XDS and Shield Alternatives

[Vincent1966]

Hi,

With arrival of the M&P Shield and the Springfield XDS, I am wanting put my LCP aside as my carry weapon of choice. However, I am having a hard time getting a hold of either in any caliber due to the popularity and or price point. I have held each one in my hand at the local gun store, even had the opportunity to do a side by side comparison of the M&P 40 and the XDS 45. Truth be told, I like 'em all!

I am wondering what the forum would consider alternatives to the XDS and Shield autos. I would be willing to add another gun to my collection until those became more readily available at a good price. My only thing is that it should be chambered in at 40 or 45 cal.

Thanks,

MC

 

[Shipwreck]

Only one Shield alternative I know - and that is to buy two instead of one




Seriously, the Shield is worth waiting for (until you can find one). It really has lower recoil than other 9mms in its size class, and works fantastic.

 

[jimbo555]

Glock 27,36,Colt new agent 45.

 

[ColdDayInHell]

Yep. I have a Glock 36 and it takes a strong wrist to control that recoil. The .45 ACP cartridge in a 19oz subcompact takes some getting used to.

 

[FMF Doc]

There are the Khars too, but I would hold out for a Shield in .40S&W. It is totally worth it. If you like .40, I don't think there is much better than you can do.

 

[mavracer]

I like my Kahrs I have a PM9 and a CW45 and my daughter has a CW9 all have been perfect

 

[MCgunner]

The Taurus PT145 is light and compact, but it ain't close to the XDS in size. It's a little too big for even MY pockets. It'd go in a cargo pocket, but i'd carry it IWB if I had one, so it wouldn't get carried much. Pretty impressed with my SIL's though. Very accurate, reliable weapon and easy to carry and a 10+1 firepower.

 

[CTGunner]

The Walther PPS in .40.

 

[Vincent1966]

Only one Shield alternative I know - and that is to buy two instead of one

Nice!!! That explains why I can't find any though! :banghead:

 

[fxstchewy]

Glock 26, CM9. i picked up a CM9 a couple of months back and so far it is great, easy to carry, easy to shoot.

 

[jfrey]

+1 on what shipwreck said. The Shield is definately worth the wait. Although any Shield is hard to find, the .40's seem to easier to get than the 9mm's. If you just have to have a new gun now, get a Gen4 G23 and shoot the fool out of it.

 

[KTXdm9]

Kahr CM9 or CW9? I bought a Shield myself. Great little gun. Very comfortable for EDC.

 

[stolivar]

The Springfield XDS is very manageable. I have shot the 36, the PM45 and a couple of other small 45's and they were all at pain. The XDS is a pleasure to shoot and very accurate.

I can rapid shoot it one handed with no problem at all


steve

 

[Skylerbone]

I'm sold on the M&P platform and have no doubt the Shield will live up to that same standard but having spent considerable time with a Kahr CW9 gave me a true appreciation for this often overlooked brand. I recently acquired a Kahr K9 and after 400+ trouble-free rounds without cleaning or additional lubrication (and counting) I have a feeling my M&P 9c is gonna be spending a lot more time at home.

Well worth a look and at the price point of the C-Series pistols very little risk if you don't like it.

 

[PabloJ]

Hi,

With arrival of the M&P Shield and the Springfield XDS, I am wanting put my LCP aside as my carry weapon of choice. However, I am having a hard time getting a hold of either in any caliber due to the popularity and or price point. I have held each one in my hand at the local gun store, even had the opportunity to do a side by side comparison of the M&P 40 and the XDS 45. Truth be told, I like 'em all!

I am wondering what the forum would consider alternatives to the XDS and Shield autos. I would be willing to add another gun to my collection until those became more readily available at a good price. My only thing is that it should be chambered in at 40 or 45 cal.

Thanks,

MC

If you want pro-grade single-stack .45 then look for used S&W CS45. For 9x19 the value line S&W 908s is hard to beat.

