[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Shield vs. XDs (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 8/31/2013 5:34:01 PM EDT
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I am wanting to buy a new gun, and something smaller and easier to carry in all clothes, down to basketball shorts too. Ability to carry in a pocket is a plus, but not a requirement, primary carry will be IWB about 330.
I know about both recalls, and have decided to either find a pre- recall model or let them sort out the recall and buy from there. I will be buying the 9mm flavor, already have a stock in that. I have not shot either, my local range does not have them available, but have handled them both. I found the shield a little long, but nothing uncomfortable. The XDs I found the grip rough, but not funny shaped or anything. I found both triggers nice, but I am more concerned with reliability and overall durability of the weapon. I have never owned a XD but have a M&P full size, so familiar with the manual of arms, and they do feel similar in manual of arms to each other. Can't buy both, at least not right now. What say the hive? |
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I fail to understand all the hate for the grip safety, I started out shooting a 1911a1 years ago so I like it. Might have something to do with instances like what happened to Blitz_308 on here when he got shot in both hands and had a hard time getting a shot off with his 1911 due to an incomplete grip. |
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I like them both, but lean toward the XDS. I fail to understand all the hate for the grip safety, I started out shooting a 1911a1 years ago so I like it. I've seen ignition failures due to the grip safety on the XD line and that was under no stress range conditions. Other ARFcom members have had similar experiences and there is also a documented instance where a 1911 grip safety caused issues with a member here had been shot in his hands during a robbery. I don't hate grip safeties, I've seen them cause problems though and outside of 1911s I'd rather avoid them. The difference with a 1911 is that grip safeties with memory bumps help ensure engagement. All my 1911s have grip safeties with memory bumps. |
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I have both. I've carried the Shield since they first came out and have shot it a bunch. I got an XDs the day the recall was announced and sent it back to Springfeld the next day, without shooting it. I like the feel of the XDs better and I am not really bothered by the grip safety. Sights are more readily available for the Shield and I don't like the safety and have never used it. Holsters may be easier to find for the Shield as well, although the XDs fit perfectly in my Crossbreed Super Tuck. I don't think the XDs is $100 better than the Shield but you have to buy what you can find. Being in the market for another pocket 9, the XDs was available and the Shield was not. If a Shield was available I probably would not have even looked at the XDs. |
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying.
I bought the XDS because it has the nice fiber optic sight and was/is more available than the Shield. XDS's are $499 all over the net and Shields have generally been $449 the last few months. I will buy a Shield when I find one for $399 shipped. 
XDS is going back for recall repair shortly. 
For $366 you can buy a Bersa BP9CC that has a better trigger than both and shoots like a dream, btw.
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying. ] What do guys that carry cocked-and-locked 1911's do? Or HK's? You make it sound like a handgun safety takes ten minutes to disengage. I carry mine with the safety on and practice with it on, so that I disengage it immediately when I unholster it. It is not hard to disengage with the side of my thumb with my hand in a proper firing grip. |
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What do guys that carry cocked-and-locked 1911's do? Or HK's? You make it sound like a handgun safety takes ten minutes to disengage. I carry mine with the safety on and practice with it on, so that I disengage it immediately when I unholster it. It is not hard to disengage with the side of my thumb with my hand in a proper firing grip. Quoted:
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying. ] What do guys that carry cocked-and-locked 1911's do? Or HK's? You make it sound like a handgun safety takes ten minutes to disengage. I carry mine with the safety on and practice with it on, so that I disengage it immediately when I unholster it. It is not hard to disengage with the side of my thumb with my hand in a proper firing grip. Agreed. 1911's have safeties. AR's have safeties. AK's have safeties. Come to think of it all rifles have safeties. And all shotguns. Train with it, not a problem. Used all kinds of guns with all kinds of safeties and never had a problem. Or ignore it and leave it off. Never had mine on the Shield engage or disengage without me manipulating it. I'm an M&P guy, but the XDs seems like a nice setup. Grip safety wouldn't bother me (see 1911). |
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Just a personal bias, I know, but I won't even look at the XD series. I have shot the normal XD and compact that a buddy of mine has and wasn't particularly impressed.
