Deathmatch: Springfield XDS vs S&W Sheild.

[TFox2112]

I am trying to decide between an XDS and a Sheild. I am thinking XDS because I prefer a .45, but they are a little more than I want to spend and kind of hard to find. I can get a Sheild in .40 for about $170 less. What are y'allses thoughts on the matter?

[tombogan03884]

$170 buys a lot of ammo to get used to the new caliber, but, if you have the opportunity to shoot both side by side get the one you are more comfortable with,I'm not saying to skip the light bill or groceries, but with in reason "feel", and your confidence in the gun are deciding factors, not price.

[jaybet]

I'm going through this same thing right now. I really want a 45 and I'm a 1911 guy, but the little ones just cost too much. So the Shield would be a nice 9 carry- I like my full size M&P 9, but I still want 45. I had narrowed it down to the XDS, Glock G36 (or 30), and the Bersa Thunder Ultra Comp 45. The Bersa is set up like a 1911, is the largest (by little bits here and there), is the CHEAPEST too. You can find them occasionally on gunbroker for under $330. But it's an off-brand and maybe hard to keep running although they get rave reviews. I just passed up a real good deal on one.

That leaves me with the Springfield or Glock. The Springfield is more costly and less rounds, but at 1" wide, that's really cool. It costs more, and it's a new design. I was burned last time I bought a brand new gun with the SR9. BUT- this is really what I want I think, so it's maybe worth the $100 or so more than the Glock. On the other hand, the Glock is just slightly larger, has one more round (6+1), and is cheaper. And I know it will work.
I think it's going to boil down to if I see an XDS in a shop and I go for it, I go for it. Otherwise, it's  a slightly used G36.

[WatchManUSA]

To make the right decision you really need to shoot the guns.  Find a range that has them and put some shots down range.  Then buy the gun you shoot the best.

[jaybet]

To make the right decision you really need to shoot the guns.  Find a range that has them and put some shots down range.  Then buy the gun you shoot the best.

You're right about that, but I don't think anyone is letting those XDS out for "tryouts" - they're sellling too fast.

[Sponsor]

[WatchManUSA]

You're right about that, but I don't think anyone is letting those XDS out for "tryouts" - they're sellling too fast.

The ATF requires that guns designated as range guns are dedicated to range use. A gun shop shouldn't take a gun off the sales shelf and let it go to the range and then back in stock.  To be legit, the shop needs to be transfer between inventories.  Springfield and Smith have range gun programs.  The shop I worked at received their range guns a week or two before the sales stock kit the store.  When a gun goes off the range it is transfered to sales and sold as a used gun.

[jaybet]

No Kidding?

[Timothy]

Off topic but if anyone ever finds themselves in New England, it's worth the time and money to stop by S&W in Springfield!  You can rent and shoot ANYTHING they have in the Range store for the price of ammo and a stipend for rental.

I was there a few years ago and had the privilege of shooting a 3K custom shop 1911 for 20 bucks and a box of ammo...

[twyacht]

Grip texture on the Springfield, unless they recently changed it, felt like it would give me blisters if I shot it alot.

The M&P grip, of which the Shield copies just grips better. My full size M&P .40, I knew I would get it as soon as I picked it up.

The functionality, reliability, etc,.. are great on both. However, are the Xd's still made in Croatia? 

Buy American..... and get more ammo and mags.

[Ping]

Would love to make it to Springfield but they need to lighten up on their restrictions first.