 

[gym]

Shield in 40 and EMP in 40. I have tried them all, next is xds, but, I also swap with the Glock 30 and 26, combo. As 2 are allways better than 1. I got used to carrying 2 guns the past 4 years. I can arm someone else or have a spare if I should need it.
Remember it's what you decide works for you, not what works for me or anyone else. We can give advice from experience, but ultimatelly it's the shooter who must feel comfortable with their decision.
I find when I question something, I usually need a change.
For instance, with more gang type violent crimes and more gun educated ciminals, you can't be too well armed. And more of these types are dressing with some type of protective gear, so a more powerful round is a good idea.
Shotguns were the number 1 selling weapon last few months. That says something in itself, of course many were bought for HD, but we are headed to heavier firepower, and a pistol is still a limited weapon, so may as well cary a 40 or 45, even a 10mm, if it's possible, like a glock 29,30,36, or an xds

 

[flatlander937]

I originally wanted a Shield when my wife offered to buy me a new gun for my B-day(and pay for my CCW class )... though nobody had one, and apparently they still don't.

I am impatient and ended up wanting a CW9 instead... well the dealer was out of CW9s... so I left with a CM9 and a 7rd extended mag to go with it

Absolutely LOVE it. It is very easy to shoot, recoils much less than I thought it would, and while the sights are kind of unconventional to the 3 dot that is more common, I can line them up fast and accurately.

Only issue I had is that the 7rd extended magazine is ammo sensitive to at least one brand... I couldn't get through a full magazine of Federal 115gr FMJ ammo. The rounds would nose dive UNDER the feed ramp. Aguilla 115gr, Aguilla 124gr, and Magtech all function flawlessly. And more importantly the 115gr Remington hollow points are reliable in it as well. I have put 100rds of EACH of those brands of ammo through the gun, with more than half being through the 7 rounder once I had my first failure with it.

The Federal ammo has a more sharply angled "cone" of the bullet and has the longest OAL of all the cartridges by over 0.012" on average of all the above IIRC.


At the range, I got to shoot another fellow's XDS and I've got to admit, that thing had nowhere near as much kick as I thought it would have had. I was quite impressed, though the 5rd capacity disappoints me. 6 rounds and I'd be buying one ASAP.


To reiterate though, I think coming from revolvers there is a good chance you'll greatly enjoy the Kahr pistols with the DAO trigger and lack of external safeties.

 

[sig228]

The XDs is worth waiting for. I have one and its now my EDC. In the meantime though or as a backup, consider the Kahr CM40. Readily available on Davidsons for about 425 total. I have the CM9 and have been very pleased with it. The CM series by Kahr are a great value.

 

[SteelManCM]

Taurus slim PT740

Just a touch thinner than the XDs. 6+1 .40S&W

Great little gun.

Bash on, Taurus bashers...

 

[gym]

Those 740's are nice guns, I traded a revolver that I had for many years for one only for the 40 caliber round. They were one of the first who had it in a small package. I sold it for what I paid for it, so it held it's value, and the guy drove 100 miles to get it.
When they first came out. Back to what I mentioned, more powerful small guns are where we are going for some time now.

 

[wild cat mccane]

walther pps or Kahr. I had a horrible experience with a PM40 though.

 

[RBid]

For those addicted to slim: Kahr CW9 or Walther PPS.

Frankly, I think that the Shield and XDs are currently overrated. They are great products, but so are other options.

 

[Jaymo]

Jennings .22. Great pocket size. Just kidding, of course. Makes a great paperweight.

I had a J22 about 20 years ago, and it always worked. It was better than a sharp stick. Until it ran out of ammo, anyway.
Not exactly what I'd recommend for a carry gun. I'll take a Kel Tec P3AT or the Ruger or Taurus copy over a Jennings any time.
I'm really liking my SR9 and thinking about getting an SR9C for my wife.

 

[k_dawg]

Kahr CM9 is now my minimum carry. Very reliable and light. Yes, the grip has aggressive texturing. That limits how long I can shoot it in one session. But it really helps hanging onto such a small/light 9mm when using defensive rounds.

The trigger is either love it, or hate it.

 

[Plan2Live]

I'm confused by the G-Lock crowd when your post seemed to be leaning towards the thinner options. Oh well, fanboys will be fanboys.

If you are thinking thin/single stack, then you might wait to see if Springfield brings out the XDs in .40 or you might want to look at the Kahr MK40. When given the option, I prefer metal, especially shiny, over polymer. I also second the PPS .40 suggestion.

If I misunderstood and you are thinking double stack then don't overlook the XD Subcompact in .40 or the M&P Compact in .40.