I like my Shield very much. It feels perfect in my hand, and it shoots true. It shoots even better since putting an Apex carry kit in it. Mine was a February 2012 production and there are no issues with my trigger. |
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Just a personal bias, I know, but I won't even look at the XD series. I have shot the normal XD and compact that a buddy of mine has and wasn't particularly impressed. I like my Shield very much. It feels perfect in my hand, and it shoots true. It shoots even better since putting an Apex carry kit in it. Mine was a February 2012 production and there are no issues with my trigger. The XDs is a completely different animal than the rest of the XD line. I'm not in the market for another carry gun, I like my Sig P220 Compact too much. But if I were, the XDs would be my first pick. The Shield is a damn fine gun, though. Recent recalls aside, both are excellent, reliable firearms that are easily concealed. Just comes down to personal preference at that point. |
| I own the Shield in 9mm and the XDs in 9 and 45. I prefer the feel of the Shield at the range. It just shoots real nice for me. I don't care for the XDs grip and really can't stand shooting the 45 version. I will say the XD conceals very well and I like the sights. |
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying. I bought the XDS because it has the nice fiber optic sight and was/is more available than the Shield. XDS's are $499 all over the net and Shields have generally been $449 the last few months. I will buy a Shield when I find one for $399 shipped.
XDS is going back for recall repair shortly.
For $366 you can buy a Bersa BP9CC that has a better trigger than both and shoots like a dream, btw. As ridicules an argument as the grip safety one, IMO. The safety on the Shield is would be difficult to engage accidentally and is easy to disengage. One could just as easily train to sweep it off as they draw, as a precaution, or simply carry with it on. As has been mentioned, the grip safety may be disabled easily, if that's a concern. I've seen both, held both, own a Shield, and several "regular" XDs. There's nothing about either that would concern me about carrying either. |
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What do guys that carry cocked-and-locked 1911's do? Or HK's? You make it sound like a handgun safety takes ten minutes to disengage. I carry mine with the safety on and practice with it on, so that I disengage it immediately when I unholster it. It is not hard to disengage with the side of my thumb with my hand in a proper firing grip. Quoted:
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying. ] What do guys that carry cocked-and-locked 1911's do? Or HK's? You make it sound like a handgun safety takes ten minutes to disengage. I carry mine with the safety on and practice with it on, so that I disengage it immediately when I unholster it. It is not hard to disengage with the side of my thumb with my hand in a proper firing grip. With my USPc, I disengage the safety as I draw. With some practice, it becomes second nature. |
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That way, when your backstrap pops off, you can throw it at 'em because you now have a brick. Quoted:
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Neither Walther pps That way, when your backstrap pops off, you can throw it at 'em because you now have a brick. Don't be a douche. Seriously, take a look at the PPQ. |
| It takes all of 5 seconds to determine if a particular Shield is affected by the recent recall. Pull the trigger back a few times, just far enough to disengage the trigger safety. If that little tab re-engages when the trigger is released, the pistol is not affected by the recall and it's good to go. If one were to buy a used Shield, it's that simple to see if there will be a problem. |
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Don't be a douche. Seriously, take a look at the PPQ. Quoted:
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Neither Walther pps That way, when your backstrap pops off, you can throw it at 'em because you now have a brick. Don't be a douche. Seriously, take a look at the PPQ. I wasn't being a douche. That poster came into a topic about the merits of the XDs vs. the Shield and he felt somehow just saying his choice of carry, which is neither somehow contributes to the conversation. Personally I love the PPQ, but I hate the PPS because of the backstrap issue. I should not have to pin a backstrap on a $550+ gun to make sure it doesn't suffer a catastrophic failure. |
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Leaning more towards the shield now, it sounds better for me, I know it more, and recalls aside, it's a hards choice really.
