Hey guys looking to add a compact pistol for use mainly IWB for everyday carry. I have been looking at the springfield XDS and m&p shield. I am also left handed and dont like the shield only having a safety for right handed shooters. The XDS is setup for either hand shooting. I have not gone into many other pistols besides Sig. Any suggestions maybe some other pistols I can check out or confirm the XDS is the way to go??? Thanks!
Part time gig at gun shop has me seeing the trends and customer happiness on purchases. Honestly I think both are very serviceable and have had just as many happy customers with them as the Glocks. My personal choice would probably be XDS for the either hand ease...but honestly if both were infront of me I'd probably take whichever was the better deal.
The better deal does sound appealing just leaning toward the XDS. I can get the shield for $330 but would have to fork out a bit more for the XDS as I can only find it near the $500 dollar mark.
I love my shield, but I don't have the off hand safety issue since I'm right handed. Have you held the XDS yet? The only thing I didn't like was how short the grip was, but I have big hands. If the grip were a little bit longer, I might have went with the XDS over the Shield. Either way, I have absolutely no complaints with the Shield. It was $100 cheaper, too
Yea if it was easier for me to use the safety I would be sold on the shield. I have bigger hands too but I shoot a friends smith and wesson bodygaurd and those grips are smaller I believe and I am pretty good with it. It's still up in the air since the shield is only $330. I could always keep the safety off but dont want to have to worry about it being on or off in the heat of the moment if I was ever in a position to use it against a threat.
I should state whichever is the better deal relatively speaking. The Shield will be overall cheaper always, however in my opinion the XDS is a slightly better gun, but that's opinion for sure. If small and compact is something that intrigues you check out some of the Kahr offerings, things perform way above their price and I love their feel. Depending on model they do bite some on shot but nothing someone outside of novices can live with.
"The best safety is between the ears...any other safety can be an issue it the heat of the moment" Heard this far too many times from some people, and it holds a lot of truth in a way.
I was also reading some say the shield mag release can be switched over like the full size pistols too correct?
XDS has a recall against it for something. I have had a G 23 for a year now, and would never switch. There is a reason most professionals carry a Glock.
Yep, it's because departments get a better deal. But that's not to take away from them being great pistols. Unfortunately the Shields mag release is not reverse able. As to the saftey it has to very deliberately be put on and off. My wife has one and has not found an issue with the safety coming on or off with out her doing so. She carries it in a molded kydex holster that was formed with the safety disengaged. I know a lot of people that are fond of the xds, I might have been if they would not have included that stupid antiquated grip safety. If you have a poor grip on the pistol which can happen in a stressful encounter or if your hand is injured the pistol will not fire. I personally prefer handguns without manual safeties, but if you prefer them make sure you train with them.
I've got a shield and haven't had any problems, but I'm also right handed. Dont have any experience with the XDS, got a buddy that has one but I haven't handled it or shot it. I've got a comp-tac infidel iwb holster for mine and its pretty nice to wear. Not having ccw yet here I don't carry it everyday but if I'm heading out to woods for whatever reason I'll usually strap it on just because. I don't know if you'd go wrong with either one, as far as safety goes it'd all be up to you. But being as your left handed the shield may not be the best best seeing as its only for righties really. Guess one way of looking at saving some money on the handgun would mean getting more ammo to shoot ha
I carry the S&W M&P 40 compact. Mine doesn't have a safety, besides in the trigger pull. I love mine!
I have 2 CC pistols My main is glock 32c in .357sig , the safety is not having your finger on the trigger. My backup or when its tshirt and shorts weather is a S&W Bodyguard .380 ACP - This one has a slide safety but i dont use it.
I like the bodygaurds too but dont like the long trigger pull on them. Probably just need some more range time to see what feels best. Also anyone shooting the XDS carry IWB have issues with the rough texture of the grip and slide on you?
You might need to get your bodyguard checked, that gun is a double action only. All trigger pulls should be the same. The grip texture on the xds is still somewhat smooth and shouldn't bother you to much. Also don't know what kind of holster you'll be using but a lot of them have a sweat guard that will go between your skin and the pistol. I carry appendix style in a very minimalist holster but I wear an undershirt for two reasons, one it works a sweat guard and two it keeps the pistol from shifting as much.
