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Youtube has really let me down on this one.

Is there a general consensus yet regarding the .40 Shield vs the XDS? I like to carry the largest caliber in the smallest, lightest, slimmest package. My edc for the last couple of years has been the PM9 but I'm really not a fan of the 9mm.

I've got drawers and boxes full of holsters. Tried it all. I always go back to OWB at 4:00. I also work in a very hot environment so summertime is shorts and T shirts. I need a VERY concealable gun.

Joey

joeybcdt wrote:Youtube has really let me down on this one.

Is there a general consensus yet regarding the .40 Shield vs the XDS? I like to carry the largest caliber in the smallest, lightest, slimmest package. My edc for the last couple of years has been the PM9 but I'm really not a fan of the 9mm.

I've got drawers and boxes full of holsters. Tried it all. I always go back to OWB at 4:00. I also work in a very hot environment so summertime is shorts and T shirts. I need a VERY concealable gun.

Joey

The .40 is a very "snappy" cartridge in recoil. This effect is magnified in small, light guns and definitely applies to the Shield, which I have shot in .40.

The .45 ACP has significantly less perceived recoil (for me - YMMV) and is slightly smaller. With that said, the Shield has a slightly larger mag capacity and is very flat and concealable.

IMHO, you couldn't go wrong with either of this very well built guns.

If you can, try each out at a range to see which feels better to you when shooting.

Joey,

I'm a fan of the XDS and, over the past few months, mine has become the most frequently carried gun in my rotation. I don't have experience to the Shield, but I find that for me, in small packages like these single stacks, I can get the .45 generally back on target faster than the .40. Others may not find the .40 to be snappier, so YMMV. The smaller backstrap on the XDS fits my hand perfectly, so if you've not handled both, that might be a good place to start. I carry with the small (5 round) mag in the gun since it protrudes less out of the grip and is easier to conceal and pocket the larger (7 round) mag as a spare along with a .380 BUG. I'm guessing that the .40 in a similar setup will hold more than 13 rounds, which might be a factor to consider, too.

The are a bunch of threads in the past two months comparing the XDS to other guns. There have also been countless folks wanting to know about carry rigs. (I use a horsehide Tommy Theis for IWB 4:30 carry, but do occasionally carry OWB in the same position. Feel free to PM me.) You might want to checkout these existing posts for more information. I think there have been an equal number on the Shield, but I've not paid as close attention since I don't have one.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

ETA: Looks like while I was typing, Excaliber beat me too all my basic thoughts!

I love Glocks. I hate shooting my 27. It's miserable. The 23 is a joy. The Sig 239 is enjoyable as well.

I never bought the Kahr PM40 because of bad reviews plus I just figured recoil was going to be like the G27 or worse.

The only .45's I've fired have been Colts. Government to the Defender and all in between. I have never fired a .45 with a two finger grip.

+1 to what hpc said. The XDs is very easy to carry, easy to shoot, great sights out of the box. I carry an extra 5 round mag in that little top coin pocket in my jeans and it disappears.

I am a .40 fan, but really haven't found a small .40 I like. Glock 23 is my choice in a .40.

Everybody is different with recoil. My 27 seems like a kitten to me after buying a snubnose and a glock 20. Never shot a shield in. 40 only 9mm and it was easy. The xds I shot was 45 and I thought it had just as much or more recoil with + p loads then the 27 but I could shoot both all day long.

My advice is either go down to 9mm or get a heavier gun in 40 or 45 if you want less recoil. Also I would get 45 since it also seems cheaper and easier to find currently. Sounds like a job for a 1911 if you ask me.

Of the two guns listed I would just go with the xds in 45 and run standard pressure rounds. 185 critical defense seems very easy to shoot in 45 to me. It is all a compromise and remember that you are wanting a larger bore with less size and weight. It might not be fun for a full day at the range but that is not your main concern.

Edit: another good single stack to look at is the Pps. Only downside is the Mag's are pricey.

+p in the XDs turns it into quite a cannon. The smaller weight, regular loads are incredibly easy to shoot.

That was my experience as well nyj. Standard pressure 185 in 45 is lower recoil Imo.

The whole 40 vs 45 recoil reminds me of the 44 mag vs 45 colt + p recoil. After shooting both rounds with equal weight 300 + grain loads in equal length blackhawks I would never choose the 44 mag. Velocity and bullet weight where almost the same but with less pressure with the colt. Made a significant difference in felt recoil!

I wanted the Shield until I learned about the XDS. Now that is the one I've got my eye on.

I have a Shield in .40, and while I do find the recoil somewhat "snappy", it's by no means something that would make me hesitate to put 100 or 200 rounds through it in a single session. If I had to pick something to complain about, it would be that the slim profile means that the front of the grip has my rather meaty paws curving around it tighter than anything else I own which means it's not quite as comfortable to shoot.

I know, I know...if that's the biggest complaint that I have, then I'm doing pretty well, right?

I can't compare it with the XDS...but if you like to carry a relatively powerful round and you're not recoil averse, then the Shield in .40 is probably a good choice.

I do not have a Shield but I have a buddy that does and have shot it a couple of times. I prefer my XD (both in a .45)

I have wondered about these two guns. I have shot the shield in 9mm and really liked it. If I found one in 40, I would buy. If I get a chance to shoot the XDs first, then I may reconsider.

I happily carry (and shoot) .40 in a full size M&P. So I don't have any personal challenges w. the cartridge. BUT, when it comes to a smaller, slim, single stack pistol, I opted for 9mm instead.

Marginally greater ammo capacity
Faster follow up shots

My take was that the difference in recoil would be more significant w. the lighter pistol. The M&P Shield didn't exist when I bought the smaller pistol; I have a Walter PPS, and am very happy w. it. One of the things I notice about the PPS now (compared to some other options on the market) is the rounded ('melted'?) contours - makes it that much more concealed-carry friendly.