I am going to pick it up and feel then side by side today, only place I can do it is Gander Mtn and they aren't takin my money for one today! |
| G27... haha! c'mon now, i can't believe the thread went this far w/o a glock comment.... but honestly, why just an xds or shield and not a glock?? i haven't seen shit for shields in socal and the xds has to go through an SSE here b/c they are 'off roster' hand guns, hence my bias... |
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G27... haha! c'mon now, i can't believe the thread went this far w/o a glock comment.... but honestly, why just an xds or shield and not a glock?? i haven't seen shit for shields in socal and the xds has to go through an SSE here b/c they are 'off roster' hand guns, hence my bias... I have a G19, love that thing. Just adding to the arsenal for different times where the G19 is too big or too much to get on. And a .40? Ewwwwww! Lol |
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying. I bought the XDS because it has the nice fiber optic sight and was/is more available than the Shield. XDS's are $499 all over the net and Shields have generally been $449 the last few months. I will buy a Shield when I find one for $399 shipped.
XDS is going back for recall repair shortly.
For $366 you can buy a Bersa BP9CC that has a better trigger than both and shoots like a dream, btw. That little safety on the Shield is hard to engage, but it is a breeze to sweep off, actually. I never had my safety accidentally engage, even when I was trying to replicate the kind of "safety-engaging" bump you are talking about. Unless you are a lefty, there is no reason I can think of to have the safety engage accidentally. Pick a holster that puts leather between the gun and yourself, then check the safety whenever you holster, and you will be fine. I think this is an Internet-driven hypothetical non-issue. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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That little safety on the Shield is hard to engage, but it is a breeze to sweep off, actually. I never had my safety accidentally engage, even when I was trying to replicate the kind of "safety-engaging" bump you are talking about. Unless you are a lefty, there is no reason I can think of to have the safety engage accidentally. Pick a holster that puts leather between the gun and yourself, then check the safety whenever you holster, and you will be fine. I think this is an Internet-driven hypothetical non-issue. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quoted:
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So what happens when you draw to defend your life and are met with a dead trigger because that tiny, hard to engage safety on the Shield got bumped to the "safe" position? Just saying. I bought the XDS because it has the nice fiber optic sight and was/is more available than the Shield. XDS's are $499 all over the net and Shields have generally been $449 the last few months. I will buy a Shield when I find one for $399 shipped.
XDS is going back for recall repair shortly.
For $366 you can buy a Bersa BP9CC that has a better trigger than both and shoots like a dream, btw. That little safety on the Shield is hard to engage, but it is a breeze to sweep off, actually. I never had my safety accidentally engage, even when I was trying to replicate the kind of "safety-engaging" bump you are talking about. Unless you are a lefty, there is no reason I can think of to have the safety engage accidentally. Pick a holster that puts leather between the gun and yourself, then check the safety whenever you holster, and you will be fine. I think this is an Internet-driven hypothetical non-issue. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I had the safety on my P30 engage because it rubbed against the seat belt while driving. |
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SW MP shield imo, a better made and better handling/shooting than the XD series...and I don't approve of grip safeties ymmv I agree. However, I like my 1911's grip safety. But on a polymer, and the way XD does a grip safety, it doesn't belong on a polymer pistol IMO... |
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I like them both, but lean toward the XDS. I fail to understand all the hate for the grip safety, I started out shooting a 1911a1 years ago so I like it. I've seen ignition failures due to the grip safety on the XD line and that was under no stress range conditions. Other ARFcom members have had similar experiences and there is also a documented instance where a 1911 grip safety caused issues with a member here had been shot in his hands during a robbery. I don't hate grip safeties, I've seen them cause problems though and outside of 1911s I'd rather avoid them. The difference with a 1911 is that grip safeties with memory bumps help ensure engagement. All my 1911s have grip safeties with memory bumps. IMO, the grip safety argument is flawed. If my hands are disabled for whatever reason, if I can't grip the gun enough to disengage the XD grip safety, how can I grip the gun will enough not to limp wrist it and induce a malfunction? More so, how in the world can I grip it well enough to pull the trigger? |
