Pf9,xds45,shield40,glock36

Can't offer an opinion on ALL the guns, but my regular carry is a Glock 36. I have an XD 45, and numerous other Glocks, Sigs, Kimber, etc., but until I get my latest purchase, a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II sighted in and tested for reliability, my G36 is it. Just my .02

First up, it would depend on if you want a pistol with a manual safety or not.

If you prefer a manual safety then the choice is easy, get the S&W Shield.

If you don't want a manual safety then I'd look at the Glock and the XDs as I don't have experience with the KelTec to give an opinion. But I'd probably pick the XDs in 9mm myself over the XDs in .45 ACP.

My main pistols are 9mm - Beretta Px4 subcompact and Glock 26. I like the Beretta, shoot better with the Glock.

My second loves are all .45's and I prefer the XD-S in .45 to the Glock 36 but you can hardly go wrong with either IMO. Shoot both - choose one.

VooDoo

Easy to cull the 26 and pf9.

Next is the hard decision...If you like the idea of a manual safety the Shield. If you like the idea of a 45 the Xds.

Don't own a Glock. I've shot them and they run fine.
PF9 is a much smaller gun. It can be carried in the pocket fairly comfortably but isn't the easiest gun to shoot because of it's small size.
Of the 4 mentioned I like the xds 45 but it isn't really a good comparison to something like the PF9. Twice the gun and twice the price at twice the size. Personally I prefer a smaller gun for IWB.

I've owned the XDS 45 and it was very unpleasant to shoot. All the recoil force seems to focus on the trigger finger leaving it feeling numb and tingly after only a mag full. The XDS 9 or eventually the XDS 40 is a much better caliber fit for a gun this size.
I bought the XDS 45 and the Shield 40 at the same time and still own the Shield.
Love my Shield 40.

Out of those I would choose (and I currently own and carry) the PF9, because it is the smallest and lightest of the group, therefore the easiest to carry. It is definitely not the most pleasant to shoot, but it's not a range gun.

Here's my input...

I own 4 pf9's, a G36 and shot the XDs before it came out for the public. I carry the G36 almost all the time now. One of the pf's stays in the wifes purse, 1 in each of our vehicles and the final gets carried by me when the G36 is too big according to attire. The Shield doesn't feel right to me, and the XDS didn't suit my grip style. My thumb kept riding the slide hold open lever. For just 1 pistol carry all the time I would go pf9 personally.

I can't speak to the PF9 or the Shield, but I got rid of a G36 after getting the Xds .45, and I have not regretted that decision. I did carry a hard chromed P11 for a while, but the bore developed rust every time I carried it on my ankle during snow or rainy conditions. It was totally reliable, but the absence of a stainless steel or rust resistant version made it less than adequate for my purposes.

The XDS ( I own ), has a grip texture like a cheese grater. For self defense and occasional shooting, its ok. As a constantly shot range gun, she gets rough after a while.

I put an inner tube type rubber band on my XDs, below the grip safety. I agree that the grip texture is a bit aggressive.

The PF9 is the smallest and lightest, and also the most cheap-feeling, though it should be pretty reliable.

The Glock 36 is the biggest by far.

The XDs or the Shield would be my choice, but double check serial numbers against the recall numbers.

I've put a couple thousand trouble free rounds through my PF-9. It kicks like a mule and the trigger is horrible IMO.

I would go with either the XDs or Shield. Also tale a look at the Walther PPS.

I own both the shield 9 and xds in 45. I love both but the xds is awesome. The recoil is mild for such a small gun. This is my first 45 and personally I don't like a ton of recoil. It's not an all day range gun but not that bad. It's about the same recoil as my kahr cm9.

I carry all 3 depending on clothes but I would imagine the xds in a 9mm would be the best of all worlds.