XDM compact vs S&W Shield for CC

Seems you already know the arguments, both for and against. You need to make your own mind up.

With the right sized clothes and a good holster, the XDM would be my choice. That being said, I carry an XDs because it fits my hand and is easy to carry. If you haven't considered it , you may want to.

I'm sure the shield is a good gun, but I like 45 acp and chose the XDs for that reason also.

i have the XDm sc shoots wonderful not to hard to conceal i do like the 13+1
also 19+1 for H/D this is my main carry gun now that its cooler. but when it
warmer out its my XDs in 45 just disappears under a t-shirt

if you can conceal a 3" sp101 you can conceal a XDm sc
go for it

I'd go for what's the most comfortable to shoot and easiest (and cheapest) mags availability....

Laura

My input....

Id go after the M&P Shield in the new "no thumb safety" format.
Shields are safe, compact & easy to clean(field strip). There are many holsters, parts, gear, sights, etc for the M&P Shields too in 2014.
I plan to get a M&P Shield 9x19mm pistol as soon as I can(by Xmas). I like the M&P format & want a deep carry/single stack 9mm. I plan to add Trijicon HD sights to the Shield and maybe custom Cerakote(SOCOM blue with added Armor-Clear).
The XDm models are good but I think you'd get more from a M&P Shield. Smith & Wesson offers a lifetime product warranty too.

I have the Shield 9mm. Very easy to conceal, recoil is minimal. In side to side shooting comparison shooters felt it had less perceived recoil than Glock 19 and FNP 9 at our shooting range. I think the Xds is a fine weapon just a bit more $, not sure it's worth the extra$

I'm not a fan of any of the XDM's, or XD's for concealed carry with the exception of the XDS. They are big and bulky for their size. I suspect you'll find it much harder to conceal comfortably than you think. Their "compacts" print like most companies full sized offerings. My feeling is anything bigger than a Glock 19 is too big. I guess if you can hide it comfortably go for it. But I would go with a Shield.

If you like M & P's the compact M & P will conceal easier than XDM sub compact. And they are 12 +1 if you want extra capacity.

I have a XD9 Sub Compact and a 9mm Shield. I can carry the XD OWB with the right holster and belt and conceal it under a t-shirt. I just picked up a Shield and have not carried it yet, but common sense would tell me it will conceal as well or better. One of the reasons I have not carried it yet is because I am used to guns with a thicker grip, so I am having some issues with shooting low and left. I'm sure I will settle in with some practice, but I would try to rent a Shield or any thin single stack auto to see if it's right for you.

I compared them both awhile back when I made my purchase. Ended up with the Shield. It just fit my hand better.

There appear to be three very different Springfields being discussed here.
XDs
XD SC (SubCompact)
XDm Compact

The XDs is the single stack variant making it the thinnest of the family, the XD SC is double stack but has a shorter frame than the XDm Compact making the XD SC the middle sized pistol in that group so the XDm Compact is the larger member of that group.

I own and sometimes carry the XDm Compact chambered in .40 cal. It is quite lively but very accurate once you master it. Great trigger, extremely easy to field strip, no trigger pull required. While I still like the XDm, I migrated to a Sig 239 as my primary carry because I prefer a DA/SA trigger for a carry gun. I almost bought a Shield earlier this year as a back up gun but never went through with it. They are all fine guns and a great alternative to the other popular semi auto.

It's a bad comparison to compare a Shield with a single stack mag and a weight around 20 ozs, to an XDM, which with 9 or ten rounds of 45, weigh almost twice as much. You would be better advised to have compared it to Springfield's XDS, which was mad to compete in that category. I have had both and almost bought another shield 9 at the show yesterday for that extra round. But it comes down to want rather than need with me. If I want a lightweight 45, my Glock 30 S, is about as light as they come with 11 rounds in it. With the extension, it carries 14.
Xd makes a nice gun, the 9mm, with 13 and 19 round mags is close to a do it all type gun. For pocket carry you can still use the shield, but not the XDM. It's just to blocky and heavy. So it also depends on how you intend to carry, I see you got the shield, and that was probably the way to go.
This way you can carry it any way you might choose from ankle or pocket, to iwb. By the way mine was recalled and shot fine when it came back. There was no difference at all, good reset and nice trigger overall. If that is holding you back then down the road, pick one up.

I have the XDM Compact. Really like it. Seems easy to CC. Love to shoot it. 13+1 is nice.

The recoil is the real question to me

I have shot both and while the SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XDM is larger and bulkier, I found it much easier to shoot and less painful. I put 50 rounds through a S&W Shield 9m.m. and have no interest in firing it again. It worked as advertised, but the recoil was more than I wanted.

Jim

XDs

I went the XDs 3.3 in 45acp route.

With personal defense loads it is certainly energetic but not uncontrollable or unpleasant.

I prefer the 3.3" barrel over the longer barrel offerings. It conceals better and doesn't seem to always be jabbing me in the hip when I sit down or stand up (I carry IWB at 4:00). I agree that the longer sight radius of the 4.0" is going to be more accurate, but at typical engagement distances the 3.3" barrel is more than accurate enough.

Mine has had the recall work done on it and has been 100% reliable. The big dust up over the recall seems to be related to the feeling of the trigger pre and post recall. In my experience the post recall trigger is not bad and just gets better over time and use.

If you are not going to be able to cary with an untucked shirt or cover garment 100% of the time, I think you my have some issues concealing a double stack auto (regardless of manufacturer). With a tuckable holster I can carry the XDs wearing only a button down shirt.

Just my $0.02. You can certainly purchase a larger pistol, however if you don't have the luxury of having multiple carry pieces I would recommend leaning toward something smaller, that you are more likely to be able to carry all of the time vs. a larger, high cap gun where you end up leaving it home 50% of the time. If in the future you want a bigger carry piece, go for it.