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IMO, the grip safety argument is flawed. If my hands are disabled for whatever reason, if I can't grip the gun enough to disengage the XD grip safety, how can I grip the gun will enough not to limp wrist it and induce a malfunction? More so, how in the world can I grip it well enough to pull the trigger? Quoted:
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I like them both, but lean toward the XDS. I fail to understand all the hate for the grip safety, I started out shooting a 1911a1 years ago so I like it. I've seen ignition failures due to the grip safety on the XD line and that was under no stress range conditions. Other ARFcom members have had similar experiences and there is also a documented instance where a 1911 grip safety caused issues with a member here had been shot in his hands during a robbery. I don't hate grip safeties, I've seen them cause problems though and outside of 1911s I'd rather avoid them. The difference with a 1911 is that grip safeties with memory bumps help ensure engagement. All my 1911s have grip safeties with memory bumps. IMO, the grip safety argument is flawed. If my hands are disabled for whatever reason, if I can't grip the gun enough to disengage the XD grip safety, how can I grip the gun will enough not to limp wrist it and induce a malfunction? More so, how in the world can I grip it well enough to pull the trigger? MAC has a couple of videos where he fires pistols using his thumb and forefinger. He does it to illustrate limp wristing malfunctions with Glocks but it shows you can fire a pistol with two digits. We can debate the value of grip safeties endlessly, in the end it's a matter of personal preference. I still question why SA would include a grip safety on a poly pistol when there's so many other poly pistols that have no other safety than the trigger lever safety. |
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Quoted: IMO, the grip safety argument is flawed. If my hands are disabled for whatever reason, if I can't grip the gun enough to disengage the XD grip safety, how can I grip the gun will enough not to limp wrist it and induce a malfunction? More so, how in the world can I grip it well enough to pull the trigger? Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I like them both, but lean toward the XDS. I fail to understand all the hate for the grip safety, I started out shooting a 1911a1 years ago so I like it. I've seen ignition failures due to the grip safety on the XD line and that was under no stress range conditions. Other ARFcom members have had similar experiences and there is also a documented instance where a 1911 grip safety caused issues with a member here had been shot in his hands during a robbery. I don't hate grip safeties, I've seen them cause problems though and outside of 1911s I'd rather avoid them. The difference with a 1911 is that grip safeties with memory bumps help ensure engagement. All my 1911s have grip safeties with memory bumps. IMO, the grip safety argument is flawed. If my hands are disabled for whatever reason, if I can't grip the gun enough to disengage the XD grip safety, how can I grip the gun will enough not to limp wrist it and induce a malfunction? More so, how in the world can I grip it well enough to pull the trigger? |
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I've had 2 XDS's in .45, and a Shield 9mm. I sold off my black XDS and purchased a Bi-Tone, thus why I've had two.
Anyways, on to my take, both guns are an excellent choice. I feel that the Shield is a better value, but the XDS is the better handgun. I have not found the grip to be too aggressive (although, some do) and both of the Springfield Armory offerings were 100%. The Shield, too, ran flawlessly while I had it. I've preferred the trigger on my XDS, as well, over the Shield's. It's unfortunate I have to send mine away for the recall, but I still have no doubt I made the correct choice for myself in keeping the XDS and selling off the Shield. I found the Shield to be snappier in recoil than my XDS, meaning I'm more accurate with the XDS despite being .45ACP. The grip safety is a non-issue with how you'll hold the XDS, it feels right in hand. If you can get over the higher cost and the hiccup with the recall, the XDS is the winner. That said, if value is your concern, you wouldn't go wrong with the Shield either... |