S&W Shield 9mm vs XDs 9mm

[KTXdm9]

I actually prefer the grip and trigger of the Shield. Different strokes, I guess. I'll eventually buy an XDs 9 to go with my Shield.

Both are good pistols. If price is an issue, I'd go with the Shield. I do prefer a grip safety over a manual safety, but I never use the manual safety anyway.

 

[Dean1818]

They are both awesome pistols......

IMHO......miles above other pistols out there (I have had 2 kahrs)


I have the Shield in 40........

And have shot my friends XDs

I can see a rotation in the future that includes the XDs in 45

 

[Doogledog]

I like the look and feel of both of these pistols and perhaps one day I will add one of them to my collection. However, as some others have mentioned I also have a kahr CW9 that I continue to be impressed with. The PPS 9 that was mentioned earlier just felt very top heavy and unbalanced to me. I actually got rid of a sig 239 and replaced it with the kahr. It just felt way better in MY hand.

 

[Orion8472]

Well, . . . the Kahr DOES feel good in the hand. I just prefered the characteristics of the XDs much more.

I'm glad we live in an era of many choices.

 

[gym]

I owned both the shield 40 and the XDS 45, I finally traded the shield for a 9c, and carry the XD. They are the same darn size, the XDS is still a 45 and recoil is mute at that level of small gun with a large bullet.I can always grab my 26 or 9c if I want a Hi-cap small auto, but I no longer do. The 26 can still pocket carry in a remora with a trigger block, "for me". The Xds I don't worry about with the grip safety, just sitting in my pocket holster, the shield never felt as comfortable between the manual safety and the thin grip. I have a large hand, and it really was too slim for me.

 

[CougarRed]

As you can see they are both the same size and both conceal the same.

I would also say up front that, in my not so humble opinion, either of these two guns kick the tar out of the other compact 9s on the market that are competing with it (Beretta Nano, Ruger LC9, Sig P290, Kahr, ect.)

XDS9 is 21% heavier than the Shield!!! (23 oz with unloaded mag vs. 19 oz with unloaded mag)

Shield has 0.2" shorter slide and barrel (6.1/3.1 vs. 6.3/3.3).

Both are fine guns, but I'd take my Kahr P9 Covert over these 2 everyday of the week and twice on Sunday. It's smaller and lighter with a significantly longer barrel.

6.0" long
3.57" barrel
4.0" tall
0.9" wide
17 ounces with unloaded mag

 

[ChCx2744]

I've shot the Shield 9mm and saw the XDs 9mm in the store this afternoon. My G26 outshoots the Shield 9mm by tenfold. The Shield 9mm feels great in my hand, but I don't like the safety on the side. I haven't shot the XDs, yet; it looks awesome, I can't wait to.

 

[gym]

Good feedback I tend to agree with the Count, Cougar, and ChCz, we seem to feel similarlly about the gun which is always a comfort, as those exact points were what I felt.

 

[colorado_handgunner]

^^^ I know both the XDs 9 and the Shield are great carry guns, but my Kahr CW9 shoots too good and has been good to me. I also love the Kahr trigger!

You nailed it exactly for me. I would love to get an xds, but cannot justify it with as well as my Kahr works for me. Best trigger of any of my semis.

Sent from my SCH-I925 using Tapatalk HD

 

[Orion8472]

As a reference [and FWIW], Hickok45 just posted a video comparing these two pistols.

 

[gym]

Thanks for the heads up on the video. I feel the same way, I may have said it here or in another thread. The shield was too slim for me, the 9C is better for a larger hand. The XDS also is better for my hand, the shield had my fingers touching my hand, and just felt too thin. I was able to adjust to it, but I felt funny shooting it, at least less comfortable than the others.

 

[Luis Leon]

I would also say up front that, in my not so humble opinion, either of these two guns kick the tar out of the other compact 9s on the market that are competing with it (Beretta Nano, Ruger LC9, Sig P290, Kahr, ect.)

I believe that Kahr had their product out way before the S&W and XDs. Its S&W and XD that are doing the chasing. Both of those guns look much bigger than the Kahr and the fact that the Kahrs have an offset feed ramp make them sit much lower in the hand. I've carry a G19, CZP01, CZ75b, S&W M&P 9, a Kel-Tec .380 and a S&W 5 shot j frame. The only guns I still carry are the Kahrs and the S&W J frame. Its great to have choices.

If you can shoot a double action revolver accurately you should get along quite nicely with the Kahr double action trigger. A pic of my girls...

 

[Allentown]

Great thread guys and thanks. I asked a similiar question yesterday. Around here the Shield goes for $429-$499 and the XDS goes for $599 to $685.

Add to that the cost of buying at least one full mag for the XDS and i dont know..i guess im leaning towards the shield. I think the XDS is "$50.00' better for what it is but considering they do the same job and EITHER would get the job done if your life depended on it,....it damm sure isn't "$150.00 better". (of course thats all just "my opinion"). After comparing the specs and reading up on them. I could be wrong i guess...

 

[Orion8472]

Got mine for $549. But yeah, if that's what they are going for in your area, I understand your hesitation. I may not have purchased mine either at those prices.

 

[iblong]

Paid 519.95 last week at my LGS,I handeled the sheild but never shot it.
I bought the 45 a few months ago and was impressed,so I bought the 9.
Both shoot well.I dont mind the little extra weight over the sheild as I figure
it helps with muzzel flip.I have shot the pps and prefer the xds over it.

 

[DFM914]

I actually visited a new to me gun shop as I had the day off. Low and behold, they had both a Shield and an XDs9 in stock. I got to handle both side by side and fondle both. I went with the intention of buying the XDs9 but bought the Shield 9 instead. Both great little guns and I imagine both will appeal to many.

 

[BillBloggins]

I had been after a Shield for a while and was finally able to snag one for $399 (Oregon) last week. I liked the Shield 9mm over the Springfield as it felt better in my hand, was cheaper, is made in the USA, and familiar as I have had a S&W 40c as my carry gun for a while. And this slim little doodlebug is a good shooter also.

 

[gym]

Just got an offer to trade the M&P 9c for a Nano New in the box. I think I will go for it, as the gun will poket carry, Which was my intent, and has enough rounds to make it a viable carry gun, "with the 8 round reload". I may stick the laser on it for $100 bucks and it still should fit in a remora holster in the front pocket.
Also like the OD green.