Going to the range and firing off 75-100 rounds ain't going to hurt you. You may build up a slight callous on your hands..but the felt recoil is actually tame for a polymer gun of it's size, caliber and weight. Heck..I have a Ruger LCR that'll rip you up shooting 38 loads. The XDs is a cake walk comparatively speaking.

3rd - The accuracy of the XDs is eye opening! With the fiber optic front sight, target aquisition is 2nd nature. AT 33 ft...a 1 1/2" group is not all that bad with a shorty pistol.

4th - If I were to get a 9mm...I would get the M&P compact. Great ergonomics. With a little trigger work...it is a great little shooter. (actually...I did a little too much on mine and rendered it useless for carry...blow on it and it wants to go)

5th - The XDs's are available with an extension magazine that gives you 7 +1 in the chamber. How many shots do you need!

Saying "Nuff Said" usually makes me stop reading the rest of a post but I'm glad I persevered.

Take the caliber out of the decision. No magic bullets.

Agree that the M&P compact is also a good carry gun.

I'd say a 1.5" group at that distance is very good for a carry gun.

Its all about what a guy can and will carry comfortably and practice with.

Training over gear. I'm not a 45 guy or an XD guy but I really liked the one I handled and the 5 shot mag wouldn't stop me from getting it.

Or, wait a couple more months and see if you might like the XDs in 40 caliber when it is released. I found the 40 to be a lot snappier than I originally expected. It took a while to get used to but now I am as accurate with it as my 9mm. Different manufacturers for my 9 and 40 but similar in size and weight so there shouldn't be any advantage due to the actual platform.

While .45ACP is my favorite, for self-defense I choose .40S&W when the barrel gets below 4" as I worry not enough velocity for adequate penetration with .45 out of the short barrel.

The way I see it, .40S&W has about 100 fps more velocity than .45ACP out of equivalent barrel lengths and the sectional density of 180gr .40 is the same as 230gr .45 so penetration will be better, and out of the marginal zone.

Three most important things for handgun effectiveness are: bullet placement, placement, and penetration.

I had the XDS but I sold it for a loss. Great gun for the money but because of the size and shape of my hands the slide would rub the base knuckle of my thumb causing me to bleed. I purchased the Shield 9mm off the same guy I sold the XDS to and I haven't had that problem or any other problem with it. In short I would recomend you try and find someone who will let you shoot thiers before laying down your cash for either gun.

Kahr33556 said:

Looking for a new carry gun.
s & w shield 40 or xds 45.
I vant decied.anyone own both?

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I do not care for either one, but if one goes single stack might as well get the 11.26mm.

So not to rain on the moment here but... the shield and the xds are great and all but really the xds springfield shaved stuff down and there you go and s&w just shortened there stuff and tadaa here you go. What is funny though is the shield looks way to mush like the tarus 24/7 and i dont like tarus everything up to placement of slide lock is close just saying. If you buy a new an improved hey good for you but the original always worked

jakeraney87 said:

So not to rain on the moment here but... the shield and the xds are great and all but really the xds springfield shaved stuff down and there you go and s&w just shortened there stuff and tadaa here you go. What is funny though is the shield looks way to mush like the tarus 24/7 and i dont like tarus but..... everything up to placement of slide lock is close just saying. If you buy a new an improved hey good for you but the original always worked

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Huh?

Buddy got this e-mail from a vendor yesterday about the Shield:

"We are still unable to get the Shield's in right now. All of the distributors I've talked to have said that the Shield's have been dropping their magazines when being fired and that their current supply is off the market. I don't know if that's the case of if they are just that backordered now. I did find on a google search that there is some truth to that."

Anyone else hear anything of this?

i have heard numerous reports on the .40 Shield dropping mags. None on the 9mm so far though. I've ran a couple hundred rounds through mine with no problems.

Own both--NO
Shot both--YES.

It is a draw. If you want .40 get the Shield
If you want .45 get the XDS.

I wanted the 9mm, so the Shield was my choice, in 9mm obviously.

I looked at both and decided on the Shield 40

I love the new pistol

TarDevil said:

Huh?

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What he means is XDs is anorexic XDm 3.8" Compact while the Shield is anorexic version of M&P Sc.

I have the XDs, happy to say, carries great, light, flat, I can't ask for much more. Round count, over 1200 rnds without 1 failure of any sort.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jakeraney87
So not to rain on the moment here but... the shield and the xds are great and all but really the xds springfield shaved stuff down and there you go and s&w just shortened there stuff and tadaa here you go. What is funny though is the shield looks way to mush like the tarus 24/7 and i dont like tarus . everything up to placement of slide lock is close just saying. If you buy a new an improved hey good for you but the original always worked

Huh?

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LOL!!! That's what I was thinking. I got the meaning, but jakeraney87, punctuation is very helpful.