Help me out:XDs .45/LC9s Pro/M&P Shield

M

MontyCop05

New member
Well I'm in the market for a new carry gun. I currently carry a first gen LC9, and have been doing so since it hit the market. I love the size of it. Its the most concealable gun I've ever carried IWB. I also own and have carried a G27 and a S&W 340CT. I still carry the G27 on occasion in the winter months, but 99% of the time its the LC9.

I'm looking to upgrade, and the contenders are the XDs .45, the LC9s Pro, and the Shield 9mm/.40. I'm upgrading because as much as I love my LC9 now, the trigger is way to long and heavy. Although I shoot it really well. I also don't mind, but also don't particularly care for the abundance of safties on it. Now that Ruger has done away with the mag/thumb safties, as well as the LCI, I'm considering the new version. Trouble is now there are more choices out there in the same size footprint.

I've fondled both the XDs and the Shield. I like the feel of both of them, with maybe a slight edge to the XDs. The shield definitely feels lighter in the hand, but not so much that it would cause me to pick the shield for just that reason. The triggers on both are excellent. They both were very similar to a glock trigger (which I carry on duty). From what I could tell, the shield's trigger felt just a hair lighter, but that is subjective to me, that may not be true by spec.

I love the .45 caliber; i just love shooting .45s. In fact my favorite gun in my collection is my HK USP 45c. It's a tack driver. That being said, the fact that the XDs .45 is only a 5 roounder is of slight concern; and a reload of .45s in the pocket is a little on the heavy side.

As for the shield, I wouldn't have a problem with either caliber. I carry a G23 .40 on duty so the natural choice is the .40 just becasue of ammo. (get free practice and carry ammo). Trouble is I know how snappy the .40 can be in smaller packages, so I'm going to have to shoot one in .40 before I pick it over the 9mm if I decide to go with the shield.

Over all, I already know I like the Ruger; conceals wonderfully, made in the US, excellent updates, and the new trigger in the Pro is arguably better than the shield's. The XDs seems slightly more concealable then the shield.

Essentially, I'd like to hear opinion(s) from those of you that have faced the same choices as I am, and have owned, carried and shot one, two or all of the above.

EDIT: For those of you that have been carrying the XD or Shield for a while, do any of you have anything to report in terms of slide wear, oxidation, or pitting? I've been carrying my LC9 for so long that it has some decent holster wear and oxidation on the side that lays against the leather in my crossbreed holster. Granted this is my fault for not wiping it down enough. Considering the stainless version of the XDs if i go that route...
 
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I've been carrying a 9mm shield in a alien gear hybrid since July. No holster wear so far. I really like the shield- shoots good and carries even better.
 
My $0.02--

Since you have handguns in all three calibers already, the point you made about stocking different ammo is a non-starter. You also mentioned that capacity is a bit of a concern and that .45 would be a little extra weight. So, to me, that seems to settle the caliber issue - 9mm it is. You already stock 9mm, that caliber will provide more capacity, the felt recoil will be less, and the weight overall will be less.

Ok, what does that leave us with? Shield 9mm, LC9s Pro, and (actually not mentioned) the XDs in 9mm. I would also throw in the PPS 9mm as one to look at.

In my opinion, these are all proven weapons that will carry about the same. That just leaves, as sole issues, trigger feel and the feel of them in your hands (both subjective things that, ultimately, only you can judge). Of course it would be nice if you could get to shoot examples of each before you buy but that might not be possible.

Don't know if these thoughts help in any way, but there you go. :)
 
I have the Sig938, CCP (still testing) and XDs-45. While the P938 is smaller overall the weight is similar to the XDs. If you use the standard magazine the XDs is my pick. I would suggest that you consider the new Powder River spring+sear kit.....I had it installed and the pull difference is night and day. Weight went from 8.5lb to 5 and the travel is very smooth with a crisp striker release.

I will say that the Sig320 looks very interesting in a sub-compact and of course I would wait for the 45cal.
 
I currently carry a first gen LC9, and have been doing so since it hit the market. I love the size of it. Its the most concealable gun I've ever carried IWB.

Over all, I already know I like the Ruger; conceals wonderfully, made in the US, excellent updates, and the new trigger in the Pro is arguably better than the shield's.
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Haven't you really already answered your own question?:D
Unless you feel strongly that you want to up your firepower to 45acp, the answer should be simple. Stick with what ya got, and love, in an improved version!
 
You also mentioned that capacity is a bit of a concern and that .45 would be a little extra weight. So, to me, that seems to settle the caliber issue - 9mm it is.
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Yes and no. I should have clarified. The capacity is a concern, but not a deal breaker, as after all, I am considering the XDs 45 as a serious contender. As I'm polling the opinions of the membership here, I'm watching for someone who has carried at least two of the firearms mentioned and tells me they didn't really notice the difference, or that they did notice it.

Ok, what does that leave us with? Shield 9mm, LC9s Pro, and (actually not mentioned) the XDs in 9mm.
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While the XDs in 9mm isn't out of contention, I'm really drawn to it in 45acp. This is why its proving such a tough decision for me. I don't know anyone with the XDs in 9mm, and I haven't found one at an LGS that is available to rent. However, once I get my hands on and shoot the .45 this week, I'll know if the 9mm is a going to be a contender.

I would also throw in the PPS 9mm as one to look at.
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Not a fan of the magazine release. It's just not natural for me at all.

