Will be choosing between XDs 9mm and Shield 9mm

[Orion8472]

I recently picked up a bitone XDs 9mm, but got a good deal on a 9mm Shield. I'll be taking them both to the range in the next few days to decide which one I will be keeping. The one that doesn't "win the contest" will be sold [probably on here].

I'll be going by feel, accuracy, function, sights, etc.

I'll post here what I find out.

 

[BP Hunter]

Wow, you bought 2 guns just to "test drive" them then sell one of them if you don't like it. Some people just have the money...

 

[Kahr33556]

Xds should win hands down.shield look to see if the front sight is on center before the first range trip. You Will not be able to tap it if needed as the instructions say.

 

[RainDodger]

I want to hear what you think. I have the XDs in .45 - that's why I bought it. I did shoot a Shield in 9mm and in my mind, the action was nicer. If I had to choose between the two in the same caliber it would be difficult. Kahr is right though - the sights are better on the XDs.

 

[DT Guy]

Truthfully, the Shield becomes an entirely different weapon with the $39 Apex sear; night and day. WITH the sear, an awesome carry weapon; without, nearly unshootable (at least the example I had was...)

Just something to consider-

Larry

 

[Orion8472]

BP Hunter, I traded a gun for the XDs. Sold two other guns @ nearly a grand. The Shield wasn't that much. . . . and was a sudden deal. Just FYI

I may have to have an Apex trigger put in before making the final decision. . . . however, when it comes to a carry gun, I tend to want to keep things factory, just in case a lawyer tries to make an issue out of a "modified gun".

 

[viking499]

I handled both the other day. I like the Shield. I did not like the XDS because it seemed to sit so far above my hand. It felt and looked weird to me when holding it,

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have the Shield 9mm and 40 S&W, XDS 45ACP.
All are good guns.

I like the Shield a bit more than the XDS but if it came to one or the other, I would have to pick the XDS for just one reason.
I'm a big believer in lasers, laser/lights on defense guns. All my defense guns are equipped with lasers or laser/lights, if available.

The XDS has a rail, the Shield doesn't. (Crimson Trace makes a laser for the Shield but I like the Rail Master better).

Don't know why I wrote XDX.

 

[Sour Kraut]

In his quest for a small 9mm, my brother bought a Shield, then the XDs when it came out. He fully expected the XDs to win out since he has a compact XD, however, after shooting them side by side, he preferred the Shield and shot it a great deal better. YMMV.

Keep us posted..."

 

[Orion8472]

I will say this up front. As far as appearances go, . . . . the XDs blows away the Shield. The XDs is very asthetically pleasing to the eye. But in the end, this is about a tool, not about looks.

I will be picking up the Shield this afternoon.

 

[Orion8472]

I picked it up last night. Trigger seems to be . . . meh . . . about the same as the XDs. Not a bad trigger at all. It seems to sit a bit higher in my hand. However, the grip is definitely more comfortable to hold onto. So, . . . as it is now:

Looks: Advantage XDs
Feel: Advantage Shield [updated to add, "but just barely. XDs has a good feel too. Different.]
Operation...
Trigger: Toss up
Sights: Advantage XDs
Releasing magazine: Advantage Shield
Takedown: Toss up

I will do the range portion Friday evening.

 

[jon86]

Subbed!

 

[RainDodger]

Not sure what you're saing about releasing the magazine. I don't remember how the Shield worked when I shot it, but when I press the mag release on the XDs, the mag falls free by itself very easily. Isn't that what you found?

 

[viking499]

I hope the Shield works out OK. I pick mine up today. Found one yesterday after noon at a LGS after I made a phone call. He put it back for me and I get it today.

 

[Orion8472]

RainDodger, both fall free, however, the release is stiffer on the XDs. Both ways. It takes a bit more force than the release on the Shield.

Thanks for the question.

 

[BP Hunter]

Orion, I was just kidding you. Just like you, I sell my guns to buy a new one. My recent purchase was a Ruger 762. I traded 4 of my guns and walked out paying $0 for a brandnbew rifle which would have cost me $1948.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I haven't shot an XDs yet, but the grip is a tad shorter than the Shield. I can get a full grip on a Shield, not on an XDs.

 

[Orion8472]

BP Hunter. I had to do a search on the Ruger 762. Nice!

 

[gamestalker]

I don't think I've ever fired a Shield before, but I have an XDs 9mm. I love the XDs, and I'm not much for AL's really. And since I have very small hands, the grips fit me very well on the XDs. Let us know what you think after some range time.

GS

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Another thing that may factor in is that the Shield is usually available for about $100 less. Having handled both, I can't say that the XDs is $100 better.

 

[Dean1818]

The Shield trigger will smooth out after 200-300 rounds

 

[Fatdaddy]

I recently traded into a XDS just after buying my Shield.

The XDS had better stock sights but I would be changing those out anyway, hopefully for some TFO's.

Triggers were almost identical with the edge going to the Shield (this had more to do with the actual shape of the trigger than pull weight which was identical on my examples).

The plastic case the XDS comes in is the nicest in the business if not a little large in order to house the junky holster and mag carrier.
I feel this is partially where the $100 price difference factors in.
The Shield comes in a tiny cardboard box that takes up very little room in the bottom of my gun cabinet, along with my other useless collection of junk.

It was truly hard to decide which of the two I was keeping but the Shield seemed to be the better value and fit my large/extra large hands a little better. It also has the words "Springfield, MA USA" engraved on the slide.

If I had plans on attaching a light, the rail of the XDS would have given it the edge but I feel it's only a matter of time before Crimson Trace or another manufacturer comes up with a clamshell type for the Shield, like is offered for the fullsize M&P.

 

[orionengnr]

M2 Carbine:

Nice shooting.

 

[SeanSw]

I dry fired them both side by side this afternoon. The shield had a better trigger than the xds.

And the Ruger sr9c was better than both!

 

[Orion8472]

Of the two I have, the release is pretty similar, but the Shield trigger is creepier. And after a few nights of holding them, I MAY be giving the edge, for grip feel, to the XDs. Tonight wll be the range portion, and will determine the "winner".