Haven't you really already answered your own question?
Unless you feel strongly that you want to up your firepower to 45acp, the answer should be simple. Stick with what ya got, and love, in an improved version!
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Not really? I haven't ever carried the Shield or the XDs, so they may carry just the same for me...they are fractions of an inch different in size, which is why I'm considering them to begin with. I don't feel the need to upgrade to a .45 for carry, but I sure as hell wouldn't mind it...:D. I just love shooting anything in .45 as it just feels different to me. More of a "push" in recoil than a "snap" like the 9 or (especially) the .40. I've read much about the XDs being such a sweet shooter for a pocket sized pistol, even more so since its a .45. Same goes for the Shield. However its seems there are a lot more 9mm shield owners out there then .40 owners.
 
I've got a number of pistols including a Kimber Ultra CDP II in 45 ACP. I recently got a Ruger LC9s which is the easiest gun to conceal. It has a great trigger and has been 100% reliable. I will soon make it my main
ccw as I can carry it with ease in either a pocket holster or on the belt. A carry gun should be one you will actually not mind carrying.
 
I have all three, Shield in .40. Of the three, I carry the lc9s pro nearly all the time now. Nearly perfect daily carry option for me (night sites would get it there).

If I want .40 option for capacity/caliber, I jump back to my G27 (like you). I still like it over the shield for carry as it is less snappy, accurate, and carries well, just wider/heavier, by comparison.

The Shield in .40 is fairly snappy but still cool. It and the xds are nearly identical shape/size, as I just put one over the top of the other, but the xds is a little heavier.

If I went the shield route again, I'd do the shield in 9mm.

I really don't ever pull xds out of safe to carry just due to weight and limited capacity, even if it is .45. I tend to like capacity over caliber these post-Ferguson days...

Only LC9s cons might be for the lack of night sites and that the metal mag release button kinda rubs thumb after several mags on range.

For reference, my next favorite carry option is still the Sig p938. Great in every way except the beaver tail can sometimes grind into me a bit while driving; whereas, the Pro does not.

Hope that helps some.
 
Never owned an XDs (don't like XDs but if I ever buy one it will definitely be the XDs .45) or a Shield (I really want one of these) but I do own an LC9s and I hope to own several more as well as an LC380s whenever they release it (please Ruger, please). It's honestly hard for me to imagine a better shape for a firearm. It fits my hand perfectly, points great, and conceals in both pockets and waistlines like a dream.

Are there mechanical aspects of the firearm that could be improved? I think so. Namely, the magazine assembly has caused major issues for people when used in conjunction with the extended floorplate, and while I haven't had a single issue with the normal floorplate, it still makes me nervous. The extended floorplate, magazine catch, and magazine design all seem to contribute to this issue. But apparently this issue is practically non-existent when people use the Italian made magazines with the normal floorplate. I have been fine using the American magazines in conjunction with the normal floorplate but I really want to get my hands on an Italian magazine to see how it fits. I can't find them at all.

Also, the feed ramp was on the rough side when I got the gun and caused issues with JHPs. In general, the fit and finish was good, but a little rough and this is the only part in the gun whose fit and finish really caused me problems.

But still I love this gun. The Kel-Tec style pistol is just, to me, such a great design, and while it certainly has a few areas for improvement, the LC9s is still the best Kel-Tec style pistol I know of.

So count this as a vote for the LC9s. I have heard nothing but good things about all of these guns so you really can't go wrong with any of them. But the LC9s is the embodiment of what I'm looking for in a concealed carry pistol.
 
Yeah I'm leaning that way already. Part of me just wants the XDs cause its a mini .45 that I can carry should the mood strike me. I also have a friend that will sell me his XDs .45 with less than 300 R&D through it, and 5 mags for a hell of a steal.

I played with the G42 today as well and now I want that!!! I will pick up the 42 regardless because my fiancé wants to start shooting and also wants her own gun to be available to her when she's home alone. So that's my excuse to buy it. I probably won't ever carry it though. I used to carry a LCP in the hottest months of summer, but to me it's just too little of a gun. It's not just a caliber thing either. The .380 had its place, and is better than having nothing, but the LCP is a close range belly gun and nothing more IMHO.
 
Hmmm, if you can get a good deal on the XDs .45 with lots of accessories and a low round count, from a friend you trust no less, it might honestly be a good choice. Quality Control can be unpredictable with new firearms, so if you know that your friend's XDs .45 is reliable that sounds like it might be a good way to go, especially if you have already shot your friend's gun and enjoy it.

I don't know a lot about the XDs but I've heard nothing but good things about it.

I'm a huge fan of the LC9s but good deals from people you trust can be a real winner. Then again, if the XDs is not the carry pistol for you I guess it doesn't matter.
 
I've been shooting my Lc9s for a while now and love it, it's the first semi auto that I've had in over 25 years and it was the trigger that made me buy it. I've been spoiled by my S&W revolver triggers. The great accuracy and super reliability of the Lc9s was the icing on the cake. I have shot my friends XDS in 9mm and it was nice but it shot consistently low, but we were also shooting 115 grain bullets and I would guess if he bumps up to a 124/125 grain bullet it will shoot POA better. In my limited experience with the XDS it seemed snappier than my Ruger and I didn't like it as well. Just my personnal experience.
 
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